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With most folks working and sheltering at home due to the onset of covid-19, many parents are looking for ideas to keep the kids busy.  While limiting screen time hardly seems like a fight worth going to battle over right now (let’s face it, all parents need some quiet time), this list was designed to find hobbies to occupy your kids!

• Free e-books: The New York Public Library has made 300,000 e-books available to anyone in New York state!  While, yes, this means your child is still looking at a screen, reading really is a good use of time.  When children read (or are read to), it stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world.  Reading also helps children develop language and listening skills.  Visit the library here.
• Garden from kitchen waste: If your children are too young or not interested in cooking, try using kitchen waste to plant a garden now that spring is rolling around. Many veggies, such as lettuce, celery, carrots, and garlic can be grown from the ends of the veggies you usually toss in the trash.  Additionally, berries and tomatoes are also easy to grow using seeds from existing fruit.  This video provides a quick overview, while the PDF gives more detailed instructions.
• Space and science activities: The online resources at NASA are extensive! They offer courses, videos, online galleries, mobile apps, projects, and more!  It’s divided by age group (K-4, 5-8, 9-12, and higher ed) and family projects.  If your kids are even remotely interested in science or space, NASA offers a seemingly endless amount of activities.
  Ideas include:
  -Printable coloring books
  -Printable fun pads of puzzles and games
  -Videos of the Apollo 11 lunar module and moon lading
  -Hands-on activities for building constellations out of lights, a 3-D moon model and small aircraft gliders

  Honestly, this list does not even scratch the surface of the resources available from NASA.Visit the NASA here, and click on students to learn more (as seen below). eep

• Disney Imagineering for kids: If NASA doesn’t excite your kids, don’t fret, Disney also has free online courses that allow kids and teens to conceptualize their own dark ride. While not as vast or immersive as the NASA tools, the Disney course is sure to please little ones that love visiting Disney World!  Learn more here.
• Visit a virtual zoo: Many zoos have made exhibits and animals available through live web cams.
  Ideas include:
  -The world-famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park offers 12 live webcams, including polar beers, tigers, and giant pandas. The live butterfly stream is also very calming, and fun to see what butterflies will fly in.  In addition to the live webcams, they offer a ton of activities and educational content for kids.
  -In addition to live webcams, every day at 3 p.m. EST the Cincinnati Zoo offers at-home safari tours on their Facebook page. Recent tours have visited with the zoo’s meerkats, red pandas, and turtles.  Hosted by park employees, the live tours allow you to ask questions in real time!
  -The Smithsonian National Zoo has well-positioned live webcams of lions, elephants, and pandas, too.
• Screen-free ideas: While most of these ideas rely on using a screen, here’s some other ideas.Ideas include:
  -With April here and the weather slowly starting to warm up, carve out daily time for family walks or bike rides. Exercise is important, but be sure to stay six feet away from anyone while you’re out.
  -Schedule an outdoor family picnic in the safety of your own yard or terrace. If you are busy working from home, ask your older kids to prepare sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade.
  -Bring out LEGOs, Play-Doh, Kinetic Sand, Magna-Tiles and other building tools for some peaceful construction.