We’ve compiled a list of fun and safe things for you to do at home and outside while practicing social distancing. We know times are tough but we will get through this together!
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Fitness: Workout with Lori
Join Arlington County Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer, Lori, for a short five-minute full body workout. All you need is some weights (cans or water bottles work too).
Art With Mr. Jim: Aurora Borealis
Do you love pastel colors? Join Mr. Jim in this awesome video learning to recreate the beautiful magical Aurora Borealis. Here are the materials you will need:
- 1 piece of black paper
- 1 piece of white paper
- Pastel colors (or light-colored crayons)
- White crayon
Drawing with Dav Pilkey
Check out these fun videos for kids (and adults!) that the Library of Congress collaborated with Captain Underpants author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. Try your hand to draw like Dave!
Livestream Animal Cams @ the National Zoo
Summer Shredding Challenge
Try this free eight-week challenge by Chloe Ting! This workout is suitable for beginners and intermediates. It is a great way to start getting back into shape for the summer and can help you maintain an easy fitness schedule!
Craft Stick Catapult
Here’s a good excuse to eat a lot of popsicles all in the name of STEM exploration, right? How about making a popsicle stick catapult! Just follow these instructions to help your little one engineer and use a simple catapult. There are many things to practice or learn through this easy project: counting sticks, trial and error with construction, fine motor skills for stretching rubber bands, the physics concepts in making a simple machines, and more. The best part for sure is experimenting with all things that will fling!
Pouring Station
Young children love to practice grown-up skills and pouring is one they rarely get to try due to the 99% probability it will spill and cause a disaster! Practice makes perfect, right? Gather a few supplies for your child to safely practice and say “yes” to the mess! Click here for full instructions.
Escape from Hogwarts
Any Harry Potter fans out there? Check out this virtual escape room inspired by our favorite wizard! You can do this alone or make this a friendly family and friends competition. Send the link to your friends, pick your Hogwarts house (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin) then set a timer and earn house points by escaping the fastest!
P.S. You can listen to the UK audiobook version of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone for free on Audible Stories.
Agility Circuit with Michelle
Get your heart rate up with this five-minute circuit workout with our DPR Fitness Manager Michelle Atkin! Challenge yourself and increase your speed as you do the ladder exercises.
Get Creative with Treats
Did you know you can create a snake or turtle with simple ingredients you may already have at home?
Check out these two fun recipes and show your creative side with food!
Blast off a Bottle Rocket
Here is your chance to build your own bottle rocket like a pro! It’s simple and all you need are items around your house. Click here for full instructions.
(Note to self: Challenge someone to see whose rocket goes highest!)
Tongue Twisters
Try these tongue twisters from Encore Stage & Studio on your own or with a friend! See how many times you can say them correctly going fast, going slow, or spinning in a circle.
Sensory Activities Help Keep You Calm
Visit the Therapeutic Recreation Facebook page for new fun projects every weekday at 1 p.m. Sensory-stimulating activities can help calm the body and mind as well as aid in self-regulation. Activities have been selected that use typical items found around the house, but not food.
Puppet Show Spectacular
Have a show! Here are tips on how to have your own puppet program at home. This is a great multi-step activity to have fun for a whole night or two.
Fitness: Planks with Michelle
Challenge yourself with this quick fitness video. How long can you hold a plank? Try different versions: forward, side, dip, twist, and reverse. (BTW: not to burst anyone’s bubble but the Plank World Record is held by a 62-year-man: 8 hours, 15 minutes and 15 seconds. OMG!)
Food Never Tasted Better
Check out these yummy recipes from the Virginia Family Nutrition Program. Have a family movie night and enjoy!
- French Toast with Fruit Sauce
- Quick Pizza
- Herbed Popcorn & Pretzel Mix
- Grilled Pineapple Salsa
- Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
To celebrate Cinco De Mayo we have put together some fun facts about the holiday:
- When & Where: Cinco De Mayo was first celebrated in the state of Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862
- What Happened: Mexico beat the French in a battle.
- Interesting Fact: While Mexico won the battle, France eventually won the war.
- Something You Need to Know: Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s independence day. Mexican Independence Day is September 16.
- How Does Mexico Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: It is primarily celebrated in Puebla with parades, dancing, food, and a big party, but other areas join in the fun.
- Where is the World’s Largest Cinco de Mayo Celebration: Los Angeles, CA. (Sadly, not this year)
Want to keep the celebration going? Make your own piñatas!