If you’re looking for resources that will help entertain, engage, and teach your kids during time off from school, here are 13 online resources that both you and your kids will love!
Whether it’s summer vacation or social distancing, if your kids are out of school, you may be struggling to find resources that will keep them occupied and help them learn.
For many parents, time off from school is stressful because kids are often at loose ends when they’re home for extended periods of time. Add in the current situation with school closures and cancelled social gatherings, and children and parents alike are feeling the strain.
I am not a big proponent of screen time, but when used right, it can be a great tool. Especially for the parents who are also trying to work from home. So, I put together this list of helpful online resources that can be had for free or a decently low price. Some you may already have.
The point of using TVs, computers, and tablets isn’t for children to zone out while binge-watching their favorite shows, but as a way to get them engaged and learning – and having fun, too. We love all of these apps and services, and I hope you and your kids do, too.
13 Online Resources that You and Your Kids Will Love
[Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see below for more details]
1. Epic!
This app can be accessed on multiple devices and has different profiles for your kids. It has over 35,000 books available for kids ages 12 and under. My kids love looking through it and picking books to read. There is an option for books to be read to your kids as well if they’re younger. Currently, there is a 30-day free trial being offered.
2. Netflix
This site has a lot of options for kids. If your children are out of school, you can bolster their learning with documentaries and biographies. My kids use this for classic kids’ movies, too, like Curious George and shows like the Magic School Bus. They are also offering a 30-day free trial.
3. Curiosity Stream
If you have older kids, this site would be a great place for them to enjoy quality documentaries and shows about history, nature, STEAM, etc. There’s even a specific kids section to browse. For only about $19.99/year, this resource offers a lot of interesting content for middle and older kids.
4. Duolingo app
This site and app are free and can help your kids learn another language. Even if they haven’t started in school, they may enjoy these engaging and fun lessons, as well as the wide variety of language choices. My kids are dipping their toes into a lot of different ones, including Hawaiian and Latin. Why not?
5. GoNoodle
With many people self-isolating, and sports and extracurricular activities being cancelled, kids need more ways to exercise and be active. If a backyard or park isn’t an option, then give this site and app a try. It’s a free online resource that offers mindfulness and movement games and channels to get your kids active. Some teachers even use it in their classrooms, so your kids might recognize it.
6. Amazon Prime/ Amazon Kindle Unlimited
These subscription-based services can offer a lot of great content. Amazon Kindle Unlimited is offering 30 days free to try, as is Amazon Prime. These services offer thousands of books, TV shows, and movies (not to mention the free 2-day shipping with Prime). You can find good quality content here, especially for older kids.
7. Prodigy
This math game is great for kids in 1st-5th grade. There’s a premium version, but it’s actually not worth paying for because the best parts of the game (the quest, the math questions, etc.) are available in the free version. This is a good way for kids to test their math skills in a computer game format.
8. News-O-Matic app
With everything going on in the world, kids have questions. I love this app because it has kid-level news stories about current events. If you want your kids to be informed without inundating them with info that might frighten them, this is a safe and helpful news source. They are reasonably priced at $34.99/year (with 5 editions a week), but there is also a free 30 day trial when you download the app.
9. PBS Kids
This app and site are very good for younger kids. Lots of age-appropriate content, educational shows like Wild Kratts, and games that you won’t mind your kids playing. Even my older elementary kids still have fun with these games and shows. It’s also free and accessible on all devices.
10. Hulu
This is another great online resource for learning shows. I recommend How It’s Made, for entertaining episodes about how different everyday things are made, and National Geographic, which has a lot of different documentaries for older kids. You can purchase the service for $5.99/month, but there is also a 1 month free trial.
11. YouTube
Besides all those cute cat videos, there’s a lot of educational material on YouTube. It’s free and easy to find. Here are a few of our favorites: Mathantics (math), SciShow Kids (science), Homeschool Pop (social studies, language arts, etc.), Khan Academy (math), Good Eats (the science of cooking), and Crash Course (history, etc. for older kids).
12. Minno
This website and app is priced a little higher than the others ($6.99/month – no free trial), but when it comes to quality Christian entertainment, I can’t think of any one that’s better than Minno (which was previously VeggieTales, but expanded). There are tons of shows for different age groups, and all very engaging. If you prefer your kids to stick to faith-based entertainment, this is an invaluable resource.
13. Local Library Website
One online resource we often forget is the local library. Not only can you access tons of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines, but they also offer services like Rosetta Stone for language learning, Socrates for math, and more. Check out the resources on your local library’s website for more information.
I hope these online resources will help you as you navigate through these trying times. Screen time is often demonized, but there are so many ways we can make it helpful and worthwhile for our kids and ourselves.
What apps or websites have you found to be great for kids? I’d love to hear what works for your family. Leave me a comment below!
Looking for more posts on family and learning? Check out these:
How to Inspire Curiosity, Creativity, and a Love of Reading in Your Children
12 Ways to Successfully Work at Home with Kids
The Top 10 Productivity Apps that Every Homemaker Needs
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
Leave a Reply