Updated 3/22/20.
There are so many great businesses and museums in the North Shore area providing online classes, live streams, story times and more. I’ve also included a few popular national resources. If you have a suggestion for this list please email it to [email protected]. I’ll be updating this often.
A big thanks to all of these businesses and organizations for keeping kids entertained and supporting families during this challenging time!
Art
Artcie at Home Club – Free, fun draw alongs for all ages. Videos will be posted to their IGTV Channel daily. Follow them at @artciestudio to join in the fun.
Art’s Cool – Join the Coloring Contest (judged by age) at this Middleton Art Studio. Complete the form here to enroll and receive the coloring pages via email.
Art Supplies Wholesale – Come up with your own art activity and have the supplies delivered fo free from this Beverly art store. “No order is too small or too large.” Call 978-922-2420 or order online at www.allartsupplies.com.
Create & Escape DIY Workshops – Order a home craft kit for the kids from this Peabody studio and have it delivered for free within a 10 mile radius; or to Rockport or Gloucester. Instructions for each kit can be found online and prices and supplies vary. Check out their Facebook page for the most up-to-date instructions on what can be ordered and how.
Hammer & Stain North Shore – Not online, but Hammer at Home Craft Kits for kids can be delivered from this Beverly studio to the towns of Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Danvers. Kits start at $30 and include all the tools, paints and stains needed to complete from home along with step-by-step directions. Kits currently ready within 48 hours. Order here.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems – Download a daily activity page (example here) and then follow along with famous author and illustrator Mo Willems, the Kennedy Center Artist in Residence, for a free art program each weekday at 1 pm.
theArtRoom – Follow this Topsfield studio on Instagram at @theartroomstudio for free coloring pages, monster art challenges and more!
Cooking
Taste Buds Kitchen At-Home Cooking Club – Sign up for free recipe videos, releasing every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 pm. Recipes are made with simple ingredients you might already have in your pantry or freezer. Plus other fun culinary activities and games.
Movement
KidSHINE Online Bootcamp – This Ipswich occupational therapy provider also offers the most amazing bootcamp classes for kids. My son took these at preschool and came home raving about how much fun he had. The cost is $9.99 for two weeks and includes at least 6 classes in the 2-week period. Sign up here. A new class is released at 10 am each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Mini Movers Studio – Mini Movers Dance Classes have gone virtual. Register for a Ballet, Jazz Hop, Musical Theater and Story Movement Class for a variety of age groups. Each class is $7 for a 35 minute class or $8 for a 45 minute class. You can also download a FREE Dance at Home Kit.
The Little Gym of Danvers – Get moving with The Little Gym at Home. Follow their Facebook page for ideas of ways to keep your kids active inside.
Towne Barre – This Marblehead studio is offering live virtual kids classes including jumping, dancing, boxing, yoga and more! Each class is 30 minutes and held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 pm. $5/class. Sign up on Mindbody.
Museums/Aquariums/Zoos
Boston Children’s Museum – View free story times, learning resources, crafts (like origami instruction and a friendship bracelet making video) available on the Museum Facebook page.
Cincinnati Zoo – This popular zoo is offering free Home Safari Facebook Lives each weekday at 3pm. They highlight one amazing animal each day and include an activity you can do from home.
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire – Free classes, crafts and more available from Museum staff on the Museum Facebook page.
New England Aquarium – Follow the Aquarium on Facebook to watch videos of the Animal Care Team feeing and caring for the animals, as well as daily livestreams introducing you to different animals at 11 am.
Music
A Broadway Kids Co. – Sign up for virtual music lessons, workshops and more. Currently being offered for existing students, but follow their Facebook page for more info on how to sign up.
A Mom’s Village – Offering a 45-minute live stream of Village music classes, online in the private Facebook Group, Monday-Friday at 10am! Free for Village members, $49/month for non-members (financial assistance available). You can watch the classes anytime of day. Sign up here or email [email protected] with any questions.
Music with Dara – A little music, singing, and creative expression to bring some joy into your homes. Videos posted every couple days to Dara’s Youtube Channel. You can also request special Happy Birthday songs for little ones who are celebrating their birthdays in quarantine. Free, but Dara is accepting donations for her small business at @Dara-VanRemoortel on Venmo.
The Music Man – Follow The Music Man – Brian Doser on Facebook for free live performances at 10 am. He also has a new Youtube Channel where he is posting past performances.
Story Times
Ivy the Frenchie – Story time every Thursday at 1 pm with Ivy & Rosie. Follow Ivy the Frenchie on Facebook for more details.
PEM Pals – The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is hosting virtual story times for kids as part of the PEM Pals program. Visit their YouTube Channel for the story time video along with origami instructions and more fun activities.
Shark Story Hour – Join the Cape Cod Atlantic Shark Conservatory for a fun shark-themed story time. Lots of fun shark facts included too! Posted daily on their Facebook page along with free printables to download.
Squiggles & Scribbles by Ben Clanton – The popular children’s author of Narwhal and Jelly books (and our personal favorite Rex Wrecks It) is hosting author visits live on the Narwhal and Jelly Facecbook page. You can also download free, illustrated coloring pages.