5 Ways To Bring Experiences Into Your House
/I don’t need to tell you that we’re in the midst of a global crisis where everyone is struggling, mentally, physically, financially or some combination thereof. And I probably also don’t need to tell you that as a person who runs an activities blog for “folks who like to get out and do stuff,” sticking around the house day after day has been quite challenging.
So for whatever it’s worth, I spent part of this past rainy Sunday writing about 5 Ways To Bring Experiences Into Your House. These 5 activity options have helped my family tremendously so far, and I hope they’ll help yours. PS -This post focuses exclusively on small, local businesses and artists, each of which need our support right now - more than ever.
Catch a Doodle or Story Time By Your Favorite Artists and Authors
Social media has its downsides, but it is undeniable that during this crisis, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been instrumental in providing the millions of quarantined folks with information and entertainment. Celebrities, performers, artists, authors and regular people have taken to social media to delight and distract us. Some are even doing weekly or daily programming.
Every day at 1pm EST, beloved children’s author and illustrator Mo Willems entertains thousands with his “Lunch Doodles” on Instagram Live. Also on IG Live, catch artist and author, Oliver Jeffers, read one of his own books and answer questions every other weekday at 2pm Eastern.
Professional doodler Jon Burgerman is doing Storytime on IG Live at 1pm Eastern today, Monday, March 30th and tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31st. And just yesterday, the wonderful Art Production Fund in Manhattan announced that, together with Rockefeller Center, they will be presenting virtual artist workshops every week. Follow Art Production Fund on Instagram for more information.
Order a “Make Your Own” Kit from a Local Business
It’s been downright inspiring to see the creative ways in which local businesses have pivoted to offer products and services that make sense for our current home-bound situation. The “make your own” at home kits is one such awesome offering that has sprung up in response to quarantine.
Follow AR Workshop (with nearby locations in Fairfield, CT, Long Island and Manhattan) on Instagram for their weekly DIY “Take and Make” craft kits available for curbside pickup. Manhattan’s GIANT Room ($50-250 for 30 days of experiences) and Recess Playworks in Ridgefield, CT (5 days of projects plus live Zoom art classes for $65), are each offering curated arts and crafts boxes delivered directly to your home. Or check out A Maze in Pottery in Briarcliff Manor, NY for pottery kits to go.
If your preferred art form is the culinary arts, then head to Wood and Fire Pizza, with locations in Scarsdale and Pleasantville, NY, for curbside pick up of a “Make Your Own Pizza” kit ($12 plus $1 extra per topping), including a Nutella Pizza option ($10 per kit). Their sister spot in Pleasantville, Southern Table and Kitchen, is offering a Fried Chicken and Mac & Cheese Kit that includes instructions and ingredients and feeds 2-3 people ($28). And to satisfy your sweet-tooth, order a DIY Cookie Cake Kit (1 cookie cake, 4 toppings and a piping bag of frosting for $25) from Beascake Bakery in Armonk, NY. Or order a Rainbow Cookie Kit from Flower Bake by Angela in Pelham, NY. For $35, Angela will deliver or ship a kit that contains your choice of cookie dough, cookie mix or baked cookies, each of which comes with 6 rainbow frosting colors and sugar crystals to enhance the clouds.
Download a DIY Craft or Activity
Every parent is leaning hard on its playroom set up right now. If the kids are getting bored with the same old activities, these stores and accounts have you covered.
Each week, Camp Stores (with 3 stores in NY and another in South Norwalk, CT) is offering a new chapter in its free downloadable Camp Activity Book on its website. The Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye, NY just launched a weekly online learning resource curated by their educators and to be updated weekly with new featured activities. And Codeverse, soon to open in the Westchester Mall, has virtual coding programs and apps available.
Shop Locally and Virtually Using FaceTime
I’ve long been an online shopper, but using FaceTime and Instagram DMs to shop local is new to me. Please support small businesses to the extent that, and any way that, you can right now.
Two weeks ago, I purchased my kids’ Easter baskets while in quarantine using FaceTime to shop and coordinate with my local toy store, Funky Monkey (locations in Greenwich, CT and Greenvale, NY). Last week, I purchased spring floral arrangements, also while in quarantine, by watching the many Instagram stories posted by Sam Bridge, a local nursery, and then DM-ing with them to discuss and order versions of what I saw in their Insta stories. It’s all whole new ball game!
Join the Sparklicious Sparkle Dance Party
We may be stuck at home but that does not mean we can’t dance! Sparklicious in Mount Kisco is currently hosting a Sparkle Dance Party giveaway! Post a video on Instagram or TikTok of your crew dancing to either Let It Go by Idina Menzel, Firework by Katy Perry or Shake It Off by Tyler Swift, and tag @sparklicious and #sparkledanceparty. The top three videos as judged by a panel of 5 judges - including yours truly - will be in the running for a FREE post-quarantine Sparklicious party! One winner will be chosen on May 1st by followers of the Sparklicious Instagram account. Good luck and Keep Sparkling!
