Free and Low Cost Activities for all Ages

By Caroline Smith, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Whittier Street Health Center

Activities for all Ages

1. Khan Academy- A FREE personalized education and learning source. Kids can practice at their own pace and get extra help in any subject. Expert created course content from preschool to grad school. khanacademy.org
2. ABC Mouse is a great online educational resource for kids ages 2-8- ABCmouse encompasses all key academic subject areas, including literacy, math, science, health, and social studies, and offers many art- and music- based activities https://www.ageoflearning.com/programs/#abcmouse
3. Discover BrainPop- A free and educational resource and lesson plans for kids of all ages- variety of topics even health, arts and music, engineering and technology https://www.brainpop.com/
4. Check out Scholastic- 15 days plus of home schooling resources and education plans from preschool to 9^th grade https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
5. Stem Activities- Great for learning science and math https://www.facebook.com/KiwiCo/videos/526865481571760/
6. Mystery Science- Free science lessons of their most popular topics for kindergarten through 5^th grade https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning
7. Make a learning space- set up a desk or designated spot at the kitchen table for homework. Having a specific place to do work really helps kids focus.
8. Write a letter- Send a snail mail letter to grandparents or a loved one that lives here or far away. Smaller children can even color a picture to mail.
9. Facetime Family members!
10. Watch a live puppy play room- https://explore.org/livecams/currently-live/service-puppy-cam
11. Bake or cook with your children- https://www.delish.com/easy-kid-recipes/
12. Start a digital quarantine- limiting screen time is recommended by your providers. When school, reading and other education tasks have been completed, you can give back their phone and tablets.
13. Kids aerobic or yoga class on YouTube- get that energy out! Children, teens, and adults need to be active for at least an hour a day https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
14. Have Recess- It is important for kids to go out and play. Go for a socially distant walk or ride a bike. With a helmet please!
15. Plant flowers- Spring is here! The Dollar store or home depot has seeds, dirt, and pots for very cheap and the family can start a garden in the house and transfer it outside if they have a yard. You can even start your seedlings in a plastic cup.

Toddler and Preschool

16. Make Pasta Jewelry- Paint or color it and then wear it! https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/macaroni-necklace-4175051
17. Set up a treasure hunt- Use objects you have in your house. Hide 10-20 items around the house or outside to keep kids occupied for a few hours. Younger kids can even do it by finding colors- https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/diys-to-distract-kids-4800407
18. Box Coloring- Put a Toddler or preschooler in an open box and let them color the inside. Don’t have to worry about coloring the walls of the house!
19. Make a Sensory Bin- For Toddlers and preschool. Amazing way to engage small children and keep them occupied for hours- https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/how-to-make-sensory-bins-sensory-play/
20. Water table- Fill a large Tupperware bin with soapy water and buckets, cups and let them stand outside the Tupperware and play in the water. Great for preschool and toddler. Always observe when your child is playing with water!
21. Frozen Ocean Animal Rescue- This can keep younger kids busy for hours with ice play- https://mamapapabubba.com/2014/01/08/frozen-ocean-animal-rescue-salt-water-ice-play/
22. Practice Opposites- Playing the opposites game is an educational exercise for toddlers. You say “in,” they say, “out.” You say, “on,” they say, “off.”
23. Make a kite then fly it outside as a family- http://littlebuttondiaries.com/2015/05/29/nap-time-crafts-fabric-kite-for-kids/
24. Practice cutting with scissors- Another good occupational therapy exercise for toddlers is practicing scissors. If you have safety scissors at home, watch and help children learn how to cut up old scrap paper. They can even practice by trying to cut along a traced line.
25. Fine motor activities for toddlers and preschoolers- http://mamaot.com/fine-motor-activities-using-household-items/
26. Shaving Cream paint- Have children especially preschoolers paint with shaving cream in the shower.
27. Virtual Music Class- Wonderful for babies and preschoolers on YouTube https://www.musictoyourhome.com/

28. Dance Class- http://www.missmelodee.com/ or https://www.gonoodle.com/ GoNoodle encourages kids (and families!) to get moving, whether that’s dancing, meditating, or just jumping around!
29. Play dress up!
30. Make a felt board- Good for younger children preschool-1^st Make in 15 min or less https://buggyandbuddy.com/make-your-own-felt-board-tutorial/

Kindergarten and First Grade

31. Make an obstacle course- Can be done inside or outside
32. Make a cardboard fort – Put those empty Amazon boxes to good use!
33. Art class- McHarper Manor is offering free arts and crafts lesson on Facebook live every day at 1 pm https://www.facebook.com/McHarperManor/
34. Virtual Farm- Children will love to learn what it takes to run a farm, meet animals, and more https://www.farmfood360.ca/
35. Make homemade mini pizzas! Supermarkets have readymade pizza dough or you can use English muffins
36. Crafts for Kindergarteners and First Grade- https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/crafts-for-kindergarteners-1254247
37. Set up indoor hop scotch- use painters tape or masking tape
38. Download and fill out free academic printables for 1^st and 2^nd graders- https://katie-simplycreativeteaching-com.ck.page/650dcb42ca

 2^nd Grade and Up

39. Make your own flashcards
40. Make pet rocks- find rocks outside and paint them into animals. What kind of pet do you want? https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/pet-rock-ideas/
41. Download books- Boston Public library and other town libraries allow you to download books to your device for free
42. Create an animal fact sheet- have your child pic out an animal to research. Can they make a fact sheet listing everything they know about that animal. Now do some research, after learning new facts be sure to add it to your fact sheet
43. Learn a new card game!
44. Uno
45. Puzzles- can even have children color a picture and then cut out pieces to make their own puzzle and trade with a sibling
46. Listen to an astronaut read from space!- NASA astronauts read stories to kids while they float around in space. https://storytimefromspace.com/
47. Coloring books
48. Hair braiding- Youtube different ways to braid your hair
49. Make your own playdough – https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
50. Gratitude Journal- In this trying time it’s important to remember what we are thankful for. Everyday write 3 things you are grateful for. Can even be as small as “I had my favorite breakfast today.” Helps create a more positive mindset.
51. Write a family book or story- Pick a character and each member writes a chapter about their adventure. Read aloud at the end!
52. Listen to a Pirate tell a story!- https://www.storypirates.com/podcast
53. Pictionary or Charades tournament
54. Teach the dog or cat a new trick
55. Join an online book club for kids- http://www.bookclubforkids.org/curriculum
56. Kid friendly podcasts the whole family can listen to. “But Why” is a particularly good one for curious kids. https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids#stream/0

“Stuff You Should Know” is also a great one https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-you-should-know-26940277/

“Kid Nuz” Age appropriate News and stories for Kids- https://www.kidnuz.org/

“Wow in the World”- For kids and grown ups, take a journey into the world around you. Explore your brain, space, and hear cool news stories in the world of science and technology – https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world

57. Checkers
58. Chess- Older kids and teens can learn to play chess
59. Spring clean as a family
60. Chores Bingo- Squares can include “put away your clothes,” “brush your teeth,” “put the dishes in the sink,” etc.
61. Have a family paint night- Every member of the family can try to paint the same subject or each come up with your own!
62. Learn how to knit or crochet- https://www.ravelry.com/account/login
63. Legos
64. Homemade ring toss- https://preschooltoolkit.com/blog/easy-to-make-rings-and-ring-toss-game/
65. Make masks for yourself or your local hospital or health center- https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/diy-face-masks-4800726
66. Make a sticker book
67. Make pirate ships from wine corks and float them- https://www.redtedart.com/easy-pirate-cork-boats/
68. Make a chalkboard town- https://www.designdazzle.com/chalkboard-town-fun-summer-activity-kids/
69. Make masks- https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/mask-crafts-1252693
70. Learn about insects- Good for 3^rd– 5^th grade https://ssec.si.edu/expedition-insects
71. Take a virtual glider around the world- Excellent for 2^nd graders https://ssec.si.edu/glider-guide
72. Learn all about Sugar- Great for 5^th grade https://ssec.si.edu/sugar-simulation
73. Learn about Weather- for 5^th-9^th grade https://ssec.si.edu/weather-lab
74. Origami- learn how to make origami on YouTube or here are 7 to get started https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/origami-projects-for-kids-4142802

75. Make your own soap- Wonderful for kids of all ages https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/how-to-make-soap
76. Make Slime!- A hit for all ages https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/slime-recipes-4171511
77. Watch Bill Nye the Science Guy- You can even do a science experiment with him – https://www.billnye.com/home-demos
78. Make Elephant Toothpaste- Creates enormous foam through a chemical reaction. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/make-elephant-toothpaste/
79. Film TikToks- Quarantine is the perfect time to choreograph and film a TikTok. Make one with the whole family!
80. Virtual field trip to Yellowstone National Park- See the hot springs, mud volcano and more! https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
81. Virtual field trip to Boston Children’s Museum- https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour
82. Explore Mars! https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
83. Dance Party- Kid Friendly Living Room dance party with DJ Mel! https://www.facebook.com/DJ-Mel-48330349120/
84. Virtual Zoos- from pandas, jellyfish to belugas! https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/zoos-aquariums/virtual-zoo-live-animal-cams
85. Virtual Tour of Sequoia National Park- See some the biggest trees in the world hundreds of feet tall in California https://earth.google.com/web/@47.92429467,-124.63806575,18.05378127a,281.36344761d,60y,11.31144523h,89.41041554t,0r/data=CjASLhIgZWMxMmFiY2MyZWQzMTFlOWE2NDI0NWEzN2RiYmYzMTEiCmdjc19pdGluXzE
86. Explore Africa- Learn more about the wildlife of Africa by checking out this African live camera at a watering hole. https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-watering-hole-animal-camera
87. Learn how to edit videos- a useful skill for older kids and teens. Use programs like iMovie or YouTube to learn a skill that’s practical for school or the real world
88. Make your own board game- https://blog.ed.ted.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Pen-Pen-Chen-TED-Ed-Innovation-Project-Game-Changing-Kids-additional-material.pdf

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/diy-board-games-4173048

89. Learn to Code! – Resource for kids and older children to learn the ins and outs of coding. https://mommypoppins.com/coding-kids-free-websites-teach-learn-programming
90. Fifteen awesome Science Fair projects- https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/science-fair-project-ideas-4172625
91. Write an opinion piece- Good for 3^rd grade and up. A great academic practice to get into, either after reading a book, doing research, or watching a movie, challenge your child to write an opinion piece about it. What they thought, what their opinions are, and if they’d recommend the book/movie/resource.
92. Go bird watching. In your yard or a park. Can you draw the bird you found or find it online?
93. Make a list of animals that live in your neighborhood- Can you draw them? Make a safari guide!
94. Practice instruments- If your child is learning an instrument, make sure they practice at least an hour a day
95. Home improvement project- fix something you’ve been meaning to

Hope this brings you and your children some fun and distraction during this time. This will be over soon and try to make the most of your time with your family.

Caroline Smith

Pediatric NP

Whittier Street Health Center

FREDERICA M. WILLIAMS BUILDING

1290 Tremont Street

Roxbury, MA 02120

Phone: 617 989 3173

Fax: 617 989 3068

Website:www.wshc.org

Comprehensive. Compassionate. Community

Championing Equitable Access to High Quality Health Care

Whittier Street Health Center is an urban health and wellness center accredited by the Joint Commission and recognized by the NCQA as a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home. Our mission is to provide reliable and accessible primary health care and social services for diverse populations, to promote wellness and to eliminate health and social disparities. Our vision is to serve as the premier urban health center for diverse populations.