When the COVID-19 crisis started, and schools were initially canceled, I received a lot of homeschooling information from really thoughtful friends and acquaintances. The truth is, I looked at the sheets they provided, instantly felt overwhelmed, and I haven’t looked at them since. Some people love having many options and exploring everything. Me, I like a few that I can work with and evaluate as I go along.
Here are a few resources I have been using or have in the back of my mind prepared to pull out in the event I need them. As you will see, I have a long list of TV shows and movies. Folks, I am going to use the screen appropriately and as needed. No guilt here. But, I wanted to have a list of recommendations for the kids so that they’re not watching junk.
Resources for Stay at Home Activities
Reading: My kids love books. I did not make a list of book recommendations here. If you think it would be helpful, comment or shoot me an email, and I would be happy to make a list.
Epic! and our kids love it. It’s a digital library for kids under age 12. Audible is great if you want your kids to listen to stories.
Art: You can find a ton of stuff out there. I usually just look up in Youtube. Here are a few that were highly recommended. McHarper Manor and Skillshare are good sites. Our kids all time favorite is Art for Kids because it’s entertaining and simple. Baby Yoda is their favorite. 🙂
STEM Activity: I’m sure there are plenty out there, and since we live close to Jet Pulpulsion Laboratory, we chose what JPL has to offer. Check it out.
Virtual Tours: Want to go visit museums and to virtual field trips? This link has resources for you to choose from. I would recommend that you chaperone your kids. 🙂
Gardening: Folks, I do not have a green thumb, but I have been pulling out weeds. I love seeing the results of my labor. My sister, who loves gardening has been trying to get me into it for the longest time. I think I am starting to see why she loves it….there is something therapeutic about touching the earth. The Garden School Foundation provided gardening classes at our kids’ school. You can receive a weekly newsletter. Maybe you will find something that you and your kids can do together.
Other Activities: Enjoy some time off the screen and enjoy these activities with your kids, or have them do on their own or with their siblings. I printed the two pages and stuck them on our wall for reference. Also, you can have your kids sign up for specific activities through Activity Hero. It offers a variety of free classes online.
TV Shows and Movies
Educational TV Shows on Netflix: (We have not watched all the shows listed.)
- Growing up Wild (Baby animals)
- If I were an Animal
- Dream Big (Inventions)
- Disney Nature’s Ocean
- The Magic School Bus
- Dino Hunt
- Brainchild
- Ask the Story Bots
Below are more appropriate for tweens and middle-school aged kids: (We have not watched any of them yet.)
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
- Cutest Animals
- Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History
- Night on Earth
- The Short Game
TV Shows from my Childhood Era: We love some oldies!
- The Cosby Show (our all time favorite)
- Full House
- Family Ties
- The Wonder Years
- Who’s the Boss
- Little House on the Prairie
- Growing Pains
- Mr. Rogers
Movies: I have been wanting to explore some documentaries with our kids. I chose these based on their interests. You might want to create a list for your family based on their interests.
- The Elephant Queen
- A Beautiful Planet
- Pick of the Litter
- Spellbound
- Born in China
Family Fun Movies: These are the ones we haven’t watched so I listed them.
- Captain Underpants (Actually, we watched this movie, and our kids thought it was okay, but I loved it! I want to watch kid movies that I enjoy too.)
- Alice in Wonderland
- Jungle Book (a repeat for us, but they love this movie)
- The Absent Minded Professor
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
- Mighty Joe Young
- Sandlot
- The Princess Diaries
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- Star Wars (It will always be our favorite!)
We are in it together. Hugs to you as you take it day by day. You are not alone.
If you have a favorite that you want to share, please feel free to comment.
Thanks Rebecca for sharing about Activity Hero!
We just tried out our first free art class.
The kids loved it! They were totally absorbed for an hour… 🙂
So glad that your kids loved it!