Free Learning Websites for Kids
Computers are not a big deal to our kids. My generation was the last generation to not grow up with computers. Asking a kid to be excited about the internet is like asking my generation to be excited about refrigerators. As parents, it’s not realistic for us to say “No screens!” to our kids. Educational websites are essential for their learning. Schools use websites to teach.
| Website | URL |
| PBS Kids | PBSkids.org |
| Switcheroo Zoo | SwitcherooZoo.com |
| National Geographic for Kids | Kids.NationalGeographic.com |
| Amazon Free Time | AmazonFreeTime.com |
| Little Golden Books | LittleGoldenBooks.com |
| Starfall (reading and literacy) | Starfall.com |
| Fun Brain (math, reading, Wimpy Kid) | Funbrain.com |
| National Constitution Center | ConstitutionCenter.org |
| Into the Book | Reading.ECB.org |
| Khan Academy (math) | KhanAcademy.org |
| Storyline online (actors read to kids) | StoryLineOnline.net |
| Highlights (yes, that magazine!) | HighlightsKids.com |
The internet was not popular until after I was married. So no, I did not have free learning websites as a kid. In fact, I remember in college, there was one kid with a computer. One. He was a transfer student from a “city college” where computers were required. I think it was Drexel or LaSalle. But we treated him like a unicorn. A computer! All of his own! (yeah, that’s how old I am!)
Benefits of Online Learning for Kids
We hear so much negative stuff about excessive screen time (which is a problem!) it can be easy to forget that there is a ton of educational value. The internet has changed education and learning.
- The child can progress at their desired pace.
- Can do the work at home and control distractions.
- Learning websites usually offer a variety of learning methods, such as reading, audio and video.
- Educational websites are convenient for parents, especially for commuting and sibling sports practice.
Free Learning and Educational Websites
This list was put together several years ago, but I periodically update it to check links and add to it. Now, I’m also sorting it out by category.
Kid Learning Websites-Kindergarten
PBS Kids: Everything you love about PBS kids, all in one spot. All of your PBS favorites are here, Arthur, Wild Kratts, Clifford and so much more. There are games, songs, videos, puzzles, and printables to go along with themes and the educational programming you expect from PBS. There is a special parent section too so that you get better in your guidance as they play online. Website: PBSKids.org
Learning Websites-Science and Animals
Highlights for Kids: Remember when we were little, and the Highlights magazine was always in the waiting room when you went to the doctor? You can still get the magazine, but their website is full of great educational and fun stuff for kids…like science experiments! Website: HighlightsKids.com
Switcheroo Zoo: This website is all about animals! There are zoo related games, fact-finding and educational reading, coloring pages and now a free app. Great site for a virtual trip to the zoo when you just can’t get there in person, or as pre-learning before you go.
National Geographic for Kids: Memory games, puzzles, fun, and creepy facts, cool photos to look at…it all adds up to a great science experience for your child. If you want your kids to be excited about science, check out NGK.
Website: Kids.NationalGeographic.com
Reading and Language Websites for Kids
Amazon Free Time: Amazon Free Time is free for 30 days, and that will be plenty of time to know if it’s for your family or not. After that it’s only $3 a month. Within the first month, even if you don’t purchase, you’ll know what types of games, books and apps your kids like to do. Because you’ll have access to thousands of them!
Little Golden Books: Who doesn’t love Little Golden Books? And their website has great games and activities to accompany some of the stories we’ve grown to love. Website: LittleGoldenBooks.com
Into The Book: This is a great site for reading and literacy. It helps students identify the reading strategies (summarizing, inferring, prior knowledge, etc.) and helps them use the strategies together to become better readers. Website: Reading.ECB.org
Starfall: Starfall has different sections, some of it is free and some of it is not. It’s a site that is used by lots of homeschooling parents and has free lessons, reading, worksheets and more to help build literacy skills. Website: Starfall.com
StoryLineOnline: This site is cute and funny…and it’s reading. But parents, for the nights you want to just “phone it in” and not do storytime with the kids, you can go to this website and have your favorite Screen Actors Guild actor read one to them. For real. They promote reading and they have activity guides to go with the stories. Website: StoryLineOnline.net
Fun Math Websites for Kids
FunBrain: Math, reading or just for fun, that’s what you’ll find at FunBrain. You can choose activities by grade, all the way up to 12. They have MadLibs, Sudoku and other activities that may be too much for the primary school kids. You’ll also find Diary of a Wimpy Kid things here.
Khan Academy: No list is complete without Khan Academy. It started out (I think!) as just math but now they have just about everything. Their mission is simple: We’re a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing free world-class education for anyone anywhere.
Educational Websites: History and Civics
National Constitution Center: The National Constitution Center has a great list of educational resources on its website. There are videos, games, and so much more. And, it’s organized by grade level (k-12) and you can cross reference it to Common Core Standards.
There you go, 12 free educational websites. I hope it helps your kids enjoy learning, and moms feel less guilty about screen time!
- COUNTING TOYS: Develop math skills with these mini muffin counters
- LEARN & PLAY: Learn color recognition, matching, sorting, counting, and early math skills
- FINE MOTOR SKILLS TOYS: Squeezy Tweezers increase fine motor skills. Hone skills needed for writing by improving the fine motor pincer grasp
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: 1 muffin pan, 2 dice, Squeezy Tweezers, 12 double-sided sorting circle inserts, 60 mini muffin counters, and activity guide
- GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Whether you’re shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just because, toys from Learning Resources help you discover new learning fun every time you give a gift! Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Easter or even for Homeschool.
- Enhance creative play to make necklaces, snakes or designs while increasing fine motor skills
- Kids learn counting, patterning, and sorting
- Links are easy for young students to connect and separate
- Includes 500 links in 4 colors, activity guide, and storage bucket
- Ideal for ages 3 and up
- LEARN & PLAY: Fruity pie teaches early number skills, patterning, problem solving and visual processing and more
- KIDS TONGS DEVELOP FINE MOTOR SKILLS: Jumbo tweezers reinforce fine motor skills, especially fine motor pincer grasp. Sorting cards provide visual cues that support success
- This colorful counting pie includes 60 counters (7 fruits in 5 different colors), plastic pie plate with cover and removable divider, 3 double-sided sorting cards, 2 jumbo tweezers, and activity guide
- Pie measures 8.75” D
- GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Whether you’re shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just because, toys from Learning Resources help you discover new learning fun every time you give a gift! Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Easter or even for Homeschool.
- SKILL DEVELOPMENT: Problem solving, Fine motor skills, Following multi-step directions, Sequential thought, Math concepts, Making predictions, Observation
- PRESCHOOL SCIENCE: Supports early hands-on scientific exploration through fun activities and lab gear!
- ACTIVITY CARDS INCLUDED: Kids can follow the step-by-step instructions on the included activity cards and jot down their findings in the write & wipe journal
- SCIENCE KITS: Deluxe Lab Set Includes: 2 test tubes with stand, dropper, 2 funnels, safety glasses, adjustable stand, 2 connector tubes, 3 stoppers, sensory tube with 2 lids, ViewScope with case, and 20 activity cards.
- TODDLER SCIENCE GOGGLES: Great for any toddler ages 3+
- MATH skills meet dinosaur building fun in this MathLink Cubes activity set!
- LEARN kindergarten math skills including sequencing, addition and subtraction, and more!
- SOLVE challenges, puzzles, and more with 15 double-sided activity cards!
- BUILD with 100 MathLink Cubes in 10 dino-themed colors!
- GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Whether you’re shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just because, toys from Learning Resources help you discover new learning fun every time you give a gift! Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Easter or even for Homeschool.
- FINE MOTOR GAMES FOR KIDS: Build fine motor skills with chunky, peg-shaped pieces that fit to the back of this friendly hedgehog. Also use Spike as for occupational therapy exercises
- DEVELOP: Colorful quills help kids build color recognition, sorting, and counting skills through fine motor skill games. Spike is also a great toy for visually impaired children!
- TODDLER TOYS: Now fine motor intrinsic toys come with easy to grasp pieces that are just the right size for little toddler and preschool hands to hold. Fine motor set includes 2-piece hedgehog about 6” in diameter, 12 quills, and activity guide
- EASY STORAGE: When playtime over the quills easily fit in the Hedgehog
- GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Whether you’re shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just because, toys from Learning Resources help you discover new learning fun every time you give a gift! Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Easter or even for Homeschool.
When you purchase items from Amazon from this site, I receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting A Day in our Shoes.
