There is one good thing that has come out of our current situation. And that’s the increase in time that we’ve been able to spend at home with our loved ones. But as we begin the month of May, we understand that you can only play Monopoly and watch movies so many times before it gets boring. That’s where we’re stepping in. We’ve compiled a list of ideas for inspiration to make family time a bit more interesting.
Here’s a list of fun activities for the family you can do at home or in your own back yard!
Take a Tour of the Zoo!
Even though Randall Oaks Zoo has been closed to the public, that hasn’t stopped them from bringing the animals to you virtually! In the spirit of Earth Day, they put out an hour long video tour of the zoo. Showing animals like Honey the skunk, Elmer the camel, Casper the llama and many more! We loved meeting the animals and learning about them, and highly recommend their video tour. Check out their Facebook page for even more videos and information.
Make a Treat!
Herb’s Bakery in Elgin is famous for their delectable treats and now they’ve changed things up to turn their sweets into a fun activity. For only $10 you can bring home a “Pick-Up and Go” box that contains 6 cupcakes, 3 Herb’s buttercream icing filled decorating bags and sprinkles. Decorate cupcakes and indulge in them afterwards is a fun family activity that kids of any age will be sure to enjoy. Be sure to call ahead and check stock, we feel these will sell quickly!
The Elgin Bike Trail in Downtown Elgin
Get Moving!
The Elgin area is lucky to have fitness-centric businesses who have continued to hold classes and workshops. Vida Yoga and Fitness has taken their yoga studio to the web and has been offering discounted rates to attend a class. Visit their website for pricing and schedules, then clear out the living room and try something new!
The Elgin Bike Trail is miles long, perfect for enjoying a long walk or bike ride on a sunny day. Or if you love fishing, it’s great for scoping out the best spot. Not to mention all the cool sights, like Pratt Castle along the way! Don’t forget to show us your adventures by posting your photos and using #ExploreElgin!
Build A Family Tree!
This is a fun craft that’s perfect for family time. Kids will learn more about their family history all while crafting a family tree that can be made in many ways. Like, drawing, cutting and pasting, or creating a family scrapbook for example. If your family is from the Elgin area, be sure to check out the Elgin History Museum‘s website where you can look through a photo archive. We also recommend visiting the Bartlett Public Library’s website because of their vast genealogical resources.
Make a Pizza!
Did you know that you can make your own pizza with a make-your-own pizza kit? Billy Bricks in Elgin is selling these kits and we highly recommend them! No matter how old your kids are, putting together a pizza is a fun way to spend time together. It’s fun, informative, and you don’t have to plan out dinner!
Do Some Gardening!
Now that we have more time to spend at home, many of us have turned to gardening as a new hobby. Planting, watering, and tending can be done frequently which can fill you with a sense of pride and accomplishment. For kids, this is a great opportunity to learn a new skill. And if you choose to grow food, can lead into learning other skills like food preparation and cooking. No matter where you live in the Elgin area there’s a place near you to help you build your garden. Klein’s Farm and Garden Market in Elgin, Platt Hill Nursery in Carpentersville and Prairie View Farm Market in Hampshire are great places to shop for flowers and herbs to start, or brighten up your garden!
Get Crafty!
The parks and recreation department in South Elgin is offering online programs to entertain the family. On May 8th from 1-1:45pm kids can tune in for craft time and make Mother’s Day gifts. Reach out in advance and they’ll even drop off the supplies you need.
Then, on May 14th from 6-7pm you and your family can tune in to a virtual campfire filled with corny jokes, campfire songs and scary stories!
Use the online access code to register here: http://bit.ly/SoElgRecSignUp and use the word GIFT or CAMPFIRE in the keyword search for the corresponding event.
The Village of South Elgin has so many virtual options for family fun, like a virtual marathon, and I Spy South Elgin.
There are also many DIY crafts like, homemade fossils, stomp rockets, dog prints, dragonfly gliders and more!
Enjoy a Virtual Concert!
The Chamber Music on the Fox group has scheduled several 5-15 minute virtual concerts throughout the month of May. These concerts feature instruments like the oboe, violin, electric cello and trumpet. These small concerts are great for children interested in music or for mixing up the music selection at home.
Read Together!
If your family enjoys reading, take advantage of Gail Borden Public Library‘s services. They are now offering drive-up windows at the main library and Rakow branch locations. Remember to reserve materials beforehand online or over the phone. Fox River Valley Public Library is also providing online story times, so be sure to check out their Facebook to catch when the next story time is! The Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library has online programs like BYOB Book club and services for learning a new language, cooking, and crafting! We highly recommend tuning in to the online programs from any of our local libraries for inspiration on activities, crafts and recipies.
Did you have fun with the family? We’d love to know! Tell us by posting your pictures and using #ExploreElgin!
