***Updated March 26, 2020 @ 2:49pm with more resources***
It’s one thing when the kids are on March Break, which is one week and rarely involves everyone trapped at home. This year, it’s likely to be so very different. While the stress of COVID-19 is already enough to negatively affect people’s mental health, bored children and teens aren’t likely to improve the situation. Here’s a list of resource that may help!
Note: the below are intended for kids, often young kids, however adults may very well benefit from these activities with or without children (sometimes it’s just easier to follow yoga aimed at a 7-year-old or a mindfulness session that involves rainbows).
- Audible (for kids): stream stories (in 6 languages) free as long as schools are closed — disponible en français y español
- Build Your Best Day: following the Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines, this interactive tool helps kids build their “best” day that incorporates the four pillars: sweat, step, sit, and sleep (and while your kid is at it, why not build YOUR best day to help bring some regularity to this wackiness) — disponible en français
- Chirp/Chickadee/Owl Magazine: science experiments, craft ideas, recipes, stories, games, videos, a contest each month, and more (no subscription required)
- Cosmic Kids: guided yoga for kids ages 3+ — disponible en español
- Early Learning Activities: activity cards for ages Pre-K – K based on Ontario’s Full Day Kindergarten curriculum and includes topics including balance, hygiene, healthy eating, learning to kick, and creative movement — disponible en français
- GoNoodle: dance, movement, and mindfulness follow-along videos aimed at kids
- Just Dance: pop music with simple(ish) dance moves that are clean(ish) and catchy
- Math Story Time: simple math concepts explained through stories for K – grade 2 — disponible en français
- Mathify: grades 6 – 10 free one-on-one online math tutoring provided by Ontario Certified Teachers to help students improve their math skills during set hours — disponible en français
- mPower: K – grade 6 online math games, requires free sign-up — disponible en français
- Scholastic Learn at Home: projects to keep kids pre-K to Grade 6 reading & thinking — disponible en español
- Storyline Online*: celebs read popular picture books + activity guides
- TFO: les vidéos et activités en français! — available in english
- TVOKids: videos, games, apps for pre-school and elementary kids — disponible en français
*I feel like this is one where the family starts watching together but in the end it’s just you, at 1:13am hooked on re-watching Betty White read Harry the Dirty Dog
Do Better. Be Better. 