Your online hub for recreation and mindfulness within the City of Mountain View

MOVEMENT

We are lucky to live in an area surrounded by trees, trails, mountains, and incredible outdoor opportunities. If you are considering visiting a park and are able to travel further afield, now may be a good time to explore some or our region’s larger or more remote natural areas, which may be less crowded.

• Go bird watching at Shoreline at Mountain View.
• Visit some of Mountain View's less known parks- bonus points if you visit them all #MindSocialDistance
• Find an open space preserve where you can hike, ride or walk the dog.
• Take a Tree Walk at Pioneer Park or Cuesta Park. Canopy has partnered with the City of Mountain View to create tree guides you can download and take along with you.
• While exploring, discover and record local flora and fauna with the following apps and websites: iNaturalist, Plant Snap, Leaf Snap, Merlin Bird ID, Celebrate Urban Birds, Creek Critters, or LEPS.
• Got a green thumb? Gardening is a great way to get outside and get some light exercise. Here's how to create a garden using your dinner scraps - no seed packets needed.

Can’t get out? Explore virtual options!

There’s nothing like getting outside, feeling the sunshine, breathing in fresh air and connecting with nature. But during these difficult times, we recognize that the opportunity to get outside is going to be limited for many. Several organizations have put together great free resources for online exercise classes, virtual at-home workouts, and other ways to explore your world and connect with others remotely. Mountain View Recreation is also working to explore virtual fitness and recreation programming and we will have more information about these opportunities soon. In the meantime, check out these resources:

• The SilverSneakers have a variety of exercises for older adults, including yoga, cardio, stretches, and more.
• Tighten your soccer skills with Futsal Kingz.
• Nama-stay home and try yoga with your kids.
• Practice soccer drills with Kidz Love Soccer.
• Visit Skyhawks Sports Family Resource Center for virtual lessons and resources.
• You've been challenged! The View Teen Center staff Scott calls teens to take a 20 sec push-up challenge.

MOTIVATION

If you find yourself with a little more time on your hands or need some stimulus for your little ones, perhaps its time to pick up a hobby or learn a new skill.

• Check out our series of Mountain View Rec Breaks on our City YouTube page.
• Feeling crafty? Create a wooden geoboard, make a zine from a single piece of paper, blow gigantic bubbles with DIY bubble soap, brighten up your house with coffee filter poppies, DIY macrame home decor, build a mid-century modern shoebox house (because why not).
• Join your neighbors as we celebrate community while practicing social distancing with a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt! Create works of art in the daily theme and place in your windows for your neighbors to see. Visit www.facebook.com/mountainviewrecreation for a list of the daily themes.
  
• Just because the Library is closed doesn't mean you can't check out books! Visit the Library's resource page to download eBooks or audiobooks for FREE.
• Ever wanted to learn a new language? You can access language learning classes for free with your Library card through MANGO.
• Learn a new skill, hobby or discuss mind maps from experts in the field through Creative Mornings - Virtual Field Trips (for adults).
• Podcast at home! You've got a voice, learn how to share it from the experts at NPR.
• Learn to draw with Young Rembrandts.
• We know you have a story in you. Try The Story Starter to get random prompts that may lead to the next best seller.
• Americas Test Kitchen has a full resource center for kids learning to cook - including how-to videos, the science behind the food and best tips.
• Watch an online health class for kids with Little Medical School.
• Explore the mystery and learn the history behind the Winchester Mystery House through a virtual tour.

MOOD BOOSTERS 

It's a stressful situation, we get it. If you need a mental break, check out the below links to relax, breathe and maybe even laugh.

• Try a Mountain View Rec Word Search! Need some help? Click here for the answer sheet.
• For pure fun - use your keyboard to create a graphic and sound experience with Patatap.
• Find your zen while watching the Monterey Bay Aquarium live.
• Consider this your official owl from Hogwarts.
• Tiny Chef is the tiny kitchen friend we didn't know we needed.
• Step back and take a tour through the cosmos.
• Bring the ZOO to you with Oakland Zoo's Zoo@Home.
• Khan Academy has free daily schedules and academic resources to help during the shelter-in-place.
• "When you name your exhaustion, it becomes easier to see that it's not a problem in your head; it's a problem in your circumstances", writes Adam Grant for a New York Times Article. Check out the Feeling Wheel and see if you can name your emotions.
• Need a break from all the chores around the house? Check out this list of FREE online puzzles and games compiled by staff to use on the computer or phone. Have fun!
• Midpeninsula Open Space has a variety of word puzzles, scavenger hunts and crafts to appreciate the outdoors while staying indoors.

and MORE!

Below are a list of resources that might help you or a neighbor stay informed or access essentials.

• For residents 60+, check out our senior resource guides for information on housing, legal assistance, grief counseling and more.
• There are a variety of local food services programs for seniors - View the resource sheet for contact info, hours of operation and locations.
• Looking for a comprehensive list of stores offering special shopping hours for seniors - view this list of local retailers with age requirements and hours.
• The Mountain View Senior Center is looking for volunteers to make cloth face masks for seniors. Starting Tuesday, April 21, drop off your new cloth masks at the Senior Center front door on Tuesdays from 9-10 a.m. All masks will be disinfected and distributed to nutrition program participants the following week.

Got an idea to share? Email recreation@mountainview.gov. We'd love to hear from you. The City of Mountain View does not endorse or receive funds to advertise any of the third party sites or services linked or referenced on this page.