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Fun Free Websites During COVID-19

HomeFun Free Websites During COVID-19

Additions to Fun Online Activities

  1. Genealogy for the Next Generation This includes information on how to interview relatives, scavenger-hunt and word-search games, craft activities like making a journal or a family keepsake, and information to help kids learn family-history terms and create a family chart or tree.
  2. This guide for ALL ages includes (free) resources on a variety of genealogy topics

KIDS (Pre-K through Elementary)

  1. ABCMouse.com redeem code: SCHOOL7771
  2. Scholastic free online courses. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
  3. Nevada Science Center: Dinosaurs! https://tinyurl.com/qmchoaf
  4. STEM lesson plans with Snoopy  (STEM) Lesson Plans)
  5. Free resources from Lakeshore Learning Online https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/resources
  6. Schoolhouse Rock on YouTube has made all of their videos available online for free. https://tinyurl.com/sp5b9rl
  7. Gale Databases: Miss Humblebee’s Academy– an interactive kindergarten-readiness program that introduces children ages three to six to key concepts in math, science, social studies, language and literacy, art, and music. It’s as challenging as it is fun! https://infotrac.gale.com/itweb/c19micro3?id=open&db=MHA
  8. Kids can play a variety of educational games like math or vocabulary etc. for every correct answer you get, the World Food program gets donations to help feed hungry people. https://freerice.com
  9. A huge compilation list of free resources from CommonSenseMedia.org https://tinyurl.com/r5aj4xt 
  10. Free one year’s worth of Boys’ Life magazine to download (from the BSA, Boy Scouts of America)  https://tinyurl.com/u3kar8s 
  11. Variety of resources for parents and teachers from the Children’s Book Council. LOTS of activities and ideas for fun!  https://tinyurl.com/tya3f3y 
  12. 6 free online Speech Therapy Resources for Kids  https://tinyurl.com/yx6osuar 
  13. List of resources for students who normally get speech & language therapy.  https://tinyurl.com/uc86ke4  
  1. ZOO WEBCAMS
  1. San Diego Zoo kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos
  2. Zoo Atlanta Panda Cam     https://youtu.be/_6wbfVWVk8Q
  3. Smithsonian’s National Zoo https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams
  4. Reid Park Zoo Lion Cam, Tucson, AZ https://reidparkzoo.org/cameras/lion-cam/
  5. Ouwehand Park Polar Bear Cubs, Rhenen, Netherlands  explore.org/livecams/polar-bears/polar-bear–ouwehand-twin-cubs-cam-2

11. AQUARIUM WEBCAMS

  1. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay, CA www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-exhibits/live-web-cams
  2. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/
  3. National Aquarium Virtual Tour http://samuraivirtualtours.com/example/nadc/index.html

12. AUTHORS & STORIES ONLINE

  1. Authors Everywhere! Various workshops with kids authors, drawing, writing, reading. https://tinyurl.com/rnk53gx 
  2. Reading & Writing prompts from Children’s authors.
    1. Kate Messner (author of more than three dozen books) https://tinyurl.com/tgt5fgg
    2. Josh Funke (author of a variety of children’s books)  https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/stuff-for-kids
    3. Doreen Cronin (author of Caldecott winner ‘Click, clack, Moo’) http://clickclackbooks.com/
    4. Picture Books Read out loud by actors and actresses  www.StoryLineOnline.net
    5. Lauren Tarshis reading Chapters 1 & 2 from her I Survived series. https://tinyurl.com/uvqmdbp
  3. Here’s a list of some well-known and beloved children’s authors on Youtube, just search for them and you see a variety of videos from these authors.
    1. Mo Willems (Gerald & Piggie, Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny)
    2. James Dean (Pete the Cat)
    3. Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)
    4. Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar)
    5. Jason Reynolds (Ghost)
    6. Victoria Kann (Pinkalicious series)
    7. Jane O’Connor (Fancy Nancy series)
    8. Paul Tobin (Plants Vs. Zombies graphic novels)
    9. Dav Pilkey (Dogman, Captain Underpants)
    10. Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate)
    11. Raina Telgemeier (Sisters, Smile, Babysitter Club graphic novels)
    12. Lisa McMann (The Unwanteds series)
    13. Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book)
    14. Tui Sutherland (Wings of Fire series)
    15. Jarret Krosocozka (The New Kid, Lunch Lady graphic novels series)
    16. Drew Daywalt (The Crayons books and Rock, Papers and Scissors
  4. Neil Gaiman website: www.MouseCircus.com
  5. Story Time from Space! Astronauts read books out loud on videos for kids. https://storytimefromspace.com/
  6. Spanish children’s stories. Well-known children’s stories are translated and  read in Spanish.  https://tinyurl.com/w8pcll7
  7. Animorphs the entire series is now available online for free! https://animorphsforum.com/ebooks/
  8. Vimeo reading from Chris Grabenstein (author of the Mr. Lemoncello books)  https://tinyurl.com/v8rwasm 
  9. Fans of the Bad Kitty books written and illustrated by Nick Bruel, check out these activities!  https://tinyurl.com/vvp6q43 
  10. PBSKIDS has a free Cat in the Hat Invents app for kids. https://tinyurl.com/tmyjueb
  11. Do you like Pete the Cat books written by James Dean? You can write to him! Mr. Dean likes to receive fan mail and does reply. This information was provided from his official Facebook page. Pete the Cat 2126 East Victory Drive #112 Savannah, GA   31404
  12. Audible.com is offering free stories for kids.  https://tinyurl.com/w66mpt6 
  13. A Google doc listing more author read-alouds.  https://tinyurl.com/tgq4fnd 

ART & ACTIVITIES

  1. Draw with Favorite Authors
    1. Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems  Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together.  www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems
    2. Tony DiTerlizzi (author of the Spiderwick chronicles and so much more!) www.facebook.com/TonyDiterlizzi
    3. Scott Magoon  http://scottmagoon.com/storytime
    4. Jarrett Lerner  https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/
    5. Free drawing classes from famous illustrators (different from other ones)  https://tinyurl.com/sgsqjzn
    6. Funny Children’s author and illustrator Robbi Biddulph gives drawing lessons.  http://www.robbi
  1. Coloring Pages and Free Printable Coloring Pages
    1. Eric Carle printable, author of books like ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and the Grouchy Ladybug’ amongst others.  https://tinyurl.com/wc8v9cm 
    2. Magic Tree House series free printable and worksheets.  https://tinyurl.com/vqumu4f
    3. Narwhal & Jelly Coloring Pages by author Ben Clanton http://www.benclanton.com/2020/03/fb-live.html
  2. Boys’ Life Magazine has these 25 cool projects to do when you’re stuck indoors, like making a snow globe, an origami x-wing fighter, making invisible ink to send secret messages and so much more!  https://tinyurl.com/t34xwqw
  3. Flower Crafts for kids to make.  https://tinyurl.com/urtze62 
  4. 30-day Lego challenge!  https://tinyurl.com/wjtrue7 
  5. Seterra Geography (free map quiz games)  https://tinyurl.com/upq9b5k
  6. Marshmallow launcher using everyday materials.  https://tinyurl.com/rngmeg8
  7. 63 easy science experiments you can do from home with household products (be careful of the Mentos and soda experiment!)  https://tinyurl.com/qo7kylr
  8. Learn how to make bread (especially if your local store has run out!) https://tinyurl.com/w2834a3
  9. Learn how to grow food. Use these ‘scraps’ and learn how to grow celery, potatoes, carrots and so much more! https://tinyurl.com/w9mbe24 
  10. 400+ free printables for Kindergarten and preschool aged kids by subject. https://tinyurl.com/roa27ea
  11. Lego’s and art. How about stamp artwork using Lego’s? Check out this mom’s    idea. https://tinyurl.com/vkkkxdm 
  12. Free STEM activities for kids ages 4-11 provided from the Boston Museum of Science.  https://tinyurl.com/rqzn3xt 
  13. STEM resources to help with at-home science learning from Discover Magazine.  https://tinyurl.com/uprlamn 
  14. Youtube videos from ‘Physics Girl’ providing science experiments that are fun for adults and kids. 20 easy experiments in 5 minutes or less. https://tinyurl.com/w5u3xtr
  15. America’s Test Kitchen has created a variety of easy recipes for kids.  https://tinyurl.com/tlrl2wq
  16. Want to learn French? Here’s a website that teaches you how using children’s books read out loud.  https://www.thefrenchexperiment.com/stories 
  17. Skype a Scientist!  https://www.skypeascientist.com/

Moving & Grooving

  1.  Need to get yourselves and/or your kids moving but don’t want to exercise?  How about dancing? Try out these fun videos by Koo Koo Roo.  https://tinyurl.com/spvsrmt 
  2. Do you like Bingo? What about a Nature Bingo? The Mass Audubon created these pdf bingo sheets based on seasons. Check them out! It’ll be a fun way to get outside and explore.  https://tinyurl.com/t45p6be 
  3. Here’s a variety of links for Kids’ Yoga.  https://tinyurl.com/rvhr9zt 
  4. Joe Wicks the Body Coach has free YouTube Videos to get kids and adults moving and exercising in their home. He’s updating the kid’s videos daily at 9:00 am (unsure of time zone).  https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1/featured 

TV Shows & Movies

  1. Full length episodes of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood https://tinyurl.com/w2rpez8
  2. Amazon Prime makes all of its’ kids shows free to stream. https://tinyurl.com/vboveon

And more for MIDDLE SCHOOL / TEENS

  1. Virtual Scholastic Book Tour with R.L. Stine (author of Goosebumps) and more!  https://tinyurl.com/wu53kkg
  2. Like Escape Rooms? How about a virtual one at Hogwarts? ***This was put together by the Youth Services librarian at Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, PA.   https://tinyurl.com/umelcm5 
  3. Here’s a list of activities for teens from the very creative to the very geeky.  https://tinyurl.com/rrr95t2
  4. Here’s a link to a variety of resources that are fun and geared towards middle schoolers and high schoolers and even adults.  https://tinyurl.com/wk2bo6v
  5. Don’t have any nerf guns at home? How about learning to make a Cotton ball launcher?  https://tinyurl.com/u5r2g95

ADULTS  & TEENS

  1. EXERCISE for free? Here’s a list from the YMCA of varying exercises for all ages including senior citizens. There’s everything from Yoga to T’ai Chi to Bootcamp. Check it out!  www.YMCA360.org  
  2. VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOURS
    1. Louvre Museum, Paris  www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne 
    2. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.  rtsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc?hn=en 
    3. Metropolitan Museum of Art artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art
    4. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam artsandculture.google.com/partner/van-gogh-museum?hn=en
    5. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy artsandculture.google.com/partner/uffizi-gallery?hl=en 
    6. The Palace of Versailles.  http://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover 
    7.  La Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo’s Museum) https://tinyurl.com/uee474l
  3. Digital resources from the Smithsonian  https://tinyurl.com/vr8zw82
  4. Virtual tour of National Parks  https://tinyurl.com/ttttgk6
  5. Here’s a really cool tour of the Catacombs beneath Paris!  http://catacombes.paris.fr/visite-virtuelle/ 
  6. Here’s a really cool virtual tour of the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.   https://tinyurl.com/zhyclbb
  7. Here’s a link to watch Bald Eagles in their nest.  https://tinyurl.com/sdsjx6x
  8. Here’s a very cool tour of the Winchester Mystery House.  https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/video-tour/   
  9. Learn about 50 different Bird species and the sounds they make. https://tinyurl.com/sayegvq
  10. Amazing Library Collections to explore online  https://tinyurl.com/uoj5cy3 
  11. Italian Chef Massimo Bottura gives free cooking lessons.   https://tinyurl.com/w44yh7t
  12. NASA makes their entire media library collection publicly accessible and copyright   free https://tinyurl.com/qogogjy 
  13. Yale Online course dealing with The Science of Well-Being.  https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being
  14. Learn how to sew on a button?  https://tinyurl.com/vxlthgc 
  15. Learn how to iron a shirt in 3 minutes. 

16. Learn how to change the oil in your car.

 17. Want to learn beginner ASL (American Sign Language), here’s a great beginner video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Raa0vBXA8OQ 

18.  Ever wanted to learn crochet? Here’s an easy Youtube video. If you get hooked’ there’s plenty more there!  https://tinyurl.com/rwow5as  

19.  Free activities for the Jedi or Sith Lord in your family.   https://tinyurl.com/rcsqa7g

20. Over 200 indigenous-made films provided free from the NFB (National Film Board of Canada).  https://tinyurl.com/tu7qkwe

21. This website has over 60 free Charlie Chaplin movies and so much more.  Huge resource!  https://tinyurl.com/s7fc8ss

22. Like Sudoku? Crossword puzzles? Quizzes and Brain Teasers? Then this article with free access to these puzzles is for you! Includes the crossword puzzles from The New York Times, LA Times, etc. https://tinyurl.com/wts862l 

23. The Royal Opera House has made various videos on their YouTube channel available, includes opera segments as well as Ballet performances. https://www.youtube.com/royaloperahouse

24. Free access to Accessibyte Online. These are apps that are for those that are blind, visually impaired, deaf, dyslexic or other reading difficulties. https://tinyurl.com/th4swvh

25. Delish.com is offering free cooking classes 1pm EST for kids and adults. https://tinyurl.com/vz4f2j5

26. Neil Gaiman (author of the ‘Graveyard Book’, ‘Coraline’, and ‘Sandman’ the graphic novel), check out his website.  www.NeilGaiman.com 

And more for High School & College

  1. ***Gale in Context – High School – supports student papers, projects, and presentations while empowering the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills with content aligned to national and state curriculum standards. https://go.gale.com/ps/start.do?p=SUIC&u=c19micro&password=open
  2. ***Gale In Context: College – interdisciplinary content that reinforces the development of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation.  https://go.gale.com/ps/start.do?p=CSIC&u=c19micro&password=open   ***These databases are not set up the same way as our Gale databases. If you get asked for a password for any of these resources, use “open” (no quotes). The end date of access to these resources is unknown at this time. ***
  3. Free online course from Ivy League colleges.  https://tinyurl.com/qufns4x