Home Extra Activities: ParkDay@Home
We hope that these additional resources are helpful supplements to the ParkDay@Home program. ParentSquare remains Park Day School’s primary mode of communication, and that is where you will find resources, videos, curriculum, and conferencing links tailored to your child’s classroom.
KidLit children’s literature read alouds.
Stories Podcast – original and adapted stories.
What if World podcast – kid-generated stories that start with “What if …” questions.
Story Pirates podcast – hilarious stories and improv with some special celebrity guests.
Circle Round podcast – adapted folktales from around the world, put on by WBUR (NPR affiliate) mix orchestra/music, story telling.
Animal Sound Safari – takes your ears around the world to explore the weird and wacky histories humans have with animals.
Pinna audio archives featuring podcasts and audio books — 2 month free code with PINNA4KIDS.
Sparkle Stories podcast – original stories, legends, stories that support SEL and difficult moments (30-day free trial available).
Raz Kids — 90-day free trial.
Games that can be played on Zoom with others or online.
12 Virtual Museum Tours
Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cam
LEGO Quarantine Survival Challenge (join the Facebook group for daily LEGOmasters challenges)
Headwaters Science Institute Digital Lessons: weekly science lessons, live “lunch with a scientist” sessions, weekly challenges, and a virtual science fair. Recommended for middle school students.
Steve Spangler Science: experiments you can do at home with video instructions.
40+ pages of hands-on Maker Activity ideas with supply lists, blueprint design templates, and QR codes to share creations virtually.
Kids Think Design: design challenges and learning opportunities for all sorts of design interests including fashion, theater, animation, book design, architecture, product design, etc.
National Wildlife Foundation’s Ranger Rick kids online magazine is free until June 1. Animal videos, outdoor activities, monthly photo contest and more.
Tumble Science Podcast for Kids – exploring stories of scientific discovery put on by a science journalist and a teacher.
Brains on – Science podcast for kids cohosted by kid scientists and reporters from American Public Media.
Mystery Science video lessons for K-5.
Wow in the World podcast – science facts are shared and discussed with Mindy and Guy Razz – funny and engaging.
Tinkergarten – outdoor education DIY activities
Exploratorium online lessons and activities
NASA at home – activities and lessons from NASA
Find link to Innerbody on ParentSquare. Innerbody is a detailed interactive exploration of human anatomy, including skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular systems and more. Also includes details about the reproductive system. Families may want to make a personal call about sharing the link with young children who have not had health education yet. At Park Day School, health education begins in 4th grade.
Scholastic Story Starter writing prompt game for K-6th.
Handwriting Heros for early learners.
Typing Club for all ages.
IXL math activities K-8 online math “worksheets”. (password protected for Park Day families, visit ParentSquare for login information).
Virtual Nerd math video support for Middle Schoolers.
Best Short Stories for Middle Schoolers (includes text).
NPR’s Ari Shapiro teaches a current events class for his 5th grade niece and nephew. Includes posted content for students to read on Monday and a recorded discussion on Thursday. (5th/6th graders)
The Past and the Curious podcast – stories from the past with a professional music score and songs.
The Future of America’s Past videos for older learners.
World 101 instructional videos intended to help the American public build an understanding of some of today’s international relations and foreign policy issues for older students.
Mo Willems “Lunch Doodles” live at 10am PST M-F: “draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing.” Participate virtually daily or stream later (from the Kennedy Center)
Free Daily Art Lessons from Mark Kistler at noon CST daily (10am PST).
Rockalingua music based Spanish learning for younger students.
Theta Music Trainer: Music theory courses and games to sharpen your ear! Free during school closure.
Free family-friendly arts and crafts and baking and cooking classes at BluPrint.
Bay Area Children’s Theater Creativity Corner – interactive pretend play challenges and activity sheets
Dancing Alone Together: crowd-sourced aggregate of live streamed dance classes, arranged by date. Predominantly hosted through Instagram Live (some Zoom, some FB Live etc.)
Sworkit Kid Workouts videos to help kids stand up and move!
Cosmic Kids Yoga for students aged 3+
Down Dog Yoga and Barre and other fitness routines are free for students and teachers until July 1.
Movement Apps and games compiled by Common Sense Media (sortable by age)
GoNoodle Good Energy at Home – educational and entertaining videos and at-home activities to promote movement
TED Kids and Family podcast – fun videos to inspire, intrigue, and stir your imagination from some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers onstage at the TED conference, TEDx and partner events.
The Kids Should See This 4,300+ kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents.
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids (Vermont Public Radio) – kids ask the questions and the show finds the answers.
Noodle Loaf podcast – singing, dancing, play – interactive music-themed podcast for younger students.
Peace Out podcast – Relaxation/mindfulness stories for children.
Big Life Kids Podcast – encourages resilience and growth mindset, talks with “living heroes” who make a difference in our world today.
Cook-Along Classes with Raddish Kids – virtual cooking lessons for kids
Scholastic Learn at Home – 20 days of educational activities by grade level
Wide Open School – curated resources from creating daily schedules to science lessons to virtual field trips to much more!
The Mosaic Project Youtube channel: How do we actually build empathy across differences? How do we talk honestly about the social systems that impact our lives? How do continue to laugh, inspire action towards understanding, and have hope for the future? Check out The Mosaic Project!
Cosmic Kids: Mindfulness & Meditation for kids
Go Zen: Virtual programming & resources to manage stress & build resilience for kids & parents
Mindful Schools: Mindfulness classes for K-5 students
Navigating the New Normal – Parents Edition : 20 minute special providing simple strategies to help parents support their children through a crisis
Dr. Judson Brewer daily videos on managing coronavirus anxiety
New York Times Parenting: Why Is My Big Kid Acting Like a Toddler?
New York Times Parenting: 4 Ways to Help Your Anxious Kid
ADDitude Magazine on pandemic anxiety and coping strategies
ADDitude Magazine on daily structure
Recorded Webinar from Dr. Bibinaz Pirayesh “Schooling From Home: Surviving and Thriving this Adventure with Your Child with Learning Differences”
Common Sense Media resources for families
Talking to Kids about Coronavirus for parents