Online Activity Resources

Online Activity Resources

Here are some virtual activities we think you'll enjoy.

STEM Activities

Exploratorium
Science Snacks

Science Snacks are exciting hands-on, teacher-tested science activities that use cheap, available materials.

Lawrence Hall of Science
Do Science

Do some science right away, wherever you are.

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
Virtual Purple Museum

Enjoy many educational broadcasts and hands-on learning activities, along with insightful resources to help you navigate these uncertain times.

The Tech Interactive
Find fun & easy at home activities for parents and educators.

RAFT
STEAM Activity Learning Sheets

STEAM Learning Activity Sheets are free online tools that guide parents, guardians, and students through hands-on learning activities taking advantage of common household items and without the need to purchase additional materials.

 

Animal Cams

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Live Cams

With ten live cams to choose from, you can experience the wonder of the ocean no matter where you are.

San Diego Zoo
Live Cams

Enjoy watching animals from the San Diego Zoo from the comfort of your own home.

Explore.org
Livecams

Lots of live animal cams.

 

Author Activities

We Are Teachers
Big List of Author Reading & Activities 

With kids at home and parents looking for educational activities, many of our favorite authors are offering online read-alouds and activities on social media. Here's a list of over 50 of the best virtual author activities.

Dav Pilkey at Home
Check back every Friday to discover new activities, exciting videos, and so much more!

Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
Grab the Mic Resources

Reynolds has created two digital features that fall under his “GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story” platform: a video series titled “Write. Right. Rite.” and a blog series titled “GRAB THE MIC Newsletter.” In these discrete efforts, Reynolds will share his passion for storytelling while discussing topics like creativity, connection, and imagination.

 

Podcasts for Kids

Recommended by Booklist
Children's Story Podcasts

If you want a break from screens, children’s podcasts can offer an absorbing literary experience. This list of shows for kids ages 2 and older are all available free on nearly any podcast app.

NPR’s List of Kid & Family Podcasts
Banish Boredom with These 50 Fun Kids Listen Podcast Activities

New York Times
Big List of Podcasts for Little Kids

A list of great shows to keep kids ages 2 through 6, and their caretakers, occupied.

 

Virtual Escape Rooms

Amanda Jones' List of Free Virtual Escape Rooms

 

Virtual Field Trips

Kidsactivities.com
40 Free Virtual Field Trips

Your kids can go on an expedition to the Galapagos Islands or stand on the Great Wall of China without leaving the couch!

Mighty Survival
28 Free Virtual Field Trips

Here's a comprehensive list of some great virtual tours, zoo cams, and STEM activities (and we even threw in some doodling and celebrity readings), and it's all free!

 

Other

The Book Wrangler
Clickable Learning Menu

The Book Wrangler put together a clickable pdf with distance learning links to share.

California State Parks
Virtual Tours

Thanks to a partnership between California State Parks and Google Maps, you can now visit many of our beautiful parks right from your computer, tablet or smart phone.

 

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