This is a fabulous list of resources and ideas to inspire and keep you and your family active and entertained while social distancing.
Ideas include free online yoga classes, language learning resources, starting a virtual book club, hosting a virtual hangout or wine tasting with friends, making a family scrapbook or newsletter and SO much more.
Browse inspirational ideas and links to free online resources
Kids Game / Toy Design & Activities
“These twirling toys are all the rage, so we decided to put our own little spin on them. Using just two sheets of colorful origami paper, glue, a paper clip, and four coins, learn how to create your own personal spinner to both amuse and amaze.”
Ages 5-16
“Have a hoppy time with this do-it-yourself bunny automaton. With help from our templates and a bit of tinkering, you'll be able to create a bunny that hops along with a single push.”
Ages 9-16
“Build your own bow and arrow and see if you can hit a target! Host a competition and see who can get the most points. “
Ages 5-16
“I was so inspired by this Tiny Bow & Arrow set that I saw on the Brooding Hen... My six-year-old is fascinated with bows and arrows, so this craft stick/Q-Tip combo seemed liked the perfect starter set for my little knight.”
Ages 3-11
“Celebrate the 4th of July with a pop and a bang! These mini rockets are so easy to make and so fun to set off, you’ll want to launch them again and again.”
Ages 12-16
“How can you move something great distances with something as simple as a string? In this experiment, you’ll use a Ziploc® brand sandwich bag, string, and two chairs to build a mini-gondola. Once you construct your system, fill the bag with a secret message and pull the string to deliver your message! How does pulling and pushing the string change the direction of the system?”
Ages 3-9
“We love catapults around here at Kiwi Crate. Launching things is endless entertainment. This particular catapult that we created includes a nod to the Fall season and Thanksgiving. Cranberries make for the perfect ammunition. We tried Pom Poms too, and they worked just as well.”
Ages 5-16
“Levers are simple machines that help us move or lift something. See how levers work by making your own dancing puppet!”
Ages 5-11
“I’m a huge race car fan, so when we started experimenting with wheeled vehicles in our kid testing lab, I knew just what I wanted to create! Using simple household materials and tools, it was super easy to create a rubber band-powered racer. The steps below require some adult assistance as we used an electric drill and a hot glue gun, but our kid testers were happy to help with the other steps -- and of course experiment with wheels, rubber bands, and different surfaces to see how fast their racers could go!”
Ages 5-16
“Make a bell? Yes, please! That is how my five-year-old feels. I don't know what it is about bells and this girl, but if it dings or jingles, she has got to have it! (Probably just because she can make even more noise with an accessory.) So yes, excitement was in the air to make our very own bells. She called them "cow bells" and I am not really sure why.”
Ages 3-8
“My two-year old is in a barn animal phase. It's super cute--all his animal noises and the pointing out of each cow and pig he sees everywhere we go (it's surprising how often we see them!) I wanted to make an easy animal craft with him that he would enjoy.”
Ages 3-8
“We have been into making music for the past few weeks at our house so we decided to add to our growing collection of instruments by making this kazoo!”
Ages 3-8
“With a little imagination and creativity, there are many things that you can create by learning how to make a simple lift! A parking garage, a dollhouse, a make-believe tree house, and an elevator are just a few ideas. If you have some extra crates or boxes to repurpose this Earth Day, give this DIY a try!”
Ages 9-16
“This is such a fun and simple activity to do with young kids when it’s too cold to play outdoors! Create mini marshmallow shooters with everyday household items. Get extra cozy with some hot cocoa and see how many marshmallows land inside your mug! It kept my high-energy nieces and nephews busy for quite some time.”
Ages 5-16
“Have you ever seen the magic trick where someone yanks the tablecloth off a table, and all the dishes and silverware stay in place? Well, it’s not magic - it actually happens because of inertia! Inertia is a physical property of all objects. Because of inertia, a thing will stay at rest (or keep moving how it’s moving) unless it’s pushed or pulled by something else. Otherwise, it’ll stay put, like all the dishes and silverware on the table.”
Ages 5-16
“Make your own mini-sized and portable foosball game with easily found materials. Create a whole set of players to complete your team! Once you are ready to go, grab a friend and start the fun!”
Ages 9-16
“If you’ve ever been near a maple tree in the late summer or early fall, you’ve probably watched their seeds twirl down from high branches and fall near the base of the tree. These seeds are a natural example of how helicopters work by creating lift!”
Ages 5-11
“Make your own chalkboard painted block puzzle. You can erase the chalk easily with a damp paper towel and start all over again.”
Ages 3-6
“Make your workspace both more tidy and more fun with this Toy Story 4 Ferris Wheel Desk Organizer! With simple materials, build a Ferris wheel, perfectly sized for tabletop organization. Fill it with small school supplies, and after schoolwork is done, take Woody, Buzz, Forky, and Bo Peep for a spin! Join your friends on an amazing adventure and see the original Ferris wheel in action!”
Ages 9-16
OPEN FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY FROM 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
OPEN THURSDAY FROM MAY 16TH TO SEPTEMBER 5TH, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM
