Helpful Online Resources

The Belmont Library Children’s and Reference staff has worked hard to create a list of fun and helpful resources for you and your family to enjoy, for homeschooling or just for fun.

Enjoy drawing lessons from authors, live streams from the New England Aquarium, math curriculum, and much more.

Email Deborah at [email protected] with any questions.

Essential Local Services 

Food Resources

Internet Services

Content From Authors/Book Characters

Pete the Cat — http://www.petethecatbooks.com/songs/
Content: Songs and animation from your friend Pete the Cat!
Audience: Preschool

Grace Lin — Videos for Kids — https://www.gracelin.com/content.php?page=videos
Content: Books Read Aloud and Drawing Lessons from the bestselling author of the Pacy Lin series and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon among many others
Audience: Upper Preschool, Elementary

Grace Lin Podcast — Kids Ask Authors — https://www.kidsaskauthors.com/
Content: Authors answer all kinds of questions from kids, as well as recommending books and telling jokes.
Audience: Elementary

At Home with Kwame Alexander — http://athomewithkwame.com
Content: Kid favorite bestselling author of The Crossover, Booked, and many others presents lessons on poetry, writing, and illustrating.
Audience: Elementary and Middle School

Write with Kate DiCamillo — https://www.facebook.com/KateDiCamillo/
Content: The charming bestselling author of Because of Winn Dixie, Tale of Despereaux, and many others teaches Lessons on how to write creatively
Audience: Elementary

John Rocco — Storytime Videos — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGJutvK0jmvg6TCYx73gVo_O0ELYRb8M
Content: Stories read out loud from the author and artist behind the beloved favorites Blackout and Blizzard.
Audience: Upper Preschool/Elementary

Kate Messner — Ranger in Time Book Club — https://www.katemessner.com/the-ranger-in-time-book-club/
Content: Bestselling author Kate Messner reads two new chapters a week from her book Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail. This is a great series for anyone who loves dogs, history, and time travel all in one place!
Audience: Elementary/All who love dogs and adventure

Dav Pilkey At Home — https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/books/dav-pilkey-at-home/
Content: Check here every week for drawing lessons and read alouds from the creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man.
Audience: Elementary

Harry Potter at Home — https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home
Content: Play Harry Potter games, make wizarding crafts, and enjoy all kinds of online magic.
Audience: Elementary/Harry Potter fans of all ages

Harry Potter Read Aloud — https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/harry-potter-at-home
Content: Hear chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone read aloud by surprise guests including Daniel Radcliffe.
Audience: Harry Potter fans of all ages

DC Kids Camp — https://twitter.com/DCComicsKids?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Content: Learn how to draw your favorite superheros, play games, color, and enjoy all kinds of superhero related fun.
Audience: Superhero Fans of All Ages

Jason Reynolds — Write. Right. Rite Series — https://guides.loc.gov/jason-reynolds/grab-the-mic/wrr
Content: Learn how to right with an authentic voice with Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of the Track series and many more. Videos will be posted biweekly.
Audience: Elementary and Middle School

Magic Tree House Home Adventures – https://www.magictreehouse.com/go/
Content: Read, explore, cook, do trivia and have fun with Jack and Annie and creator Mary Pope Osborne with new content every week from now until May 22nd.
Audience: Ages 7 and up, or for Magic Tree House fans of all ages.


Everyday Activities w/ Author

  • Draw Every Day with JJK (Jarret Krosoczka)  — Weekdays at 2:00

Content: Learn how to draw with the author and artist behind the Lunch Lady and Jedi Academy: A New Class series, as well as the award winning memoir Hey Kiddo.
Audience: Elementary, Middle School

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems — Weekdays at 1:00pm https://www.kennedy-center.org/mowillems
Content: Want to draw like Mo Willems? Watch these videos from the creator of the Pigeon and the Elephant and Piggie series.
Audience: Elementary
See also http://pigeonpresents.com/vid-e-mos/ 

Daily Read Aloud with Oliver Jeffers — Weekdays at 2pm on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/oliverjeffers/
Content: The author and illustrator of Stuck, Lost and Found, and many others reads his award winning books.  
Audience: Elementary

Daily Read Aloud with Peter Reynolds — Weekdays at 12pm on Facebook
Content: Get some daily inspiration and joy with the author and illustrator of The Dot, Ish, and many others.
Audience: Elementary

Mac Barnett’s Book Club Show — Weekdays at 3pm EST on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/macbarnett/
Content: Tune in to daily videos from the hilarious author behind Guess Again?, Square, and many more.  
Audience: Elementary

Mac Barnett’s Book Club Show: Chapter Books After Dark — 
Weekdays at 8pm EST on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/macbarnett/
Content: Mac Barnett, and his dog Henry read chapters outloud from his hilarious bestselling adventure series, Mac B: Kid Spy.
Audience: Elementary

Read Aloud with Dan Gutman on Facebook — Weekdays at 2:00 — https://tinyurl.com/qrbuuyy
Content: The hilarious author of the My Weird School series will read a chapter a day from his popular series. No account necessary.
Audience: Elementary

YouTube Channels featuring Read Alouds, Drawing Lessons, Music, and more


Authors Everywhere! — Read Alouds, Drawing Lessons, and Writing Lessons from your Favorite Children’s Authors — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCowhHSUaWp3KJDcuI0nR0vw/featured
Audience: Elementary 

KidLit TV — Read Alouds, Drawing Lessons, and Music from various Children’s Authors — https://www.youtube.com/user/KidLitTV/featured
Audience: Elementary

StorylineOnline — Read Alouds of Children’s Books by Actors — https://www.youtube.com/user/StorylineOnline
Audience: Elementary

Brightly Storytime — Read Alouds of Children’s Books — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvQagFNHMrGgQpYunk4rHXg/featured
Audience: PreK- 5th

Storyplace: The Children’s Digital Learning Place Library — https://www.storyplace.org/front
Content: Interactive stories and games related to a large variety of themes.
Audience: Toddler and Preschool

SaveWithStories Instagram — Read Alouds of Children’s Books by Actors — https://www.instagram.com/savewithstories/

Read Along with Michelle Obama — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyhgubvRYF4
Content: Former First Lady Michelle Obama reads favorite picture books outloud including The Gruffalo, There’s a Dragon in your Book, and more.
Audience: Toddler and Preschool

Local Artists and Educational Programs

Matt Heaton Concerts Live –– https://www.facebook.com/pg/mattheatonmusic/videos/?ref=page_internal
Content: Concerts from one of Belmont’s Favorite Visiting Musicians; surf inspired sounds for original and classic songs
Audience: Toddler/Preschool

Emily Hall Videos (Music with Emily) — https://musicwithemily.com/tagged/watch
Live Music Classes — Facebook.com/musicwithemily1
Content: Music from teacher and local favorite Emily Hall. Active originals and fun versions of favorites.
Audience: Toddler/Preschool

Mad Science at Home Activities — https://www.madsciencepromo.com/athomeexperiments
Content: Science experiments and demos from Belmont’s local science and fun experts.
Audience: Preschool/Elementary 

Stay School from Our Friends at Watertown Family Network — https://wpsearlychildhoodcommunity.weebly.com/
Content: At home activities from the group that brings the Belmont Library its weekly playgroups; program offered through the CFCE Grant, and administered by the Watertown Public Schools, and funded by a grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care.
Audience: Toddler/Preschool


Virtual Fiestas with Rockabye Beats — https://www.facebook.com/rockabyebeats/
Content: Have an at home party with Marcos Valles and his friends! We love having Marcos visit the Belmont Library, and now you can experience the fun of his concerts and learn about music right form home.
Audience: Toddler/Preschool

Make a Puppet Show from Author David Hyde Costello and the Palmer Public Library — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk8VkarnIobwJQLU3IBwKMg
Content: Brought to us by the Palmer Public Library, author and artist David Hyde Costello shows us how to make our own puppet stage and theater and even lets kids decide what will happen in the show.
Audience: All Ages

Toe Jam Puppet Band — https://www.facebook.com/pg/toejampuppetband/posts/
Content: Draw with Mr. Vinny and sing along to favorite songs with at home activities from this Massachusetts favorite comedic musicians and performers.
Audience: Preschool/Early Elementary

Henry Frost Children’s Program Morning Meetings — https://www.facebook.com/henryfrostprogram/
Content: Enjoy virtual preschool activities from Belmont’s own Teacher Iris and Teacher Claire. Mondays through Fridays at 9:00 and 11:00.
Audience: Preschool
Note: Participation requires a Facebook account

Belmont Gallery of Art Virtual Exhibits —https://www.facebook.com/belmontgalleryofart/
https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/291813465/belmont-gallery-of-art/?hl=en
Content: Until the Belmont Gallery of Art can reopen to the public, enjoy virtual exhibits and art activities on their social media pages.
Audience: All Ages

Duct Tape Network — https://www.instagram.com/ducttapenetwork/ or https://www.facebook.com/DuctTapeNetwork/
Content: Use every day objects to bring stories and inventions to life, while teaching your family essentials of engineering and creating.
Audience: Ages 7 and up

General Lessons/ School Support

Scholastic Learn at Home — https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Content: Free lesson ideas, exercises, and educational support on a wide range of subjects and for a variety of ages.
Audience: Pre-K Through Middle School 

Beyond the Chalkboard — http://www.beyondthechalkboard.org/
Content: Hundreds of free activities and lessons of all subjects.
Audience: All Ages

Sesame Street Online — https://www.sesamestreet.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sesamestreet
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/sesamestreet?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Content: See Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and all your other friends from Sesame Street offer education and fun for kids and their grown ups too.
Audience: Toddler/Preschool

Sesame Street in Communities — https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/
Content: Games, lessons, activities, and resources for educators and parents to help young children learn a variety of topics ranging from handwashing to getting along with siblings to handling change. Also includes difficult topics such as addiction and grieving.
Audience: Parents/Caregivers of Toddlers and Preschoolers

Daniel Tiger’s Managing and Expressing Feelings — https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/managing-expressing-feelings/
Content: Navigate some tough feelings and issues with the help of PBS’ Daniel Tiger and his friends.
Audience: Preschoolers and their Caregivers
See More Lessons from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood  — https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/daniel-tigers-neighborhood/

Lakeshore Learning Free Online Resources — https://tinyurl.com/wyxpbeb
Content: Educational toy store Lakeshore Learning has created a space for many free lesson plans, worksheets, craft ideas and more. Please note that while these resources are free, Lakeshore Learning is a for profit toy store.
Audience: All Ages 

Wonderopolis — https://www.wonderopolis.org/
Content: What is a mangrove? Who was Soujourner Truth? Whatever it is that you are wondering about, Wonderopolis will provide the answers through reading and activities.
Audience: Grades 1 and Up

Learn to Type

Typing Jungle from Typing Club — https://www.typingclub.com/sportal/program-3.game
Content: Teach your kids fun typing by touch in short, fun lessons.
Audience: Elementary

Dance Mat Typing — https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf2f9j6/articles/z3c6tfr
Content: Play games and learn to type at the same time!
Audience: Elementary

Reading/Language Arts

Audible Stories: Free Audiobooks from Audible.com and Amazon —  https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Content: Listen to free audiobooks for kids, as well as adults, with content ranging from Winnie the Pooh to Minecraft. While this service is provided by Amazon, no log-in or purchase is required.
Audience: All Ages

Tongue Twister Database from the British Council — For Fun and to Help with Speech Exercises — http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/tongue-twisters
Content: From eleven elves licking liquorice lollipops to Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, have fun with language and practice speech.
Audience: All Ages


Reading Rockets — Launching Young Readers — https://www.readingrockets.org
Content: Teachers explain different reading strategies, lessons, and exercises to help children learn to read and connect with literature.
Audience: For parents and caregivers of children of all ages. 

Spanish Children’s Stories — https://www.thespanishexperiment.com/stories
Content: Listen to classic fairy tales in Spanish, watch animated versions, and translate the stories into English. Be sure to also check out the free Spanish language lessons.
Audience: Preschool/Early Elementary 

Zoom with Watertown Family Network’s Spanish Speaking Playgroup — https://wpsearlychildhoodcommunity.weebly.com/
Content: Join Watertown Family Network’s Spanish speaking playgroup virtually every Friday at 10:30. In order to join, please email [email protected]for a link to the Zoom session.
Audience: Toddler and Preschool

Powers Music School — https://www.facebook.com/powersmusicschool
Content: View virtual concerts and music class options for preschoolers from the remarkable Powers Music School.
Audience: All Ages

Music and Dance

Laurie Berkner Videos —https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc-PKsreUL0&list=PLrcfJyLiLpob7i3aANsULBiYsNVGc7jJ4&index=2
Content: Favorite songs and fun videos from the preschool icons who have brought us We are the Dinosaurs and Drive my Car.
Audience: Toddler/Preschool

At Home Resources from Garth Prince — https://garthprince.com/resources.html
Content: Want to learn about music AND be active at the same time? Edmonton based musician Garth Prince shows us how. This musician and teacher is recommended by our own Rubi Lichauco from our wonderful Music and Movement with Rubi program!
Audience: Upper Preschool/Elementary

Jam with Jamie — Our Virtual World — https://jamwithjamie.com/virtual-jam-sessions/
Content: Free concerts and performances in many musical styles. Even includes a special guest appearance from Laurie Berkner!
Audience: Toddler and Preschool

Metropolitan Opera Nightly Opera Stream — https://www.metopera.org/nightly-opera-stream/
Content: Streaming performances of the many amazing works of New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Performances are available for 24 hours after each airing.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Adults (and all who are music lovers).

Complete Schoolhouse Rock Series Videos — https://tinyurl.com/sp5b9rl
Content: From “Conjunction Junction”, to “I’m Just a Bill”, your kids will sing along and learn at the same time to the classic content from Schoolhouse Rock.
Audience: Elementary, Middle School, Grown Ups of all Ages

Alvin Ailey All Access Dance — https://www.alvinailey.org/ailey-all-access
Content: New York City’s groundbreaking, world famous dance troop is offering access to free online classes and dance performances in honor of the 62nd anniversary of their first performance.
Audience: All Ages

Science

NASA Images and Sound Search — https://images.nasa.gov/
Content: A library of the amazing, one of a kind photos and sounds from space.
Audience: Elementary/Anyone Interested in Space


Mystery Science — https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning
Content: Online science curriculum, lessons and videos.
Audience: K Through Grade 5

Skype a Scientist – https://www.skypeascientist.com
Content: Do you and your family have a question for a chemist? Or a microbiologist? Or someone representing any number of scientific fields? Use this sight to arrange for a Skype session with a real scientist.
Audience: All Ages

Mommy Poppins — 63 Easy Science Experiments Using Household Products — https://tinyurl.com/qo7kylr
Content: Want to make ice cream in a bag? Or butter? Or make some slime? Find it all in one convenient place.
Audience: All Ages
 

Math

Math Playground — https://www.mathplayground.com
Content: Online math games and worksheets
Audience: Grades 1 Through 6

Bedtime Math at Home — http://bedtimemath.org/fun-math-at-home/
Content: Math doesn’t have to be hard work. Bedtime Math offers fun, relaxing activities that make math seamlessly come into your daily routine.
Audience: Grades 1 and Up

Geography

Seterra — https://online.seterra.com/en
Content: Test your map knowledge! Take quizzes on maps from all over the world and try to beat your scores, learn capitals, and physical features of regions around the globe.
Audience: Elementary and Middle School

Mindfulness/Meditation

Mind Yeti — https://youtu.be/j8sYqsD2WZQ
Content: Free short videos encouraging children and their caregivers to relax and keep their thoughts calm.
Audience: All Ages 

Museum and Zoo Resources 

Boston Children’s Museum’s Resources at Home Virtual Tour — https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour
Beyond the Chalkboard — http://www.beyondthechalkboard.org
100 Ways to Play — https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/learning-resources/100-ways-play
More Parent Resources — https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/learning-resources
Content: Fun activities and lessons to do from home from the Boston Children’s Museum. 
Audience: Parents of Children of All Ages

New England Aquarium Virtual Visits — https://www.neaq.org/visit/at-home-events-and-activities/
Content: Observe all the amazing creatures at the New England Aquarium
Audience: All Ages 

San Diego Zoo Live Cams — https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos
Content: Want to see the way a baboon behaves? Or a rare condor, elephant or giraffe? Connect to the San Diego Zoo’s live streams of those animals and more and observe something amazing. 
Audience: All Ages

Zoo New England Kid’s Corner — https://www.zoonewengland.org/kids-corner/
Content: Play games, do crafts, and learn all about some of the animals that you can observe at the Franklin Park and Stone Zoos! Be sure to visit their Facebook pages for live videos and question sessions with the zookeepers. https://www.facebook.com/franklinparkzoo/ and https://www.facebook.com/stonezoo/
Audience: All Ages

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Online Exhibits — https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art
Content: Experience The Met without leaving your home. Examine great pieces of art and use Google Arts and Culture to walk around the museum.
Audience: All Ages

MetKids — https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/
Content: Want to see the most kid friendly, exciting parts of the Metropolitan Museum? Or get behind the scenes looks at the museum exhibits? Check out these resources just for kids.
Audience: Elementary

Activities from Children’s Museums Around the Country — https://tinyurl.com/s98zmsd
Content: The Boston Children’s Museum is wonderful but why stop there? Check out these up to date activities and resources from children’s museums all over the U.S.
Audience: All Ages

Virtual Tours of Museums Around the World
Content: Travel and visit these famous museums from around the world without leaving your house. Examine great pieces of art and use Google Arts and Culture to walk around the museum.
Audience: All Ages

Just For Fun

Virtual Disney World Rides — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyJUEtYv-ZW7BgjhP3UbTg
Content: We may not be able to go to Disney Parks, but we can pretend that we are going on the rides with the help of these videos.
Audience: All Ages

Free Kid’s Shows Streaming on Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/storefront/ref=atv_hm_hom_1_c_ZWyNDQ_fMHI51_1_1?contentId=freeforall&merchId=freeforall
Content: From Arthur to Pete the Cat, enjoy free children’s offerings from Amazon streaming. Note: while this is free, you must have an Amazon account.
Audience: Toddler/Preschool, Elementary

America’s Test Kitchen Kids: Kitchen Classroom — https://www.americastestkitchen.com/kids/activities/kitchen-classroom
Content: Have fun in the kitchen with your family! Each week, Kitchen Classroom provides recipes, experiments, activities, and quizzes that you and your family can do.
Audience: All Ages

Ballet Class with Tiler Peck — Weekdays at 1pm EST on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tilerpeck/
Content: Join Tiler Peck, a principal dancer of the New York Ballet, as she teaches ballet from her home! Keep in mind you must have an Instagram account to access Tiler’s livestream of the class
Audience: Anyone interested in ballet (or dance)