Cabin fever is setting in. Families working at home while the kids are out of school are becoming desperate for a reprieve, including more to keep young minds occupied until life returns to normal. As stay-home orders remain in place, here are some helpful resources from local organizations so everyone stays busy and, hopefully, the time passes quickly, too.
Become a Junior Ranger
While all Washington state parks remain closed until at least April 8, kids ages 4 and up can still engage with the outdoors through the state park's Junior Ranger Program. Ten printable sheets include activities like scavenger hunts (complete the challenge during a neighborhood walk or in your backyard instead of the nearest state park), lessons on the state's diverse geology and explorations of regional weather patterns. Find it at parks.state.wa.us/919/Be-a-Junior-Ranger
Learn at Home with KSPS
Local public broadcasting station KSPS is offering a slew of home-learning resources and activities, all for free. These teacher-approved and standards-based activities are available for kids in preschool through high school, and each week follows a theme. Last week it was English language arts and science. As of Monday, March 30, home learning activities for grades 6-12 began broadcasting live each day from 9 am-2 pm on the KSPS World channel. More info at ksps.org/community/coronavirus/learningresources
Visit the Library From Your Living Room
Although area libraries remain closed for several more weeks, a plethora of digital services are accessible 24/7. Spokane Public Library has rounded up its many digital resources in one handy place on its website. Stream Sesame Street and other shows, or enjoy a virtual storytime via Kanopy Kids. Older kids can explore the world with digital issues of National Geographic and Smithsonian Magazine. There's tons more, from online educational games to foreign language courses. Head to spokanelibrary.org for the complete list. ♦
