With the kiddos staying home, your friends from Greater Palm Springs want to provide you with easy tips and tricks to help keep the little ones busy. From recess at home to virtual learning, Greater Palm Springs will always be an anchor for fun and learning. Did we mention there is a daily storytime? That's right, we have you covered with activities sure to light up a smile on any child's face! Below are a handful of online resources from partners throughout this family-fun oasis. 

Although our destination attractions are temporarily closed, we invite you to enjoy a virtual experience through Greater Palm Springs. 

Keep Calm and Learn On

Learning Resources for Kids

Virtual learning can be as easy as 1-2-3! The Desert Sands Unified School District and The Palm Springs Unified School District have provided online enrichment and educational resources for students and parents. Grade levels from Pre-K to high school seniors can all benefit from this. These detailed learning itineraries are not only educational but also fun! Be prepared for activities that touch on online learning, mindfulness, reading aloud, creativity and physical/wellbeing. Plus, parents can also participate with resources on remote learning. Let the online educational fun begin! 

Books and More

There are several libraries in Greater Palm Springs offering free online resources. The La Quinta Public Library has a database of online material and the Rancho Mirage Library is offering online resources including games, audiobooks, video, magazines, newspapers and more. The Palm Springs Public Library is offering a free temporary digital card, valid for 90 days available online. Keep calm and read on with all these free services!

Gather Around for Storytime

Daily Storytime with Councilwoman Grace Garner

There is nothing more soothing than getting lost in a good story! Every day at 2 p.m., Councilwoman Grace Garner is reading children's books on Facebook Live. Engage your child's imagination with tales of Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith and The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. The best part is these videos are saved on Councilwoman Grace Garner's Facebook page, so you will never truly miss storytime.

Nightly Storytime

United Way of the Desert has organized a live nightly video stream at 7:30 p.m. on their Facebook page. Watch along as beloved storybook favorites are read aloud right before bedtime!

Sit your kids down and let them feel inspired by all the tales of adventures right from the comfort of their home. It might just spark them to create their own stories. 

Live Your Wellest at Home

Online Recess

We all know the importance of physical activity for kiddos. Fit in 42 is offering a free kid's online class/recess every weekday at 10:15 a.m. for 30 minutes. Take the fitness fun to the next level with joining in on the themed days! Kids can dress up as their favorite superhero or work out in their pajamas. Either way, enjoying recess from home has never been more engaging!

If you're looking for something more, My Gym Palm Desert is offering online live streaming fitness fun that encourages home education, learning and play. These online streams are offered through March 30 with an enrollment fee or a continued membership. Go to My Gym Palm Desert and ask about their first free session. 

Dance/Exercise Videos

The Family YMCA of the Desert is encouraging the whole family to join in on the fitness fun! They have shared various exercising videos to help get everyone up and moving. Enjoy classes on yoga, youth sports, barre and more! 

Dance it off at home! Kelsey Martinez Zumba Fitness is offering live virtual zumba and zumbini classes for adults and kids. Check out her Facebook page to join in on the dance party from your living room. 

The La Quinta Wellness Center is offering a train at home initiative to encourage fitness to all their members. It's a great program for parents or children to start or continue their health and wellness journey. 

Another great resource is Desert Recreation District. They have over 75 online resources for children and adults! Videos ranging from health and fitness, education, arts & crafts, virtual museums and more. 

Kick it up a notch with Dejitaru Karate Dojo. Parents and children as young as 3 years old can all join in on the movement. Dejitaru Karate Dojo in Bermuda Dunes is offering online sessions for $50 during the month of April. Try one of their fun classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday sure to give everyone a great workout. 

Go On a Fieldtrip Right from Your Home

Zoo School by The Living Desert

This Zoo School is girrafing us crazy with how amazing it is! Recently acclaimed as one of the top zoos in the nation, The Living Desert is bringing animal happiness conveniently to your home. Parents, all you have to do is visit the Instagram page for The Living Desert, @thelivingdesert, and let your little one enjoy their stories and saved highlights. Zoo School is a fun and interactive way for everyone to learn with quizzes on various animals and plants. Kids will surely love testing their knowledge! Oh and did we mention, there are many photos of adorable animals that the whole family will enjoy seeing!

La Quinta Museum

Learn about the Salton Sea Stories with this amazing exhibit. The La Quinta Museum has converted its current exhibit, Salton Sea Stories, to video for free viewing on their Facebook page.

Adventure On

Explore museums, aquariums, Mars and more! The Desert Sands Unified School District is offering free field trips for children and families all through your computer. These online tours are happening Monday through Friday, now through the end of April. Your child will love all the adventures through these virtual explorations. 

Extracurricular Activities

Arts & Crafts

It's time to get creative! The La Quinta Creation Station has provided online instruction videos for crafts and projects. Neat tutorials like DIY create your own magic wand are available on the La Quinta Creation Station Facebook page. The kiddos are sure to feel magical after such art activities. Or join an online painting class with Creations with Cece. Cece's Artistic Touch is giving free painting instruction events for all ages online through her Facebook page. The next events will take place on March 27, March 28 and March 29. 

Sewing

Change it up and learn a new skill like sewing. The TrishTacSew Sewing Classes in Palm Desert is offering free online sewing tutorials for kids and adults. The first tutorial is how to sew-up a fun bunny gnome magnet and pre-cut kits are available for purchase as well.

Music Class

Why not take instrument lessons as music is said to be healing and fun! The Music School Palm Springs is offering online private music lessons for parents or kids. Whether it's crafting or learning a new skill like sewing or playing an instrument, creativity is just one click away from being available from home.

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

Inspiration is just seconds away with the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert. Your child can join in on the learning fun from home with activities, crafts and more! Plus, the Children's Discovery Museum is posting the interactions in English and Spanish. Head over to their Facebook page and Instagram to get started discovering from home. 

Our Amazing Desert - The Diversity of Life!

Discover and learn about all the natural wonders that surround Greater Palm Springs. Friends of the Desert Mountains will host a free online webinar to share their efforts in protecting this amazing place. Join in on Wednesday, May 6, for an insightful learning experience called Our Amazing Desert - The Diversity of Life!

S.C.R.A.P Gallery

This Cathedral City environmentally friendly children's museum, S.C.R.A.P Gallery, is offering an at-home program for little ones looking to unleash their inner artist. Home FREE encourages children to repurpose materials that would otherwise be thrown away such as plastic bottles, cardboard and more. Every week they will be providing project ideas to spark creativity and teach kids about the importance of sustainability. 

To-Go Options

If you're looking to surprise your little one at home try one of these neat ideas. Jadabugs Kids Boutique offers pre-packaged "boredom buster bags" with age-appropriate gifts ready for curbside pickup. Simply Sweet Desserts by Lara has created 'Cookie Kits' for $15 each which includes 6 cookies, 3 icings, sprinkles & instructions and are ready for pick up in Cathedral City. 

Contest

In honor of Earth Day, participate in the #BeCause Student Poster Contest held by S.C.R.A.P. Gallery in Cathedral City. This virtual contest will encourage students to bring their love for the environment to life. Encourage your kiddos to show off their art skills from home by entering this fun and cause worthy contest. For more information, email karen@scrapgallery.org.

Inspiring, empowering and fun for everyone! The Riverside County Office of Education is having a six-week arts competition for all Riverside County students. Weekly art themes are announced ahead of time, learn more about the 2020 Virtual Student Arts Competition.