As week three of social distancing comes to an end, by now you’re either adjusting to this new normal…or ready to rip your unmanicured nails off. Lucky for us, our neighborhood businesses are hard at work trying keep kids busy and households happy. Bring creativity home with these DIY kits, or check out free virtual events at a laptop near you.
DIY Kits
Clay Paper Scissors Studio is encouraging kids to embrace their imaginative side with kits including “Fairies on The Move” Kits and “Friendship Gardens”. Kits can be customized based on your little designer’s interests to make each one special. Plus, kids will hone their building, design and art skills. The studio adds new kits regularly, so be sure to check back often to snag yours. $30.
Stokes Farm wants kids to develop their own green thumb, just in time for spring. Their “Farm at Home” kit teaches you and the kids to start your own vegetable garden, and includes five packs of seeds, four pots and one basket, plus plenty of soil. Time to get your hands dirty. $15
Brighten up your day and home décor with Sunshine Pottery & Paint “Pottery To Go” kits. Pick your project – options include funky splatter bowls, unicorn banks, gamer boxes, mugs and more. Once you pick your perfect pottery piece, they supply up to 5 colors of paint and brushes. Price varies per piece.
Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you need to forgo fashion. HIP it UP is offering a kids package which includes materials to make a bracelet and bag charm. Plus, 25 percent of sales supports local food businesses that deliver meals to local police, fire, EMT and hospitals, and we all know they deserve a lot of love right now. $12
Crafting on Park is also uniting fashionistas with their “Color Your Own Shirt” options. Designs range from Disney to dinosaurs, unicorns to Frozen. Kids pick the design and color their own unique style.
Need ideas for “art class?” Add some design to your home with YAYMAKER “At-home Canvas” kit. Each kit includes two 11x14 canvas, three brushes, six paint colors and a plate palette. Plus, they’re also hosting regular virtual events to really get kids engaged. Kit $30, virtual events $15
Budding pastry chefs will love Ridgewood Culinary Studio’s “Pre-Baked Decorating Kits.” Options include themed cookies, cupcakes and cake kits. Each kit comes with pre-baked goodies plus toppings such as marshmallows, frosting, sprinkles and candies. $20
Host your own baking competition with A Little Cake’s “Cupcake Kits.” Themes include unicorns and monsters, and comes with six cupcakes to decorate and enjoy. Then let the games begin! Taste-test not optional. $24.95
Dessert and design in one with Riff Raff Sweet Designs “DIY Kits” and “Paint Your Own.” DIY kits let you decorate themed cookies, which have ranged from legos to princesses, while Paint Your Own includes a cookie, paint brush and palette. $4-$10
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Ice Cream Charlie’s “DIY Pretzel Kits.” Kits include 12 pretzel rods, melting chocolate and sprinkle packs for dipping. Plus, they just added “Make Your Own Sundae” kits, which include 2 pints of ice cream, chocolate syrup, and plenty of toppings. $12 for pretzel kits, $20-$22 for sundae kits
Virtual Events
Turn Friday into FriYAY with Wonderspark Puppets live puppet shows, Fridays at 11 am. Or, catch their daily DIY Puppet Workshops to fulfill that art class requirement, with a new puppet craft every day.
Join Mimosas & Masterpieces for a free kids virtual paint lesson Saturday, April 4 at 3 pm. All that's needed is a canvas, paint brush, paint and a little patience while kids create a work of art.
Bring your animal lover to tune into Tenafly Nature Center's Animal Ambassador of the Month Saturday, April 4 at 10 am. Kids will get an up close look at TNC's live animals and learn all about the different furry -- and scaly -- friends.
Let the Children's Museum of Manhattan make lesson plans for you with their daily activities and video instructions. Magical Mondays, Moove & Groove Tuesdays, Our World Wednesdays, Artsy Thursdays, Feel Good Fridays, Storytime Saturdays, and Surprise Sundays will keep kids excited every day of the week. Activities and videos posted daily.
Get in your music lesson (no singing required!) with Matty Roxx Music & Entertainment's daily concert at 1 pm. Your kids will be moving and grooving for a dose of the arts plus some exercise. Matty Roxx brings his high energy and engaging songs into the comfort of your home.
Friday mornings starting April 3 at 8 am, Captain Underpants and Dog Man author and illustrator Dav Pilkey is hosting video content including drawing lessons and readings for FREE. Kids will learn to create their own characters or watch scenes from his best-selling books.
