Unique ideas to Keep the Kids Entertained from the Safety of Home
With Ontario’s recent lockdown announcement, many of our local businesses including our attractions have closed their doors to stop the spread of COVID-19. Alongside this, our kids are off for a weeklong break from April 12-16th. With these closures, parents may find themselves racking their brains to come up with interesting and fun ideas to keep the kids entertained. We have compiled a fantastic list of virtual ideas that can be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of your home:
- Toronto Zoo – Toronto Zoo to You School
https://www.torontozoo.com/zootoyou/school
Toronto Zoo has compiled videos that are available to showcase virtual visits around the Zoo on a variety of topics hosted by Explore by the Seat of Your Pants, with supporting resources/activities to extend student learning. For more events, visit https://www.torontozoo.com/events. - African Lion Safari – Safari at Home
https://lionsafari.com/safari-at-home/
Visit this fun educational page for a collection of African Lion Safari inspired colouring pages, connect-the-dot sheets, DIY animal bookmarks, animal learning sheets + so much more. - Bata Shoe Museum – Spring into Shoes
https://batashoemuseum.ca/spring-into-shoes/
Join the BSM for everything SHOES this April Break. From exploring new online exhibitions and making recycled crafts to playing Shoebox Bingo LIVE, listening to our Storytime Series and joining us for a virtual tour, there’s something new each day to keep you and your kids entertained! - The Canadian Canoe Museum
https://canoemuseum.ca/ccm-from-home/
Visit this museum for educational activities, lectures, stories, and more. CCM From Home is full of things to do from home, with activities and content to engage you in learning and play, from crafting your own cutout canoe to behind-the-scenes videos with our Curator. - Art Gallery of Ontario – Virtual School Programs
https://ago.ca/visit/group-visits/virtual-school-programs
Art anywhere, at school or at home! Join AGO for our Virtual School Programs, happening daily, Monday to Friday via Zoom. - Canada’s Wonderland
https://www.canadaswonderland.com/blog/2020/march-2020/fun-things-to-do-with-kids-at-home-inspired-by-canadas-wonderland
Create your own amusement park, your own roller coaster, draw your own amusement park map + so much more. While you are there take a virtual ride on the Yukon Striker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5rJVPSSoFs - Chiefswood National Historic Site
http://chiefswoodnhs.ca/discover
Find colouring pages, word searches and while you are there learn about the Johnson family and their importance to our history. Each section connect with Ontario curriculum! - CN Tower
https://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/what-s-up/now-at-the-cn-tower/at-home-activities.html
Print out colouring pages, build your own tower, complete the scavenger hunt challenge + so much more. - Fort York
https://www.fortyork.ca/resources/documentary-videos.html
Watch documentary videos and learn about on the Niagara Frontier or The Winter March. - Hamilton Civic Museums
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgzFUjPLUJ9yle05t6QmVv0GRy42ezJdo
Watch videos that align with the Ontario curriculum that discuss the role of women in the 1800s, the War of 1812, how to fire a musket, the Battle of Stoney Creek + so much more. - Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto
https://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com/toronto/plan-your-day/information/play-and-learn/
Visit this page for ideas on how to use LEGO in neat and creative ways, including telling stories, creating games or making fun creations. - London Children’s Museum
https://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca/education/free-educator-resources
Access to free education programs that are sectioned out by grade. Also, take a digital field trip at this awesome attraction by visiting https://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca/education/digital-field-trips. - Ontario Science Centre – Science at Home
https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/science-at-home
Science is everywhere from DIY experiments to science activities to educational resources, Science Centre has got you covered. Join the Science Centre for virtual events as well! - Royal Ontario Museum
https://www.rom.on.ca/en/learn/activities/classroom
Fun activities to do at home including mining chocolate chips from a cookie, making a mummy, wearing a toga + so much more. - Safari Niagara
https://safariniagara.com/get-closer-series/
Go behind the scenes and learn about hippos in this fun video from Safari Niagara. - Wye Marsh – At Home Activities
https://safariniagara.com/get-closer-series/
Find activities and resources that you and your family can utilize to stay connected to nature while social distancing! - Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/virtual-tours/
Take a virtual tour of the aquarium for pre-recorded footage + live and interactive question and answers. For fun, check out the live web cams to see what the sea creatures are up to at any given time! - Black Creek Pioneer Village
https://blackcreek.ca/spring/
From April 10-April 18th explore the village virtually with a Maple Madness workshop, learn to make maple syrup and flapjacks, or try out a tea and treats workshop. In addition, discover many more fun virtual ideas to do from home on with Black Creek Pioneer Village, including a tour or how to host a virtual party. - Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
https://www.cambridgebutterfly.com/virtual-tour/
During this immersive 360° virtual tour you will be greeted by the birds’ joyful songs echoing through the space between you and reality. As we make our way through the tropical paradise, down lush garden pathways, beneath the flowing waterfall, free-flying butterflies dance through the virtual air above you. - Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site
https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/properties/uncle-toms-cabin/videos
The Atlantic slave trade and the ensuing enslavement of millions of people of African descent led to a long history of resistance that resulted in the development of thriving Black communities in Ontario. With abolitionist and Person of National Historic Significance Josiah Henson’s life as a backdrop, Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site has captured inspiring stories that speak to the early African-Canadian experience in Ontario. Through this link you will find a new digital programming of the museum exhibits and the capturing of its story.
For more ideas, check out our Virtual Experiences Page and our Educational Activities Page. In addition, we offer a chance to build an Ontario itinerary at ontarioroadtrips.ca – a great way to plan your summer excursions! For all other Ontario attraction information, visit us at attractionsontario.ca.
