It is a truly difficult time for our city and for our nation. Our hearts and our prayers go out to every one of you who is personally dealing with the virus and all of you impacted in any way. We know that is also a difficult time for families with the kids home from school. It is our hope that links below are helpful to stay busy.

– The Cannoli King

Fun Activities For All Ages

 

ON-LINE BOOKS

Access books via a slide-share to read with your children / grandchildren in person or over ZOOM (FREE ACCOUNT / SCREEN SHARE)

Continue To Learn At Home

Scholastic is offering free online courses so your kids can keep learning while schools are closed.

NASA At Home

The site runs the gamut of e-books, podcasts, videos, DIY experiments and virtual tours.

 

Books and Audio Stories

Amazon has canceled the subscription of books and audio stories for children and students of all ages for as long as the schools are closed. There are titles across six different languages that will help them continue dreaming and learning, and just be kids. 

Science Mom / Math Dad

Live Stream To YouTube and Facebook

Online school with Science Mom and Math Dad each Monday – Friday from 8a-10a Pacific; 11a-1p EST. Partake in science lessons, engineering challenges, crafts, games + Q&A.

Explore The Great Barrier Reef

The interactive journey is called David Attenborough’s Barrier Reef who is the narrator of Planet Earth and Our Planet documentaries. During the tour, you’ll get to meet the ocean animals that visit the reef and see the reef from the inhabitant’s perspective plus explore the biodiverse ecosystem.

Khan Academy Kids

Completely Free

Online classes and engages in core subjects such as reading, writing and math for younger students.

Khan Academy For All Ages

Completely Free

For every student, every classroom. A non-profit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

25 Field Trips To Take With Your Kids

Virtual field trips are a great way to expose kids to new places from the comfort of your home. This link is a compilation of museums, zoos and aquariums who have set up virtual tours and webcams of their facilities. 

Make A Paper Horse That Walks

Super fun project and the horse actually walks on its own down an incline. Best for kids in middle school, or assist a younger child due to the difficulty as the cut and fold must be precise for it to work.

Time For Kids

Free Digital Library for all grades for the remainder of the school year.

Shadow Drawing

Draw your favorite things while enjoying the sunshine or with the lamp in a cozy spot of your home.

Printable Activities and Games

This is not a free service, but inexpensive, offering engaging learning in meaningful ways for ages preschool thru 5th grade.

Imagineering In A Box

Disney partnered with Khan Academy for a free online program that brings together the diverse talents of Disney Imagineers around the world for a one-of-a-kind learning experience. The series offers 32 videos to share how they use a wide range of skills to create immersive experiences. 

Free Online Dance Class

 SamCam is a free online dance class based on YouTube. Once you have mastered the “FROZEN” theme song – simply follow the SamCam channel for additional classes. Sam offers classes for all ages, including teen Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, 15-minute workouts and more.

Get The Kids Moving

 Virtual PE Classes that are perfect for small spaces. Spending lots of time indoors can make exercise challenging. The kids will burn some energy with trainer Joe Wick, hosting free virtual PE Classes for all school-age kiddos. In fact, if you browse around his YouTube channel, you’ll find that he has something for everyone and all ages!

Free Online Karate Class

 This link will take you to the home page, where you can then click on the Avalon Karate Club Online Classroom to access all things Karate! 

Learn How To Draw

Free virtual drawing lessons featuring the bestselling book illustrator, Mo Willems. Willems first started his career in the children’s education at Sesame Street, where he worked as a writer and animator from 1993 to 2002. He will be posting a new video each day @ 1P EST.

Free Art Class For All Ages

 Ease some anxiety with art! You are able to access videos at any time after they have been posted.

Fluffy Paints

Magic Microwave Paint

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon of water per color

1 tablespoon of self-rising flour

Piping bag (optional)

 

Combine the flour and salt. Add a bit of water and stir until you get a smooth thin paste. Add food coloring to your desired color. Begin painting and once you have completed your design, pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds and watch the paint begin to puff. Be careful when you remove it as your art will be warm. The paint will completely set.

 

Puffy Sidewalk Paint

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1 tablespoon dish soap

4-10 drops food coloring or washable paint

 

In a large bowl, stir flour and water until there are no lumps, Add food coloring then pour the mixture into squeeze bottle. Make sure to use the same day you make it, doesn’t keep well.

 

Window Clings

Ingredients:

Shaving Cream

Elmer’s Glue

Food Coloring

Wax Paper  + Paint / Sponge Brush

 

Mix equal parts shaving cream and glue and add food coloring to your desired color. Paint onto wax paper in small shapes and designs. Let the paint dry overnight and then peel the paint from the wax paper. The shape will hold and you can place them directly on the window / mirror. You can also use construction paper to create your very own “3D” greeting cards.

 

If you don’t have paint brushes on hand you can use clothespins to hold: pom poms or felt balls, sponges or old pool noodles,

bubble wrap, leaves / feathers, rope / yarn, cotton balls, fruit netting, pipe cleaners.