Local businesses everywhere are having to shut down due to social distancing, yet that’s not stopping them from giving back and serving their community in whatever way possible. We may all be stuck inside for a little while, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Your littles can take a yoga class with Bee You Kids Yoga, sit for a live storytime with local children’s author Raakhee Mirchandani, or even join in on a live music class at Baby Bandstand, all via your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Fear not, mama, we’ve got you covered.
We will be continuously updating this article so be sure to check back for new ideas and fun virtual activities from local NJ businesses.
Psst! Snap some photos of your little cuties exploring and tag @njmom or #njmom in your posts for a chance to be featured.
featured image via Marisa Brahney
Fill your days at home with plenty of activities:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B91i3dTASIF/?igshid=1g49z39hh975e
Bee You Kids Yoga, Manasquan
Join Be You Kids Yoga for a free kids’ yoga class and let your littles get some of that pent-up energy out, right in your living room. Classes are open for all to attend via ZOOM and allow your kids to engage in classes via a video chat format. To register for a class, be sure to check their Instagram for any updates on new dates and time, then register via their MindBody site. You’ll need to download ZOOM and once you register, you’ll receive your link via email on the morning of the class. And the best part is you can watch on your computer, tablet, or phone.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B90KKbqni5L/?igshid=18apwi7qub49c
Virtual Story Time with Raakhee Mirchandani on Instagram Live
Join hundreds of others as an author, Raakhee Mirchandani, takes to Instagram Live for a 30 minute reading of her book, Super Satya. This book tells the story of a young girl in Hoboken ready to take on the tallest slide in the city when her day takes an unexpected turn. Your littles will learn about how Satya faced her fears, helped her friends, and became a true hero to everyone. She’ll be doing the readings twice a week, so check out her insta to get the latest schedule.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xxEKmH0CU/?igshid=1fh5n8t5lh0nz
Creative Twist Events Craft Boxes
This isn’t an online class, but spending time inside calls for art and crafts (and can be a great creative outlet). But what to do when your favorite craft store is closed or you can’t leave your house? Order in! Creative Twist Events is offering their customers arts and craft boxes, that ship directly to your home. In themes like Harry Potter, Fairy, JoJo Siwa, and even Room Make Over, there’s enough for all interests and ages.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B91iZJlHBn5/?igshid=14rayaabg1f5c
Baby Bandstand Broadcast
Bring a musical experience by Baby Bandstand right into your own living room. Your little ones will get speech and language enrichment through music in a live and interactive virtual format. They’ll be able to engage with the instructors, as well as other students joining in from their homes. Each broadcast will be about 15 minutes long and can be accessed via Zoom. Baby Bandstand has also made sure to target times of the day when children may be craving engagement more than other times, such as breakfast, pre-nap, and bedtime.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zLbBgHlcD/
Rockness Music House Party
A modern music class for kids, this rockin’ class will be live-streamed in your living room twice a week. Check out their unique methods that combine fun and education to bring you the very best preschool rock music class experience on the planet. Littles can get the energy out and dance around the room, all while sharpening their development with this energetic and interactive performance.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-HzjdRgSBP/?igshid=13a2jxh5jn4in
Miss Melissa’s Aardvarks
Join Ms. Bri, Mr. Rob, and Miss Melissa on Miss Melissa’s Aardvarks’ virtual rock & roll classes for kids and their moms. Each class will be donation-based, with a suggested donation of $10, and all proceeds will go to keeping their teachers financially supported during this difficult time.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-GJie-D40l/?igshid=1lp9y7nfga3dt
Curious Kids
Curious Kids is offering all their classes virtually and doing online guest reader video stories on Facebook and Instagram. Looking for someone else to read your kids a bedtime story? Littles will love the reading of Sofa Dog by Ms. Peggie, with her dog— on her sofa (cue the adorable cuteness now).
https://www.facebook.com/yogibabynj/videos/227061915163981/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBzTNZNrlGbdOLdiTsvcW8pFs6QAwjvVanWanXHt6OSboOWOdJF_FJjT9X5y_Z4xcXhSd3a_2S0nghMijN_vLXVIDVr3uf3GuI9Fm1lP7FBZ3BjY_jiLhP-yEFI7HvXviljPcI8E97h_61X5JtTwK_j4fwD5OfEhjNGVQzgjFmaSFtuqFNz5c8KKd6mkUPUvY-lTPxQgY-4C7NtzjdhXLH9FYVvD_t3tbzrhwUXHkbUXWaaz09c74-0WvrPj2V8rOeMqWaB3LOXAud5Y4fkEDxYPcVPoJumPUYtitolUmXBjFeAJVy-MVCZb2nJc5Z0DHkldouQMKe_oilGkDAHZslTR3talZ9IFVc&__tn__=-R
YogiBaby Music & Movement
Normally located in Wyckoff, YogiBaby Music & Movement is offering Facebook live classes for all their current students and they’re open for anyone to join in. Your littles will get in lots of fun stretches, jumping, and even learn some cool (and totally safe) new gymnastics tricks.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-FD5SVJCJw/?igshid=bqmvdmh2r4sr
The Read Aloud
Your littles can learn through reading, one read aloud at a time. With a new storytime uploaded to Instagram TV every day, it’s something they can look forward to. Join them Monday through Friday on both Instagram and Facebook at The.Read.Aloud.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-Hp74ujTD_/?igshid=bxfxnlnkfmuc
Montclair Baby
Get active with your kids as young 4 weeks. Montclair Baby is offering yoga classes on Instagram and Youtube. Your littles will get to stretch and have fun with their favorite teachers, all while getting some pent up energy out.
It Had To Be You Photography
Sing along with this daddy/daughter duo over on @ithadtobyou’s Instagram Story daily, and even make song suggestions and special requests.
Cape May County Zoo
The Cape May County Zoo is hosting virtual Zoo School each day on Facebook Live, where they teach you about the different animals at the zoo and how they live, their natural habitats, how they’re cared for and trained. Littles will love getting this behind the scenes look at all their favorite zoo animals. Can’t make the live showing? No worries, they’ll be posting the video to their feed each day so it’s easy to access.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-FEuzcgch2/?igshid=ewruiik2735y
Little Rockers Music & Arts Play Center
Rock out with Little Rockers every Monday through Friday at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, as well as Wednesday at 4 PM. Join in on the musical fun via their YouTube Channel 2LittleRockers.
Spotted Frog Art Studio
Your kids can attend a live art class with Tracey right from your living room. Draw, trace, and paint something fun with Tracey each day, or continue a piece of work that you started the day before. Your littles will be so proud to show off what they’ve created.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-KPMHXAsGR/?igshid=7q77ldg0lcy4
Gymboree Princeton
The teachers of Gymboree Princeton are working together to create customized virtual sessions to keep their Gymbo kids engaged during this time. From storytime to bubble time to some ‘Head, Shoulder, Knees, and Toes’ sing-alongs, you’re little will feel like they’re right back in the gym with their buddies.
