COVID-19 Family Resources
Activities to support your school-age children at home
If you are a working parent who is looking for extra information, activities, programs, and social-emotional learning (SEL) resources, below is a list of programs and courses available from online sources.
Reading, Learning and Engagement Activities
- Google Doodle Coding Logo: Thanks to this interactive Google Doodle, learners of all ages can set off on an adventure that introduces basic coding principles and problem solving.
- Apple's Swift Playgrounds: This free app for Mac and iPad devices helps to introduce and expand coding skills for learners interested in using technology to create new worlds, interactive games, and more!
- Coronavirus: A Book for Children: A free e-book for young readers written by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson and Nia Roberts and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (Kindle version available HERE).
- MIT Media Lab's Scratch: Designed to help develop the digital creativity of young students (ages 8 to 16), this free software program introduces the fun and exciting world of coding stories, animations and games on the computer.
- Creative Activities for Kids: Discover free online activities hosted by authors, illustrators, and publishers, including readings, art prompts, and a writing workshop (compiled by The Kennedy Center).
- Creative Activities for Kids: Discover free online activities hosted by authors, illustrators, and publishers, including readings, art prompts, and a writing workshop (compiled by The Kennedy Center).
- Edutopia's 20 Classic Books for High Schoolers: Use this time to catch up on a new reading list.
- Smithsonian Science and Education Center's Game Center: Free educational games and brain-tickling challenges for K-12 students.
- Space Station Explorers: Videos from astronauts aboard the International Space Station, offering fun and insightful space facts about living and working far from the Earth.
- NASA's Space Place: Take a trip to the moon and beyond by visiting NASA's online learning portal for science activities and space-related education.
- Energy Kids: Educational games and activities for younger learners from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- NCES Kid's Zone: The Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics online activity space, where students can learn valuable skills, play games, and these their knowledge.
- Harper At Home: Free activities for young readers, parents filling in for teachers, and educators looking for learning-related programs (provided by HarperCollins Publishers).
- StorylineOnline: A collection of free videos, featuring your favorite celebrities reading stories for younger listeners (provided by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation).
- Little Brown Young Readers Activities for Kids: A free resource portal of books, interactive downloads and storytime videos for younger children (Use the arrow buttons to scroll through the available books and videos).
- Scholastic Learn At Home Program: An activity portal of free daily courses for children.
- Kids Out and About: The ultimate parent survival guide to 2020-2021
- Mommy Poppins: Stay-at-home Guide - 100s of activities and resources for families
- CHOC Children's: Activity ideas for kids during COVID-19
At Home Education and Support Programs
Entertainment and Physical Activity Resources
- Boy Scouts of America at Home: Resources for Scouts and families, including ideas for activities and projects to do at home.
- Girl Scouts at Home™: An online platform for all girls (including non-members) and their family to foster connectivity and learning through various activities organized by topic and grade level.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube Channel: Incorporate healthy screen time into the day with kids yoga (3+) that emphasizes mindfulness and relaxation techniques through story-telling.
- Fitness Blender Free Workout Videos: Great at-home physical education for teens with videos of varying levels, including kickboxing, strength training, and more.
- MyPlate Kids' Place: Various games, activities, videos, and songs to help kids learn about food groups and making healthy choices (provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture).
- Hogwarts Digital Escape Room: For fans of the Harry Potter book series, Peters Township Public Library has created a free, online escape room for an afternoon of magical adventure.
- Audible Audiobooks: A selection of streaming audiobooks for children of all ages (available in six languages).
- GoNoodle: Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.
Online Field Trips
- Google Arts And Culture Online Experience: Visit 2,000 museums from 80 different countries in the safety and comfort of your own home.
- Tours of the Vatican: Travel all the way to Italy and experience the magnificent artwork of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Rooms.
- National Park Tours with a Park Ranger: Explore national parks throughout the country with narrated videos and experience the wonders of volcanoes, glaciers, canyons, and more.
- Virtual Dives with the National Marine Sanctuaries: If you're interested in scuba diving, dive in to experience various marine sanctuaries, courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- Self-Guided Tours of National Parks: Choose among 113 national parks and monuments to explore with Google street view.
- Live Cams at San Diego Zoo: Take a trip to the zoo and see live cams of elephants, tigers, koalas, and more.
- Live Cams at Monterey Bay Aquarium: With ten live cams, check out the animals in action, from sharks to penguins and even the calming view and sounds of the Bay.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tours: Navigate some of the very best exhibits the museum has to offer without stepping outside with this impressive virtual experience.
- Smithsonian 3D: Free 3D exhibits and virtual collections of selected artifacts from throughout history and around the globe.
- Meet the Animals: Discover the wild world of animals, reptiles, birds, and fish featured by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
- Online Museum Tours: Free virtual trips to famous artworks and artifacts from around the globe.
- Virtual Field Trips: Free videos and cams of animal habitats, famous locations, and unique areas.
Online Field Trips