As we officially enter a period of mandatory school closures, we’re all wondering what the next few weeks, possibly even months, might look like. Health, of course, is our main concern and most of us are in support of the measures being taken by our state and government officials to help curb the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean it will be easy. Now facing the prospect of kids not only being home from school, but being confined to our homes, we’re all wondering what “homeschooling” will look like. And while our teachers and school administrators are working tirelessly to ensure that this transition goes as smoothly as possible, we’re all going to need a little extra help. Thankfully, we live in a digital world with many free or low-cost online learning resources for kids of every age.
No matter how you look at it, Coronavirus has already changed how we are living our daily lives – and now, it’s inevitably going to change how our kids learn over the coming weeks. For stay-at-home parents, this may simply mean more involvement with your kids’ school work. Other parents will be facing the prospect of trying to work from home while managing school work oversight. And other parents still will be finding alternatives like taking kids with them to a safe workspace or leaving older kids at home while they work.
Regardless of your situation, it’s going to be important to have online learning resources readily available to not only help supplement time out of the classroom, but also to keep your kids’ minds active and engaged. To be fair, there’s a high likelihood we’ll all be doing a few more movie marathons than we might normally, but as long as we keep our screen time balanced with productive resources, as well, none of us will be any worse for the wear.
To help you out during these uncertain times, we’ve put together a list of free online learning resources currently available for kids from preschool through high school, covering a wide range of topics, subjects, and learning styles.
Free Online Learning Resources
ALL AGES (K-12)
Brain Pop and Brain Pop, Jr. – For more than 20 years, Brain Pop has been providing educational resources for students. Their site features more than 1,000 short animated movies for grades K-12, along with quizzes and related materials on topics including science, social studies, English, math, engineering and technology, health, arts, and music. You’ll even find a special section for adults/parents that covers topics like social-emotional development and ways to increase achievement.
Age/Grade level: Brain Pop, Jr. – K-3; Brain Pop – through high school
Cost: Currently FREE for all experiencing school closures. Click here for details.
Discovery #MINDBLOWN – Find science and STEM activities for all ages with Discovery’s #MINDBLOWN online games, products, and mobile app. Filled with fascinating content, #MINDBLOWN will provide hours of interactive online activities and games, videos, DIY experiments, and so much more.
Age/Grade level: All ages (mostly geared towards elementary-age students, but fun for all ages!)
Cost: FREE
Duolingo – For children taking foreign language classes (or if you’d like them to start learning), Duolingo provides free online learning tools in 36 languages. Your kids will stay motivated as they earn virtual coins, unlock new levels, and see their fluency scores rise every time they master new words, phrases, and grammar. Duolingo is available to use on your computer or as a free app on any mobile device.
Age/Grade level: All ages
Cost: FREE basic membership; Duolingo Plus offers additional benefits and an ad-free experience starting at $6.99/month with a free seven-day trial.
Khan Academy – As one of the most well-known free online learning resources, Khan Academy offers instructional YouTube videos for just about every subject, including all levels of mathematics, English and language arts, science, history, computer science and programming, and SAT prep. Best of all, they align their content with state curriculum standards and allow you to track your child’s activity and progress.
Age/Grade level: All ages
Cost: FREE
Math Game Time – Designed by educators, Math Game Time provides fun math games and homework help online. Their collection includes engaging math games, worksheets, and videos, as well as additional resources for science, problem solving, physics and more.
Age/Grade level: K-12
Cost: FREE
No Red Ink – For writing and grammar, No Red Ink is a free online learning resource designed for students of all ages. Their programs help students practice and refine their writing skills and allow you to sign up as a teacher to a create learner profile for your child. Content is adaptive and engaging to keep learners of all ages on track with their writing and grammar skills.
Age/Grade level: K-12
Cost: FREE basic membership; No Red Ink Premium is available for groups of teachers or individuals, prices vary.
Open Culture – This free online learning resources is a virtual goldmine of knowledge. They offer more than 1,500 free online courses from general K-12 academic subjects to “extracurricular” topics like cooking, drawing, guitar, and yoga. You’ll also have access to more than 1,000 free audiobooks, along with countless movies, e-books, coloring books, and so much more. You’ll even find courses about coronavirus to ensure that you and your kids know the facts!
Age/Grade level: All ages
Cost: FREE; additional Masterclasses are available for a fee
Smithsonian Institution – Learning Lab – The Smithsonian Institute’s Learning Lab, provides free online learning resources and activities for a wide range of subjects and ages. You’ll find millions of the Smithsonian’s digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences. Best of all, they customize the content based on your role, whether you’re an educator, parent, or student.
Age/Grade level: All ages
Cost: FREE
TED‐Ed – When it comes to learning about fascinating topics in nearly every subject matter, TED‐Ed is the place to go. They offer free high‐quality videos that cover a range of topics and offer materials for every age. You can also access supplemental materials, discussion questions, and opportunities to learn more about particular topics. Register as an educator (even if you’re not a teacher) to customize your child’s learning experience, or you and your children can explore independently.
Age/Grade level: All ages
Cost: FREE
EARLY LEARNERS – ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL
Funbrain – Filled with colorful characters and interactive activities, Funbrain offers free online learning resources for kids from preK through eighth grade. Their online offerings include games, videos, and ebooks, as well as a dedicated “Math Zone.”
Age/Grade level: PreK-8
Cost: FREE – no sign up needed
Math Playground – With everything from basic addition and subtraction to Pre-Algebra and Geometry, Math Playground makes learning fun. They offer a range of games for single or mulitple players, as well as videos and other instructional activities. While math is their main focus, you’ll also have access to games covering logic, spelling, grammar, geography, and more.
Age/Grade level: Grades 1-6
Cost: FREE – no sign up needed; Premium games are currently being offered for free; additional features are available when you subscribe here. For a limited time, use promo code MARCH2020 to receive 50% off.
#metkids – This free online learning resource offered by the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a great way to get younger children interested in the world of art. The format is designed to interest early learners with games, videos, and interactive learning tools.
Age/Grade level: Grades 1-6
Cost: FREE
Mystery Science – While typically used in classrooms, Mystery Science is offering free memberships for up to one year for homeschool families. Likewise, as school closures begin, they have pulled their most popular science lessons and are offering them for anyone to use for free. No account or login is needed. See all of the free lessons here. Video lessons are complemented by hands‐on experiments and downloadable activities.
Age/Grade level: K-5
Cost: FREE basic membership; if you need more lessons than the ones currently offered, you can sign up up for a free account: Parent Sign-up for Mini-Lessons
NASA Kids Club – Explore space without leaving the house. NASA Kids Club allows your children to learn all about the “last frontier” with games, downloadable worksheets, videos, and more. With NASA’s Kids Club online, your children can go on missions and explore the incredible worlds of space, science, and STEM from their computer or mobile device.
Age/Grade level: K-8
Cost: FREE
Nat Geo Kids – You may be familiar with the popular National Geographic kids’ magazines, however, you can now access tons of great online learning content thanks to the Nat Geo Kids website. Filled with games, quizzes, videos, and interactive content for a wide range of subjects and topics, Nat Geo Kids will help your children learn about the world around them – from one side of the globe to the other.
Age/Grade level: PreK-6
Cost: FREE
PBS Kids – Finding educational materials for younger kids can be tough if they are in a classroom or preschool that does not have at-home work. If you have early learners who find their regular preschool programs disrupted, PBS Kids is a trusted source for learning. In addition to fun, creative learning games for kids, you’ll also find parent resources. Plus, if you sign up for their newsletter, you can receive daily activities and tips to help kids play and learn while schools are out.
Age/Grade level: PreK-early elementary
Cost: FREE
Prodigy Math – Prodigy is already used in many classrooms, but they provide free math programs for online learning at home, as well. Lessons are presented in a fun video game‐style interface to make learning exciting and to help keep students engaged. A paid option offers even more math and allows parents (parents can register as teachers) to track and evaluate progress with tests and diagnostics, as well as emphasize certain concepts.
Age/Grade level: Grades 1-8
Cost: FREE basic membership; yearly plans start at $4.99/month
Scholastic Learn at Home – Scholastic has long been a leading name in educational resources, and with their online learning program “Learn at Home,” kids don’t have to take a break from learning even if schools are closed. Their program offers an easy-to-follow set of daily lessons customized by age and grade. Each level features five days worth of content for three hours a day making it easier for families to continue learning and stick to a routine.
Age/Grade level: PreK-6+
Cost: Currently FREE
Smithsonian Online for Kids – Can’t get out of the house? Then bring the Smithsonian home with online learning resources for younger kids. With everything from games, quizzes, and videos to live animal cams, your kids will have hours of fun while expanding their knowledge and understanding of the world.
Age/Grade level: PreK-6
Cost: FREE
Splash Learn – Turn match into a game! Splash Learn features dynamic learning games with personalized learning programs that intelligently adapt to the way your child learns. Their comprehensive math curriculum also aligns with Common Core and most state standards. Plus, games offer rewards to continuously motivate students and you, as the parent, can track their progress with weekly email reports, a dashboard for real-time progress reports, and the Parent Connect app for mobile monitoring.
Age/Grade level: K-5
Cost: FREE
TIME for Kids – As one of the leading news and information magazines for adults, TIME is trusted source for information. So, it’s no wonder that TIME for Kids resources are here to help as we navigate this tricky space. Right now, all TIME for Kids magazine editions will be available online, covering relevant topics from around the world for kids in K-6.
Age/Grade level: K-6
Cost: FREE
HIGH SCHOOL – ADULT
Academic Earth – High school students (and parents!) can view hundreds of online college lectures for free with Academic Earth. Choose from top colleges and universities to keep your mind sharp and expand your knowledge – even at home.
Age/Grade level: High school/college
Cost: FREE
Codecademy – If you have a child interested in coding, Codecademy offers free access to basic lessons, with the option to pay for more advanced courses if your child is already experienced or wants to continue learning. They offer a range of online learning options, from building websites to analyzing data, and will even help your choose the right track.
Age/Grade level: Middle/High School
Cost: FREE basic membership; Codecademy Pro starts at $19.99/month
Edx – Older students who may be concerned about the impact that this “corona-cation” will have on their foundation for college will be happy to hear that Edx offers access to free online courses delivered by a consortium of leading colleges and universities. Students can access college‐level content in computer science, engineering, language, business, and more.
Age/Grade level: High school/college
Cost: FREE
Marginal Revolution University (MRU) – For high school students dabbling in economics, whether as a singular subject or as part of a government or civics class, MRU offers fantastic online learning videos that are fun, engaging, and informative. This is also a great resource if you, as a parent, are looking to learn with your kids!
Age/Grade level: High School and Adult
Cost: FREE
Know of any other great resources to help kids learn while schools are closed? Let us know at [email protected]!
