As the length of time in quarantine grows, so does our list of interactive and inspiring virtual activities. From art and acting to tours and tutorials, there’s something for everyone.
Published: April 28, 2020
By: Shannon Pease-Severance
THIS WEEK’S FEATURED LIVE BROADCASTS
Early Learning Coalition
Take a break with your little ones with a children’s story time at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Stories are told in English on Mondays, in Spanish on Wednesdays, and Haitian Creole on Fridays. Go to @browardelc on Facebook.
Twisters
Tune in at 1 p.m. weekdays for active lessons and workouts for kids. Daily themes include Health/Nutrition, Flexibility, Preschool Movement, Strength/Conditioning and Sports Psychology. Visit @AmericanTwisters on Facebook and @twistergymnastics on Instagram.
ONLINE PROGRAMS, PRE-RECORDED TOURS AND MORE
Children’s Services Council
Visit CSC’s website for a variety of activities and resources designed with kids and families in mind. Visit cscbroward.org.
Humane Society of Broward County
Our furry friends love learning new things and interacting with their humans. The Humane Society of Broward County posts YouTube training tutorials and fun activities we can do with our pets, including how to make a dog puzzle (youtu.be/a7syaumbELE), a goody bag for bunnies and guinea pigs (youtu.be/FvFFm6b9xZA), and training videos including instructions on how to teach your dog to sit (youtu.be/xljZn5cpX60).
JCC at Home
The David Posnack Jewish Community Center provides links to a variety of online family fun, including Yoga, Cooking, Mindful Movement, Kids Crafts and more. Programming is updated daily. Visit dpjcc.org/jccathome or Facebook @dpjcc.
KidVision
Explore kid-friendly ways to create a butterfly garden for your yard, participate in a read-along, take virtual trips and more on Facebook @KidVisionPreK.
ONGOING LIVE BROADCASTS
ArtServe
To connect artists and the community, ArtServe has created a virtual events series featuring Meditation Mondays at 10 a.m., Trending Tuesdays with artist-led discussions at 6:30 p.m., a variety of Paint-and-Chat discussions, Virtual Reality Art Workshops and more. Sessions are posted on Facebook Live @artserveflorida and Instagram @artservefla. For a schedule, visit artserve.org.
Dan Marino Foundation
To help strengthen socialization skills for individuals with developmental disabilities, the Dan Marino Foundation offers free virtual workshops for ages 14 and older with developmental disabilities, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder. The next monthly Zoom workshop focuses on Personal Finance Basics on April 24, with three sessions at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Register at marinocampus.org/virtual-workshops.
Guy Harvey Live
Back by popular demand, the famous marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey will continue to share tales of the sea and his art techniques through free Facebook Live sessions with his daughter Jessica on Saturdays and Tuesdays in April. Viewers who miss the live sessions can catch up on the videos tab at facebook.com/DrGuyHarvey. Additional resources at guyharvey.com/ocean-foundation include Shark Talk: Let’s Talk About Sharks!, an educational workbook with stories, artwork, conservation activities and games and quizzes, plus more than 30 educational videos and documentaries.
Miami City Ballet
For those who love to dance or are simply inspired by it, MCB has created a Dance-Lover Kit filled with essential reading, videos and activities to try at home, including livestream classes as well as downloadable coloring activities, podcasts and more. Visit miamicityballet.org.
Baptist Health South Florida
Use your electronic device to join one or many of the virtual Zoom classes the hospital has scheduled. Sessions include Zumba, yoga, Tai chi, mindful movement, line dancing, boot camp, crafts for kids and more. For a lineup, visit events.baptisthealth.net and select the virtual category.
Boca Raton Museum of Art
Being inspired and creative has not been canceled. The new, free Keep Kids Smart with ART program for all provides online art lessons, tips and activities for artists to express their creativity at home. Follow @BocaMuseum on Facebook and Instagram or visit bocamuseum.org.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade
Facilities might be closed, but the fun doesn’t stop at the Boys & Girls Clubs. Youth members can participate in virtual “after school” activities including story time, STEM, arts and crafts, physical fitness, yoga, homework assistance, mentoring and more via Zoom. Online schedules vary by club and age group. Visit bgcmia.org.
Broward County Library
Pull out a mat or beanbag chair and gather around the screen for a virtual story time. Stories released on Mondays are geared toward toddlers, and Thursdays feature a STEAM theme @browardcountylibrary on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Code Fever Miami
To keep kids learning, Code Fever Miami posts free, downloadable STEM activities and resources at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at codefevermiami.com/stem-at-home. Tune in at 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday via Zoom for a live activity discussion.
Florida Children’s Theatre
The nonprofit organization invites the public to participate in Social at a Distance programs via Zoom and Facebook. Some are free, while others require a fee to stream. Visit flct.org for a list of programs.
JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store
Head to any tabletop in your home to create some crafts with the family. Follow @JoAnn on Facebook or Instagram for live tutorials at 10 a.m. weekdays. To design something for yourself, tune in at 7 p.m. for a Crafts for Grown-Ups session.
John Wai Martial Arts
The Plantation studio is temporarily closed due to the coronavirus, but daily classes for kids and adults are in session via virtual broadcast. In addition to providing interactive martial arts lessons, instructors also gently remind kids to keep up with their daily chores and maintain good habits while at home. Join the John Wai community Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/johnwaicommunity for access to free, virtual classes.
Jungle Island
Children ages 5-12 can learn about animals, nature and the Everglades through free, daily, online lessons offered by Jungle Island. Visit the park’s Facebook or Instagram pages @jungleisland weekdays at 11 a.m. for fun-filled daily programming that include Everglades Exploration, Spread Your Wings, Primate Practices and more. Every Wednesday, Jungle Island’s Chats with Chatfield goes live, and every Thursday, the live broadcast is in Spanish. Kids can win prizes with homework assignments from the videos, which are posted at jungleisland.com/education/homeschool/.
Kennedy Space Center
For fun that’s out of this world, check out one of the Kennedy Space Center’s sessions. The fun and educational workshops include topics about rockets, space exploration and more, are aired Live at facebook.com/KennedySpaceCenterVisitorComplex every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m.
Miami Children’s Museum
“Museum at Home” delivers hands-on art projects straight to your computer. Visit facebook.com/miami.childrens.museum for artist-inspired projects for kids like Georgia O’Keeffe flowers and Yayoi Kusama contemporary art.
Michaels
A creative twist to crafting, Michaels craft store presents a live, family activity every Wednesday at noon. Tune in to facebook.com/Michaels to join the fun.
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
The Parks Department presents #THEPLAYGROUND, a series of interactive videos for families to enjoy and explore local parks from home. Sessions include guided tours of parks, animal interactions, fitness classes and more. Videos are posted every Thursday @miamidadeparks on Instagram, and additional live streams will be posted throughout the week at facebook.com/miamidadeparks.
Mind Body Social
Focus on mindfulness through meditation and movement through Zoom sessions led by professionals on meditation, Zumba and more. Classes and times vary. Free. Check website for details. mindbodysocialevents.com
Museum of Discovery and Science
Kids can keep up with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics via the museum’s free virtual learning videos, available weekdays through the museum’s e-news emails and social media channels. The STEM videos range from reading and hands-on activities to science and animal demonstrations. Visit mods.org and click “Sign up for e-News” to sign up for the email or follow them @MODSFTL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to join the fun.
Nature Postings
Tune in to Nature Postings’ YouTube channel for nature-based Fun Fact Friday videos that include online visuals such as animal interactions, cool critters, tours and more. Visit youtube.com/channel/UC0HlVXwrM9eXwE4zZVnIIhQ.
NSU Alvin Sherman Library
Little ones can listen to a story and have some fun during a live virtual story time with Miss Ruthie at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at facebook.com/AlvinShermanLibrary.
NSU’s Mailman Segal Center for Human Development
Find your favorite instrument, including kitchen items such as wooden spoons and plastic containers, for a fun-filled Sing-Along Saturday on April 25, 4-4:45 p.m., via Zoom. Meeting information is available on Facebook @MailmanSegalCenter.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
PAMM brings the museum to you, with at-home art-making activities, guided online museum tours, artist tasks and more. Visit pamm.org or @PerezArtMuseumMiami on Facebook.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Explore Frost’s Science@Home digital learning platform at frostscience.org/athome for DIY science, at-home science activities, step-by-step videos and more that you can try with your family at home. Tune in for Virtual Live@Frost Science every Wednesday at 2 p.m. on Facebook, featuring museum experts and scientists on a variety of science topics. Follow @FrostScience on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates and behind-the-scenes content and tag #FrostScienceAtHome.
Planet Fitness
You might not be able to work out at the gym, but you can “work in” at home. Planet Fitness offers daily classes taught by instructors and special guests via Facebook live stream every day at 7 p.m. The free classes are open to all – no membership or equipment needed. Visit facebook.com/planetfitness.
South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
The Science Center is taking its mission virtual. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @SFScienceCenter for Facebook Live aquarium programs every Friday at 12 p.m., Live science lessons every Friday at 3 p.m., Virtual Science Shorts and DIY@Home science experiments every Thursday at 2 p.m., Future Scientist Storytime every Tuesday at 9 a.m., and weekly virtual exhibit tours. Learn more at sfsciencecenter.org/virtual.
South Florida Symphony
The music plays on, via family-friendly Live on the Drive live-streamed concerts at 4 p.m. Thursdays at youtube.com/channel/UCKBFsCQsoZlxlw1GwIU4bNA and on Facebook at @southfloridasymphony. The organization is also offering concert archives for all, and music-inspired-movie watch parties for adults at 8 p.m. Saturdays.
Stranahan House
The historic home in downtown Fort Lauderdale is offering free story times, virtual museum tours and history show-and-tells Live at 11 a.m. weekdays at facebook.com/StranahanHouse.
Tinkergarten
Gather your little ones for Tuesdays with Tinkergarten activities streaming live on Facebook at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. You can join remotely for a 20-minute fun-filled class designed to keep kids active and engaged. Visit facebook.com/Tinkergarten.
Young At Art Museum
The YAA at Home program helps provide art relief for all and keep children artistically engaged with virtual tours of the museum’s interactive art galleries, downloadable art activities and creative prompts from special guest artists. The art activities are designed with common art supplies and recycled materials, and participants can win prizes. Follow @YoungAtArtMuseum on Instagram and Facebook or visit youngatartmuseum.org/yaaathome.php.
Zoo Miami
Get ready to say Awwww! Log on to Zoo Miami’s website to watch the “Meerkam,” a live webcam featuring the zoo’s lively and curious meerkats. Visit zoomiami.org/animals#item=429890.
ONGOING ONLINE PROGRAMS, PRE-RECORDED TOURS AND MORE
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Keep connected to the arts through Arsht Center’s Arsht@Home program, where you can be taught by an artist to create a family masterpiece, watch local actors perform plays and musicals, and sing along to curated playlists. Visit arshtcenter.org.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
As BCPA takes an intermission, you can still enjoy theater arts by way of Education at Home. You will find fun and engaging content, music, stories, virtual performing art classes, art-filled journeys and more. Join Classes to Go on Mondays at 4:40 p.m., Spotlights Sing on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. and Sundays at noon, Broadway Chat Series on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and Singalong with Miss Tammy on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. Visit browardcenter.org or @browardcentereducation on Facebook.
Broward County Parks
See a series of fun facts and videos posted weekly on Wildlife Wednesday, meet the residents of Creatures Corner, or participate in an online guided meditation set to soothing music at facebook.com/browardcountyparks.
Junior Achievement
To keep students’ minds active, JA offers tools, resources and learning experiences designed to sharpen financial literacy skills and work readiness. Visit juniorachievement.org.
Vizcaya
Take in the beauty of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens remotely with free access to virtual tours, Zoom backdrops, behind-the-scenes videos and more. Visit vizcaya.org, where you will also find a Secret Doors Online Tour link that allows you to explore the hidden doors and passages throughout the estate for a donation of your choice.
Bienes Center for the Arts
The Show Must Go OnLINE, so the Center is highlighting performances from their video archives for friends and fans of arts. Visit bca-sta.org.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Take a virtual stroll through the historic home and museum and grounds of the Fort Lauderdale Beach estate built in 1920, while viewing elements of art, architecture, history and ecology. The four-part virtual tour can be viewed at bonnethouse.org/a-virtual-and-vintage-tour-of-bonnet-house.
Broward County Library
Peruse books, music and more through the library system’s online portal. Through a variety of streaming services, the library connects library cardholders with ebooks and audiobooks, music, movies, television shows, courses and more. Visit broward.org/library to learn more.
The Children’s Trust
Check out The Children’s Trust website for a variety of ways to keep the kids entertained during the quarantine, including arts and crafts ideas, songs to sing while washing your hands, and audio book links. thechildrenstrust.org
Coral Springs Museum of Art
Families can learn how to make a stained glass luminary with a jelly jar, take online tours of the latest art installations, and participate in a healing art program on the museum’s Facebook page @coralspringsmuseumofart.
Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens encourages you to explore the outdoors while stuck indoors, virtually that is. Flamingo Gardens posts videos and shares fun projects each day about plants and animals. The program is designed for younger kids, and covers the topics from A to Z starting with “A is for the Annatto Bush and Alligators.” The series can be found at youtube.com/channel/UCUHHGcmzaPpby4VA7I4repA and @flamingogardens on Facebook and Instagram.
Florida Panthers
Get free, remote access to Hockey Scholar, the hockey-themed STEM curriculum presented by EverFi for elementary and middle-school students. Part of the NHL & NHLPA Future Goals™ Program, Hockey Scholar provides foundational STEM concepts and introduces students to careers in hockey related to STEM. Sign up at futuregoals.nhl.com/?t=pan.
Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami
MOCA North Miami continues its educational Fun Friday programming for kids by posting art projects with step-by-step instructions on Facebook at @MOCANoMi. Kids can learn how to make their own sheet of paper and more. Online guests are also invited to tour the museum’s collections virtually by visiting mocanomi.org/category/moca-from-home/.
Palm Beach Zoo
PBZ-TV has dedicated every Tuesday as #TIGERTUESDAY. Families can watch a weekly video segment on the zoo’s resident Malayan tigers, and download supplemental learning materials, at palmbeachzoo.org/activities.
Play Davie Virtual Recreation Center
The Town of Davie encourages the community to stay active, connected and informed through virtual, interactive activities. Visit davie-fl.gov/VREC for activities or follow them on Facebook @DavieParksRec.
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Participate in physical movement, learning and hands-on activities via SPE’s new YouTube channel, Sony Pictures’ Kids Zone. The program is curated specifically to support families coping with school closures, work-from-home routines and social distancing. Visit youtube.com/SonyPicturesKidsZone.
YMCA Virtual Fitness Challenge
The YMCA offers a four-week fitness challenge for the entire community designed to get you moving for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, while practicing social distancing. Program runs through May 10. Visit ymcasouthflorida.org/challenge-stayhealthy.
JUST FOR PARENTS
Autism Society
The Autism Society provides a weekly Facebook Live Coronavirus Information Series dedicated to providing information to the autism community. Broadcasts include an expert discussion on topics including mental health, federal emergency funding and financial planning. Go to facebook.com/AutismSociety.
