Just because we are practicing social distancing, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our favorite local businesses! Thanks to the wonder of the Internet and endless creativity, there are lots of Upstate businesses and personalities who are making great efforts to stay in touch with their audiences and with the families who follow them.
So we’ve compiled a list of all the cool things happening right here in the Upstate (or nearby) where readers can stay in touch with their favorite local businesses – and even find new ones to follow.
CESA Podcast
The Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) has suspended all practices and games but they’ve also just launched a brand new podcast. They’ve been wanting to do this for quite some time and as they said on their post: “…given that we’re currently off the fields for an unknown length of time, we thought now was a great time to start.”
Podcast link
Creating Artists for Tomorrow
CAT is posting DIY art videos on their Facebook page for anyone to follow along.
Facebook
Mathnasium @ Home gives your child the opportunity to attend a regular 60-minute math lesson from your home.
Critter Keeper
The Critter Keeper has all kinds of gross/interesting things to show you on video and he’s started doing Facebook lives to deliver the best of snakes, spiders, and creepy crawlers right to your living room.
Facebook
Dance Without Limits
Dance Without Limits is offering a FREE story time ballet class Fridays at 9:30 am. The class is most appropriate for ages 2 -6, but all are welcome! Use this zoom link to attend ballet story time! Don’t forget to bring your twinkle bear or favorite stuffed animal to class.
DRUM Percussion Studios
They’ve got virtual learning videos daily streaming from their YouTube channel.
Greenville Zoo
Animals still need to be taken care despite the current coronavirus restrictions. So the Greenville Zoo has made their time taking care of the animals also educational for all of us families who miss our zoo trips through cute behind-the-scenes videos! Tune in Tuesdays – Thursdays at 10:30 am for educational encounters and Mondays – Fridays at 2:30 pm for live keeper updates.
Facebook
Gymboree of Greenville
The staff over at Gymboree of Greenville love getting in front of the camera to entertain your kids for awhile. They are doing things like music entertainment and freeze dancing – so cute!
Facebook
Ivybrook Academy Hatchlings
Every spring, Ivybrook Academy’s students do a hands-on project where they have an incubator and hatch a dozen chicks. Since they’ve had to close like everyone else, they are bringing the chicks to students (and anyone else in the Upstate) virtually with daily updates. Chicks will likely hatch in early April and they will announce a contest for their followers on social media to choose names for the 12 chicks when they hatch.
Facebook
Instagram
Kazoobie Kazoos
While not in the Upstate but still in South Carolina (they are near the coast in Beaufort), we are including them because number one, we’ve been there and thought the place was super cool and number two, they are doing Facebook live tours and demonstrations of kazoos. Catch the virtual tours Monday – Friday at 11 am and 2 pm.
Facebook
Little Gym of Greenville
Join the team at the Little Gym of Greenville for fun videos that your kids will love and follow along with.
Facebook
Riverbanks Zoo Z-Learning
The Riverbanks Zoo is wasting no time staying connected to all the families who have visited them throughout the years by doing a live z-learning video weekdays.
Facebook
Roper Mountain Science Center E-Learning
The smart people over at RMSC have put together several videos for grades second through fifth of all kinds of grade-relevant science and social studies instruction. And they are already posted to the e-learning page so you can go at your own pace. **virtual high-five** RMSC!
E-Learning website
SC State Parks
Park rangers at South Carolina State Parks are doing educational videos from our state parks. This is a lot of fun as it is but also because you can learn about the state parks that maybe you haven’t heard of or been to yet.
Facebook
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Storytime
Tune in to TCMU’s Facebook or Instagram page at 11 am for online storytime. Kids love story and parents get a few minutes to rest while their kids are busy listening to an awesome story. Win-win.
Facebook
Instagram
Upstate Magic Academy
Upstate Magic Academy is partnering with City of Greer Parks and Recreation for an 8 day online magic class done via zoom. The cost is $149 per person. For more information and to register visit Upstate Magic Academy. Register by April 13th, class begins April 21st.
Whispering Pines Baby Goats
It’s kidding season right now and Whispering Pines is gracing the internet with videos of their baby goats and baby lambs. You can see hours old babies and just watch until your heart melts and you decide you want to be a goat farmer.
Facebook
WSPA TV’s Amy Wood
If you’re not following Amy on Facebook, you’re missing out on her fun personality and down to earth live videos. She is plugged in to the local community like no one else and has a heart full of love for the Upstate and her viewers.
Facebook
Instagram
WYFF Chief Meteorologist Chris Justus Weather School
Chris Justus – the main weather guy at Channel 4 – is bringing his love of weather and Facebook lives to his page weekdays at 9 am to explain in kid-friendly ways all things weather-related. Sounds like this counts for science class if you ask us.
Facebook
Yellowbobbypins Art Videos
Lauren, resident artist at Yellowbobbypins, is doing daily, simple art project videos to help your kids entertained.
Facebook
Have you seen anyone else locally using the internet to stay connected to their fans?