While Covid-19 has hijacked most families' means of "getting out and about" in Rutherford County, it certainly hasn't dented our community's creativity. Thanks to the wonders of Zoom, Facebook Live, and amped-up websites, many local organizations and businesses have provided a myriad of fun, FREE, educational resources online to help families stay inspired during long days at home.
To be honest, I hesitated to put together this kind of list because for one, EVERYTHING is going online right now (I mean, hello, you can virtually tour The Louvre for FREE right now!), and it seemed kind of obvious.
But when I started virtually visiting local spots, I knew then that all of us parents need such a list. We need to see familiar faces reading us stories, demonstrating science experiments, and reminding us how to explore in our own backyards. It's a good reminder that our community is in this quarantine together, and the people and organizations who have always provided help to families locally are still here for us.
So, that said, here it is: 10 Online Playdates for the Family!
If you've heard about that "dinosaur museum" in town, but never made it over, now is a great time to learn about it online! The museum's mascot "Ty" takes daily journeys through the exhibits and shares his journeys on the museum's Facebook page. It's a great way to get familiar with paleontology, geology, and archaeology in one setting.
2. Wild Goose Chase Events Scavenger Hunts
There's nothing better than a good scavenger hunt, and Wild Goose Chase Events creates them weekly for busy kids. Explorers will learn more about local businesses and attractions while sharpening their online research skills. Keep these as a reminder for places to visit and people to meet when the economy reopens.
3. Rutherford County Arts Alliance
If quarantine has put a severe drain on your creativity, you'll want to virtually hang out with the folks at RAA. Weekly "Family Cheer" projects via Facebook means that someone else in charge of craft time, and other pop-up opportunities means you have access to local poets, writers, and artists who inspire us to keep the creative juices flowing.
4. Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation
If your preschooler is missing "Toddler Time with Thomas" and you wish you had access to a good online workout video, then head over to the Parks and Recreation Facebook page where you'll find Facebook Live recordings of most programs with your favorite instructors. Likewise, Outdoor Murfreesboro features videos and inspirations for exploring outside.
5. Rutherford County Library System
Check in with local librarians for story time and other popular activities via the RCLS FB page, or go to their website for accessing to e-materials including books, magazines, audio books, and music. Curbside pick-up is temporarily suspended, but scroll their social media sites for updates and virtual pop-up events.
6. Barnes and Noble Murfreesboro
I'm definitely going through "bookstore perusal withdrawal," but it's cheering to see the staff of Barnes and Noble Murfreesboro walk the store and provide storytime online even in these days. The store also posts updated stock of quarantine-friendly stock like puzzles and board games (besides, you know, books), so look for new goodies and place an order for pick-up Monday-Friday.
True to form, the DC continues to inspire STEAM learning even when its tiny patrons can't get to one of their favorite spots. The DC Facebook page features weekly SPARK workshops live, and the "Discovery at Home" web page is filled with experiments and prompts like "Exploring Milk" and "Discover Your Yard" to feed curiosity and learning for multiple ages.
Aside from wonderful learning prompts and fun facts on the historic site's FB page, families can jump on the live cam of the property to see trees and flowers blooming and some intriguing animal activity.
Catch "Toddler Tuesdays," "Civil War Q&A" along with storytime and other craft activities with the museum's staff via their Facebook page. Now's the perfect time to mine the extensive historical knowledge housed at this local gem!
Okay, so maybe you can't get to the climbing walls virtually, but learning and fun can still be had from the staff at SOAC! Head to their FB page for a list of Virtual Programs available online Tuesday-Friday. Print the list at the first of the week and get supplies together for making ice cream and gummy candy, bird feeders, print making and more creative activities!
Know of a great virtual playdate provided by a local business or organization? Please share it in the comments!
