Like many libraries around the country, we got the news last week that we will remain closed throughout the month of April. Since we now have a better timeline, we are able to move forward with virtual content more easily–including a ReadSquared online stay at home learning program highlighting free resources like books, apps, and podcasts.
We don’t have any prizes, just virtual badges that kids and families can earn by completing activities at home. Some are directly related to books, some connect to the library, and others just provide ideas for new ways to explore your home or the (limited) world around you.
One of the “missions” I worked on involved exploring technology. I created curated lists of apps and podcasts that families can experience at home.
After much finagling, I was very proud of myself for managing to create a list of recommended free apps that work on both iOS and Android devices. All free app suggestions are listed below and can be downloaded or shared as PDFs here:
Recommended Free Apps, Ages 2-5
Play and Learn Science by PBS Kids
Caregivers and children work together to explore scientific concepts and to develop problem solving skills. Explore water, weather, physics, light, and more. Android, iOS, Amazon
Little Chickies (Los Politos) by Encantos Media Studios, PBC
Interact with the traditional Spanish lullaby “Los Politos” through a story, art projects, music activities, digital scrapbooks, and more. Available in eight languages. Android, iOS
Fish School by Duck Duck Moose, LLC
Practice letters, numbers, shapes, and colors through fun games with colorful fish and friendly sea creatures.
Android, iOS, Amazon
GoNoodle—Kids Videos by GoNoodle
Filled with short videos that teach music, movement, patterns, dance, yoga, and mindfulness. Suggested to watch and dance along as a family.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Animal Sounds for Baby (Laugh & Learn Animal Sounds)by Fisher Price Inc.
Babies and toddlers can practice identifying animals and their sounds with engaging, brightly-colored illustrations and vibrant sound effects.
Android, iOS, Amazon
The Cat in the Hat Builds That by PBS Kids
Explore STEM concepts through mini-games and activities. Includes a variety of downloadable materials and ideas for caregiver and child interaction. Android, iOS, Amazon
Khan Academy Kids by Khan Academy
Explore thousands of educational activities, books, songs, and games teaching reading, language, writing, math, social-emotional development, and more. Android, iOS, Amazon
PBS Parents Play & Learn by PBS Kids
Discover games for parents and kids to play together in familiar locations, like the garden, the kitchen, the bathroom, and more.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Duck Duck Moose, LLC
Sing along to various versions of the classic children’s song “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Includes free-play activities related to on-screen characters.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Artie’s World by Minilab Ltd
Follow Artie around the world. Create presents for Artie’s friends by tracing basic shapes on the screen. Watch your drawings come to life!
Android, iOS, Amazon
Baby Games—Piano, Baby Phone, First Words by RV AppStudios
Toddlers can engage with simple sound effects and pretend play with virtual musical instruments and simple nursery rhymes.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Pokémon Playhouse by The Pokémon Company International
Engage in this open-ended play app by interacting with Pokémon characters, listening to stories, solving puzzles, and more.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Elmo Loves 123s by Sesame Street
Trace each number (1-20) and explore with Elmo and Abby through puzzles, games, coloring, and videos. Free version only includes numbers 1-3. Android, iOS, Amazon Cost: Free (Lite) $4.99 (Full)
Endless Alphabet by Originator Inc.
Learn new vocabulary words and practice identifying letters in this interactive puzzle game. Free version only includes seven words. Android, iOS, Amazon | Cost: Free (Lite) , $8.99 (full)
Recommended Free Apps, Ages 6-8
Molly of Denali by PBS Kids
Explore the Native Alaskan village of Qyah with Molly using diagrams, pictures, field guides, and maps. Solve problems, play games, and accomplish community tasks. Android, iOS, Amazon
Pet Bingo by Duck Duck Moose
Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to earn adorable virtual pets, pet food, and pet toys.
Android, iOS, Amazon
ScratchJr by Scratch Foundation
Create your own interactive stories and games by snapping together programming blocks to make your characters move, jump, dance, and sing. Android, iOS, Amazon
Tami’s Tower by Smithsonian Institution
Use basic engineering principles to help Tami the golden lion tamarin solve problems encountered in the jungle.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Jet’s Bot Builder: Robot Games by PBS KIDS
Build and personalize your own robot before traveling through outer space to complete STEM challenges.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Think & Learn Code-a-pillar by Fisher Price, Inc.
Learn basic coding and problem-solving skills as you move your virtual caterpillar through a variety of logic puzzles.
Android, iOS, Amazon
CyberChase Shape Quest! by PBS KIDS
Practice geometry and develop spatial reasoning skills through puzzles and games as you try build a new environment in Botopolis.
Android, iOS, Amazon
Recommended Apps, Family
ChatterPix Kids by Duck Duck Moose
Turn pictures of real life objects into silly, playful messages with filters, recorded audio, stickers, and more.
Android, iOS
Storytime Online by SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Watch diverse celebrity readers perform both classic and timely children’s picture books for all ages.
Android, iOS
Toontastic 3D by Google LLC
Draw, animate, and narrate your own cartoons. Record your voice, insert pictures, and share your creations with friends and family.
Android, iOS
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Identify birds flying through your backyard by answering five questions or taking a picture of the bird and identifying where you live.
Android, iOS
NSF Science Zone by National Science Foundation
Learn about hundreds of scientific discoveries with exciting videos and high-resolution photos that will take you from the far reaches of space to the smallest bacteria. Android, iOS
Seek by iNaturalist
Learn about nature by using recognition technology to identify plants and animals in your backyard or on a nature hike.
Android, iOS
Pick Your Plate! by Smithsonian Institution
Explore cultures from around the world through food. Learn about new cuisines and select nutritional meals that fit your virtual budget. Android, iOS, Amazon
Recommended Podcasts for Kids
1. Aaron’s World. Journey to the distant past into the world of dinosaurs and imagination. http://www.mydogrocket.com
2. But Why. Approaches silly and very real questions in a kid-friendly manner—from “why do we taste food?” and “why do lions roar?” to the timely “But Why Special On
Coronavirus.” https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids
3. Cirlce Round. Share folktales from around the world, adapted into modern radio plays. https://www.wbur.org/circleround
4. Ear Snacks. Music duo Andrew and Polly create a fun soundtrack for all ages
performing original children’s music. http://andrewandpolly.com/earsnacks
5. Molly of Denali. Listen to the adventures of Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl
determined to discover the identity of the creature that stole Molly’s birthday cake.
https://mollyofdenalipodcast.org
6. Pants on Fire. This hilarious game-show style podcast keeps kids guessing. Two
grow-up “experts” talk about a topic—one is an expert, and one is a pants on fire liar. Listeners have to figure out who is who! http://www.bestrobotever.com/pants-on-fire
7. Peace Out. Yoga and meditation for kids. Practice relaxing and mindfulness through visualization and breathing exercises. https://bedtime.fm/peaceout
8. Smash Boom Best. Debaters enter heated competitions over some intense
match-ups—such as unicorns vs. dragons and chocolate vs. cheese—to convince
listeners which is the best. https://www.brainson.org/pages/smashboombest
9. Story Pirates. Amazing performers turn original stories written by real kids into podcast episodes often featuring celebrity guests. https://www.storypirates.com/podcast
10. Story Time. Designed to serve as bedtime stories, these short, sweet episodes feel like miniature audiobooks with music and sounds. https://bedtime.fm/storytime
11. What If World. Mr. Eric examines kids’ most wacky “what if” questions from “What if sharks had legs?” to “What if dinosaurs were alive today?” with humor and levity.
http://www.whatifworldpodcast.com
12. Wow in the World. Jump into the wonders of the world with Mindy and Guy in this daily kids podcast by NPR. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world
What great resources am I missing? Share them in the comments below!