With schools closed and many of you working and staying at home during the current event, Haldimand County staff have compiled lists of online resources which we hope will give you some ideas and inspiration for making the most of our situation. The suggestions and links categorized below will point you to a variety of activities, downloadables and educational opportunities.
New Normal: Life in Haldimand during the Pandemic
The Haldimand County Public Library offers many online services for learning opportunities.
If you do not yet have a library card to access some of these services, visit the library’s Online Databases page and use the online email request form at the bottom of the page to contact us. By providing your full name and home mailing address, you’ll get set up right away.
- Gale Courses Offers many highly interactive, instructor led courses taken entirely online. Upgrade your computer skills, learn to play guitar, manage stress, get a certification in meditation and so much more.
- Mango Languages Learn dozens of languages interactively while tracking your progress. There’s even a fun course on learning Pirate-speak… arrgghh! Or try Duolingo for loads of language fun.
- Chilton’s Auto Repair Now’s a great time to learn what’s under your hood and some useful tips to maintain your vehicle.
- Open University A free learning site with documentaries and a huge selection of courses in history, finance, science, education, law, environmental studies and more.
- Laughter Yoga Join the Alzheimer Society Thursdays at 10:00am, through Zoom, to participate in some fun, engaging yoga exercises!
Virtual School Day Over 100 free live K-12 classes all day long, brought to you by Varsity Tutors.
Virtual Summer Camps Free half-day summer camps with enrichment-based classes in subjects like foreign language, chess, theatre, coding, and even Minecraft! Offered by Varsity Tutors.
Curio Educational programs, documentaries, audio and archival material from the CBC
From ABCs to ACTs Find lists of dozens of educational sites and activities
IXL Math Various math activities for JK, Kindergarten and grades 1 through 12
Financial Literacy for Kids A site developed by InCharge, providing lesson plans and activity sheets
Virtual Museum Tours Includes many Canadian museums you can tour from home!
Virtual Field Trips For Families
Staying physically fit is important anytime, but particularly now while you may be confined to your residence.
Below are some ideas and links to resources to help keep you active.
- Fitness Blender A variety of workout tips and techniques with hundreds of free video demonstrations
- Physical Activity and Your Health Resources from the Federal government including tips to stay active for various age groups and downloadable guides
- Jumpstart Play From Home Ideas from Canadian Tire and its partners for keeping kids active at home
- Fitness Magazines Available on the library’s PressReader download site. Hundreds of articles on various exercises and sports.
- Yoga in Your Living Room Dozens of how-to videos
- Couch to 5K Week by Week Prepare for local marathons with these handy running programmes.
Wipe the dust off those family board games, puzzles and colouring books; finish that scrapbook you started years ago or revisit an old hobby; browse through old family photo albums; or “bond” with the cat by playing some new tricks.
Other projects you might want to get underway include spring cleaning, organizing your closet or purse, listening to podcasts, or cleaning your car – inside and out. Better yet, consider a “me-day” with a bubble-bath or whatever relaxes you.
Here are even more ideas:
StoryTime with Haldimand County Library staff
Community Art Gallery – Art Connects Us! Calling all Haldimand County artists: showcase your stay-at-home creations and let your expressions have a positive impact on our community! Art engages us, moves us, and helps bring us together. Submit a picture of a piece of your artwork that you have made since March 13, 2020. The artwork can be of any kind, in any format: paintings, sculptures, mosaics, needlecraft, photography, drawings, … or even mashed potatoes! Let your creative juices flow and be expressive! Submit a piece of your artwork now!
Facebook LEGO Contest Grab your LEGO, get building, and post your pic!!
Library & Museum YouTube Videos
Laughter Yoga Join the Alzheimer Society Thursdays at 10:00am, through Zoom, to participate in some fun, engaging yoga exercises!
Jumpstart Play From Home Ideas from Canadian Tire and its partners for keeping kids active at home
Parks Canada Street View Explore our gorgeous national parks from the comfort of home via Google’s Street View, or discover more North American parks using Google Earth
Parks Canada Science and Conservation: Discover how you can help preserve our natural heritage.
We Are Teachers Earth Day Crafts
Super Coloring pages for children
Colouring pages for discerning adults
AllRecipes Try a recipe you’ve been meaning to make and explore new cuisines!
Cooking Magazines availble from the library’s PressReader Digital download site
The Haldimand County Public Library offers many downloadable services for ebooks, digital music, and digital magazines.
If you do not yet have a library card to access some of these services, visit the library’s Online Databases page and use the online email request form at the bottom of the page to contact us. By providing your full name and home mailing address, you’ll get set up right away.
eBooks
Music Downloads and Streaming
Freegal offers thousands of song tracks by your family’s favourite artists, all available for free downloading or streaming.
Digital Magazines and Newspapers
PressReader offers thousands of magazine and newspaper issues covering many different topics of interest, including popular titles such as InTouch, Hello!, Star, US, Reader’s Digest, and National Geographic.