Links for Little Children

Stories & Reading

A collection of animated, narrated picture books that kids can follow along with word for word. One of our favorites is Wiggle by Doreen Cronin.

Storyline Online 

Videos of famous actors like Viola Davis, Allison Janney, Chris Pine, Wanda Sykes, Justin Theroux, and Betty White reading stories with animated illustrations. 

Check out picture books and try their Read Along stories with audio narration. Search for “picture books” or “read along.” 

Storytime from Space 

Picture books shared by astronauts on the International Space Station.

Save with Stories  

An Instagram page started specifically in response to COVID-19  featuring celebrities reading children's books.

Authors reading their own stories

A long list of authors doing online read alouds and other activities on social media

Teaching Books

This is another good place for picture books and read-alongs. There are also books for older siblings, plus "meet-the-author" videos and more. Use password "Skokie."

Podcasts

Audible Stories

Stories in 6 different languages for all ages now available for free.

Story Pirates

Actors and comedians perform stories written by kids, music included!

Planet Storytime 

An entertaining, educational show that fires the imagination.

Ear Snacks

Fun podcast for the whole family featuring lots of music, art, science, and culture.

All About Dinosaurs!

If dinosaurs are your thing, check out this great list of podcast episodes for ages 3 and up. 

The Story Seeds Podcast

Kids ages 6-12 are paired with published authors to create and grow a story together. The results are inspiring! For all ages.

Art & Printables

Coloring Nature 

Over 600 mostly nature-themed coloring sheets for little ones as well as adults. 

123 Homeschool 4 Me

Free printable worksheets, coloring pages, and more for pre-K through 3rd grade.

Read to Feed Coloring Pages

Heifer International’s coloring sheets to print for pre-K through 4th grade. Their resource page also has PDF books, ideas for action, and more.

All Kids Network

Tons of printable coloring pages, mazes, optical illusions, paint by number activities, Sudoku puzzles, and more for all ages. Requires a free account.

National Museum of Mexican Art 

Enjoy some coloring sheets and fun activities such as I Spy. 

#ColorOurCollections 

A huge selection of free coloring pages provided by over 100 museums and libraries including The New York Academy of Medicine Library, Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and The Canadian Canoe Museum.

Food

Nomster Chef
Easy to follow illustrated recipes for meals and snacks that can be filtered by dietary restrictions and preferences.

Movement, Music, and Meditation

Skokie Sing-Alongs

Skokie librarians and teachers singing familiar songs on YouTube.

The Laurie Berkner Band

Songs and dance-along videos by the renowned children's musician. Try When I Woke Up Today

GoNoodle

Head to this site to get active, or if you need a mindfulness break.

Sesame Street 

Classic and contemporary Sesame Street songs and skits on YouTube.

Jbrary

Playlists of familiar songs, fingerplays, and rhymes.

Intellidance 

Knee bounce rhymes and songs for infants and toddlers.

Baby Shark Hand Washing Song 

A fun and catchy way for kids to practice good hand hygiene.

Cosmic Kids Yoga and Guided Meditation

These fun and engaging yoga and meditation classes are a great family activity and include the retelling of favorite stories and characters by Miss Jaime.

Learning Fun

Vroom

Created by the Bezos foundation, this early literacy site is filled with fun tips and activities for parents and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. 

Scholastic Learn at Home

Day by day projects for pre-K-8.

Kohl Children’s Museum

Home Zone features STEAM activities, stories, and virtual field trips, some in Spanish as well as English.

Starfall

Free, engaging educational games for pre-K through 3rd grade.

PBS Kids

Packed with all kinds of fun ideas. Sign up for a free daily newsletter with tips and ideas.

My First Garden

Bilingual (English/Spanish) site for elementary school-aged children and their grown-ups. Great for both beginners who need help reading the back of a seed pack and junior master gardeners who are looking for expert advice. 

Google Earth

The world's most detailed globe! Explore the Earth without leaving home.

Hour of Code

Coding activities for preschool and up.

Animals

San Diego Zoo

Learn about your favorite wild animals. Includes many live webcams and a fun story section featuring the amazing work zoologists, veterinarians and other zoo workers--like how to put a cast on a rhinoceros's broken toe!

San Diego Zoo Kids

Games, activities, stories, and videos about your favorite zoo animals.

Smithsonian Institute: Fun Stuff for Kids and Teens

Amazing free resource with dozens of fun activities, ideas, and live webcams for virtual field trips. Learn to make an art bot, a collagasaurus, view the cheetah cubs just born on April 8, and more.

Georgia Aquarium

Lots of fun facts about animals. Click on live webcam to observe them in real time or head to the Animals section, pick one you want to know more about, and impress your family! 

The Shedd Aquarium’s Virtual Reality Penguin Expedition

Explore the penguins’ habitat and behind-the-scenes areas at the aquarium to learn all about caring for penguins from the experts. 

Stay Home with the Shedd Aquarium

Video and activity series that bring you face-to-face with the remarkable animals of the Shedd Aquarium. 

Smithsonian’s National Zoo Education Activities at Home

Activities and resources with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation for grades Pre-K and up. 

Become a Neighborhood Naturalist

Take a virtual walk with naturalist Gabriel Willow, at the Wave Hill public garden in Bronx, NY, and learn about birds, plants and other wonders of nature.