25 + Educational Ways To Keep The Kids Busy- From a Former Teacher
Ok, if I’m being honest I’m playing a little fast and loose with the term teacher. I never technically had my own classroom. But I do have just a few units left before I earn my Masters in Education, and I spent over a year in a local elementary school as an in-house sub. Plus I do have a current GPA of 4.0, meaning I know a thing or two or writing a lesson plan.
That said, I’ve had many years of experience learning how to create meaningful lessons for littles- ones that often use free, everyday resources that we all have at our fingertips.
So in the midst of this craziness, I thought I could share a few resources you can use while home with the kiddos over the next few- or several- weeks.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, just a jumpstart for those of us that have run out of ideas, so please share your resources below!
Good luck!
Online Resources
StoryTime at Awnies- FREE resource on YouTube that makes for great story time during the day
Scholastic Learn At Home- Recently launched in light of the current crisis. Scholastic is now offering free day by day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing
Pinterest- My go-to resource for finding easy, accessible hands-on ideas for learning
Khan Academy- FREE educational app for kids ages 2-7
PreKinders - FREE preschool lessons and activities
ABC Mouse- Educational games, books, and puzzles. Offering a FREE 30 day trial.
Speakaboos- Our favorite reading app. Great for kids ages 2-6
Cosmic Yoga- Our favorite streaming yoga class for kiddos
virtual field trips
Yesterday I shared a link to several virtual field trips on Instagram Stories, and they were a huge hit. Here’s that link, plus a few more:
learn a language
Rock n Learn Spanish- Songs to enforce learning
Rock n Learn French- Songs to enforce learning
10 Everyday Activities that enforce learning
Activity: Baking + Cooking // Skills Reinforced: Math, Number Sense, Science
Activity: Dancing // Skills Reinforced: Spatial Awareness, Motor Skills, Imagination, Flexibility, Coordination, Self-Expression
Activity: Make Music // Skills Reinforced: Motor Skills, Imagination, Self-Expression
Activity: Dress Up // Skills Reinforced: Practice Imagination, Creativity, Empathy, Fine Motor Skills, Problem Solving, Emotional Development
Activity: Soccer // Skills Reinforced: Hand Eye Coordination, Perseverance, Team Work
Activity: Plant a Garden // Skills Reinforced: Planning, Organization, Nutrition, Responsibility, Science, The Five Senses
Activity: Chores // Skills Reinforced: Teamwork, Responsibility, Planning + Time Management
Activity: Write a Handwritten Letter // Skills Reinforced: Handwriting, Fine Motor Skills, Empathy, Interpersonal Skills, Emotional Development \
Activity: Yoga // Skills Reinforced: Gross Motor Skills, Flexibility, Concentration, Calmness, Spatial Awareness
Activity: Art // Skills Reinforced: Patients, Creativity, Fine Motor Skills, Imagination, Self-Expression
Resources I’ve Bought
Lesson Plans
Here’s a lesson plan I created for first grade. It can be adjusted for different grades and skill level- but if there’s a specific grade you’re looking for, let me know and I’ll try to find one!
You can also find free lesson plans here.
Earlier this week Maddie and I sat down and came up with some ideas for our summer. She’s enrolled in a few camps here and there, but for the most part we don’t have many plans and I’m really looking forward to some quality time together, just us two.
Always one to level up the fun, Maddie suggested we put all of our ideas in a “Summer Bucket List Jar,” and on unscheduled days we will draw from it and let fate decide what we do… Genius!