Michigan schools remain closed and we are all practicing social distancing. Being stuck at home all day is challenging for both parents and children. Luckily, the Ann Arbor area is full of engaging online resources to keep the kids occupied, happy and learning! Check out these six high-quality virtual tools from our favorite local family friendly destinations.
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
The Hand-On Museum offers weekly virtual workshops, with topics such as Exploring Your 5 Senses, Snakes and Wind Turbines. Check out the museum’s Facebook page for fun videos on making slime and nature activities with Lannis Smith from the Leslie Science & Nature Center. View the museum’s YouTube channel for weekly videos on children’s STEM activities you can do from home.
Leslie Science and Nature Center
Attend the Leslie Science and Nature Center’s Virtual Spring Break. The nature center offered a full week of activities and programming for families. You can now find all the activities on their website. Access the 5-day programing of morning activities, environmental education, STEM education, chillaxation, song time and camp games.
The Creature Conservancy
The Creature Conservancy’s Facebook page is a must-see for animal loving families! They host virtual visits with many of the animals housed at the Conservancy such as Kali, an eastern indigo snake, Mike, the shire horse, Jerome, the Argentinian black and white tegu and Poe, the African white necked raven.
Yankee Air Museum
The Yankee Air Museum has put together a collection of aviation-related online activities for kids called the Creativity Hangar. The virtual resources include story times, games, crafts, and puzzles. In addition to the videos on the Yankee Air Museum’s rich history and their aircraft collection, there are lessons, activities and coloring pages from NASA.
Ann Arbor District Library
The Ann Arbor District Library created a virtual library of fun family activities on their AADL YouTube channel. Online content includes story times, trivia, cooking, craft projects and much more!
Be Creative Studios
The Ypsilanti-based Be Creative Studios is holding weekly virtual art classes for kids and adults. The creative courses focus on general art techniques, painting, puppeteering and sculpting. Courses are $15 per household for adults and $10 for kids. Teen sessions are free.
The Ann Arbor area is known for creative solutions and original ideas. In these challenging times, it is not a surprise our local organizations have pivoted quickly to deliver superior content to educate and entertain families. Stay safe and healthy!
These are definitely uncommon times but Ann Arbor is an uncommon place, full of resilient, passionate people! We are putting out a call. What does Ann Arbor mean to you? Show us by posting photos or videos of all the places in Ann Arbor that you can't wait to get back to. Post using the hashtag #AlwaysA2. Let's spread the Ann Arbor love! Learn more about the #AlwaysA2 campaign.
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