Educational Websites
The world comes to you through the internet with these engaging online resources, most of them waiving fees for our mass homeschool experiment. See our museum websites guide for more enriching options.
And remember the value of unstructured play - our kids are finally getting enough - and give yourself a break in this temporarily crazy situation. You don't need to be teaching them all day; just survive and try to enjoy whatever moments you can (and take lots of movement breaks).
STARFALL
Learn letters, reading and math with untimed, sometimes silly interactive games for preschool through second grade. Includes letter recognition, games, stories, and animations that showcase letter sounds, short reading selections that emphasize vocabulary, and online books that provide fluency and comprehension practice. A favorite of our kids from an early age.
FLOCABULARY
Learn about a range of subjects for grades k-12 though catchy, educational hip-hop songs. Watch videos, learn new words, take quizzes then (this is the coolest part) write short raps/songs using your new words and knowledge.
Khan Academy
Watch short videos taught by excellent instructors with an electronic whiteboard in just about any subject for preschool through college.
The free app Khan Academy Kids (for ages 2-7) teaches reading, language, writing, math, social-emotional development, and more through open-ended activities and games like drawing, storytelling, and coloring guided by adorable animal characters.
Also make computer-generated drawings in their engaging Hour of Code program.
BRAINPOP
Watch short, well-written animated films on a variety of topics including STEM, history, arts and the coronavirus, starring a very funny robot. Take quizzes and play games to test what you learned. Two editions, for ages K-3 or 4th -12th Grade (which can thoughtfully address some weighty topics, so monitor for wee ones)
ABC MOUSE
Complete cherry learning activities designed for preschool through second-grade kids to follow a customized learning path. The curriculum runs deep with thousands of lessons in math, reading, social studies, science, art and more. Kids can design their own avatar and earn points to shop for virtual rewards. A little overwhelming for some kids, a favorite of others. Try one month free at this link.
Scholastic Learn At Home
Scholastic is offering free online courses for grade level, from pre-K to sixth grade+, Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around meaningful story or video.
Subjects include English language arts; STEM; science; social studies; and social-emotional learning.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS
Learn about animals, science, geography and more with videos, games, quizzes and great photos. We love the 'Weird but True' facts about everything from Star Wars to eyebrows. Bright and simple enough for toddlers but interesting nought for tweens & teens (and a parents).
TANG MATH
The author of the ground-breaking The Grapes Of Math and Math-terpieces: The Art of Problem-Solving Greg Tang brings his innovative approach to math online with highly visual games, animated books and downloadable materials that encourage creative problem solving. Difficulty levels can be adjusted for just about every age.
Mystery Science
These popular science lessons offer a free curated starter set of lessons for grades K-5. A mystery like 'What is the most dangerous animal in the world?' and the topical 'How does hand sanitizer kill germs?' is solved with images, videos and opportunities for discussion. End with simple hands-on activities designed to use supplies you already have (or are easy to get).
STORY PIRATES UNIVERSITY
Storyline Online
Watch videos of celebrated actors reading children's books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
Also watch astronauts on the International Space Station read stories to and conduct science experiments at Storytime from Space.
PRODIGY
Engage in math battles with whimsical characters in an engaging curriculum-aligned math game for grades 1‑8. Explore a whimsical world, collect magical pets and fight bad guys. Feels like a video game but math questions must be answered before striking battle. Questions are adaptive and personalized based on student's answers. Personally I think it has too much game and not enough math, but my kids love it and teachers recommend it as a learning tool.
BRAIN CHASE
Join an educational global treasure hunt with challenges in subjects ranging from art to zoology wrapped up in escape rooms, whodunnits, and other puzzles. Follow animated adventures around the world and solve clues to locate a real treasure Designed for for K-12 students, but all families are invited to play along in this crazy time. $85 for six week session with code QUARANTINE.
Brave Writer
Find extensive inspiration for writing at home with ages 5-18 including writing prompts for the whole family and guide to a 7-day writing blitz. Free ready-made lesson plans that incorporate video, crafts and at-home activities on topics such as mythical creatures and video games. Love their ideas for poetry teatime.
We'll keep adding to this list and our other guides to at-home entertainment and enrichment, subscribe to our email list for updates.