Digital Downtown: Ways for Children & Families to Stay Engaged and Have Fun
While we are all staying safe and staying home, and with some schools on Spring Break, boredom may feel like an unavoidable reality. But the good news is, Downtown Norfolk has plenty ways to keep children and families engaged, educated, and entertained. Fun activities, virtual events, educational opportunities and more — Downtown Norfolk has your boredom antidote.
Tune In!
Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Music Learning Lab
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has launched the Music Learning Lab, expanding free access to educational and enrichment programming through a series of videos designed to serve all ages and levels of playing ability. Videos will feature the professional musicians of the VSO in short segments about everything from introducing young children to the instruments of a symphony orchestra to addressing more advanced level musical skill-building, including playing technique through virtual master classes. Check it out here.
Virginia Zoo: Virtual Spring Break Camp
The Virginia Zoo's popular Spring Break Camp is going virtual. Just like the in-person camp, this Virtual Spring Break Camp will still offer behind the scenes access, animal feedings, activities, and exclusive footage and content just for campers. Plus this virtual camp can be accessed 24 hours a day through June 2020. Campers will be using the Google Classrooms dashboard and be given easy-to-follow instructions on participating in camp lessons and there will be a Camp Instructor available via email for all your questions. The best part? It’s only $15 per household for the whole week of camp! Registration is opening soon, so check back to their Facebook Event page for more information.
Hurrah Players: Story Book Reading
Students from Hurrah Players are picking out their own books and costumes for a Story Book reading series to help entertain little ones at home. This project is in conjunction with Pembroke Realty. This fun series will premiere on their social media Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Make sure to tune in!
Virginia Opera: Children's Programming
Virginia Opera is sharing kid-friendly programming every Wednesday on their Facebook page: this week's program is Jack & the Beanstalk, which will be on their Facebook page until 1pm Wednesday. Be sure to check in every Wednesday to see the next week's educational programming!
Virginia Stage Company: Workshops
Virginia Stage Company is hosting quite a few Virtual Events, including two Virtual Stage Workshops specifically designed for those 17 and under: Monologue Lab and Acting Lab. These events are free, though registration is required. See all of the events here.
Slover Library: Stories and Activities
Slover Library is sharing lots of storytime readings, crafting activities, and a daily sketch inspiration to their Facebook page. Be sure to follow them for more activities to come!
Norfolk Tides: Tours, Past Games, and More
While baseball is postponed, the staff at the Norfolk Tides are taking their Facebook followers on behind-the-scenes tours of Harbor Park and sharing coloring sheets and other fun activities as well. Follow their Facebook page to keep in the loop!
Young Audiences of Virginia: Take Ten!
Arts for Learning, Young Audiences of Virginia, has initiated a new program called Take Ten! to make the arts virtually accessible to youth and families through live and recorded performances and workshops. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm, a ten minute live stream of #ArtsforLearning content will stream on their Facebook page, including a variety of music, dance, and storytelling, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, they will be sharing videos on demand as well on their YouTube page. Be sure to check in each week for new content!
Print Out!
Nauticus: Educational Worksheets
Nauticus has put together a great selection of Educational Worksheets, including trivia, math drills, word puzzles, science experiments, and more. Check out their Activities Page to see them all.
Chrysler Museum: Family Activities & Coloring Sheets
Chrysler Museum has put together a site filled with engaging activities for families, including educational activities exploring shapes, colors, I Spy games, math skills, and creative writing. They also have some coloring sheets inspired by works in the museum available for your kids to bring out their inner artist. Sheets can be downloaded and printed, or, if you don't have access to a printer, can be saved and imported to your tablet to color virtually. Check out all the coloring sheets here.
Virginia Stage Company: Coloring Sheets
Virginia Stage Company has coloring pages available inspired by two performances of A Christmas Carol and the 2017 production of The Wiz! Find coloring sheets here.
SevenVenues: Activity Book
SevenVenues has put together a great activity book filled with theatre-themed puzzles, mazes, skits, and games to keep your little ones occupied and entertained.