Many of us are spending more time at home and online these days. The Library is here to help with activities and resources to support you and your family when you need it. Whether you are homeschooling, looking for additional enrichment for your kids, or looking for ways to combat boredom, we have recommendations that you can explore. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Coping Strategies and Resources for Parents and Kids from the Child Mind Institute
- Tips for parents on how to supporting young children (and themselves) during this time
- Class Dojo videos on developing a growth mindset for kids
- GoNoodle free Mindfulness and movement videos
- Free Downloadable toolkits from The Healing Library (subjects include dealing with divorce/separation and COVID-19)
- School Library Journal’s best hits playlist of kids’ podcasts about math
- Khan Academy offers math, science, and social studies resources from Pre-K through Grade 9
- Vi Hart’s YouTube channel makes math really visual and really fun.
- Math4Littles is a wealth of resources. Click here for English and here for Spanish.
- Math Games at PBS Kids
- Math apps by Bedtime Math
- Open-and-go science lessons from Mystery Science
- National Geographic for Kids
- Fruit Splat Coins
- Great Minds Think: a New Guide to Money
- Coin Memory Match
- Ten Math Games for Kids
- Money Smart for Young People
- Publisher’s Weekly roundup of author and publisher free offerings
- KidLit TV
- Stimola Live activities and readings with authors
- @SavewithStories on Instagram for celebrity readings
- Dolly Parton’s Goodnight with Dolly
- Magic Tree House Warriors Reading Challenge
- Celebrities read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, starting with Daniel Radcliffe!
- Compilation of online readings from the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators
- Storyline read alouds
- Squiggle Park reading skill building
- Draw with Mo Willems and check out his “Lunch Doodles” YouTube series.
- Draw Every Day with JJK (illustrator/graphic novel author Jarrett Krosoczka)
- Art Projects for Kids drawing tutorials
- Blick art project free lesson plans
- Kinderart art lesson plans
- Krokotak.com coloring sheets and craft project ideas
- United Art & Education art project ideas
- Artful Parent art and project ideas
- The Home Learning packs at DK’s “Stay at Home” hub
- DC Kids Camp activities and tutorials through their DC Family Newsletter
- Performer Justin Roberts’ “Stuck at Home” page with music, crafts, and free downloadables
- Istvan and His Imaginary Band, one of our library favorites, recently shared content from his latest project, Evie, the Queen of the Insects. Check it out.
- Jim Gill launched an interactive sing-and-read-along project. Take a look!
- www.facebook.com/animalfarmmusic (music education classes offered twice a day by Animal Farm Band, who have performed at our library multiple times)
- Take a virtual field trip with Google Arts and Culture
- Take a virtual tour of a national park.
- 20 Minute concerts and educational activities
- HiMama activities compilation
- 8 Virtual library tours of amazing libraries around the world
- Explore 360 Panorama tours of Disney parks!
- Go floor by floor at the National Aquarium
- Get a whale’s eye view with the Beluga cam from Georgia Aquarium.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium has a whole page of animal cams. Which one will you choose?
- Illinois State Board of Education
- African American Home School Moms
- Education.com guided learning and study packets
- WeAreTeachers’ recommendations for best educational Netflix shows for kids
- Fun learning games: Grades 1-6
- PBS: Educational videos and interactive games
- Highlights Kids: Activities, crafts, recipes, games, puzzles and more
- Funbrain: Games, reading, and video
- Story Pirates
- Wow in the World
- Circle Round
- Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls
- Lullabies from around the world playlist beautiful animation accompanies these
- Rita Wilson’s quarantine playlist on Spotify
- Tips and Hand-washing songs for children from the Extension Alliance for Better Childcare
- NPR reader suggestions
- Hand-washing Song Generator
- Bored Panda 53-song roundup
- Paw Patrol Hand Washing Songs