Ideas to keep your kids happy!

Merge 104.8  |  10 April 2020

With all school cancelled for four weeks in Oman due to Coronavirus, and parents advised to keep their children at home, here’s some links to great free learning resources to keep your kids engaged.

Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org

Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. This uses the U.S. grade system but it’s mostly common material.

BBC Learning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/

This site is no longer updated but there’s much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. Some content not available outside the UK.

Futurelearn
https://www.futurelearn.com

Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).

Seneca
https://www.senecalearning.com

For those revising at GCSE or A level. Tons of free revision content. Paid access to higher level material.

Openlearn
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some e.g. nature and environment courses could well be of interest to young people.

Blockly
https://blockly.games

Learn computer programming skills – fun and free.

Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/

Creative computer programming

Ted Ed
https://ed.ted.com

All sorts of engaging educational videos

National Geographic Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/

Activities and quizzes for younger kids.

Duolingo
https://www.duolingo.com

Learn languages for free. Web or app.

Mystery Science
https://mysteryscience.com

Free science lessons

The Kids Should See This
https://thekidshouldseethis.com

Wide range of cool educational videos

Crash Course
https://thecrashcourse.com

You Tube videos on many subjects

Crash Course Kids
https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids

As above for a younger audience

Crest Awards
https://www.crestawards.org

Science awards you can complete from home.

iDEA Awards
https://idea.org.uk

Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.

Paw Print Badges
https://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk

Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.

Tinkercad
https://www.tinkercad.com

All kinds of making.

Prodigy Maths
https://www.prodigygame.com

Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age.

Cbeebies Radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio

Listening activities for the younger ones.

Nature Detectives
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/

A lot of activities that can be done in a garden!

British Council
https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/find

Resources for English language learning

Oxford Owl for Home
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/

Lots of free resources for Primary age

Big History Project
https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home

Aimed at Secondary age. Multi disciplinary activities.

Geography Games
https://world-geography-games.com/world.html

Geography gaming!

The Artful Parent
https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/

Good, free art activities linked to from this Facebook page

Red Ted Art
https://www.redtedart.com

Easy arts and crafts for little ones

The Imagination Tree
https://theimaginationtree.com

Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.

Toy Theater
https://toytheater.com/

Educational online games

DK Find Out
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/?fbclid=IwAR2wJdpSJSeITf4do6aPhff8A3tAktnmpaxqZbkgudD49l71ep8-sjXmrac

Activities and quizzes

Twinkl
https://www.twinkl.co.uk

This is more for printouts, and usually at a fee, but they are offering a month of free access to parents in the event of school closures.