Summer 2020- Things are weird. We’ve been doing the at home school thing, and now doing the at home summer thing and it’s nuts. Part of me is happy having all this time to be with my mini-me and the other part of me wants to also scream when she says “mommy I’m bored”- So I asked my readers/followers for tips and things to do in the summer for little ones. Here are some in-person programs that are safe if you’re comfortable and don’t have anyone at home with compromise immune systems, and some online fun too!
In Person
Tree-Bath
Treebath’s entirely outdoor summer mini-camps are now open for kids 3.5-8. Small classes of five kids with one teacher take place entirely outside so kids can enjoy some fresh air while maintaining social distancing.
The Little Gym Jersey City
Doors are re-opening July 6th with limited availability to maintain social distancing measures.
Next Step Broadway
Next Step Broadway will be re-0pening for in-person camp July 13th.
Join us for a performing arts Summer Camp with Next Step Broadway! Children ages 5-12 will be dancing, singing, and acting their way to a musical production. This production will be presented on the last day of each session. This year, the production will be FILMED in the studio (without a live audience) and the video will be sent to parents to watch at home! They will be involved in every aspect of the production including, creating costumes and scenery.
Campers meet Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Early Drop-off at 8:00am and/or Extended Day option(s) until 5:30pm are also available. Campers will be split into two different groups and receive instruction appropriate to their age level. To maintain the highest standards of teacher to student ratios, limited spots are available for each session.
Virtual
Next Step Broadway
This year, we are offering VIRTUAL Summer Camp options for all sessions! Please see below for In-Person options as well! Virtual Sessions will be held on Zoom, and the musical production will be a virtual performance that will be recorded and emailed out. Campers will have dance, voice, and acting classes each day, as well as sing-alongs, trivia, arts & crafts, and camp games! All materials, scripts, lyrics, coloring pages, etc. will be emailed out to you!
Remote Learning
MetKids
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a designated kids website with artwork and inventions available to view by time periods, geographic location, and category. Kids can also interact with a map to explore The Met virtually and view videos to learn more about certain exhibits, art history, and the Museum’s curation process.
Bilingual Birdies
Bilingual Birdies offers 30-minute bilingual classes with singing, dancing, and puppetry for kids up to age 6. Signing up includes a Mini Birdkit, fun class materials for Spanish, French, and Mandarin classes.
CommonLit
CommonLit is a nonprofit educational resource providing students with the reading, writing, and problem-solving skills they need for the future. They are currently offering a digital summer reading challenge for students in grades 3 through 12.
Storyline Online
Storyline provides a variety of books for children, all read aloud by famous actors and accompanied by illustrations.
The Fable Cottage
The Fable Cottage provides fairy tales in several languages with cute illustrations and animations.
Boogie Down Books
Boogie Down Books hosts a free family storytime on Zoom and Facebook Live weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can sign up online for an interactive experience and kids can win prizes for reading with their Boogie Down Storytime passport.
National Geographic Learning
National Geographic Learning includes courses for science, social studies, reading, and more for students in grades K through 12. You can request full access to their programs for summer learning.
iCompute
Encourage younger kids to get involved with computing with the iCompute program. They’re offering free lessons for teachers and students to continue learning.
Mystery Science
Mystery Science offers lessons for students from grades K to 5, from mini lessons to 90-minute lessons with activities. They’re available for free without an account, or you can sign up for a free account as a family.
GoNoodle
Keep your kids moving with GoNoodle, a physical wellness program that also promotes mindfulness. They have a Good Energy Summer program with free online resources for kids to stay active and have fun through yoga, crafts, and other family activities.
OTHER IDEAS
- Routine will help so much. Set it up like school! Wake up, get dressed, breakfast, TV time etc
- Arts & Crafts, DIY, learn something new
- Google Activity Hero- Loads of online classes
- Varsity Tutors- it’s a free online camp. My kids just did a LEGO movie camp for a week
- A friend if mine has her daughter make a list of activities then puts each one in a bowl. When they get bored she picks an activity from the bowl!
