Free At-Home Learning Resources for kids and parents

4/3/2020

These are certainly unprecedented times we're living in; schools are closed, theme parks are closed, events are cancelled and while this can be worrying for adults, it can also be a worrying and confusing time for children. I've really appreciated how so many companies have stepped up and provided free resources for children and parents for at-home learning, everything from coloring pages, activity sheets, e-books, and games to keep their minds occupied during their extended time at home. I've compiled a list of resources I've become aware of from emails to my inbox from Sesame Workshop, Disney, Crayola and PBS. I'm also sharing videos of our favorite characters washing their hands (because we can never reiterate this message too much).

E-Books, Games, & Activity Sheets from Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop has created Caring for Each Other. This landing page offers e-books, coloring sheets, activity worksheets, online games, and video clips featuring everyone's favorite furry monsters. This page isn't just for kids, Sesame Workshop also provides resources for parents offering weekly activity ideas and ideas on how to talk with kids about what is going on in our world today.

Craft Ideas from Crayola

Crayola Experience has begun sending weekly craft projects to their email distribution list featuring downloadable craft bundle kits. The first bundle featured how to make a monster.

On the official Crayola website they have an entire At-Home Learning section, titled creatED. On this landing page you'll find art-infused lesson plans and parent resources.

You can find free coloring sheets featuring Crayola crayons, Disney characters, Dreamworks Trolls characters and more! There are coloring pages for kids and adults.

Crayola also offers a ton of craft project ideas featuring items you most likely already have in your home complete with step by step instructions like this Unicorn Paper Plate Mask.

PBS Kids

If you aren't on PBS Kids email list I highly suggest you sign up! Since school closures began, PBS Kids created a daily newsletter and are sending activities and resources right to your inbox.

Play and Learn at Home with PBS Kids provides new activities week by week, currently there are 3 weeks worth of resources and ideas. Within each week there are 5 days worth of learning resources and activities for instance, Week 1 features homemade water color paint, an energy experiment and homemade play dough.

Activity Sheets & Learning Resources from Disney

It should come as no surprise that Disney is also providing free resources. Disney Nature's Educator Guide features fact sheets on different animals like penguins and dolphins, Pirates of the Caribbean activity sheets, Finding Dory activity sheets, Moana activity sheets and more!

Teaching Kids to Their Wash Hands

Sometimes getting a toddler or preschooler to do something can be.. in a word, challenging. Getting push back on proper hand washing?

Below is a collection of songs about hand washing featuring some lovable characters.

The newest character to get in on proper hand washing is none other than, Baby Shark! This song is just as catchy as the original, don't say I didn't warn you.

Other characters dealing with proper hand washing are Daniel Tiger, Doc McStuffins and Elmo!