We know that staying home for an extended period of time can be difficult, and we’re here to help! The links below will direct you to educational, enriching, or just plain fun online resources. Check back often, as we will be updating this page as we learn about new resources.
Kids
OWWL Library System Resources
Owwl2Go for Kids Browse the collection and access ebooks and audiobooks by downloading the Libby app
Learn a Language Learn a new language through fun, interactive activities
NovelNY for Students A wide variety of online databases
Stories & Literacy
Jbrary Storytime Online Resources Links to online storytimes, yoga classes, podcasts, and more!
Storyline Online Children’s literacy resource featuring the world’s best storytellers reading books aloud. Each video includes an activity guide with lessons for K-5 students to do at home.
Kate Messner’s collection of videos from children’s authors, including read-alouds and writing and drawing mini-lessons
Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest Podcast A “wildly enchanting fairy tale podcast” by children’s author Adam Gidwitz!
Storytime From Space Astronauts reading stories from SPACE!
Kids Ask Authors Podcast A podcast by children’s author Grace Lin! Listen to episodes and submit questions, book reviews, or jokes! The podcast will be releasing 3 special episodes per week! Hour of Code Free coding games
International Children’s Digital Library A library for the world’s children
Learning Games
ABCya Reading and math games
National Geographic Kids Over 100 fun, engaging, and interactive science, action, adventure, geography, quiz, and puzzle games from National Geographic
Starfall Fun reading games for grades pre-k to grade 3
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math
Nat Geo @ Home At-home ideas for the family
NYSM Portal to Online Educational Resources & Activities links to the popular virtual “Fieldtrips,” digital collections, online resources, and many fun activities for kids derived from the New York State Museum’s research and collections.
RMSC Science Activities for Home Resources from Rochester Museum and Science Center, including guides for at-home science experiments, virtual exhibits, and live science demonstrations
Citizen Science Study the world around you and send the data to scientists
NASA STEM Engagement Explore NASA STEM Resources for Students
Access Mars Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover
Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams Live footage of penguins, sea otters, sharks, jellyfish, birds, and more!
Discovery Channel Virtual Field Trips Amazing virtual field trips
Mystery Science Free science lessons
Hour of Code Coding activities for all ages
Code.org Take free online computer science and coding courses or participate in Hour of Code activities. For grades K-12.
Scratch A collection of computer programming activities for kids. Create your own game!
Google Arts & Culture Online tours of places as varied as Easter Island and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Milan, and virtual access to pieces by artists such as Van Gogh and Edvard Munsh
Jarrett Krosoczska’s YouTube Channel Webcasts about books, as well as art lessons
Screen-Free Drawing Games from Jarrett Krosoczska
JarrettLerner.com Author/Illustrator Jarrett Lerner provides writing and drawing activities, such as: blank comic book pages, “Finish This Comic!” comics, and drawing/writing prompts.
Collections of Resources
Talking is Teaching Early learning resources and suggested activities
101 Resources for Home-Schooling During COVID Crisis A list compiled by Today
Children’s Museum of Houston Resource Page A great page full of educational resources
WXXI Education Learn @ Home Educational resources such as virtual events, newsletters, broadcast info, activities, calenders, and more for kids, teens, and adults!
Sesame Street in Communities Games, printables, videos, and more on topics such as Health & Hygiene Daily Routines, Exploring Emotions, Science, and Literacy. Check out their new Health Emergencies page!
PBS Kids Play fun and educational games, sign up for a daily newsletter with activities for at-home play and learning
New York Public Library Sign up for a NYPL library card for access to TONS of free online resources, including ebooks and audiobooks. Free for NYS residents!
Boston Children’s Museum A variety of learning resources for children of all ages
Khan Academy Free online learning and test prep for all ages
Distance Learning with Khan Academy Kids Resources for home learning
TEDEd high-quality, interactive, video-based lessons Sign up for their daily newsletter!
National Geographic Kids Videos, activities, and more
Kids Activities Blog List of educational companies offering free subscriptions.
Scholastic Learn at Home Daily projects to keep kids reading and learning
Lakeshore Learning Printables, lessons, worksheets, flash cards, craft ideas, and more
Teens & Adults
OWWL Library System Resources
Owwl2Go Browse the collection and access ebooks and audiobooks by downloading the Libby app
Local History Resources Access geneaology resources, historical newspapers, and archival collections
Books & Literature
The Beginners Guide to Reading Webcomics Tips to welcome you to the world of webcomics
Teen Ink Teen Ink is a national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing, art, photos, and forums.
Virtual Tours and Events
National Park Virtual Tours Virtually tour 33 national parks
National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tours
Google Arts & Culture online tours of places as varied as Easter Island and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Milan, and virtual access to pieces by artists such as Van Gogh and Edvard Munsh
Science and Technology
Hour of Code Coding activities for all ages
Code.org Take free online computer science and coding courses or participate in Hour of Code activities. For grades K-12.
NASA STEM Engagement Explore NASA STEM Resources for High School Students
Collections of Resources
WXXI Education Learn @ Home Educational resources such as virtual events, newsletters, broadcast info, activities, calenders, and more for kids, teens, and adults!
Free Online Ivy League Courses A list of 450 Ivy League courses you can take online now for free
Khan Academy Free online learning and test prep for all ages
New York Public Library Sign up for a NYPL library card for access to TONS of free online resources, including ebooks and audiobooks. Free for NYS residents!
#QuaranTEENS Activities to help you cope with COVID-19 and learn from the news. Includes viral challenges, crafts, mindfulness, QuaranTEEN Kitchen, and more.
Art
Color Our Collections Free coloring books from 13 museums
Cool But Easy Drawing Tutorials DIY Projects for Teens pulled together this list of 35 different drawing tutorials. Learn how to draw hands and eyes, a caricature, a colorful cat, Pikachu, a 3D maze, and more.