Parents of young children may need support in identifying developmental activities that they can do at home with their little ones. Compiled during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, this list includes free (and a few low-cost) resources for quarantine and beyond.
Online Activities
Getting Online
EveryoneOn
If you are working with families who need internet access, this service can help you find low-cost computers and internet service.
Internet Essentials (Comcast)
Comcast offers reduced internet rates for income-eligible-families.
Spectrum Internet Assist
Spectrum offers reduced internet rates for income-eligible families.
Activities and Education
Free Online Events and Activities for Kids at Home
This schedule of online events for children -- collected during the COVID-19 crisis and updated regularly -- includes virtual story times, drawing lessons, and music classes and performances, among others. Note that times are given in Pacific Time. Common Sense Media.
Recursos para las Familias durante la Pandemia del Coronavirus
Utiliza la tecnología, los programas televisión y las películas para ayudar a tus niños a aprender en casa y a entretenerse con el mejor contenido. Common Sense Media.
Preschool Learning Games
Common Sense Media has curated a list of apps, games, and websites for preschoolers. (Note that not all games on the list are free.)
Sesame Street
Sesame Street offers videos and other resources to help families learn, stay healthy, and have fun!
Storyline Online
In these videos, actors read storybooks aloud. SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
Encantos Learning Hub
These free resources for learning at home include Tiny Travelers for early elementary and preschool children, and Canticos bilingual learning for preschoolers.
Resources for Online Education
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard. Levels begin with kindergarten. In addition to English, resources are available in Spanish, French, and Brazilian Portuguese; additional languages are being added.
Lessons, Videos, Student Dashboard
Channels for Families with Preschoolers
Here you will find a collection of video channels that are appropriate for preschoolers, including All Things Animal TV and PBS Kids, among many others. YouTube Learning.
Scholastic Learn at Home: Grades PreK-K
Daily stories and related activities are provided for two weeks. Some activities are available in Spanish. Scholastic.
San Diego Zoo Kids
So many kids love animals. The San Diego Zoo's website for children offers videos, stories, activities, and games relating to animals of all kinds.
Teach Your Monster to Read
There are three Teach Your Monster to Read games to play, covering two years of the reading journey. The computer version is free.
Offline Activities and Education
Free Activities for Early Childhood Education and Development
This extensive resource library includes social and emotional activities as well as ideas for art, cooking, language, literacy, math, movement, music, science, and technology. Sort by age group: infant, toddler, preschool, elementary. Gryphon House.
Camp Galileo Anywhere
Camp Galileo offers a weekly schedule of imagination-sparking activities for kids. Age groups start with kindergarten, but many activities may be adapted for younger children. Subscribe to the weekly email, or check the site each week for new activity ideas.
Free Science and Nature Ideas for Cooped Up Kids
The K-12 Education team of Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology is working to support families as they adjust to school closures and working from home. Every week on Fridays, they release fun and engaging activities to keep your children's bodies and minds active.
52 Weeks of Creative Ideas
This list of creative activities includes many that are appropriate for parents to do with younger children. CreatED.
Autism Resources and Community: Autism Preschool Lesson Plans
During the COVID-19 crisis, Stages Learning Materials is offering free lessons, activity sheets, data tracking sheets, behavior management tools, and a basic overview of how to use the ARIS Emergency Home Autism Education Program at home with your children. The lessons and supporting materials are free to families. Lessons may be appropriate for young children without autism as well.
Autism and Preschool Resources
Lakeshore Craft Ideas and Activities
Many of these activities for children are appropriate (or can be adapted) for early childhood education.
Preschool Worksheets and Printables
Beyond the usual reading, writing, and math exercises, these free preschool worksheets teach kids everything from sorting techniques to the five senses to emotions. Education.com.
Daily Dose of Fun
These videos demonstrate fun activities that parents can do with their kids. Marbles Kids Museum.
Calm Mom Activities for Kids
The Calm Mom blog offers craft and activity ideas for parents to do at home with their kids.