Learning & Fun Resources for Kids
It’s not easy keeping your kids busy or explaining the current pandemic. Here are some helpful resources for you.
The following are links to learning at-home tools that have stepped up to provide resources for our children while they are homebound:
- Scholastic Learn at Home: day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.
- Prodigy Game: My kids love this game and it is great to see how much math is involved. Also, here is a free weekly activity calendar to help kids learn from home they just released.
- Learn@Home by Google: Learning channels offering videos, tutorials and activities appropriate for all different ages and areas of interest.
- EPIC! Digital Library for Kids 12 & Under: Upon invitation from an educator (it’s free for them too) your child can have access to 35,000 books, videos, quizzes, and more.
- Oxford Owl’s Free eBook Library for 3-11 year olds: “Help your young child learn to read, and love to read, with our range of over 100 free eBooks.”
- Dreambox Math Lessons: Sign up for a free 90-day trial to access 2000 math lessons for K-8 (Y1-Y9)
APPS via Common Sense Media
- Marble Math: marble mazes that make math practice fun and addictive. For iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Kindle Fire.
- Kanopy: free movies, shows, and animated books with a library card.
- Khan Academy Kids: creative early-learning activities to engage and inspire.
- … more free educational apps reviewed and listed by Common Sense Media.
Audiobooks
- Audible Stories: “For as long as schools are closed, we’re open. Starting today, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.”
Here are a wide variety of resources to add a little fun into your kid’s day:
- The Real Play Coalition’s 238 Activities for Kids: “no matter where you are or how much time you have. Whether you’re looking for indoor activities for kids, outdoor activities for kids or activities to play while you’re on the go…” they have it!
- Just Dance 2020: Your kids will work up a heck of a healthy sweat with this video game! It’s great for those rainy days when you can’t get outside to practice social distancing in the great outdoors.
- DIY.org: Huge library of hands-on projects, how-to videos, and an awesome kid community.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga: Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world
- Tinkergarten: In Tinkergarten® classes, trained leaders deliver an expert-designed curriculum of outdoor activities that help kids build the skills that matter most.
Other ways to keep them busy:
- Set them up to paint, draw, or color.
- Subscribe to this daily weekday newsletter from PBS that will list new activities daily.
- Go for hikes and walks to revitalize the whole family. Just keep in mind social distancing and keep kids away from playgrounds.
- Visit the local outdoor courts to shoot some hoops
- Go to the nearest skate park to let the kids scoot or skate their energy out.
- Have a boat? Go boating!
- Go for a drive and get out to explore natural locations you’ve never taken the time to visit. I imagine we all have places in our own ‘backyard’ we haven’t visited but always wondered about.