Keep the kids busy with these things to do at home in Charlotte during coronavirus
As I am writing this, I must confess it has taken me loads more time than normal as I shuffle through the juxtaposition of two teenagers at home (every minute of every day) and one small dog also in need of attention — and probably wondering why we are all here nonstop.
Things I have recently discovered: Writing and listening to someone play Fortnite next to you does not work well. (Not just due to all the loud sounds of the game itself, but also the spontaneous yelling from the players since people tend to play virtually with their friends.)
Writing while someone does a high-intensity training cardio workout in an adjoining space does not work well either. Writing while multiple people are viewing TikToks is also not a good combo.
On March 23rd, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all schools in NC closed through mid-May due to the coronavirus pandemic, and parents have been adapting ever since. A few days later, a statewide “stay-at-home” order was issued due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. As we enter into spring break this year, the reality of our new normal is sinking in as families adjust to spending the majority, if not all, of their waking moments together.
Fortunately for me, though, my kids are older teenagers so their entertainment and education (seemingly in that order) is mostly in their own hands. But what are parents doing with younger kids who rely on them for learning as well as engaging activities? And how are they accomplishing this monumental feat all from the confinement of home?
Name your homeschool
Marketing professional Ashley Roseboro has been balancing her new work-from-home status along with homeschooling her active 4-year old, Kam, who is accustomed to attending preschool. As a single mom quarantining at home alone with her son for the past three weeks, the difference in both of their regular routines pre-COVID-19 is quite stark.
“All of this has been a huge adjustment — from working from home full-time now, to creating a homeschool environment for my son. I feel like I’m actively watching him mentally develop in a way I wasn’t able to see before,” Roseboro told CharlotteFive. “Keeping a schedule is essential for us to stay on task. When I have meetings, I use that time to allow him to do independent assignments like tracing or online educational programs such as ABC Mouse.”
“We try to be creative with homeschool. I allowed him to come up with our school name. We start each morning with a mommy and son dance, we incorporate pajama days, as well as show and share days. We have to keep learning entertaining or we will both go crazy. My son has actually enjoyed waking up each morning going to ‘homeschool.’ I cherish this time we are spending together,” Roseboro said.
Conversation starter box
Colleen Cramer’s kids recently started school at Dilworth Elementary and are now adjusting to homeschool life together. She has become inventive with activities to keep them engaged and busy. “I have a conversation starter box that I’ve been using to incorporate conversation around the table,” Cramer told CharlotteFive.
She keeps her son and daughter, 9-year-old Finn and 7-year-old Eden, entertained by exploring different activities throughout the week. “I also did a gratitude scavenger hunt with my kids. We have a bird book, so we’ve been noticing more birds and talking about them, as well as studying birds and bugs. We also combined geography and an art lesson with a giant coloring mural. You can order the coloring posters on Amazon,” Cramer said.
TikTok and time with family
Pablo Casasfranco was born in Charlotte 15 years ago. When he was 3, the family moved to Canada, then back to his parents’ country of origin, Colombia, in South America. Two years ago, they returned to live in Charlotte, where his parents are both work in real estate.
“I thought going to school all online was going to be boring. I was also afraid that I would not complete my work because no one was going to tell me what to do,” Casasfranco, a sophomore at Ardrey Kell High School, told CharlotteFive. “It’s been three weeks now, and it’s actually going really good. If I need help, I have a Zoom meeting with my teacher, and they will help me. My grades are even going up.”
So what does a socially distanced teen do for fun? “I’m walking my dog a lot more often, using social media more — especially TikTok and spending time with my family,” Casasfranco said. “I really miss my friends though. I always had plans with them to go to the movies or a restaurant, or we had parties, but now I have to be at my house all the time.”
Need a few ideas about what to do with your own kids during spring break and beyond? We’ve compiled a few things to help you fill the hours:
(1) BUILD YOUR OWN LEGO ROBOT
Interested in robotics? Learn how to build your own LEGO robot with a Digibridge activity kit rental. Each kit comes with an activity geared toward kids 6-12 to introduce them to coding, science and robotics. Each rental period lasts 14 days and is $80 without a laptop or $100 with laptop. Pickup options are available in Plaza Midwood or Lower South End. Delivery options area available for the greater Charlotte area.
(2) CHILL OUT WITH POLAR BEARS
Polar Bears International is offering a special “Tundra Connection” series, Chill Out With Polar Bears, offered for students of all ages. Through live programming, you’ll hear from polar bear storytellers and experts and have the opportunity to ask them questions. There is a recommended curriculum for each session, and a schedule is posted online, including the dates and times of the programming. In addition to the live presentations, there are archived Tundra Connections sessions, presentations and materials, and lesson plans.
(3) CREATE DRIVEWAY ART
Dig out that old bucket of chalk in your garage, or add on a pack during your next grocery run to let the kids express themselves and get outside at the same time. Younger kids can color in squares lined out with painters tape — a style that’s all the rage this spring — and older ones can come up with their own designs.
(4) FITNESS FOR KIDS
ISI Elite Training — which has locations in Ballantyne and Fort Mill, and one opening soon in Indian Land, SC — now offers free, live kid-centered virtual workouts streaming on Facebook and YouTube daily. Founder and CEO Adam Rice designed the online classes when he recognized that children everywhere would be missing their physical education routines.
“As a parent, it’s not easy to maintain a full workload while spending the day stuck in a house with three kids, let alone weeks,” Rice said.
“Now, more than ever, kids need a physical outlet and a positive learning environment, parents need convenient resources which do not require a lot of space or equipment. It is important to stay responsibly active during times of social distancing and quarantines. We designed IRONKIDZ as a fun way to impact both physical fitness and emotional health,” Rice said.
IRONKIDZ streams live Monday through Friday each day at 12:30 p.m. These 25-minute classes are great for elementary and middle school aged kids, and are free with an internet connection.
(5) GAMING WITH THE FAMILY
Brent Peters, who has been isolating at home in Mecklenburg County with his family since mid-March, has been enjoying the latest family-friendly Nintendo release Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
“Before the game was officially released on March 20, my kids were already asking me for the purchase, but I had yet to see the value in the $59.99 price tag. Once Charlotte was asked to stay indoors, I grabbed our digital copy to find relief from the couch. What a fresh breath of sea, ocean and beach air this came to be,” said Peters, who compiled a list of 10 family friendly video games to play while social distancing during COVID-19.
(6) STAY-AT-HOME SCIENCE
Discovery Pace Science is offering new Stay-At-Home-Science content that offers a variety of things to do at home in Charlotte, including livestreams of the museum’s Reef Rubble Community fish tank and its rainforest, projects such as making your own upcycled robot or a DIY catapult, and lessons on kitchen chemistry and water.
(7) VIRTUAL TOURS OUTSIDE CHARLOTTE
When all else fails and you are desperate for a change of scenery from your living room, go on a tour with the assistance of Google Arts & Culture. Take the whole family to virtually visit iconic Parisian rooftops, art from 36,000 years ago in a Chauvet Cave or visit the Australian National Surfing Museum.
While you are visiting museums around the world, discover the details you may have missed in famous works of art with the Google Art Camera. Zoom in to millions of artworks like The Starry Night, by Vincent Van Gogh and spot hidden details you’ve never noticed before.
(8) WEATHER SCHOOL
Expand your kid’s understanding of environmental science. WCNC Charlotte’s First Warn Weather team hosts Weather School. With new episodes each weekday, the TV station’s team of meteorologists offer free, easy to learn, fun to watch lessons about atmospheric science and STEM topics.
Chief meteorologist Brad Panovich livestreams on Facebook, and episodes are posted on YouTube. Shows come directly to viewers from Panovich’s home and with a little help from his kids. Previous topics have included how clouds are formed, lightning, air pressure and how it rains.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 8:00 PM.
