Our librarians have compiled some free online entertainment and learning resources for caregivers and kids to enjoy at home. This list is being updated all the time, so remember to check back often!
Storytimes and more
- Click here for Bethlehem Public Library’s online storytime kits, a schedule for upcoming virtual storytimes, and more!
- Check out an archive of Mo Willems’ doodling livestreams.
- Jarret Krosoczka is periodically live streaming a drawing tutorial video. Click here for more information.
- Storyline is an online story time website that has won awards. You will be asked to choose to view the stories in YouTube, Vimeo or www.storylineonline.net.
- Day By Day NY is NYS’s early literacy website (also available in Spanish) posts a new song and story every day: daybydayny.org
- Astronauts reading from the International Space Station: storytimefromspace.com/library
- The Library of Congress has resources for people of all ages – including videos with Dav Pilkey, where kids can watch him draw and read aloud! loc.gov/engage
- KidLit TV has a multitude of fun children’s literature resources, from videos of authors reading their own books to fun book-related crafts and activities. Click here for more.
Virtual excursions
- Click here to go on a virtual field trip with The Nature Conservancy Nature Lab.
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San Diego Zoo kids.sandiegozoo.org
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Explore Yellowstone National Park, including the hot springs and a mud volcano!
www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-mammoth-hot-springs-trails.htm -
Farm tours! This Canadian site offers 14 different farm tours: www.farmfood360.ca
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Explore the surface of Mars with the Mars Rover accessmars.withgoogle.com
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Live cams at the San Diego Zoo zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
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Live cams at the Monterey Bay Aquariums www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams
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Panda cam at the Atlantic Zoo zooatlanta.org/panda-cam
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National Zoo’s webcams: nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams
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Animal cams at the Houston Zoo www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams
- The Georgia Aquarium has a bunch of live webcams you can stream of the animals from home: www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager
- Take a virtual field trip to the Louvre: www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
- Boston Childrens’ Museum www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour
- Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/met-360-project
- Great Wall of China www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
- British Museum online: britishmuseum.withgoogle.com
- National Gallery of Art: artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc?hl=en
- J Paul Getty Museum: artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-j-paul-getty-museum?hl=en
- Monterey Bay Aquarium (live feeds, guided meditation with jellyfish, etc.): Click here to watch.
- Take a virtual tour of famous libraries. Click here.
- The New York State Museum has started offering virtual “field trips” and has more resources on their website: http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/resources
- I Love NY has compiled a list of New York State virtual field trips and live cams: www.iloveny.com/blog/post/new-york-states-best-online-events-virtual-tours-and-livecams
- Go on a virtual African safari by viewing live camera feeds: www.africam.com/wildlife/index.php
- Join the Cincinnati Zoo for videos that offer a virtual exploration of their animals, followed by an animal activity you can do at home. Click here.
- Even though you can’t get out and explore the world in person, you can explore cool panoramic views of many of the world’s famous cities and landmarks: www.360cities.net
Home learning resources
- Skype a Scientist
- The ALA notable children’s book list: www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb
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Talking is Teaching has some nice early literacy resources: talkingisteaching.org/resources
- Digital Passport by Common Sense Education is a good resource for learning about successful digital citizenship/engagement: www.digitalpassport.org. Another good site NetSmartzKids: www.netsmartzkids.org.
- Free webinars from New York Genealogical Society.
- Imagineering in a Box.
- NASA has made their entire media library free and available to the public. images.nasa.gov
- NASA STEM Activities for Kids and Families: www.nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-k-4.html
Music and concerts
- Daily concert with Laurie Berkner
- Enjoy videos and sound recordings from the Chamber Music Society.