For those at home with kiddos, we know it isn’t easy to come up with new ideas for “quarantainment” on top of your regular parenting and (potential) working/homeschooling routine.
Fortunately, we’ve rounded up a list of fun for the whole family thanks to creative local residents, businesses and attractions that will make you appreciate even more how we can still be #WPGTogether even when we’re apart.
Be a virtual tourist
We’ve rounded up not one, but two posts dedicated to all the amazing ways to explore Winnipeg from your chair, including zoo chats at Assiniboine Park Zoo, a virtual tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and an online mural tour, only a few clicks away.
Dreamy online parties
The Dream Factory (a Manitoba charity that makes dreams come true for local kids battling life-threatening illness) is partnering with special guests such as Heather’s Pretty Parties, Wildlife Haven Manitoba and more, twice a week to offer a livestreamed drop-in dream party. Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Mystery grab bag
Iconic Winnipeg toy store Toad Hall Toys wants to surprise your kids – they’re offering a special grab bag service. Let them know your child(ren)’s age(s), interests and budget and they’ll put together a fabulous assortment of things for your kids to amaze and delight. Available via delivery for a small fee.
Deck the halls…
Falalala-la-la-la-la-la – wait, are those Christmas decorations I spot? People throughout the city and across Canada are flicking on their twinkling lights and putting up inflatables in the name of “making spirits bright!” So round up the kids and pull them out again (or if you’re like me…the lights haven’t quite come down just yet) to bring back some of that holiday cheer.
Get crafty
Looking to do some crafts with your littles but struggling to find supplies/ideas/instructions? DIY Craft Bar is offering “Crafts to Go” packages with almost all the materials you need to do your own craft at home, such as DIY jelly ball crafts, and junior string art, among others. Available for pick up and delivery.
If painting is more your jam, Crock a Doodles' “to-go” kits range from small figurines to family kits (including an Easter-themed one). Once Winnipeg’s two studios are open, bring those painted pieces in to be glazed and kiln-fired. Available by delivery.
Schedule an online play date
Heritage Park Family Resource Centre is pivoting from drop-in play groups to offer free 20-minute appointments of virtual fun and interactive playtime that focus on stages of child development. On top of that, Jackie regularly hosts a livestream featuring crafts and circle time and posts family challenges to get your creative juices flowing.
Artful entertainment
Combine art history with fine arts skills by printing out these colouring pages of real pieces of art from the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s collection. A new page is available for download each week, along with information about the piece to add in some context and additional information.
On top of that, WAG@home is offering unique DIY art activities for families to try at home via easy-to-follow video tutorials.
Virtual dance classes
Dance. It. Out. Local studio Drop-In Dance Winnipeg is offering livestreamed dance classes for parents and littles each day. Get ready to make some memories while busting a few moves in your home. Check out their instagram for the latest schedule.
Window galleries
Dust off those acrylic paints, mix them up with a few drops of dish soap for easy cleanup and get ready to paint a masterpiece on your windows! The facebook group “Winnipeg Window Gallery” is full of inspiration on ways to brighten things up from cool stained glass paintings to positive messages. A virtual map of these window artworks is now up and running so you can see what others across the city are creating.
Say it in writing
With time slowing down, let’s take it back to the old-school pen pal days and send fun mail to friends and family (wash those hands first!). Local company Botanical Paperworks creates beautiful stationery and manufactures plantable paper (yes, you pop it into a garden or container and watch blossoms sprout), meaning receivers have a fun gardening activity to do afterward! As a bonus, they are offering 25% off various seed paper product lines.
