Albertans are continuing to successfully practice physical distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But just because we’re doing the right thing by staying at home, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a challenge. Fortunately, individuals and groups are coming up with new ways to keep you and your family learning and having fun every day. Coupled with some tried-and-true boredom busters, these online activities allow you to experience your provincial backyard—and the world—while avoiding the risks of large public gatherings.
DELVE INTO ALBERTA CULTURE
A number of local museums bring their artifacts to you through online exhibitions. Lethbridge’s Galt Museum, for example, illuminates the history of southern Alberta with a searchable database of its collection, virtual exhibits and more. Or you can go “beyond the artifacts” at the Royal Alberta Museum, whose Intangible Alberta podcast tells unique tales from the province’s past. For the artistically inclined, the Glenbow Museum offers weekly content for kids and grownups via its Youtube channel.
APPLAUD LIVE (STREAMED) PERFORMANCES
Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre gives local artists the chance to take a bow as part of its Stuck-in-the-House Series of mini shows. Tune into Citadel’s Facebook page every day for a new performance, and check out archived videos, too.
TEST SOME HYPOTHESES AT HOME
Need a bit of homeschooling help? AMARewards partner TELUS World of Science-Edmonton has a number of DIY experiments that expose youngsters to the scientific method. Discover the “mystery” of the imploding aluminum can, make some invisible ink or create a mind-boggling Mobius strip.
GET SOME GLOBAL CULTURE
The world’s top museums and art galleries have been digitizing their collections for years, making it easy to learn about everything from prehistoric fossils to post-modern fashion from the comfort of home. Though many individual institutions now host their own exhibitions and tours online (take a peek at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat show, for example, or sneak into the car vault of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles), you can also head to Google’s Arts & Culture project, which boasts virtual looks at dozens of iconic landmarks and their collections—from the Taj Mahal to the British Museum to the Guggenheim Bilbao.
ORDER MORE PROVISIONS
Have you exhausted your existing stock of board games, puzzles, and arts-and-crafts projects? Use the AMARewards e-Store to order everything from Settlers of Catan to kids’ STEM kits (and, of course, books) from Indigo and earn up to 5% in reward dollars. Then get some new LEGO bricks for your master builders and earn 3% in reward dollars. Or just treat yourself to some mail-order goodies from Rocky Mountain Chocolate and save 10% by using the promo code AMA-ROCKY.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
AMA centres are currently closed, but there are still many ways we can help you from a safe. Click here to access our services online.