Almost overnight, parents have been expected to implement ways to keep children occupied at home, preferably with enriching and educational activities rather than nonstop screentime. In order to maintain your (and your family’s!) mental health during the pandemic, it’s important to create a sense of structure and normalcy.
If you are looking for free (or almost free!) resources for at-home, online learning enrichment during the corona virus pandemic, check out the list below. For extra writing practice, you might want to have your kids write about what they’ve learned.
Free resources
Digital books
Open Library: Extensive selection of books for all ages.
Planet Book: Huck Finn, Little Women, other classics
Gutenberg: Treasure Island, Call of the Wild, other classics
Manybooks: Anne of Green Gables series; many children's and young adult books
Virtual Tours
Monterey Bay Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo are offering live cams of many creatures. Check out the Panda Cam archive!
British Museum, London
Cincinnati Zoo offers Facebook Live presentations regularly, with past recordings available on their Facebook page.
National Museum of Natural History offers virtual visits of its more popular exhibits.
Google Arts and Culture uses its Street View feature to tour places worldwide, including the Acropolis Museum
General Academic
Khan Academy: Multiple free online courses, organized by grade
Scholastic offers an open-access digital hub for online learning
It’s OK to be Smart: Videos (most are 5 to 25 minutes) about a variety of educational topics.
Exercise
Beachbody - family-friendly workout videos
Conflict Resolution
Social skills educator Brooks Gibbs teaches kids how to solve problems and resist bullying, and is offering a free Conflict Resolution Course for Kids.
Sexual Education
Six Minute Sex Ed: Sex Education Teacher Kim Cavril hosts six-minute podcasts you can listen to with your child, and discuss afterward. Level 1 episodes are for any age (usually 6 and up), and Level 2 episodes are for teens and tweens.
Sex Positive Families: Provides webinars, videos and articles that help kids learn, and help parents talk about sex in a shame-free, matter-of-fact way.
AMAZE: Designed to “take the awkward out of sex ed,” AMAZE offers clear information about sex, bodies and relationships via animated videos.
Every Body Curious: Web series for kids and parents led by sex educators, who answer questions and facilitate open and honest conversations about sexuality, bodies and healthy relationships.
Low-cost resources
Curiosity Stream digital documentaries
Metropolitan Opera — the Met offers Opera on Demand — a subscription service that allows you to stream opera at home.
General
Database of learning resources
© Florida Family Options, Inc, 2020
Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be interpreted as implying professional counsel or the establishment of a therapeutic relationship. If you or a family member require professional guidance, please contact a licensed mental health professional in your area.
Do you have any suggestions to add to this list? Comment below!