Social Distancing Resources for Families & Kids

As we all adapt to the sudden change in daily life, Knoxville Moms is here to help! We have a list of online resources for your kids. Several local small businesses are offering classes. There are many educational opportunities on the web, too. If you know of any great websites, please share in the comments below!

Knoxville families may not be able to attend some of our favorite Easter egg hunts this year, but with a little help from our local communities, we can go on an Easter egg hunt while still practicing social distancing.

Similar to the ‘bear hunts’ and ‘chalk walks’ we’ve seen popping up in neighborhoods all over America, our egg hunt works best if lots of neighbors (young and old) participate. So, spread the word in your local neighborhood! Get your printable coloring sheets here!

Local Resources

AR Workshop Knoxville
5442 Homberg Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(865) 590-9017
AR Workshop Knoxville is offering Take & Make DIY Kits from kids to adults.

Turn your “bored” into “boards!” Easy and fun DIY-to-Go kits for all ages to enjoy at home from AR Workshop!

Kits include all materials including stencils, wood, a stain color, paint choices, brushes and instructions. 

Registration Link (curbside is available and we’ll start shipping soon, too.)

The Little Gym Knoxville/Farragut
215 Brooklawn Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37934
(865) 966-4386
The Little Gym is offering virtual classes on its Facebook page. Virtual bedtime stories are also being offered.

The Back Porch Mercantile
5440 Homberg Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(865) 247-4532
The Backporch Mercantile is offering online classes. Check Facebook for details. In addition, you can shop the store’s website and select curbside pickup as an option.

Angela Floyd Schools
10845 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, Tennessee 37934
(865) 675-9894
Angela Floyd Schools will soon be launching a virtual studio offering lessons. Check Facebook for details.

Knox Kindermusik
9700 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, Tennessee 37922
(865) 898-4750
Knox Kindermusik is offering music and yoga classes for kids daily on Zoom. Check Facebook for details.

Smart Toys & Books
9700 Kingston Pike Ste 12
Knoxville, Tennessee 37922
(865) 394-6060
Smart Toys & Books is offering personal shopping by phone. You can pick up your purchase (bagged or gift wrapped) and a worker will walk it out to your car.

Muse Knoxville
516 North Beaman Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37914
(865) 594-1494
Muse Knoxville is offering “Muse at Home.”  The free videos will include educational activities and demonstrations. For more information, check Muse Knoxville’s website.

Knox County Public Library
500 W Church Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
(865) 215-8750
You can access books for yourself and your family without even stepping in your neighborhood library branch. You can watch animated, talking picture books on Tumble Books. You can also borrow e-books and audiobooks for free on the free Libby app. Additional collections are available for downloading, streaming or viewing as well.

East Tennessee Historical Society 
601 South Gay Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37901
(865) 215-8875
The East Tennessee Historical Society Museum Education department is offering free educational resources on its Facebook page.  Click on “Padlet link” for an extensive list of resources including virtual tours, videos online stories and more.

Barr 3M Solutions 
1539 Downtown West
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(865) 438-4772
Barr 3M Solutions is offering online group classes based on grade level.  The focus will be core academic skills students need to maintain in order to be successful when they return to the classroom.  The cost is $10 per hour.  For class schedule and registration information, check Barr 3M’s website.

National Resources:

Code Wizards: The website is offering free Coding for Kids classes, website access and apps.

NASA Photography: NASA has made their entire media library publicly accessible and copyright free.

We Are Teachers Math Games: A website normally devoted to teachers is offering materials to help parents home school, including 16 card games that will turn your students into math aces.

Virtual Museum Field Trip: Twelve famous museums located around the world are offering free virtual tours you can do sitting at home.

Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari: The Cincinnati Zoo is hosting special safaris to meet animals and learn from their zookeepers. You can watch the “home safaris” live and they’re also posted to the zoo’s Facebook page.

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems!: The Kennedy Center is inviting you to doodle with Mo Willems in his studio. The live session begins each weekday at 1:00pm. You are able to watch previous lessons.

Restaurant Pickup/Delivery:

Knox Foodie: This local website has a comprehensive list of restaurants offering to-go and curbside pickup in our area.

Loudon County Take Out, Delivery & Service: The Loudon County Chamber of Commerce has launched a new Facebook page to share information about which local restaurants and businesses are offering take out and delivery services.

Do you have any resources to add to this list? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Looking to read more on COVID-19? Check out our other posts:

9 Free (or Cheap) Art Lessons and Tutorials for You and Your Family

Keeping Connected: Tips and Apps to Hold the Community Together

Quarantine Life: Bringing Back Pen Pals

Five Fiction Books to Read During Quarantine

This Isn’t How It Was Supposed to Be

I Will Not Let Fear Win