(The text below is from our official News Release PDF)
Many parents across the county and world have become unexpected homeschoolers in the past few weeks and are looking for things to keep their children entertained. With schools closing and the local shelter-in-place order in effect, here are some local and online resources for children to enjoy.
Although you should avoid playing at parks or in social settings, it’s important that children get outside to get some fresh air. For added fun, create a scavenger hunt of things you’re likely to see in your neighborhood for your children to complete.
Redwood Edvetnures has lots of ideas about being in natural spaces—just make sure to maintain a six foot social distance from other people, and make sure your children understand that too. Click on the link for more information: redwood-edventures.org/students-games.php.
Biking is a great way to get outdoors, while still safely maintaining social distancing. Check out this guide to biking trails in Humboldt County to find one near you.
Gardening is a great way to get outside. Check out the following links on how to start a garden and backyard activities for children: treehugger.com/lawn-garden/diy-seed-pots-common-household-items-starting-seeds-indoors.html and www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/10-fun-easy-backyard-kid-activities/.
Sidewalk chalk and chalk paint is also a fun activity for children. Draw a big circle for each child who is participating. It will give them their own space to draw a picture while they maintain a safe social distance.
There are also lots of online resources for children and teenagers such as online museum tours, virtual visits to the aquarium and arts and crafts tutorials. Check out the list of links below.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/.
Tour the Boston Children’s Museum: www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour.
Tour the Newseum: newseumed.org/.
Tour Smithsonian Institute for Kids: www.si.edu/kids.
Roald Dahl Museum Read Along: www.roalddahl.com/things-to-do-indoors.
Tour the Louvre: www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne/.
Tour the British Museum: britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/.
Tour the Van Gogh Museum: artsandculture.google.com/partner/van-gogh-museum?hl=en.
Take a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History: naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour.
View different live cams of Monterey Bay Aquarium exhibits: www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams.
Take a virtual tour of NASA Space Center’s Hubble Space Telescope: www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-360-degree-virtual-tour.
Check out these ten-minute crafts for children: www.thesprucecrafts.com/10-minute-crafts-for-kids-1250670.
Learn to paper mache: www.thesprucecrafts.com/learn-how-to-paper-mache-4122422.
Utilize materials you have on hand to create recycled art: www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/04/recycled-art-project-for-kids-2.html.
The decision to shelter in place is one that will protect the entire community. We hope children enjoy these local and online resources and share them with their friends.
For current information about COVID-19, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org, or during business hours by emailing covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19,
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19,
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19, and
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert
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