Use these FREE online resources, curated by librarians, to continue learning while schools are closed and entertain all ages.
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Resources for Children & Families
Learning & Literacy:
Check out Sandra Magsamen’s blog posts on Scholastic’s On Our Minds Blog:
HeARTful Days: Family is #1! and HeARTful Days: Awesome Activities and Creative Crafts
From the Children’s Literacy Foundation: At-Home & Remote Learning Resources
Hour of Code: Try a one-hour tutorial designed for all ages: hourofcode.com/us/learn
Mystery Science: Free, easy, FUN science lessons for all different age levels: mysteryscience.com
Free educational websites for kids. For links visit: fromabcstoacts.com
Great book recommendations for kids, reading strategies, age-specific book lists, exclusive author content & more: readbrightly.com
Movement/Wellness:
Cosmic Kids Yoga: Yoga & mindfulness FUN for kids:cosmickids.com
Best movement & action songs and yoga videos for children: preschoolinspiration.com
Watch & Play Online:
Google Arts & Culture: Step inside one of the world’s best art museums, explore the Taj Mahal, come face to face with a Jurassic Giant & much more: artsandculture.google.com
The San Diego Zoo: Learn about animals, watch videos, read stories, do activities & play games based on the animals at the San Diego Zoo. The Zoo has live cams, too: kids.sandiegozoo.org
Mars: Explore the real surface of Mars, recorded by NASA’s Curiosity rover: accessmars.withgoogle.com
Lunch Doodle with Mo Willems: You are invited into his studio every day for his LUNCH DOODLE. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together: www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
Offline Activity Ideas:
Come Alive Outside provides free summer passports with nature activities for kids in grades K-5. Complete all 15 activities in the passport to earn a prize! Complete your passport and you will also qualify to win a grand prize $50 Gift Card to Dick’s Sporting Goods!
FourScienceVT provides Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math educational content, programs, & resources from four trusted science museums to Vermonters across the State.
Looking for inspiration, boredom-relief, or lesson plans to keep kids busy?
Here are PBS NATURE Blog Resources for Parents & Teachers, including Citizen Science Projects to do at home, and from PBS Kids for Parents: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
Red Ted Art: Arts & crafts ideas for all ages: redtedart.com
Stay at home read-alouds, storytimes, sing-alongs & more: growingbookbybook.com
Easy hands-on activities families can do at home: weareteachers.com
Free printable scavenger hunts: buggyandbuddy.com
Giant List of FREE Online Resources to Entertain and Educate Adults
*Adults can find more free audio & ebooks on the library’s Downloadables page.
Coloring Pages for Adults from the Color Our Collections Project, with pages from over 100 academic instituions, museums, and libraries.
Literary Hub organizes literary content from its many partners across the literary spectrum: publishers big and small, journals, bookstores, and non-profits. It features many Quarantine Book Recommendations and more including a free newsletter.
The Vermont Historical Society offers guided talks, roundtables, and trivia – all online! You can also contribute to the VHS COVID-19 Archive.
The Vermont Humanities Council has a variety of podcasts and online programs, including First Wednesday Talks!