Online Activity and Resource Center
Welcome to our Online Activity & Resource Center.
Maplewood Parks and Recreation wants everyone to stay active and engaged during this difficult time. We know everyone is facing a variety of challenges and we are here to help as best we can.
Not only have we been creating fun videos for everyone, we have also compiled a variety of fun, engaging activities and learning resources easily located in one area.
Just a few examples of the things you will find:
- Get info about our new virtual programs and events.
- Come meet the Maplewood Nature Center’s animals.
- Take a virtual visit to one of our nature preserves.
- Maybe your family wants to take a virtual national park tour or find resources for online learning and activities?
- Thinking about starting a garden or running or cycling program but not sure where to start?
- From arts, nature, sports, education, family and hobbies there is sure to be something for everyone.
Thanks for visiting and please check back as new items will be added regularly.
- Explore Maplewood
- Brain Food
- Outdoor Fun
- Sports & Programs
- Virtual Library
- Arts & School/Learning
- ODDS & ENDS
- Visit a Maplewood PARK or PRESERVE near you!
- Leave No Trace Learn best practices for using trails and open spaces!
- Maplewood Nature Center - Visit for webinars, nature videos and self guiding activities among a whole host of other fun things. Don’t forget about our Facebook and Twitterpages!
- Nature Center YouTube Videos - Get up close and personal with our animals, be a part of the Fur Trade experience, learn about community nature and many more cool videos! Check out Peer into the Pond Activity Kits
- Upcoming Pollinator/Native Plant webinars – more webinars coming soon!
- Maplewood Camera Club - Learn tips and tricks for nature photography with like minded people.
- Friends of Maplewood Nature - Help support nature center projects and programs!
- Pollinators by the Yard Grant- Maplewood residents can get money for planting for pollinators! Learn more!
- Summer Nature Bingo Card
- Minnesota Zoo – Offering cool at home programming and virtual farm babies!
- Science Museum – Offering Learn from Home and for a limited time OMNI Fest, at home streaming of OMNI/IMAX films, free and rentals available.
- Explore.org - Live animal cameras from all over the world. You pick what you want to watch!
- DNR Eagle Cam - Great opportunity to view an eagle family in their nest.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium - Watch 10 different live animal cams and join for narrated feedings throughout the week.
- Hidden Worlds of National Parks - Unbelievable virtual guided tours of some amazing national parks!
- National Geographic Kids - All kinds of great, fun learning videos and tools for kids.
- Ranger Rick – Free access to outdoor activities, digital Ranger Rick magazines, animal crafts and much more!
- Guthrie Theater - Offering various virtual readings and shows and an "Education" section offering virtual classes and workshops to various ages.
- Ramsey County Library - Curbside pickup, virtual story time M & F, and more modified services. No library card? No Problem! They can help get you a temporary account.
- AARP Games - Online card games, crosswords, arcade games, and much more. Most are free and available to everyone.
- DNR Winter Activities Guide - Looking for some winter activities?
- Havefunbiking.com- Great place for bike information, safety, tips etc.
- Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide - Download this handy bike guide for free maps of fun locations to explore in Minnesota and more.
- Outdoor Recess Breaks – Kids at home? Our virtual library has some fun ways to break up the day.
- Looking at taking up RUNNING or CYCLING? Click the links for good places to start for beginners.
- The Truth Behind ‘Runner’s High’ and Other Mental Benefits of Running - An article about the "runners high" and other mental benefits of running.
- Gardening – So you want to start a garden you say? Here are some good sites to get you going.
- Summer Nature Bingo- Download the nature bingo card from the Maplewood Nature Center and challenge your family to a game of nature bingo.
- Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt - Get out and explore your neighborhood in a fun way!
- Create Your Own Fairy Garden – A fairy garden can be a fun, peaceful project that lets you unleash your inner creativity. There are tons of fun examples for you to get started.
Visit our virtual library for quick videos of drills for the following sports to do at home.
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Hockey
Other resources to keep progressing in your sport of choice.
- Soccer - Online Soccer Academy - YouTube videos for all skill levels
- Basketball - Jr NBA at Home - Videos from NBA stars teaching basketball drills for all ages and skill levels
PE @ Home Learning Resources w/ Gopher Sport - Lots of PE resources for your at home kiddos!
Visit our virtual library for a whole host of fun and educational videos.
- Rec@Home Videos - Recess Breaks, Fun Challenges, Sports Skills
- Nature Center Videos – Animal Encounters and Educational Videos
- Preserve Videos - Virtually visit some of Maplewood’s preserves
- Art and Craft Videos – Do you dare be an at home art teacher?
- Macaroni Kid - Free at home activities for families.
- Virtual Spirograph - Take a break and let those creative juices flow with an online spirograph.
- Word Searches
- Color By Number
- Silk Interactive Art - Be prepared to get sucked into creating longer than originally thought.
- Free School Related websites - Math Is Fun, Room Recess, Mathigon
- PBS Kids For Parents - Good site for ideas, tips, projects and articles that can help with all that extra time the kids are at home.
- Golden Apple Online Learning Resources - Variety of websites to help with online learning and activities.
- Glensheen Mansion Virtual Tours - Tour the most visited historic home in Minnesota, the Glensheen Mansion right from your couch! Choose from three different guided tours.
- Holidazzle (Virtual 2020)- Offering many different experiences that the Holidazzle is known for but with a virtual twist!
- Santa Experience - Weekly Santa story time, sign up for Zoom meet and greets with Santa and even a phone number to the North Pole with a recorded greeting from Santa.
