Good morning, Asheville. 👋 Brook here. We’ve had a number of readers reach out to us for suggestions on how to keep your cool while you’re quarantined with your kids. We are all grateful for the extra time we’re getting to spend with our little ones, but also reaching the limits of our patience. While keeping up with your kids can be challenging on a good day, it’s doubly so when you suddenly find yourself in the role of homeschooler who also has to do your own work — all without access to the things you normally do to keep your kids occupied, like going to the park or playground.
Because I am right there with you, Asheville, I have compiled a list of virtual learning opportunities I’m excited to use to keep my kid creatively occupied while we’re all cooped up together. I hope it buys all the parents + caregivers at least a few minutes of precious calm.
- Asheville Art Museum I Let your little ones create their own sculptures, embark on an “I Spy” scavenger hunt, and color the museum’s works of arts. Bonus: The museum plans to add more activities to their online arsenal each week. Want even more art offerings? Check out our piece on the area’s virtual offerings. 🎨
- Asheville Museum of Science I Get a daily dose of science-related material, including activities, lesson plans, videos + more. 🔬
- Buncombe County Library System I Buncombe County residents can download digital books from all county public libraries with a library card or Asheville City schools ID. If your child doesn’t already have a library card, you can email and get one delivered to your inbox. You’ll get the physical card at a later date. 📚
- Hands On! Children’s Museum I Starting April 1, the Hendersonville-based learning hub will offer a series of free digital science demos for kids of all ages, in addition to virtual science experiments kids can do at home. Check their site for all the deets. 🧫
- LEAF Global Arts I Every Thursday at 3 p.m., LEAF goes live on Facebook with an engaging craft using materials you already have at home (like dried rice or paper). Be sure to like + follow them on Facebook for updates on class specifics, and keep an eye on their site, which will be updated with additional kid-friendly virtual offerings. 🖍️
Are you struggling to balance playing the role of counselor, mediator, teacher + chef while you work from home? How are you coping? Personally, I am baking more and dazzling my child with all my old school jams, including some classic DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.
