We’re struggling over here too! This is an incredibly challenging time on all parents, no matter how old your kids are. Although it’s difficult to explain to a 3 year old why she can’t go to the park, school, or her lessons, I’m truthfully glad I don’t have to navigate the whole distance learning thing. However, even with formal schoolwork to complete, parents are struggling to fill gaps in new schedules. The businesses and organizations below are offering special programs during this time. Many are even offering services for FREE!
MUSIC
Music Together of Monroe/Newtown- MTMN has created a special Facebook group to help parents & kids get through this challenging time with music. Join by clicking here for daily music and crafts.
The Music Coop – Owner Samantha Murtha is offering online lessons in voice, piano, and guitar. Contact her for details by emailing [email protected] or by calling (914) 907-3929.
Newtown Suzuki School of Music – Currently running online programs for students enrolled in Piano, Violin, & Guitar lessons utilizing Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. New students ages 5 and above can try their first lesson for free. Email Paul at [email protected] or text Paul at 203-512-5470.
ART
AR Workshop – This Fairfield based make-you-own studio is offering take home kits for kids. These kits are perfect for kids as young as two. Please note delivery to Newtown is available for orders of 4 or more. Click here to view the two options.
Board & Brush Danbury – Gift certificates available at a discount for when they re-open.
Charmios – Art-on-the go is available at Charmios starting on Wednesday. Videos will be posted on their YouTube channel by end of the week.
Create Escape Art Studio – Is offering to-go kits that you build yourself based on their current inventoryl. Please visit here for all the details and to place an order.
The Giggling Pig – You can purchase an art kit to go from the selection available here. They even offer a monthly subscription option.
Madden Designs – Offering DIY at home rustic sign kits. Over 30 designs to choose from and free shipping/local delivery.
Recess Playworks – This new Ridgefield-based co-working space with kids’ activities will be offering virtual art classes for all ages (starting at age 2). They will be designing 10 to 15 minute videos to engage children & foster creativity. Families also have the option of of purchasing a $10 Kids Activity Kit. They also recently launched an Art Box – which includes 5 days of art project by classes at home for $65.
DANCE
The Station Dance Academy – Offering private lessons at half price during this time. Contact the studio for more details.
Graceful Planet – Now enrolling for online Princess Ballerina class. This six week session begins 8/6, features two weekly dance classes and costs $60 for the six week session.
Lathrop School of Dance – Offering a Mommy & Me class on Zoom for $5 per lesson. Class takes places on Thursday’s from 10:45 to 11:15.
MISCELLANEOUS
Cristine’s Critters – Daily Facebook lives featuring animals. Tune in directly to their Facebook page each day at 11AM.
Reis Learning Center – Complimentary Facebook Live American Sign Language classes at 2PM daily through March 30th. Sign up for Zoom classes for the month for April. Cost for April is $95 and includes eight 50-minute classes.
MUSEUMS & LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation – Will be bringing programs online in the coming weeks for children. All are invited to the sanctuary in Newtown (3 Old Farm Road, next to the dog park), but please keep your pets on leases and practice social distancing. Please follow along on Social Media or website.
The Discovery Museum – Offering Free “Discovery at Home” & “Planetarium Shows”. Digital Discovery labs are also available for a fee, with members receiving 10% off.
EverWonder Children’s Museum – Starting 3/23, the museum will be posting a series to their social pages aimed at helping families learn together. Ideas will include challenges, experientents, downloads, videos and more. Each day will have a theme around STEAM. Perfect for pre-k through grade 4.
The Beardsley Zoo – The zoo is hosting Facebook Live events on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 2PM. Today, the zoo announced they would be creating additional educational videos that will be on their YouTube page and website.
Maritime Aquarium – Facebook lives have been happening on their Facebook page. Follow then on Facebook to see the previous videos and find out about the next lives.
Museums offering Virtual Tours – I continue to see friends post links to this article. Museums like the British Museum, the Guggenheim, & MASP are all offering virtual tours for FREE. Great for older kids & adults!
STEM PROGRAMS
Recess Playworks – Now offering online coding classes. Please check RP’s social media pages for more details.
ONLINE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR FREE
ABC Mouse – Perfect for ages 2 – 8. You can sign up for a FREE 30 day subscription.
Lovevery – Added an Activity Central to their blog which will provide play based content for parents of children 0 to 25 months+.
Mystery Science – Offering K – 5 science lessons to keep your kids engaged and learning.
PBS Kids – Games, videos, and more available on their website. You can also sign up for daily newsletters to get even more inspiration.
Scholastic – Free website for kids in pre-k through 6th grade. Head to the website, by clicking here.
Storyline Online – Give your kids a break of your own voice and tune into this virtual story time platform.
Virtual Field Trips – Take your kids away to a place that you may have visited before or can plan to visit in the future. Click here for tours of the San Diego Zoo, Great Wall of China and more.
STORY TIMES
Pete the Cat – Author James Dean has held story hours the past two days. He draws a picture of a character in the book and reads a book from the series. Follow along on Instagram for updates.
Pinkalicous- Author Victoria Kane ran a story hour on her Facebook page today. A past story time is saved here.
Save with Stories – This joint initiative by Save the Children and No Kid Hungry aims to raise money for the millions of kids in our country that are in need during this time. Tune in to here your favorite celebrity read a children’s book.
And finally, don’t forget about our local libraries. Although they are all closed, many are still operating behind the scenes and can offer suggestions for programs you can use at home. If you subscribe to their emails, you’ll get ideas and info on virtual story hours right to your inbox.
Have another great resource, please share! Email [email protected] to add a resource.
Last updated on Sunday 3/23