Virtual Classes and Online Activities for Kids in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor

Kids cooped up and crying that they're bored? Keep them entertained, and maybe even teach them a new skill, with one of these virtual classes and online activities.

The coronavirus crisis has us all battening down our hatches. Many businesses have shut down for the foreseeable future and all schools in our area are closed, which means the kids are stuck at home and there’s nowhere to go to keep them entertained.

Luckily, plenty of local businesses and people have taken to the internet to provide kids fun activities and classes they can do from the comfort of their own homes.

So, if your kids are running up the walls with a case of cabin fever, try one of these virtual classes and online activities on for size – and don’t forget to check the Metro Parent calendar for even more fun virtual activities this March and April.

Animal Lessons with the Detroit Zoo

  • Ages: All
  • Time: Any

Check out the Detroit Zoo’s Facebook page for periodic educational posts on the animals that live there.

Animal Lessons from Frontiére Farmhouse

  • Ages: All
  • Time: Varies

This small family farm in Marshall goes live on Facebook to teach kids and grown-ups the inner workings of a farm. Tune in to say hi and learn about all their chickens, sheep and other critters – including one very adorable little goat named Taco.

Britannica Fundamentals

  • Ages: Grades K-2
  • Time: Any

This Michigan Electronic Library database offers younger students the opportunity to play with and learn to read letters, numbers and shapes.

Camp at Home with YMCA’s Camp Copneconic

  • Ages: Any
  • Time: Any

Tune into Camp Copneconic’s Facebook page to get in on some camping fun including bedtime stories, mindfulness activities and weekly challenges.

Getting Hands-On (While Being Hands-Off)

  • Ages: All
  • Time: Varies

The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum has temporarily gone hands-off but is promoting fun museum-inspired activities you can do at home. Watch their Facebook pages for more.

Martial Arts with Master Ron

  • Ages: All
  • Time: 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m./general public, 6:30 p.m./Champion students (times subject to change).

Master Ron, the owner of Champion Martial Arts in Westland, is offering martial arts classes for beginners via Facebook Live. Tune in to learn some basic martial arts move.

Metro Parent’s Virtual Science Camp

  • Ages: All
  • Time: Any

These cool experiments from last summer’s Virtual Science Camp are super easy and fun for kids of all ages. All you need is a few items you probably already have at your house.

#MuseumFromHome

  • Ages: Any
  • Time: Any

The DIA might be closed, but you can still experience the wonders within by checking out #MuseumFromHome. The DIA will be sharing images of the artwork on display across social media by using this hashtag.

Nickelodeon’s #KidsTogether

  • Ages: Preschoolers
  • Time: Any

This global initiative uses Nickelodeon characters from beloved shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, Blue’s Clues and Bubble Guppies to promote healthy living through short videos, downloadable activities and more.

Online Fun with the Leslie Science and Nature Center

  • Ages: Any
  • Time: Any

Check out this local nature hub’s facebook page for fun activities to do at home and online lessons.

Online Science with the Michigan Science Center

  • Ages: Any
  • Time: 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Get a science lesson with Mi-Sci every weekday on Facebook lives. Look for science experiments you can do at home, too.

Skype Training with Elissa Smith

  • Ages: Any
  • Time: Contact for details

Elissa Smith, a certified personal trainer is offering online fitness classes for all ages. Check her website for cost information or to sign up.

Storytime with Miss Allie

  • Ages: 0-7
  • Time: Varies

Miss Allie, a certified Michigan art educator from Kalamazoo, takes to Facebook multiple times throughout the day to entertain kids with live readings of beloved classic kids’ books.

The Dailey Method’s Meditation Challenge

  • Ages: Teens and adults
  • Time: Any

Socially distancing can take a toll on your mental health. Keep yourself grounded by participating in this 21-day meditation challenge, brought to you by The Dailey Method in Birmingham.

TumbleBooks through the Ferndale Library

  • Ages: Grades K-6
  • Time: Any

Though most libraries are closed until further notice, kids can still access more than 1,000 titles along with National Geographic videos, books in French and Spanish, graphic novels and more. Download them like a normal e-book, create a playlist or get them as animated talking books. Open to anyone with a Ferndale Library card.

Have you found other online classes and activities your kids love while on lockdown? Share them with other moms and dads in the comments so their kids can enjoy them, too!

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