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Virtual Recreation
Welcome to the City of Orinda’s Virtual Resource Center! In these uncertain times, a lot of good things are happening too! Did you know numerous educational websites are offering free access to their K-12 curriculum? Many famous museums are offering free virtual tours! Even many musical artists are putting on free live concerts! Do you want to get more information on all these things and more? Then you have come to the right place!
The City of Orinda has put together a comprehensive list of nutritional, educational, recreation, and fun resources for all ages here! Please check back often and follow us on Facebook for new updates and ideas! We will be updating with new resources as we find them. Have some resources to share? Please email jweiss@cityoforinda.org.
Looking for current classes and programs offered? Click HERE
Please note that we do not endorse or receive funds to advertise any of the third party sites or services listed or referenced on this page.
Nutrition
- FREE Lunch provided by Acalanes Union High School District - Info HERE
- Unable to purchase groceries or pick-up medicine? Contact Lamorinda Village 925-283-3500
- Several businesses have committed to letting seniors shop early before the crowds
- Orinda Safeway will open 7am-9am Tuesdays & Thursdays for senior shoppers
- Whole Foods will open 8am-9am Every Day for senior shoppers
- White Pony Express - Relaying food & goods to those in need in the County 925-322-0604
- Support a local restaurant! Current list of Orinda restaurants open for business visit HERE. Many restaurants are receiving take out or delivery orders. Doordash, Postmastes, & Ubereats can have it brought to you.
- Buy what you need and don’t over buy
- Use grocery delivery if available and support local businesses
- Check-in with neighbors to make sure they have what they need
Educational Resources
More Educational Resources
- NEW! Exploratorium - Online Learning Toolbox
- KiwiCo - at home kids activites
- Scholastic Magazines
- PBS Kids - games, shows, & more
- GoNoodle - movement & motor activities
- Contra Costa Library - Books & More from your electronic device
- Explore the world using Google Earth
- Join Bricks 4 Kidz in a LEGO Master Builder Challenge
- Storyline - Children’s stories
- Google Digital Teaching Resources
- PreKinders - Pre-K Teaching Resources
- BrainPOP Jr. - Interactive virtual activities
- Khan Academy -Lessons for all subjects
- Take a virtual museum tour
- Learn a new language with Duolingo
- Wizbots - At home STEM activities
- Bed Time Math - Math as a fun part of your daily family routine
- ECB - Games to get "into the book"
- Conjuguemos - Vocabulary, grammar, listening activities and games in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Korean, and Latin.
- Instructables - 3D printing projects and Coding projects, involving math and other K-12 subjects
- Science Spot - Science projects that can be completed with or without Internet access
- The Happy Scientist - Just explore, have fun, and learn some science along the way.
- Climate Kids - This NASA initiative covers a wide range of topics including weather, climate, atmosphere, water, energy, plants, and animals.
- Quizlet - For students to practice and master whatever they are learning.
- Brainscape - Offers over a million flashcard decks for every subject, entrance exam, and certification imaginable.
- Banzai - Exposes students to real-world financial dilemmas to teach them the importance of smart money management.
- 30 Educational Netflix Shows - List of educational shows on Netflix for all ages.
Recreation Resources (by age group)
Ages 0-5
- All Kids Network - Crafts, activities, mazes, dot to dot, etc.
- Highlights Kids - Fun games, recipes, crafts, activities.
- Mini Me Music *- the Lockdown Song (YouTube)
- Nomster Chef - Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science.
- Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs- Little Baby Bum (YouTube)
- Storytelling- Storyline Online (YouTube). Stream videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations
- Storytelling- Story Time from Space (YouTube)
- Songs, videos, and printable activities- Pete The Cat. Episodes also available on Amazon Prime Video
Grades K-5
- All Kids Network - Crafts, activities, mazes, dot to dot, etc.
- Highlights Kids - Fun games, recipes, crafts, activities.
- Incrediflix
- Kidz Love Soccer - Dribbling session and Free Online Activites and Fun
- Maker Stations - 3 Free Weeks of Maker Stations to keep your children creating at home! Each challenge includes simple instructions using materials around the house, QR code video resources, and a student recording sheet.
- Music & Movement- GoNoodle (YouTube)
- National Academy of Athletics
- Nomster Chef - Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science.
- Play-Well is running a free Facebook Live Stream on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10am HERE
- Super Soccer Stars
- Science & Discovery- National Geographic for Kids
- Youth Science classes- Amazing Science *
Grades 6-12
- Kidz Love Soccer - Dribbling session and Free Online Activites and Fun
- Nomster Chef - Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science.
- Science & Discovery- What’s Inside? (YouTube)
- Science & Crafts- Get Crafty Crafty (YouTube)
- School Resources listed above on the page
- Super Soccer Stars
Adults
- Exercise- Jazzercise streaming service * 14-day free trial
- Yoga- Yoga with Bird (YouTube)
- Fitness- Sweat with SELF (YouTube)
Older Adults
- Health & Fitness- Silver Sneakers (YouTube). Designed for adults 65+
All Ages
- Relaxing Music- Yellow Brick Cinema (YouTube). Reduce stress, unwind, improve mental wellness and sleep
- Crafting- Naztazia (YouTube)
- Boardgames, cards, Legos, and puzzles. Why not start your Monopoly empire or set a timer on games so that family members can choose multiple games? When was the last time you built an indoor fort, played dress-up or made up a dance routine?
- Healthy at Home, NCSI member of the SportsEngine, Inc Family is happy to share the Healthy at Home Hub CLICK HERE
- Miramonte HS student covid parody
- National Academy of Athletics
Nature and Virtual Travel
- Aquarium of the Pacific - A collection of webinars, live-cam footage and classes for all ages.
- Gardening - Guide to gardening for kids
- Google Earth - Take a Virtual Vacation or explore the world! Use Street View to see places like you’re actually there.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium - Head to the Aquarium through their live stream.
- Nat Geo Kids - Learn about geography and animals from National Geographic.
- San Diego Zoo - Check out their live animal cams and videos.
- Smithsonian Zoos and Museums - No need to travel to one of the Smithsonian’s zoos or museums — this website brings your child everything from live video of the National Zoo to the Smithsonian Learning Lab right to your screen.
- The Environmental Nature Center - Educational videos geared towards school-aged children.
- Virtual Disney Rides - Virtually ’ride’ Disney Attractions!
- Virtual Field Trips - Take a trip to a number of museums, zoos, aquariums and landmarks around the world.
- Virtual Museum Tours - Visit museums around the world through their virtual tours.
Health and Exercise
Here are a few ideas for staying active indoors (Disclaimer: Individuals should consult their physician before starting any exercise program or changing their diet to limit risks of injury).
For All Ages
- Take a Virtual Fitness Class - There are plenty of FREE options online. Here are just a few:
- Do Yoga with Me - Free yoga videos
- Fitness Blender - Variety of free videos
- Healthy at Home, NCSI member of the SportsEngine, Inc Family is happy to share the Healthy at Home Hub CLICK HERE
- Nike Training Club - App filled with free fitness videos
- Youtube Home Workout Routines - Many workouts to choose from, ranging from 10-30 minutes. No equipment necessary.
- P.E. with Joe - Live daily workouts. New workouts Monday through Friday at 9am.
- Home Court on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homecourtai/
- Online PE: https://www.youtube.com/…/UCAwgRLHq2cGUv67w4oU9R0A/playlist
- Jazzercise on Demand: https://ondemand.jazzercise.com/
- Senior Zumba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYdJHpQL8-k
For the Kids
- Virtual Sports Camps - Sports drills taught by coaches from the National Academy of Athletics
- Fitness Blender for Kids - Free fitness videos
- Cosmic Kids Yoga - Kid friendly videos
- Little Twisters Yoga - Free at-home kids yoga lesson plans
- 87 Energy-Busting Indoor Games & Activities
- Fluency and Fitness - Educational brain breaks to help students review essential literacy and math skills, while getting in some exercise. Find over 900 videos to help your child keep learning at home and burn off some extra energy. Our site is best used for ages 4-8.
- Go Noodle - Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.
- The OT Tool Box - At home OT, PT, and ST resources designed to build skills in children through movement and play.
Did you know that the current Shelter in Place order allows for individuals to "engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with the social distancing requirements such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking and running." Here’s a few ideas.
- Walk/run around your neighborhood and say hi (from a distance) to all of your neighbors who are getting outside too.
- Go for a drive.
Connect & Learn Socially
- Call or Facetime a friend, relative, or neighbor you haven’t spoken to in a while to check in.
- Kids can call or facetime their friends or teachers too!
- Volunteer - The Contra Costa & Solano Food Bank is just one organization in need of volunteers.
- Volunteer - Can you sew? Please go to masksnow.org for patterns and instructional videos.
Resources for Seniors
- Lamorinda Spirit Van - Dispatch@lovelafayette.org 925-283-3534
- Contra Costa County Information and Assistance Senior & Disabled Hotline - 800-510-2020
- Transportation Assistance - Dial 511
- General Services and Resources - Dial 211
- View the Nutrition & Health section above for meal & exercise resources
Additional Information Resources
Visit Lamorinda Patch HERE.
Visit The Orinda News HERE.