While we’re at home practicing good social distancing, there are plenty of things to do to keep your Chicago tweens and teens busy. Here are some virtual events from your favorite local businesses and beyond that the whole family can enjoyed!
Teen Game Night: Codenames
When: May 1
Host: Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Teens can become spies to give and guess clues as in a virtual round of the word-guessing game Codenames online. Don’t blow your cover and tip off the other team of teen spies.
Master Classes Mondays
When: May 4, 11, 18
Host:Â Paramount School of the Arts
Paramount School of the Arts in downtown Aurora has launched a free series of live, virtual Master Classes for students of theater at all levels. Each class is taught by Paramount artists, staff and the school’s teaching artists with questions answered live.
Afro-Cuban Dance Classes
When: May 4, 11, 18, 25
Host: Hedwig Dances
Olivia Gonzalez of Hedwig Dance will demonstrate the basic steps of Afro-Cuban ethnic dances, which are rhythmical, energetic, and lots of fun. Each class will begin with basics, building upon them to create more elaborate phrases and further improve coordination.
Photography for Tweens and Teens Virtual Class
When: May 5, 12, 19, 26
Host:Â Double J Riding Club
Students in grades 4-12 will get to know a camera with this class as they explore the basic fundamentals of photography. Each class will include indoor and outdoor photo shoots assignments, class critiques and post processing tips.
Cuban Salsa Class
When: May 5, 12, 19, 26
Host: Hedwig Dances
Jessie Gutierrez of Hedwig Dance will introduce the basic footwork of salsa. As classes progress she will expand upon the information, as students learn footwork, body isolations, musicality and turns as well as arm styling to complement their dancing.
Red Kite Fly@Home: Shakespeare & Autism
When: May 5, 12, 19, 26
Host: Chicago Children’s Theatre
The Hunter Heartbeat Method is a series of sensory drama games that utilize the heartbeat rhythm of Shakespeare’s plays and larger than life characters to engage the social and communicative barriers of autism. This class is specifically designed for neurodiverse learners ages 8 and older and adapted for an online learning experience.
Mixed Media for Tweens and Teens Virtual Class
When: May 7, 14, 21, 28
Host: Double J Riding Club
Through different mixed media, students in grades 4-12 will learn what it takes to be an artist. Each week you will receive the materials needed for that weeks class. You can also pick up already set up kits from the farmhouse curbside.
Virtual Marine Biology Camp
When: Mondays & Thursdays
Host: Oceans Initiative
Learn about marine biology from a biologist at Oceans Initiative based in Seattle, Wash. Discussions occur on Facebook and Instagram live.
Moxie Boxing – Teens and Tweens
When: Mondays, Fridays & Sundays
Host: Hip Circle Empowerment Center
Bring your gym shoes and your sense of humor for this class that blends strength, cardio, boxing moves, and mat work. All fitness and experience levels are welcome.
Improv House Party
When:Â Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays
Host: Second City
Join the Second City’s best improvisors … in their homes. Chicago’s funniest comedy talent joins forces with Second City alumni from across the country to bring you a night of fun-filled distraction. You get to join The Second City in creating a singular online experience as your suggestions influence every aspect of this interactive, playful, hilarious performance.
Teen Virtual Art Studio
When: Wednesdays
Host:Â Inspired Minds Art
Experienced instructors from Inspired Minds BRIELLE will guide students at their own level and pace in an array of media including drawing, painting, sculpture, etc. This fun, laid back atmosphere focuses on building skill and developing ideas, where each artist feels supported, can let go of stress and just be themselves.
Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Virtual Scavenger Hunt
When: Saturdays & Sundays
Host: Watson Adventures
Grab your magic wands for a wizarding adventure that takes you virtually to museums across America in search of art that echoes characters, places, and magical objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. This hunt is for ages 10 and older and references the Harry Potter books to provide a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art.
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