Have you been overwhelmed with all the virtual resources, classes, and other offerings that have cropped up in the last few weeks? We know we are! So we have gathered together a few of the most unique and fun at-home FREE learning experiences — the ones our Macaroni Kid families have found most valuable and fun — during this time away from traditional schooling.
Junior Fire Marshal Online Training Academy
The new Junior Fire Marshal Online Training Academy from The Hartford is a fun, interactive way to teach kids about fire prevention at home and turn everyday kids into everyday heroes. The online training academy includes four engaging lessons to teach kids about smoke alarms, escape plans, safe meeting places and how to respond in case of a fire emergency.
Complete them all and students can earn the title of Junior Fire Marshal and receive a printable Certificate of Completion to help show off their new superpower!
American Girl
American Girl is posting some of their popular books each week online that kids can read for free, like "Melody 1964: No Ordinary Sound."
Along with their stories full of adventure, bravery, and daring, and featuring girls who live in times and places your kids may have never seen before, you'll also find free books offering advice to help your daughter sort through her feelings, family, and friendships during these very different times. Don't miss "The Feelings Book: The Care & Keeping of Your Emotions."
Build-A-Bear
Build-A-Bear recently launched Workshop Wednesdays, an online resource providing a variety of activities and ways to stay entertained throughout the week. Most recently, creative activities included recipes for easy-to-make snacks, DIY-craft ideas, coloring sheets, story time, games and more! Our kids especially loved the furry friends paper dolls and making invisible slime.
Random House
Random House has put together dozens of plans for parents and instructors teaching remotely. You'll find discussion guides, activities, and more available for free to download for elementary, middle school, and high school students.
Some of our favorites? The guide to Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Places You'll Go" book, and the guide to helping kids create their own graphic novel. No matter what your children's reading level or interest you'll find something for them here!
Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium
Live streaming webcams at the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium give kids a chance to see some of their favorite creatures up close, including at feeding time! We also love the "Virtual Zoo” page where zookeepers talk in-depth about the animals in their care, and you can find everything from animal drawing tutorials to science experiments for your kiddos.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is helping families find alternative educational outlets that can expand their children’s curiosity in science while encouraging them to “Amaze Your Brain At Home.”
Families can watch their favorite scientific concepts come to life by using common household objects and supplies to explore nature and science at home and in their backyards.
We love that this free content is categorized for parents to easily select the most appropriate projects – chiefly geared toward ages 5-12 – and includes weekly lessons focused on different STEM topics (first up, physics!) with corresponding, informative fun-fact videos and activities that will allow children to have fun while still teaching them relevant educational topics.
There are also resources for teachers, daily trivia, quizzes, and even interactive Google Hangouts for kids 5 and under.
Harlem Globetrotters at Home
The Harlem Globetrotters are looking to bring their ambassadorial spirit, and the smiles that go with it, directly to their fans with their new online “Globetrotters at Home” video content programming.
Globetrotter players are delivering everything from motivational messages to a "how-to" style gym class with basketball skills lessons, and even a few geography lessons where possible (they have played in 124 countries and territories, after all!).
Check out the episodes available now!
Club Med at Home
Club Med has launched Club Med at Home, with activities to inspire and engage multigenerational households. Visitors will find Club Med’s website and social channels filled with content and virtual activities including:
- Morning yoga routines
- Coloring pages for kids (and kids at heart!)
- Fan-favorite Club Med recipes like the legendary White Chocolate Bread
- An Instagram live workout session, as well as access to previously-filmed workout videos like a wake-up morning yoga routine from Club Med Cefalù in Sicily
- A playlist of interactive 360-degree videos to virtually transport you to over 30 Club Med resorts around the globe
- “Crazy Signs” playlist, curated so visitors can join in on the fun and show off their best dance moves
- Activity suggestions designed to engage kids and parents, such as taking vacation pictures in your house or mixing your own eco-friendly modeling clay and designing your own sculpture
Audible Stories
Amazon-owned Audible is helping parents out during the school shutdown by offering hundreds of books for free. Audible typically charges by monthly subscription or per book, but while schools are closed the company has made titles ranging from the Harry Potter series to Anne of Green Gables available, for free, to all. Start listening here!
Art For Kids Hub
Rob and his family -- which includes four kids -- have been uploading art lessons to YouTube every weekday for several years and have the 2.65 million YouTube subscribers to prove how fun they are! You can find the Art For Kids YouTube channel here. The biggest challenge will be choosing what to draw!
Have a favorite family online resource you're using during the school shutdown? Let us know about it by dropping an email to karam@macaronikid.com.
