KEEP KIDS CONNECTED
Scavenger hunt! During a Zoom call, set a timer and see who can gather the most of the listed items (attached to email). Share the items with one another and see if you can do it faster finding new items!
Journaling can be a nice way to stay connected without daily contact. Perhaps you can mail, or drop off, a journal and a nice pen to your Little for them to keep their thoughts in throughout the week. Then during a virtual visit, there will be plenty to talk about from the past week!
EDUCATIONAL GAMES
Just because you are at home doesn't mean you have to miss out on cultural events.
Try virtual exploration with your Little by visiting museums!
Here is a link to 12 museums that you can visit online:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/75809/12-world-class-museums-you-can-visit-online
View free online enrichment learning that includes apps, videos, and more
Enter your ImagineIf Kalispell library card number and email address to get unlimited access to 1,000+ videos from expert designers and artists.
Download ebooks and magazines, and download free resources.
Enter your Missoula Public Library library card number and email address to get unlimited access to 1,000+ videos from expert designers and artists.
Support local Flathead County yoga studio, live online classes.
Fun and educational games, videos, and books for Pre-K to 8th grade.
The leader in educational games for various grade levels, practice math and reading skills and watch various how-to videos.
Free coding classes designed for all ages to learn app writing, robotics, Javascript, computer coding, and more. You can select from various topics, activity types, and lengths. If you are ready to advance your skills, you can click on "Beyond an Hour Code" for excellent resources.
NATURE + SCIENCE
ARTS + CRAFTS
"Making it easier for you to foster your children’s creativity through simple and fun art activities you can do at home." They currently offer a 14-day free trial and then just $7.99 monthly. This is a special offer due to COVID-19.
Mo Willems, #1 best selling author and illustrator of children’s books like "Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" is producing a video at 11:00 am Mon–Fri with a new drawing project for all ages. You can view all the videos on YouTube.
Arts and crafts projects for the whole family including process art, recycled art, nature art, crafts for kids and teens, sensory play, art workshops, cardboard creatives, and more.
Over 1,000 award-winning arts & crafts videos taught by top designers and artists, start a 2-month trial for $5.
This area is dedicated to parents of younger children and has several activities, crafts, recipes, and printables available for free.
Browse free educational resources from World Wildlife Fund’s Wild Classroom, this includes species lessons, toolkits with fun activities and games, and expert webinars to “bring conservation and science to life in your home.”
How to be an NPS Junior Ranger from home–including online handbooks for becoming Junior Ranger Archaeologists, Night Sky Explorers, and more!
Discover and explore fascinating facts about animals, space, science, and more! Play online games and watch fun videos such as "Weird But True!"
The Exploratorium contains a vast amount of free resources, such as the "Explore" section which includes websites, online activities, apps, and more. They also have a dedicated "Teaching Resources" section that provides tools and resources for teaching and learning.
A Netflix Original documentary series with additional information and facts available on their website.
Explore ASU's "Virtual Field Trips" and then head over to "Ask an Anthropologist" and "Ask a Biologist" to learn about fossils, brains, and more!
STORIES + PODCASTS
"Kids’ audio stories that parents can feel good about." They create stories that share models for how to be kind to others, how to be respectful in thought, word, and deed, and how to live in wonder and reverence for this truly incredible world.
Listen to different actors read favorite children's books while watching creative illustrations, a free resource during COVID-19.
"Little Stories for Tiny People is a children's podcast featuring original audio stories that will delight the tiny people in your life."
"Children's bedtime stories delivered fortnightly as a free audiobook. For toddlers, preschoolers, young children aged 2-13, or the whole family."
Free day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. Additional resources are available for families and educators.
"Filled with interactive games, sing-along songs, funny characters, and engaging stories, 'Eat Your Spanish' is a fun and exciting way to introduce the Spanish language to your children and family!"
"A history show for the whole family! Every episode explores the origin of just one thing — like sandwiches, video games, clocks and more — while teaching listeners to think critically about history."
Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows. *This is only available on Chrome browsers on desktop or laptop computers.
Did you know you can have a Netflix party?!?! Yep, you and your Little can watch the same Netflix movie via a web add-on. Here is an article on how to set that up:
STREAMING ENTERTAINMENT
