Running out of ideas for things to do while stuck at home? Half Price Books is here to help! We’ve compiled a list of resources that include a little bit of everything, including inspiration for homeschool activities, fun virtual story times and book lists for those who don’t know where to start. We hope this lists helps, and remember to stay home, wash your hands and keep
reading!
Children’s Learning Activities/Resources
Half Price Books’ Feed Your Brain– This year we’re kicking off our reading program early with a collection of activities and book suggestions to help keep your children’s minds active while at home! Check back frequently for more downloadable content.
Scholastic’s Learn from Home– Free engaging online resources and daily activities for children ranging from Pre-K all through Grade 9.
Penguin’s Printable Activities– Penguin provides free printable activities for a large variety of their children’s books from A to Z.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s At Home Learning Resources– Free learning resources, online program access, activities and more.
Harper Collins’s Harper at Home– Provides access to virtual story times, children’s video series and other programing.
Simon and Schuster’s READ & LEARN with simon kids– A great resource page for parents and educators navigating distance learning at home.
KERA Learn– Includes activities, lesson plans, educational videos and more to turn homes into classrooms.
PBS Kids– Has a variety of free resources to support families like:
- The PBS KIDS 24/7channel offers anytime access to trusted educational series for kids ages 2-8 (check local listings).
- ThePBS KIDS Video app is available on mobile, tablet, and connected TV devices and offers on-demand educational videos and a live stream of the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel. No subscription required.
- The PBS KIDS Games apphas nearly 200 educational games, which can be downloaded for offline play anytime, anywhere. Learn more about these and PBS KIDS’ other apps HERE.
- PBS KIDS for Parentsoffers information, activities, and tips for parents, including this resource on “How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus.“
- Parents can sign up for the PBS KIDS newsletter that offers activities and tips that can be used to help kids play and learn at home by clicking here.
Virtual Story Times and Workshops
- #GadBookClub-Josh Gad, known to many children as Olaf the Snowman from Frozen, presents Bedtime Stories at 7 PM EST over on his Twitter.
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems- Willems has teamed up with The Kennedy Center to bring new drawing and writing episodes each weekday at 1 PM EST.
- Storyline Online– A YouTube channel where celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Kristen Bell, Wanda Sykes, Sarah Silverman and many more read children’s stories.
- Story Time with John– follow along as John reads Ronald Dahl!
- Harper’s Kids Read Aloud Storytime– Check out the playlist!
Need A Reading Suggestion? Check Out Some of These Blogs From Half Price Books
- New Releases To Keep You Entertained This Week
- 40 Classic Books You Should Have Read in School
- The Big List of Storytime Books
- 50 Greatest Love Stories Ever Told (in a book)
- Best Underrated Novels for Book Clubs
- 40 Books That Will Make You LOL
- 40 Books for Teens to Read Outside of School
- 10 Reasons Books Make Better Companions than People
- Who Am I? 12 Literary Character Riddles
- The Completely Normal List of Absurd Books
- Famous First Lines: Emoji Edition
- 5 Book and Beer Pairings to Try this Weekend
- 5 Craftastic Ideas for Storytime
- Charmed: DIY Crafts with Charms
Want even more content from HPB? Check out some of our blog series!