By Guest Blogger Lauren Warren
I am sure that all of you, like me, feel mixed about the colder weather. Who doesn’t love hot cocoa, sitting out by the firepit, and snuggling under blankets to watch good movies with the family? But eventually, the kids (and adults for that matter!) will start to get cabin fever and need to get out of the house. And with COVID, a lot has changed. For my family, this has meant balancing activities that allow us to stay socially distanced from others while still enjoying the experience. Luckily, there are many things to do in the Triad that will keep the whole family entertained as the weather limits outdoor activities. Here are a few of our favorites!
The Mad Splatter
madsplatter.com
Long known for its paint-your-own pottery and canvases, the new location of The Mad Splatter has added something even better for your entire family: The Splatter Zone. Suit-up, pick your canvas, and go crazy with your colors. They call it the splatter zone for a reason: paint goes everywhere. It hits the walls, the floor, the kids, and yes, the ceiling. Be prepared with your camera for some great photos also. (Lead photo was taken at The Mad Splatter!)
To keep their customers safe during COVID, The Mad Splatter is operating at fifty-percent capacity. They sanitize all tables, chairs, and brushes between uses. Their employees also wear masks, and they ask that guests do too while they are moving around the store.
If you feel more comfortable painting at home, they have you covered! The Mad Splatter offers take-home pottery and canvas kits. You can order these kits from their website or by calling their store.
GreenHill Gallery
greenhillnc.org
GreenHill Gallery is located inside the Greensboro Cultural Center. The mission of GreenHill is to promote the visual arts of NC. Their Winter Show opens on December 6, 2020, and will run until February 7, 2020. This unique exhibit is family-friendly, and the art in the exhibit will be available for purchase. The Winter Show features lots of different mediums and is a great way to get your family talking about what constitutes art and what you can use for making art.
If the exhibit gets the creative wheels spinning, then join one of their excellent virtual studio sessions. Unfortunately, due to COVID, their gallery studio is currently closed. GreenHill Gallery offers virtual studios with two different programs: one catered towards preschool-age children and the second geared towards first graders and up.
Greensboro Science Center
greensboroscience.org
The Greensboro Science Center offers multiple attractions in one destination: a science museum with exhibits focused on dinosaurs, reptiles, amphibians, the human body and extreme weather; a zoo, home to animals such as red pandas, gibbons, meerkats, lemurs and maned wolves; an aquarium, which features sharks, penguins, stingrays, otters, fishing cats, a variety of fishes and more; and the state-of-the-art OmniSphere Theater, featuring 3D and full-dome shows.
Their hours are from 9 am to 5 pm (Zoo closes at 4 pm seasonally). Capacity is limited, so reservations are recommended. Walk-ups are welcome if space allows. Face coverings are required. Certain areas remain closed during Covid.
Visit their website for admission information, tickets, events, special classes, rentals and attraction information.
The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel
facebook.com/RotaryClubOfGreensboroCarousel
The carousel is one of my new favorite spots in Greensboro. My kids cannot get enough of the rides, and I cannot stop admiring the beautiful piece of art the carousel itself is. As the weather gets colder, the carousel will be heated once the temperatures drop below 45 degrees. It will not be quiet as warm as your house, though! It should stay around 50 degrees with the doors closed and the heat on.
Due to COVID, only 21 of the 56 animals are available for rides every day. These are all spaced at least 6 feet apart, and the staff cleans each animal between rides. Masks are required for anyone five years and older. As weather permits, the majority of the large doors are open to allow for adequate airflow also.
They will also be open at night as part of the Winter Wonderlights. For more information on how to get tickets, click here.
Culinary U of the Triad
culinaryutriad.com
Culinary U of the Triad offers a fantastic opportunity for your family to cook some excellent food. They have virtual and in-person cooking lessons, for 6 years of age to adults. They also offer parent and child cooking classes. The cooking studio is a stand-alone, 800 square foot building dedicated to cooking classes. They can accommodate up to 10 people at a time and do offer private events and classes. They ask that you wear a mask while you are not at your cooking station. They also have large monitors set up, so it is easy for everyone to see what the teacher demonstrates without gathering closely together.
Kaleideum
kaleideum.org
Kaleideum is another great location to visit with the entire family. They have wonderful indoor and outdoor exhibits that are appropriate for all ages and inspire while they teach. Kaleideum is currently open on weekends at their Kaleideum North location. They will also be opening on Wednesdays and Fridays starting November 1st. Masks are required for anyone five years of age and older, and the exhibits are cleaned and sanitized throughout the day.
Little Blank Canvas
littleblankcanvas.com
Little Blank Canvas is an award-winning studio offering classes and workshops for all ages. Little Blank Canvas is about art, fun, and hands-on projects. They are currently running multiple online live streaming art programs for kids, teens, and the entire family. Their art program is offered weekly in the morning and afternoons and is divided based on age groups. They focus on providing a fun and original mixed media curriculum in which they teach art techniques, art history, and art movement. They are also offering a few in-person sessions for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Their programs are designed to help families explore fun and educational programs while having fun and relaxing!
Children’s Museum of Alamance County
childrensmuseumofalamance.org
If you have not had an opportunity to visit the Children’s Museum of Alamance County, I strongly encourage you to do so. They have a wonderful array of exhibits geared to all ages. The museum is a place to engage and interact with your child, encouraging development through play. Their regular operating hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and admission is $5 for everyone over the age of 1. The museum requires masks or face shields for anyone five years of age and older to protect visitors. Also, the staff is cleaning the exhibits multiple times a day. The museum is very open, which naturally encourages social distancing.
The Children’s Museum has a different craft each day in their Artist’s Workshop, and on Friday’s they host a special craft and storytime that focuses on a different theme each week. On Halloween, the museum will have special games, activities, and non-food treats for guests. Please check out their Facebook page, website, or Instagram account for more special happenings.
Kersey Valley Laser Tag
kerseyvalleylasertag.com
If you would like to take your family outside for some high energy action, check out Kersey Valley Laser Tag! This laser tag field is designed to make players feel like they are inside a video game. There are bunkers, paratroopers hanging from trees, and a massive surround sound system to make you feel like you are in the middle of all the action. You can even use the app on your phone to call in air and drone strikes. The more you play, the more features you are able to unlock. And you do not have to be an athlete to play! Kersey Valley Laser Tag can accommodate people of all abilities.
Kersey Valley Laser Tag is open year-round. Public sessions can accommodate up to 40 people at a time and run throughout the week, weather dependent. You can also make reservations for groups of 10 or more. They ask that you wear a mask when checking in and when looking at the scoreboard. The staff recommends that you stay with your group while playing. The recommended age for this activity is six years and older. The cost for public sessions is $28 per person and includes approximately 6-8 games.
Kersey Valley also has multiple other attractions, including escape rooms, axe throwing, and ziplines. Please check their website for additional information.
Rockin’ Jump
rockinjump.com/greensboro
rockinjump.com/winston-salem
If you have high energy kiddos, like I do, the trampoline park is a great way to let them burn some of it off. Rockin’ Jump is so much more than just trampolines! They have a ninja course, rock wall, parkour blox for climbing and jumping, and much more. Rockin’ Jump has locations both in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, so it is very convenient for everyone in the Triad.
Even before COVID, the staff at Rockin’ Jump worked very hard to keep everything clean. Since COVID started, they require everyone over the age of five years to wear a mask unless they are jumping or eating and drinking. Rockin’ Jump also does health and temperature checks on all employees and they are operating at 30% capacity to allow for social distancing. Social distancing is enforced on all attractions and they are regularly cleaning high touch areas throughout the day. Make sure to visit their website for Black Friday and holiday specials!
For more indoor fun ideas this winter, visit our event calendar here!
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