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This post will continually be updated with additional resources and activities to keep families busy while schools and work are closed. Last updated: June 26, at 10:20 a.m. EDT.

During this odd period of extended school closures and social distancing, families are spending more time at home and looking for ways to pass the time and keep everyone entertained and engaged. 

Many toy and entertainment companies have a whole host of free content and programming for kiddos to stay occupied while school’s out. There are American Girl advice columns, free Amazon libraries, live virtual concerts, and so much more for families to stay entertained.

Check out all of the free resources and activities you’ll need to get through this challenging time.

Downloadable Activities

  • Arckit: It’s time for kids to clock in and play as architects. Arckit, known for its buildable architecture models, introduced a range of online creative activities, starting with “Play as an Architect.” Budding architects can use their own Arckit set (or any pencil, paper, ruler, eraser!) and follow the guide’s steps to sketch, build, and present original designs like a real architect.
  • Baby Einstein is offering free content including DIY videos, downloadable PDFs, and new educational content on YouTube. The Baby Einstein Parent Resource Center can be found here.
  • Bananagrams is offering a wide assortment of downloadable, printable activity sheets and puzzles for both Bananagrams and Cobra Paw.
  • Barefoot Books Activity Kits: Kids’ book publisher Barefoot Books created a free library of at-home activity kits. Kits are available in a variety of themes, including connecting with others, global games, anxiety management, mindfulness, and yoga. The library also features the entire singalong collection and video read-alouds. New content will be added each week.
  • Bicycle Cards: Visit Bicycle Cards’ resources page or check out the Bicycle How to Playapp for online tools, including games to play, rules, and introductory videos for magic and the art of cardistry.
  • Build-A-Bear: Every Wednesday, Build-A-Bear‘s Workshop Wednesdays will provide new activities for the whole family to enjoy, including DIY craft ideas, storytime, coloring sheets, games, easy-to-make recipes, and more.
  • Camp Care Bears: Cloudco Entertainment launched Camp Care Bears with a mission to create a positive, uplifting, digital “place” for campers of all ages through livestreams, downloadable activities, and group sharing. The Care Bears and surprise guest camp counselors will bring weekly activities such as arts and crafts, journaling, reading, games, cooking, and nature walks to families’ homes.
  • Craft Recess: Paper Source holds a daily “craft recess” on its Instagram stories. Posts feature different, kid-friendly craft projects that use materials commonly found around the house and give step-by-step, guided instructions. They’ve shown viewers how to make cards for healthcare workers, flipbooks, repurpose cardboard boxes, create bookmarks, and also offer downloadable coloring pages.
  • Crayola at Home: Crayola has compiled a list of DIY step-by-step projects, downloadable coloring pages for kids and adults, and art-focused lesson plans. Crayola is also encouraging families to spread gratitude with inspirational chalk art, window decorations, and thank you notes to essential workers, then sharing it on social media with the hashtag #SayItColorfully.
  • DC Kids Camp: DC Kids has curated an online database of at-home, superhero-themed activity kits, graphic novel previews, and craft tutorials with middle-grade authors and artists. 
  • Distroller World: The doll company offers free, downloadable activities to keep kids occupied. There are coloring pages, games, different daily challenges, and more fun tasks based on the dolls.
  • Explore! Children’s Museum: The Explore! Children’s Museum in Washington D.C. launched Explore! Sandbox, an online resource with more than 100 activities for families to do at home. Explore! Sandbox is designed for kids from ages 0-9 to learn about the world around them through art videos, science experiments, and cooking how-tos from young chefs. Families can head to exploremuseum.org for more info or to start playing.
  • Goodnight ZoomGoodnight Zoom is a free coloring book from writer Marissa Kassam, illustrator Alex Walderman, and designer Leigh Walderman that educates kids about the coronavirus. Click here to download and print it out at home.
  • Hasbro: BringHometheFun.com is Hasbro’s new website that aims to support families staying indoors with a slew of fun, inside-friendly activities to keep busy. The new global initiative features playtime tips, mindfulness activities, challenge games, Play-Doh craft ideas, and resources for parents.
  • Homemade with Horizon: Horizon Group, known for its craft kits, has compiled several blog posts with new, fun ways for kids to get creative while school’s unexpectedly out. The company is also adding new content and craft ideas to its craftprojectideas.com blog. Craftprojectideas.com is a free resource that includes more than 750 art projects, printables, and educational activities.
  • The Incredible Egg: The Incredible Egg is providing tips for at-home activities, recipes, and decorating ideas to help families continue Easter traditions and find new ways to connect.
  • Kabillion: Kids can download free coloring pages and word searches featuring their favorite characters from Kabillion.
  • Kawanimals: It’s cool to be kind! These at-home activities all feature themes of kindness, with projects that include a kind calendar, coloring pages, and a stay-in scavenger hunt.
  • Mattel Playroom is a new hub that features downloadable content from iconic brands such as Hot Wheels, Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Masters of the Universe and more. The site includes play tips and content created in collaboration with The Toy Association and others.
  • Onward Activity Sheets: Based on  Disney and Pixar’s film Onward (now available to stream on FandangoNow and on Disney+ next month!), Fandango has created a series of themed worksheets that families can print and complete. There are memory games, mazes, and coloring sheets that are inspired by Ian, Barley, and the magical film.
  • Our Generation: Dollmaker Maison Battat has curated a slate of fun activities, including outdoor play, crafts, learning exercises, and games. Kids can create their own stories with a printable template, take a Jelly Bean Cinema trivia game, and printable coloring pages.
  • PBS Kids: Printable worksheets are available based on the PBS Kids’ series Pinkalicious and Peterrific. Kids can fill out the pages to create their own story, make accidental artwork, and host a dance party from home. Fans of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood can visit pbskids.org/daniel to download printables and songs, play games, watch videos, and read stories.
  • PlayMonster: Click here for free games, puzzles, activities, and other resources that you can download from PlayMonster.
  • Radio Flyer: Click here for free printable activities from Radio Flyer, including coloring pages and DIY activities, as well as ideas on how to have fun at home, such as an indoor scavenger hunt.
  • shopDisney: Click here to download free activity books, coloring sheets, bedtime stories, and more activities from shopDisney, featuring Disney movies and characters. For a limited time, check back every Friday for new activities.
  • Star Wars: Get crafty with this adorable Star Wars D-O Door Hanger project! The droid from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now an easy, do-it-yourself art project that families can make with just a template, colorful paper, glue, scissors, and a black marker. In just 15 simple steps, a new droid pal is ready for duty!
  • Tiger TribeTiger Tribe has launched a series of downloadable activity packs, featuring digital versions of fun activities from some of the company’s most popular gift sets, each with original illustrations. Parents can sign up here to receive a free pack of 12 activities via email each week for four weeks.
  • Toys “R” Us: launched Play@Home Theater, which features activity ideas and projects designed to keep kids engaged and their imaginations active. The initiative, which will be updated with new activities weekly, offers fun ways for families to spend time at home, featuring Toys “R” Us partners GoNoodle, BrainPOP, and Hasbro.
  • Urban Air: While Urban Air is unable to welcome you into the park, it is still striving to help families “Activate Awesome” from anywhere. From DIY Warrior Courses to downloadable coloring sheets and activities, families can bring the fun of the park home.
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Parents and online teachers can celebrate spring with these at-home lesson plans and activities designed to help with literature and learning, while encouraging imaginative play and exploration. From a complete teaching kit to posters and activity sheets, kids will be able to continue to learn from home with The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Educational Projects and Lessons

  • Adventure 2 Learning: Streaming platform Future Today partnered with educational technology platform Adventure 2 Learning to launch a new Adventure 2 Learning app to assist families with remote learning. The free curriculum includes content that aligns with state and national standards in core subjects.
  • Age of Learning: The learning program offers free access to its educational sites, including ABCmouse.com, Adventure Academy, and Reading IQ. 
  • Boston Children’s Museum: Visit the Boston Children’s Museum’s website for educational activity ideas, informative articles, and podcasts about play and learning. The museum is also launching an online activity called the “Live from the Living Room Challenge.” Kids are invited to share a 1-minute video of their best joke, a funny story, or a harmless prank, then share it on social media with the tag #LiveFromTheLivingRoomChallenge. The challenge will last through June 30, and the museum will award $25 Amazon gift cards to 10 winners.
  • Candlewick Press: Candlewick Press created a book-based, easy-to-navigate resource site to house learning material, activities, podcasts and videos for kids of all ages.
  • Chicken Soup for the Soul e-books: In partnership with American Humane, the creators of Chicken Soup for the Soul released a line of free e-books for elementary, middle, and high school students. The books cover stories about zoo and aquarium animals, along with photos. There are also activity pages and curriculum guides available to download.
  • Cory Carson: Parents who are currently home-schooling their preschoolers can get some help from animated car Cory Carson — from the Netflix series Go! Go! Cory Carson in the form of lesson plans and activities, which they can download for free from Scholastic and Young Minds Inspired.
  • Dictionary.com Learning at Home Center: The online dictionary has curated a selection of free, educator-reviewed resources; daily activities; printable worksheets; and test-prep quizzes, videos, and vocabulary lists. Activities and lessons are sorted by grade level.
  • DIY Learning Tools: Check out our helpful tips for using materials found around your house to enhance learning lessons for home-schooling.
  • DragonBox NumbersFor the month of May, Kahoot! is offering its DragonBox Numbers math learning app for free. Normally priced at $7.99, DragonBox Numbers is designed to help kids ages 4-8 to improve their understanding of numbers and how they relate to each other. The app is ideal for self-directed learning at home, featuring several games and activities that will engage and educate kids as they play. Parents can download the app for free all month long through the iOS App Store.
  • Edukit: EduKit is now offering home supply kits stocked with everything students need to succeed in their at-home schooling. EduKit home supply kits are prepackaged with age-appropriate supplies to meet the needs of students ranging from kindergarten to high school.
  • GraviTrax Academy: The GraviTrax Academy features carefully crafted challenges designed for GraviTrax fans of all skill levels. Each challenge fosters critical thinking and problem-solving creating hours of meaningful playtime at home. Once a skill level is mastered, parents can print and present their child with a GraviTrax Academy diploma to celebrate their achievement.
  • InfoMark: The website offers a slate of educational activities and ideas for families to stay busy. There are coloring printouts, DIY crafts, access to educational podcasts and online games, and live-animal cameras. The site will be updated daily.
  • Intelligent Education: Intelligent Education provides more than 30 premade courses for students (high school and up) in a variety of topics taught by expert, credentialed educators for use either as primary or supplemental education. Topics range from biology to history to the arts and even to AP calculus. All are a full eight-week course, but can be viewed as individual lessons.
  • Khan Academy’s Imagineering in a Box: Through a series of online lessons, kids learn how to engineer their own theme parks (just like Disney Imagineers!) through videos, real-world case studies, and interactive activities. Families will learn about how Walt Disney World was created and the STEM lessons behind the development of the Disney parks.
  • KidPassKidPass is offering home-schooling help in the form of live online classes taught by more than 4,000 instructors. There are thousands of classes to choose from, including artmusic, yoga, dance, tutoring, and foreign languages. Parents can purchase some classes individually, sign up for discounted subscription plans, or join free daily classes on the KidPass Live Stage.
  • LeapFrog Learning Academy: Leapfrog’s interactive online portal has extended its free trial from one month to two for more families to explore the site while working from home.
  • Learning Resources, Educational Insights, and hand2mind Online Activities: These three toy companies compiled an assortment of complimentary online resources and activities to complete during these unexpected school breaks. There are advice pages, do-it-yourself projects, and printable worksheets. Materials include exploratory experiments, academic workshops, and more tools that’ll be updated throughout the coming weeks.
  • Minecraft Education Collection: Families can download Minecraft’s Education Collection through the end of June. This expansion to the Minecraft marketplace allows kids to explore and learn the game’s new worlds as they learn about the human eye, Washington, D.C., and the ocean.
  • NatGeo@Home: Currently available for free, NatGeo@Home combines the educational resources of the National Geographic Society with the fun and informational offerings of National Geographic Kids. The online hub is designed to help kids keep busy and continue learning. From boredom busters and games to videos and live daily talks with National Geographic Explorers, NatGeo@Home was developed by education and science journalists to help parents navigate the new normal of being parents and educators at the same time.
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture: The Washington D.C.-based museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but families can visit its website to view some of the museum’s signature artifacts; visit the Talking About Race Web Portal; and learn about African American life, history, and culture.
  • NJTV Learning Live: NJTV, New Jersey’s public television network, in partnership with the NJEA and the New Jersey Department of Education, announced the launch of a new series of on-air instruction called NJTV Learning Live. Weekdays starting Monday, April 6, kids can tune in to NJTV for on-air classes, taught by New Jersey public school teachers. Click here to find your local channel.
  • ParentPal: Teaching Strategies announced the free and early release of ParentPal, a new holistic parenting app for families of kids ages 0-5. The app, developed with Baby Einstein founder Julie Aigner-Clark, is a comprehensive parenting coach and resource providing a daily suggested plan for each child, a vast content repository of more than 2000 research-based activities, milestones and media, data trackers, and memory books.
  • PBS LearningMedia: TV network WNET, a PBS affiliate in New York, curated a list of free lessons and activities to keep kids learning from home. Resources include videos, supplementary discussion questions, handouts, classroom activities, and in-depth lesson plans that are aligned to Common Core and national standards of education.
  • Playmobil: Playmobil released a video that explains the novel coronavirus and the spread of COVID-19 to kids in an in-depth, yet easy-to-understand format.
  • Plus-Plus: The company set up an educational web page with printable activity sheets for counting, measuring, and more. There are also instructions for how to build letters, numbers, and more with Plus-Plus pieces kids already have. Plus-Plus also has an app available in the App Store, Google Play, and in a online. Older kids will learn how to build characters, from animals to robots, and toddlers will learn the alphabet, counting, and more.
  • Reading Eggs: Blake eLearning’s online reading program currently offers 30 days of free access to kids across the country. The program features printable worksheets, lesson plans, and progress reports for families. As part of the 30 days, families also have access to the Mathseeds library of math games and activities.
  • Sago Mini School App: Spin Master launched Sago Mini School, a curiosity-led learning app for kids ages 3-5 that provides parents with a curriculum designed with child development and educational experts and teaches kids early literacy, math, spatial skills, and science through the power of play.
  • Scholastic Learn at Home: Scholastic has provided an online resource with 20 days of active learning activities for kids to keep learning while schools are closed. There are articles to read, projects to complete, quizzes to take, and more.
  • Snap Circuits Guides: Kids can download complimentary Snap Circuits guides online to assist in their building projects. Teacher and student guides are available for the entire Snap Circuits line and can be used with the different sets. Each booklet comes with quiz questions and lesson plans.
  • Teaching Tolerance: Visit Teaching Tolerance’s Classroom Resources page for helpful information on how to teach an anti-bias education at every grade level. Teachers and parents who home-school their kids can find lesson plans, film kits, teaching strategies, and student tasks covering important social justice topics. The website also features a searchable library of nonfiction texts, literature, photographs, political cartoons, interviews, infographics, and more.
  • Thames & Kosmos’ Science at HomeThames & Kosmos has created a free educational resources page called Science At Home, where parents and caregivers can download instructions for science activities to do at home, including sample experiments that families can do in their kitchens, videos showcasing scientific effects, word finds, and coloring pages for all ages.
  • ThinkFun STEM Learning: ThinkFun’s newest resource page called “For Parents” includes free-downloadable games featuring the company’s online coding game, educational games, and more to help support learning at home and keep families calm, occupied, and engaged.
  • Train Your Brain Tuesday with LearningRX: Kim Hanson, a former elementary school teacher and mother of four, and her family created the “Train Your Brain Tuesday” video series, filmed from the family’s kitchen table. Each 30-minute video is pre-recorded. While Hanson conducts brain training exercises with family members, she’s showing kids how to do the same exercises at home. Parent participation is encouraged, but not required. Episodes focus on strengthening one or two brain skills at a time—from attention and reading skills, to math, remembering, processing speed, and more.
  • The TurfMutt Foundation: TurfMutt offers a series of free activities, lesson plans, e-books, and games for students in conjunction with Scholastic. The STEM curriculum and materials are designed to teach kids about the value of the outdoors and the benefits of being in nature, as well as to inspire them to get outside.
  • VEX Robotics (the team behind HEXBUG) released VEXcode VR —a free platform for kids to learn computer science at home without a robot. STEM learning can continue with an easy-to-use coding platform that can be run in most browsers with software installation or app downloads required.
  • Virtual Discovery Camp: The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in Fort Lauderdale launched their “virtual learning” videos with accompanying activities. The videos are currently released on weekdays (Monday through Friday) through MODS’ enews and on social media channels. They feature school program lessons, outreach classes, makerspace activities, slime of the day, storytelling, science shows, and more.
  • Virtual Field Trips: Kids can take online field trips to museums, aquariums, and more through a whole host of web tours.
  • VTech and Leapfrog’s Learn Through This: The toy companies have launched a new initiative with free online educational resources to help kids learn from home. The site’s resources include free content on its Learning Path portal, such as articles, printable activity books, educational activities, and product recommendations.

Helpful Advice

  • #AtHomeWithRavensburger: Encouraging families to stay #athomewithravensburger, the company is sharing free tips, materials, and ideas for kids AND parents to help destress, get creative, and feel inspired.
  • American Girl Content Hub: The new online content hub includes a curated collection of content to keep kids and parents laughing and learning. There is helpful advice, fun activities, and an advice page for parents with tips from pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson.
  • #BabySharkToySchool: WowWee is empowering parents with educational ways to incorporate Baby Shark toys to keep preschoolers busy at home.
  • The Chicago Toy & Game Group, the organization behind the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) has launched a digital resource hub for families to discover fun ideas and activities to do at home. Budding toy inventors can look forward to this year’s Young Inventor Challenge.
  • Disney Bedtime Hotline: Kids can hear messages from Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, or Goofy. Parents call 1-877-7-MICKEY to hear one of five special messages. The toll-free hotline will run for a limited-time only — from now until Thursday, April 30 at midnight PDT — is available online in the U.S., and is limited to one message per call.
  • The Genius of Play launched “Play Today,” an online hub that is packed full of resources developed to inspire families to create their own “Worldwide Headquarters of Play” at home.
  • GoNoodle Good Energy: GoNoodle spreads plenty of good vibes with an online resource of free videos, learning materials, and downloadable activities all while spreading its lessons of mindfulness and movement.
  • LEGO Batman PSA: Kids can watch thisLEGO Batman PSA, in which Batman gets a lesson on a new nemesis: the coronavirus. Parents can watch with their kids to start a conversation about how they can be a superhero by washing their hands and social distancing.
  • MilkLoveYoga: Based in Houston, MilkLoveYoga exists to help women navigate the ups and downs of motherhood, provide a space for new and experienced mothers to connect, and empower women to raise mindful and socially aware families. MLY offers children’s yoga, pre & post-natal yoga, and family support. MLY provided a list of additional resources to complement and incorporate yoga into the new normal.
  • OurPact: OurPact, a family screen time management solution app, is offering families three months of free access to their Premium features — which includes web filters, device-usage schedules and allowances, and the ability to whitelist educational apps during ‘school’ hours — to help parents manage their children’s technology usage during the global pandemic.
  • Prevent the Spread: Van Andel Institute for Education is helping teachers and students by providing open access to at-home learning resources and a relevant Blue Apple project. The Institute has launched a free, virtual version of “Prevent the Spread,” a project where students learn about their unique power to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Ryan’s World YouTube Playlist: The Ryan’s World family created a video playlist that features DIY science experiments, food creations, dance challenges, and learning videos.
  • Sesame Workshop Caring for Each Other: Sesame Workshop has introduced its “Caring for Each Other” initiative. In addition to original video content, the nonprofit offers fun learning activities, virtual play dates, and advice for caregivers online to help provide kids comfort with these new at-home challenges. The nonprofit will continue to roll out new tools, videos, and songs to help families cope. Sesame Workshop also introduced new resources for autistic children and their families.

Media

  • Amazon Video: More than 120 kids’ programs are currently free for families to stream on Amazon Video. Shows and films, such as Pete the Cat, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Just Add Magic, Arthur, Cyberchase, Rugrats Go Wild, and more are available for complimentary viewing.
  • A Moment for Kids Podcast: Some of animation’s most famous voice talent are joining forces to record a series of kid-focused PSAs for the podcast A Moment for Kids, including Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Tara Strong (The Fairly Odd Parents’ Timmy Turner), Eric Bauza (Woody Woodpecker), and more. Each episode is set to music and provides empowering messages to listeners with scripted segments about washing hands and other ways to stay healthy, as well as constructive stay-at-home activities.
  • Atlas Mission: Educational game company Atlas Mission, in conjunction with the non-profit Learning Yogi Foundation, launched a free online game to teach children worldwide how to wash their hands effectively, based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) hand-washing recommendations.
  • Audible Stories: Amazon’s Audible audiobook service now features a free audiobook library for classic and contemporary kids’ books. Audible editors hand-selected stories across education, entertainment, and general interest titles for kids, teens, and families.
  • Caribu: The family-friendly video-calling app has made its service free and unlimited for families and friends to virtually video-chat, read books from its extensive library, play online games, and color pictures together through May 24.
  • Cartoon Network CNCheckIn: Cartoon Network has further expanded its response to the coronavirus pandemic with a new initiative – CNCheckIn – that helps kids stay safe, creative, and entertained while at staying at home. The initiative features PSAs and tutorials to stay safe, downloadable content to stay creative, and new on-air content to stay entertained.
  • “Chin Up!” Spotify PlaylistMayers Consulting has complied a Chin Up!-themed playlist on Spotify featuring independent family music artists. It features 28 songs to make your family smile and laugh and feel loved and comforted.
  • Cinedigm: The new streaming service offers families 60-day free trials of its family-friendly content. The library offers inspirational and uplifting programs from the Dove Channel.
  • Cubcoats E-books: Cubcoats is known for its two-in-one wearable plush characters, and now, those characters are the stars of a new series of free e-books. There are currently six stories all about friendship, adventure, leadership, and kindness.
  • Danger Force: The Nickelodeon show follows a team of superheroes-in-training after they are recruited to attend Swellview Academy for the Gifted. Airing on Saturday, May 9, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), the virtually-produced Danger Force: Quaran-kini showcases the superhero characters staying at home and setting a good example.
  • Disney+ Early Releases: With many movie theater closures, Disney and Pixar released some of their newest animated flicks to the streaming service months early, including Frozen 2 and Onward.
  • Fun Academy’s Stubby Squad: Fun Academy offers families a free 30-day membership to its Stubby Squad fan platform. The site includes members-only content, companion documentaries to the 2018 flick Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero, downloadable crafts, a comic book of French recipes, and community forums to discuss the movie.
  • Harry Potter at Home: Harry Potter fans can watch their favorite celebrities read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone aloud as part of the Harry Potter at Home initiative. Daniel Radcliffe started things off with a magical reading of the first chapter and more celebrity readings will follow. Videos will become available at harrypotterathome.com and an audio-only version will also be on Spotify.
  • IMBb Home School: IMDb created a watch list called IMDb Home School which provides parents with educational picks to keep kids both entertained and learning while they stay at home. This list includes content across multiple subjects, age groups, and streaming platforms.
  • James and the Giant Peach: Families can watch their favorite celebrities do a virtual reading of Roald Dahl‘s James and the Giant Peach in 10 episodes of James and the Giant Peach, with Taika and Friends on YouTube. The episodes will star Academy Award-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, Meryl Streep, Chris and Liam Hemsworth, Nick Kroll, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ryan Reynolds, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong’o, Eddie RedmayneJosh Gad, Sarah Paulson, Billy Porter, Mindy Kaling, Jamie Cullum, Cara Delevingne, Ben Schwartz, Beanie Feldstein, Kumail Nanjiani, Olivia Wilde, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Roman Griffin Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Tessa Thompson, Gordon Ramsay, Ruth Wilson, and Archie Yates. Watch new episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starting at 1 p.m. EDT on the Roald Dahl YouTube channel.
  • MarMar Land‘s Quarantine Series: YouTube channel MarMar Land launched a new video series for preschoolers called“Life Skills in the Age of COVID-19” to educate kids on coronavirus-related topics, such as social distancing and practicing good hygiene. The new quarantine series explores topics that families living in this pandemic are suddenly facing, including how to keep in touch with friends virtually, tips on how to avoid touching your face, how to personalize a face mask, how to stay active at home, and more.
  • “Mondays with Michelle Obama”: Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books, and PBS Kids are teaming up with former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama for a series of videos of Obama reading kids’ books. The videos will live stream Mondays at 12 p.m. EDT from April 20-May 11.
  • Nickelodeon Noggin: Noggin has launched a 60-day free trial for all new subscribers to support families during this time. The extended trial is available for a limited time at noggin.com, the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon, as well as through Noggin’s channel partners Amazon, Apple, and Roku. As part of Nickelodeon’s #KidsTogether prosocial initiative, Noggin also launched the Noggin Smart Schedule, which provides parents with a free list of ways to play and learn at home with their kids.
  • PBS Kids’ Read-Along Initiative: PBS Kids will continue its Read-Along initiative this summer with the help of Little Free Library. The PBS Kids Read-Alongs first launched in March, with special guests that included Michelle Obama and Kristen Bell. The new slate of summer readings will kick off on Monday, June 29, at noon EDT, with NBA player Dwyane Wade reading Gabrielle Union’s book, Welcome to the Party. Other celebrity guests include Carla Hall, Tim Gunn, Camila Alves McConaughey, Anthony Ramos, Marley Dias, Boris Kodjoe, and Nicole Ari Parker, with additional readers joining in throughout the summer. Each reading live-streams simultaneously on PBS Kids’ Facebook and YouTube channel and remains available to view on-demand on both platforms.
  • Puzzles for the Pandemic: Puzzles for the Pandemic is a new line that uses playing cards instead of puzzle pieces. These puzzles can be made from any photo and come in both 54- and 108-card sizes. Part of the proceeds go toward helping organizations who are on the frontlines of fighting COVID-19.
  • Quarantunes Concert: Put together by Alastair Moock, the YouTube playlist features Grammy Award-winners, family musicians, folk artists, and kids. The “concert” is a benefit to raise money for the United Way COVID-19 Family Support Fund, a resource that provides assistance to families who have been hit hard by the pandemic.
  • Scooby-DooDC is making more than 250 Scooby-Doo single issue and trade paperback comics just in time for the release of the animated film Scoob!, which is available on Premium Video on Demand and premium digital ownership now. Fans can get their paws on free digital copies of Scooby-DooScooby-Doo Team-Up; and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? on dcuniverse.com and from participating digital retailers, including readdc.com, Comixology, Amazon Kindle, and Apple Books, until Sept. 7.
  • Spin Master’s Super Fun Calendar: The Super Fun Calendar is an interactive YouTube experience that will take place from May 4 through May 8. Kids and parents can choose the activities they want to join each day by adding them to their calendar on superfuncalendar.com. The activities incorporate the Spin Master brands and characters, such as learning to draw with Hatchimals Pixies, practicing downward dog yoga moves with Chase from PAW Patrol, and playing a few rounds of Bakugan Bingo.
  • SpongeBob Special: The cast of SpongeBob SquarePants is recreating fan-favorite scenes at home with a virtual table read. Fans can vote for classic moments on nickplay.com now to help decide which scenes will get recreated. Airing on Nickelodeon on Friday, June 5, The Stars of SpongeBob Fan Favorites Special will feature animation from the original episodes alongside the voice cast’s recreation of scenes.
  • The Imagine Neighborhood Podcast: The podcast series The Imagine Neighborhood is releasing new episodes filled with 15-minute adventures and an added bonus of daily activities for families to enjoy at home. Each short story incorporates age-appropriate lessons that teach kids about coping with their emotions in a healthy way. Parents can visit imagineneighborhood.org/blog to access free daily activities that supplement the podcast stories.
  • Trolls World Tour Digital Release: Universal Pictures released the Trolls sequel digitally on the day the anticipated follow-up was scheduled for theatrical release, so families won’t miss out on the rockin’ film. 

Online Games

  • Bunch App: This app lets friends and family video call with one another while playing their favorite mobile games, providing a safe environment for kids. Besides supporting many popular games like Roblox and Minecraft, Bunch also lets people play more light hearted games like Uno, Golf Battle, Spaceteam, Fun Run, Scrabble, Charades, Pictionary, Mars Dash, Flappy Lives, and more.
  • Marvel Hero Tales: Kuato Studios offers families a free 30-day trial of its Marvel Hero Tales app. The mobile storytelling game features popular Marvel superheroes, who help kids improve their vocabulary and language skills by creating their own comic books.
  • Shifu Orboot App: The PlayShifu app is now free to all smartphone users, even without the purchase of a physical Orboot globe. Though the AR app, kids can learn and interact with different animals, cultures, cuisines, monuments, and inventions with interactive games and animated content.
  • Shopkins: Shop n’ Seek App: The online mobile game’s latest update is perfect for long days at home. With the free augmented reality (AR) app, kids will hunt for their favorite Shopkins characters around their homes. They’ll search for items throughout different rooms to find new virtual characters in the game.
  • Well-Beings appWell-Beings is a free, educational app created to encourage kids to be present and mindful of how they are feeling, which is a great practice to incorporate into your stay-at-home routines during this pandemic. There are more than 100 mood-boosting and motivational tasks ranging from physical activities, crafts, artwork, and music to help kids relax and practice mindfulness. It is available for download on the Apple app store and the Google play store.
  • Wizards of the Coast: Wizards of the Coast will distribute 2,000 digital kits to schools and libraries in the U.S. and Canada to provide educators with resources to engage their communities with Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering virtual play. Kits will be available upon request through the Wizards of the Coast customer service request portal. Additionally, Dungeons & Dragons will release new, free content on a daily basis at 8 pm. EST through the Stay at Home, Play at Home portal.

Virtual “Live” Events

  • 3Doodler EDU Webinars: To help keep kids busy, 3Dooder will kick off a new, interactive webinar series on YouTube and Instagram Live starting on Wednesday, April 1 at 1 p.m. EST. This series will encourage kids to create, build, and 3D print shapes and designs.
  • Alastair Moock Concerts: Kids’ musician Alastair Moock hosts a series of live concerts on Facebook singing his folk music for families. The next concert goes live tomorrow, March 27, at 1:30 p.m. EST and will be recorded for families to go back and watch anytime.
  • American Girl: Families can celebrate World Book Day with a virtual read-along hosted by American Girl author Valerie Tripp. Parents and kids can tune in at 12 p.m. EDT on April 23 on the American Girl Facebook and IGTV The reading will later be available on-demand on americangirl.com/stayandplay with a free book download following the live event.
  • Ausounds: Kids missing music class? Audio manufacturer Ausounds has a solution with its virtual, complimentary Lil’ Maestros music lessons. The five-week course is appropriate for beginners and runs Monday-Thursday from March 30-May 1. Classes will air live, daily at 3 p.m. EST on Ausounds’ website and on its YouTube channel.
  • Boolean Girl: The virtual program teaches kids STEM and coding lessons through live webinars every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3 p.m. EST. The Full STEM Ahead program, hosted by Virginia Tech, aims to teach kids how to code and invent.
  • CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall: CNN and Sesame Street are hosting a second Town Hall on Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m. EDT to help kids understand the latest issues surrounding the coronavirus, including staying safe in the summer months, going back to school, and how to manage big feelings. Big Bird will join CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Erica Hill to host the hour-long special, with appearances from Elmo and Abby Cadabby. The ABC’s of COVID-19 will stream live for subscribers on cnn.com’s homepage and across mobile devices via CNN’s apps for iOS and Android. You can watch the first Town Hall here.
  • Cosmic Kids Yoga: Kids can practice mindfulness and relaxation through new Cosmic Kids Yoga videos that debut twice per week. Follow along with interactive adventures to help kids build strength, balance, and confidence. 
  • Crafting LIVE: Crafty company Crayola hosts live crafting sessions via Facebook Live throughout each week. Host Lynn Lilly provides easy craft tutorials for families to follow along. The stream begins at 1 p.m. with one airing on March 26, and the next one on March 31.
  • Crazy Aaron Live: The man behind the stretchy putty heads to Facebook every day at 4 p.m. EST to chat and play along with families about the inspiration and science behind his famous Thinking Putty.
  • Danica McKellar’s Coding Event: Danica McKellar is partnering with Learning Resources for a two-part educational event that will teach kids fun coding concepts. Part one will take place on Wednesday, May 20, at 4 p.m. EDT on McKellar’s Instagram Live (@danicamckellar). During the interactive experience, viewers can ask questions and chat live with McKellar, who will also share advice, DIY projects, and at-home experiments. Part two will continue the following week.
  • Delish Cooking Class: Delish, the website known for foodie recipes and ideas, wants to help kids get in on the meal prepping action. Every weekday at 1 p.m. EST, Editorial Director Joanna Saltz will hop onto Instagram Live with her kiddos for a live cooking class. They’ll make a different kid-friendly dish each day, including cheeseburger cups, a Fruity Pebbles milkshake, and a spaghetti cake.
  • DisneyThe Disney Family Singalong aired live on ABC on April 16 and is now available to stream on Disney+. The nationwide singalong event features celebrities and their families singing their favorite Disney songs from their homes and the special will also air PSAs with talent from across Walt Disney Television to raise awareness about Feeding America’s resources. The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II will air on Sunday, May 10, at 7 p.m. EDT. @shopdisney is hosting weekly Twitter watch parties with a different Disney movie each week. Families can tune in to the movie of the week every Thursday at 8 p.m. EST and Tweet along using the hashtag #shopDisneyMovieTime. Disney is also showing virtual viewings of famous attractions from Disney theme parks around the world as part of its #DisneyMagicMoments, including the “Happily Ever After” fireworks show at Magic Kingdom Park, the “Disney Illuminations” firework show at Disneyland Paris, and more.
  • First Thursday Variety Hour: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is hosting a fun-filled variety hour, starting April 2 at 4 p.m. EST. From live shows to at-home activities, the world’s largest children’s museum is providing fun for families who are staying home.
  • #GadBookClub: Before bedtime, Olaf himself can soothe little ones with a bedtime story. The voice behind Olaf, Josh Gad (Frozen, The Book of Morman), goes live on Twitter nightly at 7:30 p.m. EST to read a kids’ picture book. And, yes, his different voices make the whole story better.
  • Goodnight with Dolly: Kicking off on April 2 at 7 p.m. EST, legendary singer Dolly Parton will read bedtime stories aloud through her Imagination Library. The 10-week series will feature her library of classic books, including The Little Engine That CouldLlama Llama Red Pajama, and Parton’s own I Am a Rainbow and Coat of Many Colors.
  • Hy-Vee KidsFit: Keep kids’ blood pumping with this free, online workout program, courtesy of Hy-Vee. Personal trailer Daira Driftmier leads the 15- to 20-minute fitness videos for the whole family live at 9 a.m. daily.
  • Laurie Berkner: Kids’ musician Laurie Berkner is hosting livestream concerts on Facebook most weekday mornings in May at 10 a.m. EDT, called “Berkner Breaks.” Families can tune for the final performance on Friday, June 5 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, which will help celebrate June birthdays.
  • L.O.L. Surprise! Boredom Busters: MGA Entertainment shares “play-starter” content on the L.O.L. Surprise! Facebook and Instagram profiles daily at 1 p.m. PST. Features include videos, trivia questions, activity sheets, active challenges, and more.
  • Lunch Doodles w/ Mo Willems: Artist Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus) goes live on YouTube everyday for a daily doodle session to teach kids how to draw their favorite literary characters.
  • “Mondays with Michelle Obama”: Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books, and PBS Kids are teaming up with former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama for a series of videos of Obama reading kids’ books. The videos will be livestreamed simultaneously at 12 p.m. EDT each Monday on PBS Kids’ Facebook page and YouTube channel, and on Penguin Random House’s Facebook page, and will remain on those platforms for on-demand viewing.
  • Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Virtual Graduation: Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises are hosting an Oh, the Places You’ll Go! virtual graduation celebration to recognize the class of 2020 in light of nationwide cancellations of graduation ceremonies. The virtual ceremony will feature readings, graduation photo-sharing, inspirational words, and more, all inspired by the book Oh, the Places You’ll Go! on its 30th anniversary. WWE wrestler John Cena will kick off the virtual festivities with a commencement keynote on May 1 that will be available on Facebook, where additional readings will roll out all month long.
  • PE with Joe: Fitness instructor Joe Wicks uploads new, family-friendly workouts to his YouTube page each weekday morning at 9 a.m. GMT. His 30-minute “PE with Joe” series includes a warmup, workout, and cool down that kids can easily follow.
  • Sky Zone Virtual Birthdays: While the trampoline park is officially closed right now, its team will offer birthday kiddos virtual parties. Sky Zone will take care of everything, including sending virtual invites, creating web links for all attendees, and hosting the festivities. A Sky Zone Party Pro will lead attendees through 20 minutes of active games to do from home. Parents can email birthdays@skyzone.com to request a party. Parties take place from Tuesday-Saturday from 3-9 p.m. EST, with a maximum of 10 participants per party.
  • Star Wars DayThe Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is giving young Jedis a Star Wars fix at home with virtual activities to enjoy on Star Wars Day (May 4). The line-up includes Yoda Yoga, a challenge to create an alien creature, and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the museum’s unique Star Wars collection.
  • USA Science & Engineering Festival: The USA Science & Engineering Festival‘s X-STEM All Access will include a series of free daily livestream events on May 13-15 and May 18-19 from 1-2 p.m. EDT. The series will focus on these topics: Shattering STEM Stereotypes, Ambassadors of Conservation and the Climate, Exploring Our Planet, Science that Saves Lives, and Life Beyond Our World. Students can learn directly from an exclusive group of innovators with STEM careers, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and astronaut Christina H. Koch.
  • Virtual Marine Biology Camp: Every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. PST, kids can visit Oceans Initiative‘s Facebook or Instagram pages to learn all about marine animals. Marine biologists host the live videos with special guests from the field to provide educational insight about underwater creatures.
  • World’s Biggest PlaydateLittle Tikes is hosting the World’s Biggest Playdate: Stay-at-Home Edition on Saturday, May 16. Families can find activities and ideas on how to play along at home on the Little Tikes website with printable party supplies, Little Tikes Cozy Coupe digital backdrops, and a sweepstakes. Lifestyle editor Emma Bing will host a one-hour livestream on the What to Expect Instagram starting at 2 p.m. EDT on May 16, featuring games, products, and a Little Tikes toys giveaway. Families can share their virtual playdates on social media, with a chance to be featured by tagging Little Tikes on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter, and using the hashtags #LittleTikes and #WorldsBiggestPlaydate.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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