With the emergence of coronavirus, most of the population is experiencing challenges navigating through this difficult time. Parents are experiencing and addressing unique issues with the closing of schools, work changes/challenges, children’s boredom, and social distancing. The majority of the world is trying to make sense of a situation that was the very least experience we could have expected.
Thankfully, there are resources and support systems that are readily being made available online to help us manage this challenging time as many deal with: emotional and physical concerns, education/homeschooling transitions, employment changes, and more.
As a wellness professional and mother of two, I truly understand the hardships parents can potentially face during this type of circumstance. I wanted to do my part to help alleviate fellow parents angst and concerns, so I immediately got to work compiling a list of of accessible online information for parents, which I will be updating regularly. I’m hoping this quick reference guide offers help and a means to support and aid during this challenging time and thereafter. Please bookmark and share with others. Additionally, feel free to comment below if you have additional resources/information you’ve found helpful and would like to share with others.
Things to Do
Leisure
How to Keep Kids Busy During Coronavirus Quarantine
Ways to Keep Kids Busy While At Home
Free audiobooks- They have over 300 free audiobooks in six languages – all free of charge for the foreseeable future.
57 Things to Keep You Occupied While Your Practicing Social Distancing
Live Webcams and Aquariums
- San Diego Zoo Live Webcams and Kids Activities and Games from San Diego Zoo
- Watch Safari’s from home with the Cincinnati Zoo
- Houston Zoo Webcams
- National Zoo
- Georgia Aquarium
Virtual Tours, Museums, Rides & Entertainment
Monterrey Bay Aquarium
SmartMusic Musical kids can access a large music library.
Dr. Jean and Friends – Fun song about reading, math and more kid-friendly ideas that your kids can sing and dance along with.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Dry Tortugas Florida
Trails in Yellowstone National Park, as well as the Yosemite National Park
Take a tour of the planet Mars
The British Museum London, England
Smithsonian Natural History Museum Washington D.C.
National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art, South Korea
Van Goh Museum, Amsterdam
National Gallery of Art Washington D.C.
Highlights from the American Museum of Natural History
Queensland Museum Virtual Tour, Australia
Anne Frank House Secret Annex, Amsterdam
Interactive Tour of Ellis Island, New York
Virtual Art and Crafts Classes
McHarper Manor – Daily art & craft tutorials(Free)
Kinder Art – Art lessons for grades PreK – 8th grade(free and fee-based online options).
Mo Willems Doodle Lunch – Mo Willems does a live Lunch Doodle video every day at 1 pm.
Wild, Free & Crafty – Online Art Lessons (Free)
Creative Activities
Growing Vegetables the Fun Way
125 Ways to Conquer Cabin Fever During Coronavirus Crisis
7 Great Video Options to Keep Kids Busy
50 Best Kids’ Movies for Family Movie Night
100 Awesome Kids Crafts for Creative At-Home Fun
HEALTH & WELLNESS
*Wellness
Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus
How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus
How to talk to your kids about COVID-19 — and help them protect themselves
Tips for Managing Fears About Coronavirus
7 Ways to Support Kids Through Pandemic
Life Coaching Tips for Easing Coronavirus Anxiety
Taking Care of Mental Health During Crisis
Tips for Helping Teens Manage Anxiety about Coronavirus
*Health
10 Effective Ways to Boost Immune System
Super Soups That Boost Immunity
6 Surefire Ways to Fight Cold & Flu Symptoms
How to Boost Your Immune System (video)
More Tips Relating to Coronavirus
What Being A Single Mom Taught Me About Preparing for Coronavirus
6 Over-the-Counter Medications to Treat Mild Symptoms of Coronavirus
How to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus While Grocery Shopping
How to Make DIY Cleansing Wipes
EDUCATION
Homeschooling
- Tips for Homeschooling
- How to Home-School During the Coronavirus Crisis with Free Resources
- 14 parents share their work from home plans, and tricks they’re using to do 2 full-time jobs during the coronavirus pandemic
- Homeschooling During Coronavirus Pandemic: Tips from the Experts
- Coronavirus: Temporary Homeschool Solutions
Educational Resources
- Minecraft: Education Edition teaches Common Core math for grades 3-5, social-emotional learning and coding.
- Mystery Science has lessons for students in grades K-5 that they can do at home.
- Raddish Kids is offering 10,000 free kuits filled with educational and entertaining activities.
- Academic Earth – View hours of free lectures and course materials from leading universities.
- Extra Math – A free online math learning resource that is available to everyone.
- i-Ready – The most frequently used online resource for students. This program offers math and reading lessons and diagnostic tests for students. It is self-guided and they typically need to log a certain number of minutes per week in both reading and math. This program is not available to the general public.
- Khan Academy – Short lessons in the form of videos for English and math. These lessons are available online, free of charge to anyone.
- Prodigy – A game platform that teaches children math. Free access for students through school accounts, or subscription-based for the public.
- Sesame Street ( New videos, Printables, and Learning At Home Resources For Family)
- PBS Kids
- Purple Mash
- CoolMath
- Time for Kids
- Kids National Geographic
- How Stuff Works
- Starfall
- FunBrain
- Adventure Academy
- Teacher Worksheets Kit for Pre-School through 5th Grade– Download free worksheets for kids to work on while they are at home.
- Book Creator App kids can use this to make their own ebooks.
- 12 Online Tutoring Services
200 Free Kids Educational Resources: Video Lessons, Apps, Books, Websites & More!
100 Education Resources for At Home Learning
10 Resources to Keep Learning Going Through Coronavirus
Day-by-Day Projects to Keep Kids Reading, Thinking and Growing
Entire List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings
Employment
Tips For Working From Home With Kids
How to Work From Home More Productively
Companies that Hire for Remote Positions
Online Guide to Career, Education & Business Resources
*Additional Information
What You Need to Have In Case of Self-Quarantine
The Difference Between Social Distancing, Self-Quarantine and Isolation
Resources:
Nationwide Health & Human Services Programs
Childcare/ Child Support Programs
Finding Support When You’re a Single Parent
Important Contact Numbers Per State