For families of all ages, a global pandemic can be alarming and confusing. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been spreading throughout the United States now, specifically, and has led to school and public closures. The uncertainty of this national and global situation can induce more anxiety in our kids. However, learning how to talk about what is going on and what to do next can be the first step that grown-ups can take to lead to better understanding for families with kids.
Your public library can be a source of trustworthy information and educational resources if you and your family are, in fact, stuck at home. We've compiled all ages materials that are FREE to access from live videos of authors/illustrators sharing their work, homework practice, language learning apps, family yoga videos, streaming platforms, and more. Education companies like these are also offering FREE subscriptions and services.
ALL AGES
- ASL Storytime: your favorite children's books read in American Sign Language
- Author Read-Alouds and Lessons: check out numerous author/illustrator videos created just for you, like Kate Messner, Jason Reynolds, and others
- Drawing Classes: from famous illustrators
- Explore Animal Webcams: observe animals on live webcams around the world
- Family-friendly Podcasts: gathered by Common Sense Media, listen to a podcast together
- Famous Virtual Museum Tours: including the Guggenheim Museum and the National Gallery of Art
- Hour of Code: learn coding skills with an hour of code activity
- Khan Academy: sample hourly at-home schedules that include active learning links
- National Emergency Library: a ton of free resources for you to browse and enjoy
- Scholastic Learn at Home: day-by-day projects broken up by grade level to keep kids reading, thinking and growing
- Spanish Storytime: listen to well-known Spanish Children's Books read aloud by native Spanish speakers. Read along in English or Spanish.
- Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19: follow along guided talks about what's going on with this pandemic to give your kids the support they need
- Virtual Field Trips: want to go somewhere, but can't leave your house? Then let's go virtually!
- Wonderopolis: here you can find a new wonder, submitted by kids, and the answer, in an article with a video
AGES 2-5
- Day By Day VA: follow along in this calendar for family literacy engagement
- Discover with our Friends from the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum: learn and play from local children's museum educators online
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus: from PBS Kids featuring Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street
- LEGO Activities: straight from Legoland!
- Stories, Songs and Stretches: yoga storytime video that encourages movement and learning
- Storyline Online: a literacy program where famous actors read to kids through video
- TumbleBooks: enjoy a collection of animated talking picture books, read-alongs, ebooks, quizzes, lesson plans, and educational games
AGES 6-10
- Chess Kid: learn and play chess with other kids
- Dog Man Digital Escape Room and Dav Pilkey at Home: activities for the best of fans
- Fluency and Fitness: review reading and math through fun movement breaks
- Healthy Food Choices Video Game: power through this video game to make dining decisions
- Maker Stations: creative maker challenges with added extension apps
- Minecraft Digital Escape Room: can you escape?
- Mystery Science: popular interactive mini and full science lessons
- Doodle with Author/Illustrator Mo Willems: below
AGES 11-13
- At Home with Kwame Alexander: try writing your own poetry and more with author Kwame Alexander
- DC Kids Camp: the superheroes—and comics creators—are here to save the day
- Girls Who Code: try coding at home with these challenges
- Go on Virtual Disney Rides: experience the magical rides at home, like the Space Mountain and more
- NaNoWriMo's Young Writer's Program: practice your writing skills through age-targeted writing workbooks or write that novel you've always been wanting to
- Paleontology Lessons: learn through daily fossil of the day posts and weekly live videos from Paleo Joe
- Storytime From Space: travel to space to hear a story from real astronauts
- Read with Author Lauren Tarshis: below
- Draw Every Day: learn from Author/Illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka below
AGES 14+
- Coronavirus Resources: Teaching, Learning and Thinking Critically: continuous updates from The New York Times with ideas for working, at school or at home, with content and other reliable sources about this global pandemic.
- Channel Your Inner Lizzo: the meditation begins with the “Good as Hell” singer playing the flute, her signature instrument, in front of a tray of healing crystals
- Harry Potter Digital Escape Room: see for yourself!
- The Kennedy Center: stream live digital performances from all kinds of stages
- Mackin Classics: browse and read classic tales online
- Learn How to Write with Author Kelly Yang: below
Just for Grown-Ups
- Explore U.S. National Parks: with VR and 360-degree videos, you can now immerse yourself in virtual environments that give you a real sense of what a place is like, without actually being there
- Take Yale's 'Happiness' Class: find out the key to happiness in this free course
- Watch a Broadway Play/Musical: from the comfort of your home, enjoy classics from Sweeney Todd to Newsies
- Try Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation: find inner peace in time with your own practice--watch this video to begin with local yoga studio, Jala Yoga
More With Your Library Card
Don't forget that with your library card, you can access TONS of online databases and resources here. You can also find your next read or watch with NoveList through the library catalog here.
- Early World of Learning: with your library card, access read-alouds, learning games, and more
- Hoopla: with your library card, find your next favorite audiobook or graphic novel and more
- Mango Languages: try learning a new language with your library card
- RBdigital: browse your favorite magazines in the comfort of your home through your library card
- Search Your Family Heritage: begin your family search with resources like Heritage Quest or Past Perfect with your library card. Get started with the video below!
- Testing and Education Reference Center: with your library card, go through practice tests like the SAT
- Universal Class: learn something new by taking a class with your library card, like Calligraphy or Home Safety