Dear Parents, your computer is your quarantine friend



17 suggested websites you and your kids will love

17 suggested websites you and your kids will love


The kids are home unexpectedly. There are hours to fill and learning to do. You’ve got this. Here is a list of online resources to ensure your kids are busy and happy during this “mini-vacation.”

Good Kids’ Websites

A great website for children will offer quality content and lots of interactive choices. More than just color pages, these sites will have interactive games, downloadables and will relate to real learning. Take a look.

www.sesamestreet.org Pre-schoolers love Sesame Street and always will. The online site continues with early learning fun and games.

www.pbskids.org is already anticipating the need for new and fun games and videos for kids. They have an additional daily activity for kids during the break in regular classroom learning.

www.scholastic.com has provided a free daily learning curriculum for pre-school through sixth graders. This free resource will keep your kids thinking and learning about the world around them. A real gift.

www.khanacademy.org This remarkable free resource has special lessons and activities for continued learning during this corona virus quarantine. Just go to the site, sign in as a parent and create an account for each of your children. You’ll find tons of learning opportunities and easy to follow lessons there.

www.howstuffworks.com is a wonderful science, technology and culture site for older kids. Each article explains how something works with words, videos and illustrations.

www.gutenberg.org is a library of over 60,000 free e-books. This is the world’s greatest literature available for free at your fingertips.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ The usual wonderful content about animals, culture, science and more with videos, games and lots of fun as they learn.

READ MORE: Staying at home? Mom blogs to the rescue

Great Reading Websites

Reading websites abound. Check out some of these and challenge your children to listen and engage with wonderful kids’ literature.

www.storylineonline.net Your child can listen to wonderful children’s literature read aloud by celebrated actors.

www.readtomeintl.org Mrs. Read for Fun has some reading surprises in store for young readers.

www.oxfordowl.co.uk/ This wonderful educational site from Oxford University Press will fill hours with learning and fun.

www.abcya.com offers lots and lots of online games designed to support learning in reading and math for Pre-K through sixth grade.

www.storynory.com offers free audio stories for learners of all ages

Great Author Websites

Many authors maintain websites to help kids interact with their stories and characters. Check out the ones below and have some fun.

www.mowillems.com/ You gotta love Mo with his pigeon stories and all. He currently has a fun activity for kids called Daily Doodles.

www.kevinhenkes.com You’ll find lots of fun activities, videos and games. Choose your favorite Kevin Henkes book and play the games with those characters.

www.janbrett.com Everyone loves Jan Brett’s beautifully illustrated stories for kids. Check out her latest and don’t forget the old favorite stories as well.

www.ericcarle.com Choose downloads and activities under resources and away you go.

www.rosemarywells.com Want to make some cupcake toppers or play Pin the Tail on Max? You’ll find the downloads here.

Why not ask your kids about their favorite authors or book titles? Chances are they will show up in an online search and take your kids deeper into the world of reading.



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Kids aren't eating fruits and veggies

    Happiest Baby's Dr. Harvey Karp has tips to change that

    A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 32% of 1- to 5-year-olds did not eat a single piece of fruit a day and nearly one half (~49%) didn't eat any vegetables a day. Roughly 51% drank a sugar-sweetened beverage, like fruit drinks or soda, at least once a week. read more »
  • 5 sleep habits essential for heart health

    Make sure you get your zzz's with these tips

    In the days following a time change due to daylight saving time, research shows a marked increase in heart attacks and strokes. However, losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. read more »
  • Take these 6 steps to manage your blood pressure

    Hypertension can be dangerous

    High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more »
  • Make your St. Patrick's Day spread green with envy

    These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or an appetizer

    Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family. read more »
  • Lucky mint brownie perfection

    A twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate

    How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year. read more »
  • 3 ways parents can encourage social emotional learning in children

    Parents focus on social emotional skills, mental health, kindness and understanding differences

    Most parents would agree the quality of their children’s education plays a key role in their overall development. While parents are optimistic about the future of education, they also recognize children have educational needs beyond what is considered the standard. read more »
  • Selecting a health care provider

    Resources to guide your selection

    Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you’re just getting started with Medicare or have changes in your life, such as a new diagnosis of a condition or disease. It can be overwhelming if you need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care. read more »
  • 5 simple solutions for proper nasal hygiene

    Keep your nasal passages clean, clear and moisturized

    Your nose is essential for conditioning the air you breathe and serves as the first line of defense against dust, pollution, bacteria, viruses and more. The presence of these substances in your nasal passages can trigger infections, disease and illness. read more »
  • Have a bump on your foot?

    Don’t ignore it

    Have a lump or bump on your foot? Whether it’s painful or not, it could potentially signal a serious condition. Foot and ankle surgeons warn it’s important to have it checked out, no matter its size or location on your foot. read more »
  • Fun Easter 'Egg-turnatives'

    4 creative alternatives to decorating eggs this Easter

    While decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back centuries, the high cost of eggs may make it more difficult for some families this year. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find creative ways to keep the season special and create memories with loved ones. read more »