Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility New Normal: Life in Haldimand during the Pandemic - Haldimand County

New Normal: Life in Haldimand during the Pandemic

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.

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.

TVO Kids

CBC Kids

Curio   Educational programs, documentaries, audio and archival material from the CBC

Scholastic 

From ABCs to ACTs Find lists of dozens of educational sites and activities

National Geographic Kids

PBS Kids

Brain Pop

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

Discovery Puzzlemaker

Virtual Museum Tours  Includes many Canadian museums you can tour from home!

LIVE Toronto Zoo

Calgary Zoo

Vancouver Aquarium

20 Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips For Families

Virtual Farm Tours

Discovery Education Virtual Field Trips

Experience Curiosity on Mars

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.

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.

Free Musicals and Plays

Kids Craft Room

We Are Teachers Earth Day Crafts

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

OverDrive      CloudLibrary

 

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.