Free Fun and Educational Online Classes and Resources for Kids
Are you looking for some Fun ways to keep your kids busy during the school closures? If yes, then to help we have put together a Handy list of Free Fun and Educational resources for kids.
Following the government announcing that all the school have to close in Wales, some families are feeling a bit overwhelmed by how they are going to keep the kids minds busy and entertained.
There is no need to get all in a tizz, we will be with you all the way through, offering lists of websites full of free online resources for all ages from pre-schoolers to teenagers, Tell you of online tours of museums to enjoy with the kids, sharing free colouring sheets and worksheets to print off, sharing fun game ideas, live toddler workshops and kids PE classes and plus lots more, so keep checking our website for new articles in our Latest News Section and join our Facebook Page where you can chat to other local parents so you feel less isolated and exchange some of your ideas with others.
Also, there’s really no need to worry about trying to “home school” your children, use the resources for a bit of fun learning as a part of your day but also play games, read books together, go for walks, teach them how to cook, watch films and enjoy this extra time together. Don’t forget every child is in the same situation so please don’t worry that they are going to be in anyway disadvantaged and just enjoy your family time as your child’s mental health during this closure is also important
See below for some great ideas to entertain the whole family.
Free Online Educational Resources
There is no shortage of great free educational resources online offering games, printables and planning tips. We have put some of the more popular and easier to use options below and will be adding more as we find them. If we have missed any of your favourites, then let us know on our Facebook Page
Twinkl – Free Educational Printables (All Ages)
Twinkl is an online printout resource for teachers. Used by most schools for worksheets and more there is normally a fee attached, however they have announced free access to parents for one month to help parents during the school closures.
See here to visit the Twinkl website.
Phonics Play – Games, Plans And Printables ( Up To Year 1)
Another website used by schools, Phonics Play as the name suggests provides games and resources to help children with phonics and language skills. Again, there is normally a subscription fee attached however they are offering the service for free during the school closures.
Visit the Phonics Play website here
Scratch and Scratch Jnr – Creative Computer Programming For Kids (5 To 7 Years For Scratch Jr, 8 To 16 For Scratch)
No doubt your child will be familiar with Scratch as they love using it at school. It is a programming language and community that helps children programme interactive media such as stories and games and animation. For example our kids love make a flashing cat that does 360 spins whilst meowing lol
There is a sharing element to the site through their online community which have strict guidelines however it can also be used by not connecting to the internet at all. Scratch Jr is a simplified version of Scratch aimed at younger children. The site is completely free to use.
For Scratch see here. For Scratch Junior see here.
National Geographic Kids – Kids Online Magazine and Teacher Resources (KS1 And KS2)
National Geographic’s for Kids offers facts, quizzes and games for children. They also offer teaching plans and resources. Some of their content is sponsored (paid for by certain companies) and these are made clear and they also offer competitions. If you are wanting to treat the kids, they also offer hard copy magazine subscription for a fee.
You can visit the National Geographic Kids Website here
BrainPOP
Brain POP is an animated educational site for kids and covers subjects such as Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology. They are also offering free access during school closures.
You can visit the BrainPOP website here
Hwb
Don’t forget all children in Wales will be getting work and support direct from their own teachers and schools via the Welsh Government Learning Website. Its completely free and very familiar to your child as they will have used in school already.
They will have been given their own login details and its also links off to various free games, resources and you can download Microsoft Office for free.
You can visit Hwb website here
Zoo and Wildlife Live Streams from Across the World
Who doesn’t love a trip to the Zoo and with live streams from some of the world’s biggest Zoos both kids and adults can enjoy watching some of their favourite animals via live streams. Here are some of our favourites.
Edinburgh Zoo (UK)
Edinburgh Zoo’s cams give you an insight in the lives of their pandas, koalas, penguins and tigers.
To watch Edinburgh Zoo’s animals live see Here
Zoos Victoria (Australia)
In a click of a button you can travel Down Under to Australia and you can watch brilliant animal live streams for various zoos. You will be able to see animals such as lions and penguins, however at the minute there are a few live stream cameras from Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo where you can watch the snow leopards cubs.
To watch Zoos Victoria animals live see Here
Ouwehands Zoo (Netherlands)
This is one of our favourites without a doubt as we are massive Polar Bear fans and there are not one but two polar-bear cubs at the Ouwehand Zoo in Rhenen, Netherlands and from March 26th you will be able to watch them live stream, however at the minute you can watch their cute little highlights until they go live.
To watch Ouwehands Zoo animals live see Here
Kansas City Zoo (USA)
Kansas City Zoo’s cameras will let you see their star King penguins as well as their giraffe feeding on hay.
To watch Kansas City Zoo’s animals live see Here and Here
Full List of Animal Live Streams – Aside from watching animals on live stream in a Zoo environment, there are loads of live streams from all over the world where you and the kids can pick which ever animal they want to see, you can find them all Here
Free Online Museum Tours
Museums are a great place to entertain the kids and with lots offering online tours this doesn’t have to change. Google Arts and Culture have teamed up with over 2,500 Museums and Galleries around the world so you will for sure find something for all your family’s interests. Here are some of our favourites.
London’s British Museum (UK)
This is an iconic museum in the heart of London, offering a virtual tour of the Great Court where you can discover the ancient Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and hundreds of artefacts
You can experience the London’s British Museum Virtual Tour Here
Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland (UK)
The National Museum of Scotland looks after collections of national and international importance and you can enjoy walking around it on this clever virtual tour.
You can experience the Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland Virtual Tour Here
Paris’s Eiffel Tower (France)
On the virtual tour of Paris’s Eiffel Tower you can walk around the top floor of the tower and soak up the views of France’s Capital which are spectacular perfect for those who have a fear of height!
You can experience the Paris’s Eiffel Tower Virtual Tour Here
NASA Langley Research Centre (USA)
If your little one is a lover of anything to do with Space, then they will be fascinated by the Virtual Tour of the Nasa Research Centre in USA.
You can experience the NASA Langley Research Centre Virtual Tour Here
There are loads more Free Online Museum Tours including the Lourve, Canadian Museum of History and National Archaeological Museum in Spain and you can enjoy them all with your child from the comfort of your own home. Access the full List of all these Virtual Tours from around the world Here
