Stay Active

Virtual Rec Center - Stay Active Banner

As our daily lives are filled with more indoor time, there are many ways to stay healthy and active, both physically and mentally. Please note that the City of Watsonville does not endorse, collect payment on behalf of, or receive funds to advertise any of the third party sites or services listed or referenced on this page.

Indoor Activities

Here are a few ideas for staying active indoors (Disclaimer: Individuals should consult their physician before starting any exercise program or changing their diet to limit risks of injury).

For All Ages

Take a Virtual Fitness Class - There are plenty of FREE options online. Here are just a few:

For the Kids (or kids at heart)

Exercise your Brain

For All Ages

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Visit Watsonville’s Virtual Library - The library has tons of free ebooks ready for your enjoyment as well as online classes.
  • Work on Mindfulness - Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.
  • Help Your Family De-Stress During Coronavirus Uncertainty

For The Kids (or kids at heart)
Ways To Be Creative

  • Munchkin Fun at Home - Tons of educational and recreational activities for toddlers to elementary school students.
  • Daily Doodle lessons by Mo Willems.
  • FreeKidsCrafts - Lots of activity ideas, templates and print outs.
  • Crafts by Amanda - Free arts and crafts ideas
  • Online digital coloring pages at www.thecolor.com. 
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art - A wonderful, endlessly detailed way to get kids engaged in the world of art. 
  • Artsology - Helps kids learn to appreciate the arts by providing them with the opportunity to play games, conduct investigations, and explore different forms of art. 
  • Kids Think Design - Explores careers in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, book design, product design, film and theatre, architecture, animation, and environmental design.
  • All Kids Network - Crafts, activities, mazes, dot to dot, etc. 
  • Highlights Kids - Fun games, recipes, crafts, activities. 
  • Maker Stations - 3 Free Weeks of Maker Stations to keep your children creating at home! Each challenge includes simple instructions using materials around the house, QR code video resources, and a student recording sheet. 
  • Nomster Chef - Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science.
  • Origami.me - Learn how to fold pieces of paper into pieces of art!

Outdoor Activities

covid19-urban-parks

Did you know that the current Shelter in Place order allows for individuals to "engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with the Social Distancing Requirements...such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking and running." Here’s a few ideas (don’t forget your Social Distance rules!).

  • Visit a local park - Visit our Parks page for the most up to date info on park closures. Don’t forget to tag us on social media. Visit our page on Social Distancing in parks and trails.
  • Visit a nearby County or State Park - Click here for information on the status of all parks and open space areas in Santa Cruz County.
  • Walk/run around your neighborhood and say hi (from a distance) to all of your neighbors who are getting outside too.
  • Go for a bike ride on one of our many trails.