Youth Services Recommends…
Our staff has compiled the following list of awesome free sources of education and entertainment to help get our younger patrons through this time. We will maintain and add to this list in the coming weeks. Remember, you can also email prkchild@prpl.org​ and even Google chat with any questions or if you need suggestions.
Magic Tree House fans: Join Jack and Annie on exciting adventures from the comfort of your home! Each week, Magic Tree House Home Adventures will feature videos from Mary Pope Osborne, activities, craft ideas, themed recipes, reading challenges, cross-curricular lessons, Family Trivia Night game ideas, fun surprises, and much more!
When you want quiet time without screens, check out Wow in the World on NPR. Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz (of TED Talk fame) guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them.
The Library of Congress is celebrating its 220th anniversary this year, and they've added some great programs for families to their website.
Storytime Mondays with Michelle Obama with PBS Kids on Facebook Live. Click here to get the schedule.
Read Together, Be Together
READ TOGETHER, BE TOGETHER is a nationwide movement developed by Penguin Random House in partnership with Parents magazine that celebrates the importance, and power, of the shared reading experience between an adult and a child. Reading aloud regularly to babies and young children is one of the most effective ways to foster early literacy and is a key factor responsible for building language and social skills.
For Teens:
Hamilton and The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History have launched #EduHam at Home, a free digital program for students and their families to explore the world of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical and America’s founding era. Watch Lin-Manuel Miranda announce the program here.
Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants, Dogman) and Reading Rainbow’s LaVar Burton
https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/?detailStory=dav-pilkey-dolly-parton-LeVar-burton-offer-stay-at-home-activities-read-alouds-coronavirus-covid19
Science
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/621158/physics-girls-home-science-experiments</span>
Cooking
https://www.delish.com/food-news/g31786555/delish-instagram-live-kids-cooking-class/
Sesame Street
https://gizmodo.com/parents-rejoice-sesame-workshop-has-made-110-sesame-st-1842524216
All the zoos
https://www.timeout.com/news/zoos-are-live-streaming-their-feeding-times-heres-when-to-tune-in-032520p>
Virtual Field Trips
https://socalfieldtrips.com/101-virtual-field-trips-for-students/
Lots of good info
https://wideopenschool.org/about/
Posted on March 26:
42 things to do from home
https://www.boredteachers.com/resources/42-fun-websites-to-learn-and-teach-social-studies-from-home</a>
Google Earth 31 National Parks
https://earth.google.com/web/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r/data=Ci0SKxIgMzVhNjc1YmQ0NjVjMTFlOTg0Yjg1NTMyNWRjMDk2MzQiB3ZveV90b2M
Park District Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=jhcKRvXv0wg&app=desktop
Science fun
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-kids-activities.html
Maker Camp
https://makezine.com/2020/03/20/maker-camp-is-here-its-free-and-its-chock-full-of-projects/
Marine Biology Camp
http://oceansinitiative.org/blog/
Time for Kids
https://time.com/tfk-free/?fbclid=IwAR0nEvhGVXNn8dvpbyoQq1jsZx8JLjfLUWKPQJgPQtW4kWqCTkvCYG7bcO0
History
https://www.historyforkids.net/?fbclid=IwAR1GLikPWb-OkydwjwVIH5D2w1vXp6EDKeyq07Q6GVPVjg1yjtx4kzvznp4
Kohl Children’s Museum
https://www.youtube.com/user/kohlchildrensmuseum
Chicago Children’s Museum
https://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/parenting-playbook?rq=playbook&dlv-emuid=df50edc2-f13f-4602-a695-d4705f55d629&dlv-mlid=2017244
Free Kids Shows for Amazon Prime Users
https://ew.com/tv/amazon-prime-video-kids-shows-free/
More read aloud with Michael Ian Black
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd3jyzCkvDc
Harry Potter escape room from PA lIbrary
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflNxNM0jzbZJjUqOcXkwhGTfii4CM_CA3kCxImbY8c3AABEA/closedform
Cardboard house
https://hannahandlily.blogspot.com/2011/07/coolest-cardboard-house-ever.html
Free stuff from Neil Gaiman
http://www.mousecircus.com/
Coloring sheets
https://everychildareader.net/cbw/coloringpages-2020/?fbclid=IwAR1tnpBcOIZmoK5lxJSJei8uuymFY52_eDfRTeSxMDnE_DZhUSEJVhsq10A
Pinna - Kids Podcasts, stories, music and more
https://pinna.fm/
YMCA online
https://ymca360.org/
Ebooks and Audiobooks (30 days free)
https://www.scribd.com/readfree
Audible Stories
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
The following list was posted on Saturday, March 21:
Youth Services Resources
Several sites with just lots of info
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/03/activities-kids-coronavirus-quarantine/608110/
https://www.commonsense.org/education/coronavirus-resources?j=7704934&sfmc_sub=171358969&l=2048712_HTML&u=143543081&mid=6409703&jb=1571&utm_source=covid19_landingpages_jim&utm_medium=email
https://www.readbrightly.com/educational-resources-activities/?ref=PRHC8D57036D895&linkid=PRHC8D57036D895&cdi=124A1AB848432A05E0534FD66B0A493C&template_id=16063&aid=randohouseinc9781-20
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17tu9trNgelUOyvxJ481nL22GygDzpFx9BVZyLIg3acM/edit?fbclid=IwAR0UzPQgs1kv1SOJR9DuaW8NXHgMmMMS-VOZ03JE-8Y7KQaKyPPoFDiGizA
https://blog.librarything.com/main/2020/03/librarything-goes-free/
http://dkpl.org/resources-for-at-home-learning/
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Dq00AIxo9kC3nx3q1bYVols8Qa21LLMFVvw8_M0R0mk/edit?fbclid=IwAR1hiEtBlqThDvMbZ77yS_QArAz34eqPnvh6dQ9VNITk0_i9sSbsdvGVvOg#gid=474666901
School/Classes
ABC Mouse
https://www.androidcentral.com/keep-your-child-learning-home-free-access-abc-mouse-limited-time
More from the Smithsonian
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/eight-digital-education-resources-around-smithsonian-180974430/
Worksheets
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/worksheets/
For Special Ed
http://www.breezyspecialed.com/2020/03/distance-home-learning-packets-and.html
Classroom magazine
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/611770255064350720/remote-learning-with-khan-academy-during-school
Various tutorials
https://my.nicheacademy.com/parkridgelibrary
Learn Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/
And more coding
https://www.freecodecamp.org/
https://www.codecademy.com/
Music for lessons
https://www.smartmusic.com/
Free classes from Scholastic
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/15/us/scholastic-coronavirus-students-trnd/
Mango for languages
(https://mangolanguages.com/libraries/
Education field trips
https://www.discoveryeducation.com/
Culture
Online Museum Tours
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en
Art museum virtual tours
https://www.kitchentableclassroom.com/best-virtual-gallery-tours/?fbclid=IwAR1AYJC6VWDEDaY9WIUGQfotCuoNbwjYjWXZQFzHydKjEonuFpaNifj_USEa>
More museum tours
https://www.parents.com/syndication/museums-with-virtual-tours/?fbclid=IwAR3utWKdH8-3HT5tmEtiT2nhdCjoWtqvXW50W3SJP0XTrNjkNdnvwF9kSZc
Boston Children’s Museum tour
https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour
The Louvre
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
The Great Wall of China
https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
Science/Nature
Smithsonian Learning Lab
https://learninglab.si.edu/
A trip to Yosemite
https://earth.google.com/web/@37.74876466,-119.53496872,2058.91098784a,13041.16664874d,60y,73.63086132h,93.12561451t,0r/data=CjASLhIgZjE2YjI1NjYyZWQwMTFlOWI1MDQ0NWEzN2RiYmYzMTEiCmdjc19pdGluXzE?fbclid=IwAR349b4yx5oDYiIYU6mP6VXh2rTcfYf00bM3_cdiwBE6LIRtCnsfMDgCtAI
Yellowstone
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-mammoth-hot-springs-trails.htm
San Diego Zoo
https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/
Brookfield Zoo
https://www.youtube.com/user/CZSBrookfieldZoo
Cincinnati Zoo
https://laughingsquid.com/cincinnati-zoo-home-safari/
Mars
https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
Live cameras at zoos and aquariums
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams
https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
https://zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/
https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/
https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/beluga-whale-webcam/
US Space and Rocket Museum in AL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qe5RqyMNhc
Cute animals
thepetcollective.com/pages/watch
NASA
. https://images.nasa.gov/
Reading/Writing
Storytime from Space
https://storytimefromspace.com/
Children’s Librarians on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/Jbrary
Creative Writing
https://thinkwritten.com/writing-prompts-for-kids/
Read-a-loud stories
https://www.storylineonline.net/
Kid authors reading/writing
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=kid-lit-authors-step-up-to-help-educators-students-parents-coronavirus-covid19&fbclid=IwAR07XNGzVKUyoWBL0K6TtkR3vjK490xOixAwXmPS-MBHRU3fMdvfVPXEcaw
Art tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub
Mo Willems!!
https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
Shark Storytime
https://www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/awsc-story-hour
Activities
https://www.quirkbooks.com/post/activity-kits-kids-and-teens
Daily reading prompts from the NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/learning/students-can-respond-to-daily-writing-prompts-inspired-by-the-new-york-times-at-home-for-free.html?te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_NN_p_20200317§ion=topNews&campaign_id=9&instance_id=16834&segment_id=22302&user_id=0e602433070499604a469f7c98dbd371®i_id=100453900tion=topNews
Manga for free
http://epicstream.com/news/NobelleBorines/Coronavirus-Outbreak-Leads-to-Over-450-Manga-Volumes-Released-Online-for-Free?fbrefresh=1584284174&fbclid=IwAR17zrILLYuSnRPXJBNT7AEacioXVHNKreSqRT0Me3tSfyVnJmzquf9z-ns
Coloring Sheets
https://www.pinterest.com/PRPLPinterest/coloring-and-coloring-books/
Josh Gad (Olaf)
https://chipandco.com/actor-josh-gad-is-reading-books-to-kids-online-every-night-during-coronavirus-quarantines-383789/?fbclid=IwAR3qRt0cv-DV7XbJZ2yEc5Ih8vlXWV9mN83f80u_OilYJx28pcaGJofj8_Q
Offerings from our library
https://www.creativebug.com/lib/prpl
Tumblebooks
https://www.parkridgelibrary.org/fun-and-games/
Random other info
Potty training
https://parenting.nytimes.com/toddler/potty-training?module=popular-guides&action=click&rank=4
Exercise at home
http://savvyschooling.com/2017/07/05/top-5-youtube-exercise-videos-for-kids/</p>
Genealogy
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Classes_in_the_Learning_Center
Farm Tool
https://www.farmfood360.ca/
Compilations of Resources
The Atlantic Magazine on How Parents Can Keep Kids Busy (and Learning) in Quarantine
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/03/activities-kids-coronavirus-quarantine/608110/
Suggestions from CommonSense Media:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
Reading Through It Together: Educational Resources and Activities to Use While the Kids Are at Home from Brightly.com
https://www.readbrightly.com/educational-resources-activities/?ref=PRHC8D57036D895&linkid=PRHC8D57036D895&cdi=124A1AB848432A05E0534FD66B0A493C&template_id=16063&aid=randohouseinc9781-20
Chicago Children's Museum Parenting Playbook
https://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/parenting-playbook?rq=playbook&dlv-emuid=df50edc2-f13f-4602-a695-d4705f55d629&dlv-mlid=2017244
Help with Homeschooling
ABC Mouse
https://www.androidcentral.com/keep-your-child-learning-home-free-access-abc-mouse-limited-time
More from the Smithsonian
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/eight-digital-education-resources-around-smithsonian-180974430/
Worksheets for early learning
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/worksheets/
For Special Ed
http://www.breezyspecialed.com/2020/03/distance-home-learning-packets-and.html
Classroom magazine
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Various tutorials
https://my.nicheacademy.com/parkridgelibrary
Learn Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/
And more coding
https://www.freecodecamp.org/
https://www.codecademy.com/
Music for lessons
https://www.smartmusic.com/
Free classes from Scholastic
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/15/us/scholastic-coronavirus-students-trnd/
Mango for languages
https://mangolanguages.com/libraries/
Education field trips
https://www.discoveryeducation.com/
TED-Ed: Lessons Worth Sharing
History for kids
https://www.historyforkids.net/?fbclid=IwAR1GLikPWb-OkydwjwVIH5D2w1vXp6EDKeyq07Q6GVPVjg1yjtx4kzvznp4
Culture
Online Museum Tours
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en
Art museum virtual tours
https://www.kitchentableclassroom.com/best-virtual-gallery-tours/?fbclid=IwAR1AYJC6VWDEDaY9WIUGQfotCuoNbwjYjWXZQFzHydKjEonuFpaNifj_USE
The Louvre
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
The Great Wall of China
https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
Science/Nature
Smithsonian Learning Lab
https://learninglab.si.edu/
Science experiments
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-kids-activities.html
Yellowstone
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-mammoth-hot-springs-trails.htm
San Diego Zoo
https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/
Brookfield Zoo
https://www.youtube.com/user/CZSBrookfieldZoo
Cincinnati Zoo
https://laughingsquid.com/cincinnati-zoo-home-safari/
Mars
https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
Live cameras at zoos and aquariums
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
https://zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/
https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/
https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/beluga-whale-webcam/
NOVA Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCABZAtnnnMbYHFr00-G54hA
NASA
https://images.nasa.gov/
Reading/Writing:
Storytime from Space
https://storytimefromspace.com/
Free audiobooks for kids on Audible
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Creative Writing
https://thinkwritten.com/writing-prompts-for-kids/
Read-a-loud stories
https://www.storylineonline.net/
Kid authors reading/writing
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=kid-lit-authors-step-up-to-help-educators-students-parents-coronavirus-covid19&fbclid=IwAR07XNGzVKUyoWBL0K6TtkR3vjK490xOixAwXmPS-MBHRU3fMdvfVPXEcaw
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/books/writers-entertain-kids-virus.html?fbclid=IwAR0wSui_Mo32WCNnxrOELmlZOokmEhd6BgxVV29-BpG5-BNDc65vEfGSc0w
Art tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub
Mo Willems!!
https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
Shark Storytime
https://www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/awsc-story-hour
Activities
https://www.quirkbooks.com/post/activity-kits-kids-and-teens
Daily reading prompts from the NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/learning/students-can-respond-to-daily-writing-prompts-inspired-by-the-new-york-times-at-home-for-free.html?te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_NN_p_20200317§ion=topNews&campaign_id=9&instance_id=16834&segment_id=22302&user_id=0e602433070499604a469f7c98dbd371®i_id=100453900tion=topNews
Manga for free
https://soranews24.com/2020/03/09/thanks-to-the-coronavirus-over-450-manga-volumes-are-now-free-to-read-online/
Coloring Sheets
https://www.pinterest.com/PRPLPinterest/coloring-and-coloring-books/
Josh Gad (Olaf)
https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1OdKrqwYAgyxX
Offerings from our library:
https://www.creativebug.com/lib/prpl
Tumblebooks
https://www.parkridgelibrary.org/fun-and-games/
Other helpful tools for your time at home:
Potty training
https://parenting.nytimes.com/toddler/potty-training?module=popular-guides&action=click&rank=4
Exercise at home
https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/fitness-blender-kids-workout-25-minute-fun-workout-for-kids-at-home
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
https://www.parents.com/fun/sports/exercise/strength-training-exercises-for-kids/
http://savvyschooling.com/2017/07/05/top-5-youtube-exercise-videos-for-kids/
Tour a Farm
https://www.farmfood360.ca/