Resources for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Now that schools, daycares, and even libraries are closed down to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, parents are looking for things to do to occupy their children while keeping their brains and bodies active. I (with the help of others) have put together a list of resources for families to use while quarantined or sheltering-in-place. These resources are targeted and families with toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and elementary school kids. But, some would be great for older kids, too.

Resources for Virtual Playdates

• Cisco is offering Webex free to the public due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. You can have up to 100 participants per call and unlimited call time. Here is the link.
• 8×8 Video Meetings are free and web-based.
• You can use Zoom for free 40 minutes meetings. You can have up to 100 participants during the virtual meeting.

Yoga and Relaxation for Kids

• Cosmic Kids Yoga Youtube channel. Yoga through story-telling, mindfulness, and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+.
• Peace Out – Bedtime FM. This is the best bedtime podcast! They tell short stories to help children calm down and relax by guiding them through the process of visualization and breathing exercises.  It is designed for kids aged 3-7. But, beware, adults may also be put to sleep by this podcast.
• Try yoga cards for kids or yoga blocks from Alex Toys for joyful yoga learning.

Art and Culture

• Virtual Museums Tours. 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch.
• Want to learn how to doodle with Mo Williams? Mo Williams is the famous author of the Elephant and Piggie series. Over the next couple of weeks, every day, Mr Williams is going to teach kids and adults how to doodle at 1pm eastern time. Here is the link.
• Nightly Metropolitan Opera Streams during the coronavirus closure only.
  

Audio Books for Kids

• Vox Talking Books. VOX™ Books are the world’s first audiobooks that live in print books. The permanently attached VOX™ Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along. There’s no need for computers, tablets or CDs. Children simply push a button to listen and read. VOX™ Books combine outstanding picture books with audio recordings that capture children’s attention and make learning and literacy development fun. TONS of good books for kids!
• Do not miss! Audible now allows you to stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages. It is free during COVID-19 quarantine.
• Listen to amazing audio fairy tales via the Circle Round podcast produced by Boston Public Radio. Like Sesame Street, each episode features guest star that grownups will recognize performing in a compelling story for young children. Free for all!
• Storyline Online. The website where you can stream videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
• Scholastic free stories, videos, and books online during coronavirus quarantine
• National Geographic Kids. Stories about animals, planets, science experiments.
• Your kids can now watch astronauts reading stories from space
• Actor Josh Gad ( Olaf from Frozen! ) Is Reading Books to Kids Online Every Night During Coronavirus Quarantines.
• The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read Alouds & Activities

Educational Apps

• Khan Academy Kids app, absolutely free app that keeps your preschoolers, kindergarteners and first graders busy. That is a great resource that helps kids not to lose knowledge during “the quarantine slide”. Educational and very fun!
• Buzzle is a puzzle game for toddlers and early preschoolers that develops vocabulary.
• Endless ABC is a word game that teaches children letters.
• Try any of the preschool apps by Tiny Hands. That company focuses on educational games for toddlers and preschoolers.
• ABC Mouse is offering a 30 days free and special deal, 49% OFF for annual subscription during the coronavirus quarantine.

Free Online Classes

• 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free. These courses are mostly for adults and older kids.

Outdoor Toys

• Small Little Tikes sandbox is good for backyards, patios, and balconies.
• Any Dig kits are good for backyard, patios, and balconies
• Water tables are good for backyards, patios, and maybe balconies (if your downstairs neighbors don’t mind a little water)
• Fairy Garden Kits are magical gardens you can create at your backyard, patio, and balcony
• The Little Tikes Inflatable Bouncy House is a great treat for up to three small kids.

Indoor Toys that occupy kids for longer time

• Work on Puzzles. One of the best puzzles to occupy kids are Melissa and Doug Puzzles, Eurographics puzzles, and Ravensburger puzzles.
• Melissa and Doug reusable stickers. They are very fun and there are tons of themes! They come with backgrounds to stick on. But, you can also stick them on any glass or polished surface.
• Science Kits. We love KiwiCo, you can buy individual boxes on their websites instead of a monthly subscription. Our favorite boxes from KiwiCo store: Speedy Race Cars, Balloon Cars, Paint Pendulum.
• Lego kits are always a good way to improve motor-skills and encourage creativity.
• I also recommend Builder Creative sets from Brio, they are STEM-focused kits for kids 3 years old and up.
• Craft Kits. Try Alex Toys art and craft activities for kids. They are amazing! Affordable and all-inclusive.
• Logic Toys. Try Think Fun Brain games. Think fun is famous for their brainteasers that are awesome for an early learning advantage.

Stock Up on Activity Books

• Kumon activity books series
• School Zone Activity Books series
• Pre-K Wipe-Clean activity books either by Scholastic or by Rogger Priddy
• Usborne Sticker Activity Books
• DK sticker activity books

Play Boardgames as a family

• Hasbro Monopoly Junior Board Game Targeted age: 4 years old and up
• Catan Junior Targeted age: 5 years old and up
• Candy Land by Hasbro. Targeted age: 3 years old and up
• Chutes and Ladders by Hasbro Targeted age: 3 years old and up

Plant a Garden

• Plant a garden in your backyard, patio, balcony or even kitchen. You can still buy seeds at Lawe’s and herbs from Trader Joe’s. Or better order a variety of seeds on Amazon without leaving your house. Here is the link to Lettuce Lovers, carrots, onions, peas, radishes, all these seeds give sprouts very quickly. You would also need soil and planters.
• Do not waste the veggies, you can regrow many of them from scraps. For example; celery, garlic, ginger, carrots, bell peppers, and many others. Here is the video on how to do it.