Stay-at Home Programs
Please check this page frequently for new stay-at-home classes and activities.
New!
Road Trip from Home: Virtual Field Trips
When you can’t go globe-trotting, sometimes you have to get creative and let your mind do the exploring. This is where virtual field trips become a great alternative. These are fun and wonderful websites that will show you different parts of the world, famous landmarks, beautiful works of art, historic marvels, science adventures and so much more. Thanks to a student, Ella, for referring this site to us. Now click here to hit the road!
Rocket League: An E-Sports Experience
Park districts across Illinois are teaming up with GGLeagues for a summer gaming experience. All you need is a gaming system (a computer, Xbox, Playstation 4 or Nintendo Switch); an internet connection; and the game Rocket League. Rocket League is high speed arcade-style vehicular soccer mayhem with easy-to-understand controls making it ideal for any age. Click here for league options and registration links. For information contact Aryn at abfletcher@skokieparks.org.
Camp Art in a Box #2
We’ve put together another box of Camp Art fun for your budding artist! Each box includes a sketchbook, colored pencils, four art projects, all the necessary art supplies needed for each project and You Tube tutorials of instruction for each project done by Julia, the Camp Art director. Camp Art In A Box #2 projects are: Name Maze, Kreate O’Keefe, Weaving Wonderland and Pattern Challenge Part 2.Fee: $100/box. Limited quantities available. Available for purchase online here with pick-up at the Oakton Community Center. For additional information, please contact PZeid@skokieparks.org.
July 4th Fun Facts
A little bit of 4th of July history courtesy of the Skokie Heritage Museum! Click here for details.
Unplug in Illinois at the Skokie Heritage Museum
Stick of being stuck inside? Explore a little Illinois history with these crafts, snacks, and games. Click here for details!
Virtual Beer Tasting
Gather your friends for a one of a kind virtual experience! The Skokie Park District is partnering Half Acre Brewery to offer beer tastings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, via Zoom. Find full details here!
Virtual Group Birthday Party Packages
Make your child’s birthday extra special during ‘stay-at-home’ time with a fun virtual Zoom experience with friends! See all of our options here!
Hot Shots Sports for Kids on Facebook: June 8-12
Join the Hot Shots Sports coaches for their daily Facebook Live Gym classes for kids ages 3-14! See their schedule here!
Star Wars: Fuel Up & Gather Your Team
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, we were able to hang out with friends face-to-face. Since we can't do that now, let's try out these fun Star Wars snacks and activities, either with the people in your house on or video chat. Make Star Wars snacks! Make Star Wars stuff!
Trolls World Tour!
The Trolls sure know how to throw a party and you can, too! Whether with your household or over a video chat with friends, use some of these fun crafts, snacks, and activities to get your groove on during the Trolls World Tour! Check it out here!
Skokie Snap Shots: Photo Scavenger Hunt
Use clues each week to find historical or cultural sites in Skokie. Then share photos by on the Skokie Heritage Museum’s Facebook page. Check it out here!
Set Up A Tent Indoors
Courtesy of Rick Flintz, Devonshire Cultural Center's program supervisor, and his kids! An indoor tent set up in a family room or bedroom becomes a great play space for your kids. Play board games, read or have an overnight in the tent. Fill the tent with comfy blankets and pillows. A great space for stay-at-home time and especially on rainy days. See it here!
History Study Guide: Mothers of Modern Science
The Skokie Heritage Museum presents a student study guide for the Mother of Modern Science. View it here!
Cinco De Mayo Cooking & History Lesson
Courtesy of the district's Skokie Heritage Museum, check it out here!
Build Your Own Paper City!
Courtesy of the district's Skokie Heritage Museum and Foster + Partners Architecture Studio, check this out.
Crafts Celebrating the Skokie Festival of Cultures
The Skokie Festival of Cultures may have been postponed until 2021, but here kids can celebrate Skokie's diversity with 10 craft projects related to different cultures, all made from paper towel or bathroom tissue rolls. Check them out here!
Free Peace Yoga on Zoom
The Skokie Park District, via the Peace School, bring you free Yoga classes on Zoom. See their schedule here!
Miles Davis' Fantastic Chili Recipe
With a nod to the Devonshire Cultural Center's music program, our superintendent of facilities Jon Marquardt brings you America's virtuoso jazz trumpet player, Miles Davis, and his fantastic chili recipe.
Free 3-Month Online Learning from National Geographic
NatGeo is offering at home learning resources for families for three months for free. Check it out here!
Zoom Bingo is back!
Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. Once you are signed up all rules and information will be emailed. The first 80 families to respond will receive an invitation to the zoom meeting. Five games will be played. Prizes include Exploritorium admission, Weber Gym admission, Sports Park passes and more! RSVP by Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. to Cassie Schaeffer at CSchaeffer@skokieparks.org.
Great Nature 'Come Out & Play' Activities
Kids and families! For your backyard or park, the Emily Oaks Nature Center Staff offer some fun nature activities!
Another Nature Sing-Along
Join Lee and Cassie for this campfire sing-along at the Emily Oaks Nature Center. Pretty Planet.
Nature Yoga for Kids
A few yoga poses that are great for kids, courtesy of the Emily Oaks Nature Center. See them here!
One Earth Film Festival
Emily Oaks Nature Center staff highly recommend checking out the One Earth Virtual Film Festival here! The festival runs from April 20-26 and is presented in partnership with the City of Chicago. Enjoy free screenings, watch a film in community online, then discuss with experts via live chat on Zoom.
History Study Guide: Indigenous Cultures of America
The Skokie Heritage Museum presents a student study guide for the American history of indigenous cultures. Check it out here!
History Study Guide: American Music
The Skokie Heritage Museum presents a student study guide for American music history. View it here!
Animal Signs Guidebook
Most people are staying inside, but animals are still out and about! Use this guide provided by the Emily Oaks Nature Center to help you recognize the signs that animals have been nearby. Post any animal evidence you find with the hashtag #SkokieShelterNPlay.
Create Your Own Drum Circle
Release your stress with Tony's homemade virtual drum circle! See it here.
Visit 56 World Famous Sites from your Couch
Already missing the Skokie Festival of Cultures? Take a look at these beautiful, famous places around the world from the comfort of your own home! See them here.
Build Your Own Fairy House
Join Alison and Olive from the Emily Oaks Nature Center as they show you how to build their own fairy house. View the video here!
American History, Jeopardy-Style
For high school students, the Skokie Heritage Museum has set up a Jeopardy-style American history game! Play here.
Early Childhood
Taking Care of our Earth
Tot Learning Center presents Taking Care of Our Earth. See the video here!
Week of the Young Child Activities
Tot Learning Center presents a weeklong list of activities in celebration of the Week of the Young Child. See the activities here!
Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Tot Learning Center offers many activities surrounding the classic children's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Enjoy them here!
Arts
Show us your at-home band!
Hey Skokie, we are challenging you to create a musical masterpiece using anything that is NOT an instrument. Show us your home instruments, make some music, take a pic or video and share below!
#SkokieShelterNPlay
Super Stolie: Live Performances on Facebook
Skokie Park District favorite Super Stolie will be streaming live on Mondays and Thursdays at noon. Check her out here!
Chicago Loves Dance Channel
Chicago Loves Dance offers kids classes at the Weber Leisure Center. To sample their offerings, click here!
The Spin Project: Free Online DJ Lessons
Devonshire Cultural Center's DJ instructor is offering free online lessons from this Facebook page for anyone who wants to learn about this genre.
Art Ideas For All Ages
650+ projects sorted into 20+ sections that include drawing, painting, slime, sensory, recycled, and more. The projects are shared by Devonshire Cultural Center staff and are sorted by genre. Additional ideas are added every few days so be sure to come back and check them out here!
Special Events
Construct a Bunny Carrot Toss
Here's another super cool way to feed the bunny! Check it out here.
Skokie’s Virtual Egg Hunt
Download and print these egg graphics, color them, then hang them in your home’s front windows or on your front door. Then walk around the neighborhood, finding and taking pictures of eggs on your neighbors house. Then post the photos on facebook/Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #skokieegghunt. On Monday, April 13, we will randomly pick five entries and give away small prize bags to people who submitted. Have fun!
Make Food for the Bunny
The Bunny sure gets hungry after hiding all of your eggs. This food is a tasty treat that he will really enjoy! See the instructions here.
Sports, Health & Fitness
Cravings & Snacking Tips
The Skokie Park District’s registered dietitian and nutritionist, Susan Stein, offers great advice on how to deal with cravings and unplanned snacks while you are staying at home. See her talk here.
Martial Arts Workout
Fitness First trainer Bernie offers a great, short martial arts workout. View it here!
Zumba on Zoom: April 11
Marie Anne offers this online Zumba class on Saturday, April 11 at 11:30 a.m. After registering on Zoom, join the meeting here. Meeting ID: 501 915 2887. Password: 064111.
WERQ on Zoom: April 12
Laura Goltz offers this WERQ class on Sunday, April 12 at 10 a.m. Register in advance for this meeting on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email regarding how to join the meeting.
Relieve Stress with Acupressure & Essential Oils
In this time of stress we all need healthy options. Movement is one and here is another from Karissa McCallum a holistic health practitioner and licensed accupunturist. (She is also my accupunturist!) Here she gives tips on acupressure and stress relief. Enjoy and stay healthy. ~Jennie
Cardio & Stretch
Katrina offers a 40 minute cardio and stretch video. See it here!
See all Online Exercise Classes
To view all online fitness and exercise class postings, click here!
Nature
50 Ideas for Outdoor Fun
Courtesy of the Emily Oaks Nature Center staff, check out 50 ways to have outdoor fun with your family. Enjoy them here!
Build Natural Animal Feeders
Emily Oaks Nature Center offers instructions for making natural feeders for animals. Check them out here!
“It’s Spring and You Know It” Sing-Along
Preschoolers and Families! Join Lee and Cassie for this campfire sing-along at the Emily Oaks Nature Center. Check it out!
“Spiders and Snakes” Sing-Along
Preschoolers and Families! Join Lee and Cassie for this campfire sing-along at the Emily Oaks Nature Center. Enjoy it here!
“This Land is Your Land” Sing-Along
Preschoolers and Families! Join Lee and Cassie for this campfire sing-along at the Emily Oaks Nature Center. Sing-along here!
“I’m a Tree” Sing-Along
Preschoolers and Families! Join Lee and Cassie for this campfire sing-along at the Emily Oaks Nature Center. Be a tree here!