Stay-At-Home Events Happening In Cowley County
You’ve binged all your favorite Netflix shows, the kids have colored every page of every coloring book, and if they ask to watch Frozen II one more time — your going to scream.
So now what?
Luckily for all of us, as the social restrictions have gotten stricter, the creativity in Cowley County has gotten stronger! Even though the traditional, in-person events we’ve all looked forward to can’t happen, we’ve seen church services moved to livestreams, teddy bears come out for bear hunts, and local groups issue their own at-home challenges.
Even though you may be stuck at home doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with nothing to do! Check back regularly to find new activities! Be sure to let the business and organizations putting these events together know how much you enjoy them!
If your business or organization has an event that you would like added to the list, email me at info@cowleytourist.com!
Read A Book
Coffee & Crime Book Discussion: Little Comfort by Edwin Hill
Hosted by the Winfield Public Library
Wednesday, April 29th, 2002 from 2PM-3PM
If warranted, this may become a virtual discussion on Zoom. Sign up for this discussion through WPL’s events calendar so that we can communicate with you about this discussion.
ACPL’s Virtual Story Time!
Hosted by the Arkansas City Public Library
New Video Posted Every Wednesday
Wednesdays are story time days at the library. Starting on the 25th, we will be posting a recording of our story time every Wednesday!
Share Your Flat Person-Ality
Hosted by the Winfield Public Library
Share your flat person-ality with us. Choose one of our flat person-alities or design your own, and show us what, how and where in your house your flat person-ality is reading.
Get Creative
Making Music At Home
Hosted by The Community Music School at Southwestern College
Every Friday in April @ 10AM
Join Miss Michelle on Friday mornings during the month of April as we make some fun homemade instruments out of things you have around the house! These are fun, educational, and will include some songs and a short story and and are fun for all ages!
ACPD Coloring Pages
Hosted by the Arkansas City Police Department
Contest Ends April 30th
We’ve created more coloring pages!! And we’re giving away patches to three lucky winners. Simply print the photo on regular copy paper, color it, and take a photo of it when you’re done. Keep watching this post, though, because the winners will be the photos comments that have the most likes by April 30! Ready? Set! Color!!!
Virtual Paint Party
Hosted by Grit & Glitter
Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 7:30 PM
We will be having a virtual paint party!! Door prizes, favorite drink and comfy clothes. We will go live in a special Facebook group and also do a Zoom meeting. We have 3 options for our party — View Only, Blank Kit, and Whole Shabang — but whatever kit you choose, you don’t want to miss out on all the fun!
Quarantine 2020 Free Writing Contest
Hosted by The Artist’s Nook
Deadline to enter is Friday, May 15, 2020
Writing contest for all ages! Short stories for children, scary tales from quarantine, and poetry. Stories will be compiled into a printed book. You won’t want to miss out!
Fantastic Friday Craft Bags
Hosted by Winfield Arts & Humanities Council
Every Friday
Come by the Arts and Humanities Council and pick up our Fantastic Friday Craft bag filled with projects to make! There is also an extra bag inside to use to enter our Crafting contest! Limited quantities are available, so if you are interested leave a comment so that we know you are coming! We will be doing this every week! Come join in on the fun!!
Our Story: Sharing Our Collective Experience
Hosted by the Winfield Public Library & Cowley County Historical Museum
Be part of a collective story of how we all are coping with this trying time. Share your story with WPL through whatever medium you choose.
WPL’s Community Wings
Hosted by the Winfield Public Library
Print out and decorate a feature to make Community Wings at the Winfield Public Library this summer for the Imagine Your Story Summer Reading Program.
Virtual Lego Club
Hosted by the Arkansas City Public Library
Every Thursday
Virtual Lego Challenge
Barn Quilts Kits For Sale
Hosted by Cowley First
This is an ongoing activity.
Need a great gift and decorating idea? Always wanted to try your hand at a barn quilt? Barn quilts are not just for barns! We will mail a 1'x1' barn quilt kit straight to you for $30. Kit includes primed board, paint, brushes and instruction. Order your kit by contacting Cowley First. Call 620–221–9951 or 620–442–3094 or email cowleyfirst@cowleycounty.org.
Get Fit
Outdoor Bingo
Hosted by the Winfield Recreation Commission
Let’s play some BINGO!! Get outside and enjoy some of these outdoor activities while practicing good social distancing. Snap a picture of you and/or your family doing the activities and post in the comments of this post. See if you can get a blackout by the end of the week!!
Beat The Boredom Virtual Race
Hosted by Ark City Rec
April 18-April 25, 2020
The weather is perfect to get outside and get your run on!!! Beat the Boredom 5K or kids 1 mile run is a fun FREE virtual race to get you out and running!! Submit a selfie with your time and distance to either our event page or message us on Facebook with your results. You have till April 25th to submit your times!! We will have prizes for our top 3 5K runners in women’s and men’s category and top 3 kids 12 and under boys and girls in the 1 mile race.
WRC Fitness Challenge
Hosted by the Winfield Recreation Commission
April 1st — 30th, 2020
4 Different Challenges — Deck of Cards Challenge, Youth Fitness Challenge, Walk Winfield Challenge, and Sweaty Selfie Raffle!
Daily Zoom Workouts
Hosted by the Walnut Valley Outpost
Every Monday — Friday at Noon
All workouts should take about 30 minutes. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your “weight” and reps. I’ve written these workouts as if you have a single KB or DB so adjust accordingly to your situation.
Learn Something New
C.A.T.S — Community Appreciation Tuition Scholarship
Offered by Cowley College
Staring May 4th
4-week Spring Session classes beginning May 4th. Take advantage of the Community Appreciation Tuition Scholarship (CATS) offering FREE tuition for Cowley and Sumner County residents. Student fees still apply. See the Cowley website for a list of courses offered.
Monday Melodies & Mid-Week Hymn Break
Hosted by Udall UMC’s Pastor Ed Friesen
Mondays & Thursdays
A weekly beloved hymn and the story behind it. Please join in at the end.
Virtual Fire Truck Tour
Hosted by the City of Winfield and the Winfield Fire/EMS
This event has passed but you can still watch the replay!
Geared toward the children of our community…Help us have some fun and follow the Stay at Home Order! Join us as we tour the Winfield Fire/EMS Aerial Platform Truck (that’s THE BIG ONE)! We are planning to show you all the part of the truck and even give you a virtual ride up in the bucket!
Challenge Your Brain
Cowley County WordPlay
Hosted by Cowley First
Contest closes May 8th, Winner will be announced May 15th
You could get the chance to win a gift certificate to your favorite rural dining establishment in Cowley County. We have random facts about Easter Cowley County scattered throughout our crossword puzzles below.
How to enter? It’s simple — email or mail your completed crossword puzzle to Cowley First to be entered into the drawing. The more crosswords you complete the more chances you have to win. Email ashowalter@cowleycounty.org or mail Cowley First, PO Box 462, 311 E 9th Ave, Winfield, KS 67156.
Online County Landmark Puzzles
Hosted by Cowley First
This is an ongoing activity!
Put together online puzzles of Cowley County’s Stone Arch Bridges, Waterfalls, and Barn Quilts.
Make Friends
Let’s Geek Out — Anime Edition
Hosted by the Arkansas City Public Library
Every Friday — Teen Room @ 2PM, Adult Room @ 4PM
Join us for a laid-back hangout on Zoom where we’ll discuss all things anime, swap recommendations, and play some trivia. Note: Anime ratings vary WIDELY and it’s not always easy to find out what a show is rated, so keep that in mind for teens under 14!
Serve Your Community
Spring Recycling Challenge
Hosted by the Arkansas City Public Library
April 22 — April 30, 2020
For the last week in April, and to celebrate Earth Day, we challenge you to turn trash into treasure! Winner will receive Plantable Gift Wrap — wrapping paper that doubles as a wildflower seed starter.
Foster A Pet
For those of you working form home — combat the loneliness with a temporary foster cat or dog. Sometimes all they need is a few weeks to save a life. You can go online at cowleycountyhumanesociety.org and click on ‘Become a foster’. If you have any questions feel free to call us at 620–221–1698.
Sew Cloth Masks For Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
Masks should be at least double layer and have a different pattern on the inside versus the outside, preferably 100% cotton. Cloth ties are fine if elastic is unavailable. While homemade masks aren’t medical grade, they are washable so we can sanitize & reuse them for some purposes. Contact our campus by phone or email to arrange for drop-off.
Sew Cloth Masks for Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
If you have handmade masks you would like to donate, please contact Harry Hynes Director of Volunteers, Sheila Shaw at 316–217–0205.
Sew Reusable Gowns for Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
Reusable gowns that suit our needs should be made of polyester or polyester-cotton fabrics, or cotton with plastic or waterproof lining that can be safely laundered and re-used. They should be long-sleeved and come below the knee of the person wearing them. They should close in the back with ties or snaps. Fabrics that do not repel water can be waterproofed, but that spray must be reapplied after each washing. If you are interested in donating, please call 620–506–0130.
Write Letters To Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor Residents & Staff
Our residents would love to receive letters and art work by mail. If you would like to send some warm thoughts and cheerful messages, mail them to our activities director, Lori Peters, at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, 1711 N 4th St, Arkansas City, 67005–1607.
You are welcome to send letters to our staff at the same address; everyone is working extra hard to fulfill our mission. Words of encouragement would be a blessing.
