Updated! Free and Fun Educational Websites To Keep Kids Busy

Between school closures, social distancing and spring break, many kids are stuck at home. Face it, there’s only so many times you can watch Frozen or Nick Jr. shows. To keep their busy brains from getting rusty, try these FREE and fun educational websites to help they stay occupied and learn from home.

Peanuts

Peanuts Worldwide is offering free educational materials that give students from Kindergarten through eighth grade the chance to develop their STEM, language arts, and social studies skills with the help of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the whole Peanuts Gang.

All the materials were developed by the award-winning curriculum specialists at Young Minds Inspired (YMI), the nation’s leading provider of free educational outreach programs. Besides the lesson plans, Peanuts also offers free out-of-this-world coloring pages featuring Astronaut Snoopy and his crew.

Mattel Playroom

The new, free online resource which features activities and content from the company’s iconic portfolio of brands including American Girl, Barbie, Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels, Thomas & Friends and more, along with play-from-home information and tips, for parents and caregivers to encourage kids to keep playing.

The site gives parents and caregivers easy access to content from Mattel brands including printable coloring pages, puzzles and activities, free and ready-to-play games featuring Barbie, Hot Wheels, Thomas & Friends and others, crafting and DIY projects, animated, stop-motion and live-action videos and downloadable apps.

Sesame Street

Do you know how to get to Sesame Street? I do. Younger kids will love all the activities they can do online through Sesame Workshop from home. From playing games to learning letters and colors. They can watch literally hundreds of the shows video clips that will keep them busy for hours.

If you sign up for a FREE Sesame Street account you can get access to more games, videos, start favoriting content and more.

PBS Kids

I’m a huge fan of PBS, but had no clue there was a section designed just for kids. Each of the educational shows your children watch on PBS has its own learning section through PBSKids.org.

The site has a ton of activities such as counting games, sing-alongs and more. PBS Kids Games App includes nearly 200 educational games, which can be downloaded for offline play anytime, anywhere. You can also sign up for a FREE newsletter with daily tips and activities you can use to help kids learn and play at home.

Home Schooled with The Moth

The Moth’s Education Program is publishing a weekly storytelling activity. Each Tuesday, the website will bring you a story from The Moth’s archive paired with fun and educational activities including how to write or tell your own story, journal prompts, word searches and reflection questions. These activities are designed for you and your child or young adult to enjoy the power of storytelling.  .

NatGeo @ Home

I used to write for National Geographic Kids magazine so was thrilled to see their new online presence. NatGeo@Home combines the enriching educational resources of the National Geographic Society with the fun and informational offerings of National Geographic Kids to create an online hub to help future explorers fill their time and their minds.

From boredom busters and games, to videos and live daily talks with National Geographic Explorers, NatGeo@Home aims to help inspire young people and support caregivers by offering a one-stop destination from a brand they know and trust. Kids of all ages can get interesting tidbits about animals, see and share photos of nature, learn about different countries and try science experiments.

Time for Kids

From the publishers of TIME magazine, TIMEforKids.com has tons of stuff just for the younger crowd. The sites is filled with stories, photos and videos with sections devoted to business, the; environment, science, health, history and current events.

Stories are also divided by grade from K to 6, so you can choose the appropriate level. Time for Kids may be more suitable for older kids as it isn’t as interactive as some of the others.

Highlights Kids

Once THE monthly magazine every kid waited for in his or her mailbox, Highlights is now digital only and branded Highlights Kids. But you’ll still find games, craft projects, things to explore and other activities, just like in the former magazine. There’s even a joke section and kids can send in their own jokes and riddles.

Old Farmers Almanac for Kids

The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids features riddles, puzzles, a question of the day, a timeline of interesting history facts, sky events and weather conditions to track at home with your children.