Whether you’re homeschooling, doing virtual school, going hybrid or just looking for some extra enrichment for your kids, check out this list of supplemental ideas provided by Columbus businesses to help your kids learn AND have fun!
We’re doing our district’s Virtual Academy for at least the first semester of this school year. But I’m also intrigued by the idea of including some extra enrichment activities to break up the day! I’ve been collecting this list of some fun opportunities from local businesses who have been getting creative with their offerings to help out kids and parents during this very different looking school year!
This list of activities, subscription boxes and classes will help you add some fun and variety to your at-home school day!
1. Wonderment Art
Kinder Explorations
2. Highlights for Children
15 Minutes a Day to School Success Subscription Box
Highlights is introducing a FUN NEW way to support learning at home. It’s the quickest and easiest way to ensure your child’s school success in just 15 minutes a day. Each month, you’ll get a blend of skills practice and fun activities, tailored for their grade. They only need minutes a day but might not want to stop!
The 15 Minutes a Day to School Success Subscription Boxes15 Minutes a Day to School Success Subscription Boxes are available for Preschool, Kindergarten and First Grade. Each box includes an award-winning blend of skills practice and puzzles – all designed to be used in just 15 minutes a day!
3. Musicologie
Online Music Lessons
Musicologie provides simply delightful music lessons to all ages and abilities. With online or in-person lessons, Musicologie makes music accessible to everyone by nurturing students’ innate curiosity and empowering them to achieve their musical goals. Learn piano, voice, guitar, drums and more.
Lessons are weekly one-on-one sessions with expert teachers via live video conferencing or in studio at one of our four central Ohio locations. Music is truly for everyone, at every level of playing or singing, and Musicologie wants to help you make music a deeper part of your life. Get started at GoMusicologie.com.
4. Columbus Metropolitan Library
Online K-12 Homework Help
Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, CML staff is available online to answer questions about homework for grades K-12 and help students in grades K-3 practice reading!
You can text them at 614-810-4457, call them at 614-645-2275 or use the chat box on the website!
- Related: How to Access Books, Magazines, Movies and More for Free Online with Your Central Ohio Library Card
5. The Penmanship Lab
Get A Grip! – Hand and Finger Strengthening For Improved Handwriting
Online hand exercise program, led by an OT, teaching basic hand exercises using fun activities, for hand strengthening, finger dexterity, and control. Does your child display hand fatigue when writing or coloring? This can be due to hand weakness. Poor hand strength and fine motor skills can affect a child’s ability to learn and develop good handwriting. It can also make other everyday grip patterns difficult as well. This program is designed to help improve your child’s overall hand and finger strength.
Virtual Tutoring and Support
Last school year presented unexpected challenges, and this school year will continue to present both similar and new ones. Overwhelmed? Concerned your child is “losing” out or falling behind? Let me help! My goal is to augment the transition from classroom to virtual learning.
With The Penmanship Lab, students get, the individualized attention that they need, assistance in boosting their confidence and an educational support system and exposure to effective and relevant skills for academic success. Tutoring is available in reading, math, handwriting, science, social studies, phonics and organizational skills. Pricing will vary depending on frequency and type of sessions.
6. Clay Cafe Columbus
Clay Camp
Clay Cafe has created a space where kids and parents can get out of the house and get their hands dirty for a while!
Our clay camps are half day experiences for kids ages 7-14. It’s the only time we work with wet clay and each project is unique. We limit camp to 6 kids to keep everyone safe and distanced. We are trying to gear some projects towards what kids might be learning in school too. Even if parents aren’t quite ready to commit to a week of half day camp, any time they come in with kids is an experience of painting and creating something totally individualistic and something they’ll remember for a long time!
7. Kindermusik with Emily
Kindermusik Young Child
8. Goldfish Swim School
Swimming Lessons
As more families start to learn the ins and outs of teaching their children at home, they may want to consider alternatives to traditional Physical Education classes! Not only is swimming great for exercise – but it is also great for social interactions!
We know the school year looks a little different this year. Whether your little fish will be learning in-school, trying out distance-learning or you are testing the waters with homeschooling, we’re here to support families by providing kiddos a platform to make BIG waves wherever they are, while giving parents peace of mind.
If you’re interested in making swimming lessons part of your weekly routine visit the website for location info and class availability!
9. Spanish for Niños
Spanish Lessons
Spanish for Niños, LLC is located inside Fun Town Play and Learn Café! Options include both online and in person classes with a limit capacity in our location to 10. Open registration is available for Spanish classes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Your first class is free! Ages and times include:
- Spanish for Bebés and Mami (6-15 months) 9:30 AM-10:00 AM
- Spanish for Chicos (16-36 months) 10:15 AM-10:45 AM
- Spanish for Pre-Escolares – (3-5 years old) 11:00 AM -11:30 AM
- Spanish for Niños (6-12 year olds) only Saturdays 11:45 AM-12:15 PM
- Spanish for Homeschool (all ages) now 1:00 PM-2:00 PM, will change in September to 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
10. COSI
COSI Connects Kits
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