THING OF THE WEEK
ACTIVITYCITY… Ingenious folk in the property community have created a wondrous array of stay-at-home activities to keep little ones interested, pass some time and maintain our sanity.
Civic Engineers | With hoards of parents looking for ways to not only keep their kids entertained but also provide learning opportunities, we thought we’d do our bit and set a fun engineering challenge, suitable for all ages. It’s an opportunity to have fun, promote teamwork but also learn a little bit about structural engineering. Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to build the tallest, most impressive structure out of household items. Maybe go easy on the toilet roll though, it’s in short supply! Details of how to enter the competition, which close on Wednesday 8 April, can be found on the Civic Engineers website.
Kelsall Architects + Exvista | This is our little bit towards helping parents who find themselves suddenly having to juggle homeschooling with working from home. Download PDF templates of your favourite buildings and create your city at home… big kids welcome too! The first one is a collaboration with renowned Manchester artist Eamonn Murphy from Exvista. Print out the template, get your best colouring pens out, stick it together, then let us know how you get on by tagging us on social media and using the hashtags #CovidCreative #KAatHome
Planit-IE + NOMA | Those cool dudes at Planit-IE have transformed client NOMA’s playground at Old Bank in Manchester’s old Co-op quarter into a virtual hangout with daily video gatherings for fun and frolics from discos and running clubs to maker workshops and small business support.
Wren (troglodytes troglodytes) singing in territory in spring Wales. Image by Andy Rouse
The Wildlife Trusts | A series of beautifully crafted online nature activities to encourage everyone to tune in to wildlife at home this spring – and to help people find solace in nature during tough times. Spot bees, butterflies, bats and birds during your permitted local walk, keep children entertained with nature-themed crafts, or tune in to look at fabulous wildlife footage and photos! There’s also plenty of practical outdoor advice to inspire us to do more for wildlife in gardens, balconies or window boxes. The Wildlife Trusts are also launching a weekly wildlife programme on YouTube for kids and parents. A new video will be uploaded to Wildlife Watch UK every Wednesday at 10am. The channel will feature wildlife experts, home-school help and seasonal species to spot at wtru.st/Wildlife-Watch-YouTube. Episodes include ‘why birds sing’ and ‘how to make a pond’.
thejigsawpuzzles.com
Rendall & Rittner | Taking the NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC approach to home schooling the erstwhile residential managing agent has compiled a greatest hits of educational entertainment – from online jigsaw puzzles to documentaries aimed at children – and all nicely laid out and linked from the Rendall & Rittner Residents Club.
