We hope you’re staying home and staying safe during this time. If you’re starting to feel a little stir-crazy, we put together some ideas to help switch up your daily routine, from virtual tours, workouts from home and entertainment for kids and adults.
If you’d like to show your support during the coronavirus crisis, check out our ‘How to Help’ page for a list of local non-profits in need of assistance. From blood donations to supply needs, you can Make a Difference.
Virtual Tours & Digital Experiences
- Local
- Adler Planetarium - Online Exhibits
- The Art Institute of Chicago - Virtual Tour / Digital Collection
- Brookfield Zoo - Daily Live Stream
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Concerts
- Chicago Detours - Virtual Tours & Happy Hour
- DuSable Museum of African American History - Online Exhibits
- Field Museum - Online Exhibits
- Lincoln Park Zoo - Animal Pictures & Videos
- The Second City - Online Classes
- Shedd Aquarium - Online Exhibits / Live stream
- National
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Santa Fe
- The Grammy Museum, Los Angeles
- Guggenheim Museum, New York
- J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
- Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey
- San Diego Zoo, San Diego
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.
- Worldwide
- British Museum, London
- Great Wall of China, China
- Louvre, Paris
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
- Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
- Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
- The Vatican Museum, Vatican City
- Thousands more available through Google Arts & Culture
Entertainment for Kids
- Check out The Museum of Science and Industry’s Science at Home
- Explore Mattel Playroom
- Write letters to family members or seniors across the country
- Build a masking tape race track or indoor hopscotch
- Stream online story time by celebrities
- Read along with Harry Potter at Home
- Make a cardboard fort
- Set up a treasure hunt or obstacle course
- Make slime or play dough
- Build a sensory bin
- Put on a family talent show
- Schedule daily journal time
- Practice baking and cooking skills with kid-friendly recipes
- Take a virtual cooking class with KidsTable or Delish
- Stream an online dance or workout class (see below)
- Take a weather school class with NBC 5’s Paul Deanno
- Learn a new card game or board game
- Build a bingo board with learning activities
- Have a tic-tac-toe tournament
- Do a scavenger hunt around the house
- Get creative with a virtual Family Paint Party
- Mr. Dave’s Music Party & Classes
- Teenagers can try acting classes with Steppewolf
- Join Virtual Marine Biology Camp every Monday & Thursday
- Legoland Building Challenge
- Get on the TikTok train and create one of these viral dances with your family
- PBS Kids “Bring the World to Your Classroom”
- Learn online with ABCmouse
- Play educational digital games with Breakout EDU
- Try Escape Kit to do an escape room at home
- Practice basketball skills and drills with Jr. NBA at Home
- Explore Disney Magic Moments
- Read along with Dolly Parton in her series, “Goodnight with Dolly,” every Thursday
- Compose your own music
- Take a group art or music class (free until May 31st)
- Explore a new subject or learn with peers online through Outschool
- Camp in your backyard or living room and play classic games
Make slime time even more fun by making it yourself. We brought in Kidcreate Studio to show you how to make this fun and slimy project.
Entertainment for Adults
- Pick a recipe with your friends to cook one night then enjoy the same meal over video chat
- Start a weekly virtual book club
- Channel your inner bartender and master your favorite cocktails
- Host a talent show with your quarantine partners or over video chat
- Play games over video chat, like bingo, by printing the same template or use various apps
- Do a virtual wine tasting by purchasing the same bottles and printing out a score card or book it with a winery
- Join Virtual Coffee Bar every Tuesday
- Try virtual speed dating with MyCheekyDate
- Chicago Magic Lounge hosts The CML (Virtual) Cocktail Hour
- Do easy Arts & Crafts for your home
- Get certified in a new skilled by taking one of Harvard’s free online courses
- Take piano lessons with Harry Connick Jr.
- Repaint a room in your home
- Get beauty and skincare tips with Mario Tricoci Virtual Events
- Become a certified storm spotter
- Get creative with a virtual paint class
- Take sign language lessons
- Sing along weekly with Sofa Singers
- Get a personalized shout-out or greeting from celebrities on Cameo
- Join Magic Parlour Happy Hour for a virtual night of magic hosted by Dennis Watkins (May 28 at 6pm)
- Take a comedy class with The Second City
- Take a one-on-one music lesson with School of Rock (all ages)
Fitness & Workouts
- Free online workouts from popular fitness companies:
- 90-day trial of the Peloton app for classes of yoga, strength, cardio and many more
- Boxing with a 30-day trial from Title Boxing Club
- Exercise options for your kids:
- If you’re looking for a fitness class tailored for moms or expecting mothers try Active Mom’s Club
Local
Since gyms and fitness centers are closed we invited Jo Thomas from LTC Living to show us how we can safely break a sweat at home and stay in shape.
