If you’re like most parents out there right now, you’re probably searching for ways to keep your kids busy but still learning.
One of the great things that is happening right now is that there are authors and illustrators that are on Facebook, YouTube and other sites for virtual story time. Add this to the education companies offering free online subscriptions and your kids will be busy for weeks.
This is a great way to have an author read to your kids and have them be exposed to different books and authors they might not have otherwise.
Here’s the entire Authors & Illustrators that are doing online Story Time
All times are in Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Monday
- 11:00am Peter Reynolds (Read Aloud) – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- 12:00pm Mo Willems (Lunch Doodles)
- 12:00pm Emily Arrow (Music, singalongs, stories, and mindfulness)
- 1:00pm Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Drawing, writing, and read alouds)
- 1:00pm Oliver Jeffers (Read aloud picture books) – Instagram Live @oliverjeffers
- 1:00pm – Dan Gutman (Read aloud: Miss Blake is a Fake)
- 2:00pm Mac Barnett (Read aloud picture books) Instagram Live: @macbarnett
- 3:00pm Julie Falatko (Read aloud) Instagram Live: @julie_falatko
- 4:15pm – Megan Lacera (Family activity ideas, drawing/illustrating, writing, storytelling, read alouds) Twitter Live: @MeganLacera
Tuesday
- 11:00am Peter Reynolds (Read Aloud)
- 12:00pm Mo Willems (Lunch Doodles)
- 12:00pm Emily Arrow (Music, singalongs, stories, and mindfulness)
- 1:00pm Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Drawing, writing, and read alouds)
- 1:00pm Oliver Jeffers (Read aloud picture books) – Instagram Live @oliverjeffers
- 2:00pm Mac Barnett (Read aloud picture books) Instagram Live: @macbarnett
- 3:00pm Julie Falatko (Read aloud) Instagram Live: @julie_falatko
- 4:15pm – Megan Lacera (Family activity ideas, drawing/illustrating, writing, storytelling, read alouds) Twitter Live: @MeganLacera
Wednesday
- 11:00am Peter Reynolds (Read Aloud)
- 11:00am Lowey Bundy Sichol (Virtual author visit)
- 12:00pm Mo Willems (Lunch Doodles)
- 12:00pm Emily Arrow (Music, singalongs, stories, and mindfulness)
- 1:00pm Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Drawing, writing, and read alouds)
- 1:00pm Oliver Jeffers (Read aloud picture books) – Instagram Live @oliverjeffers
- 1:00pm – Ben Clanton (Virtual Author Visit)
- 2:00pm Mac Barnett (Read aloud picture books) Instagram Live: @macbarnett
- 3:00pm Julie Falatko (Read aloud) Instagram Live: @julie_falatko
- 4:15pm – Megan Lacera (Family activity ideas, drawing/illustrating, writing, storytelling, read alouds) Twitter Live: @MeganLacera
Thursday
- 11:00am Peter Reynolds (Read Aloud)
- 12:00pm Mo Willems (Lunch Doodles)
- 12:00pm Emily Arrow (Music, singalongs, stories, and mindfulness)
- 1:00pm Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Drawing, writing, and read alouds)
- 1:00pm Oliver Jeffers (Read aloud picture books) – Instagram Live @oliverjeffers
- 2:00pm Mac Barnett (Read aloud picture books) Instagram Live: @macbarnett
- 3:00pm Julie Falatko (Read aloud) Instagram Live: @julie_falatko
- 4:15pm – Megan Lacera (Family activity ideas, drawing/illustrating, writing, storytelling, read alouds) Twitter Live: @MeganLacera
Friday
- 11:00am Peter Reynolds (Read Aloud)
- 12:00pm Mo Willems (Lunch Doodles)
- 12:00pm Emily Arrow (Music, singalongs, stories, and mindfulness)
- 1:00pm Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Drawing, writing, and read alouds)
- 1:00pm Oliver Jeffers (Read aloud picture books) – Instagram Live @oliverjeffers
- 2:00pm Mac Barnett (Read aloud picture books) Instagram Live: @macbarnett
- 3:00pm Julie Falatko (Read aloud) Instagram Live: @julie_falatko
- 4:00pm – March 20 Ben Clanton (Virtual Author Visit)
- 4:15pm – Megan Lacera (Family activity ideas, drawing/illustrating, writing, storytelling, read alouds) Twitter Live: @MeganLacera
If you’re not able to make it at these set times, there are plenty of sites that offer read alouds, videos from authors and illustrators, e-books, audiobooks and more. The big plus with these sites is that they are available anytime!
Storyline Online
KidLitTV
Kate Messner’s List of Resources
Pernille Ripp’s List of Resources
Book Riot recommended videos
Emily Arrow
Storytime from Space
International Children’s Digital Library (books in various languages)
Epic! (You’ll get a 30 day trial and then it’s $7.99/mo)
Vooks (You’ll get a 30 day trial and then 4.99/mo)
Don’t forget to check out your local library! Even though they may be closed, you can probably check out e-books and digital audiobooks using the Overdrive or Libby apps.
Podcasts for Kids
Wow in the World
But Why
Brains On
Circle Round
The Story Seeds
The Music Box
Kids Ask Authors
Since we’re stuck inside and can’t go on any real field trips, how about taking a virtual field trip? These places will keep your kids entertained and keep them learning.
Virtual Field Trips
Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari (Weekdays @ 2pm on Facebook Live)
Google Earth (Voyager)
15 Virtual Field Trips for Kids of All Ages
19 Immersive Museum Exhibits You Can Visit from Your Couch
San Diego Zoo Cams
Smithsonian National Zoo Cams
Earth Cam – Animal Cams
News & Digital Magazines for Kids
Highlights
National Geographic Kids
Ranger Rick
Youngzine
Newsela
Scholastic Kids Press
Tween Tribune Junior
Kids Post
Your Kids Can Learn Spanish
The Spanish Experiment
Salsa (series from Georgia Public Broadcasting)
DuoLingo
Even MORE Free Educational Resources
Scholastic Learn At Home
Educational Sites, Games, Tools, Apps
SLJ & Joyce Valenza’s list of resources
SLJ Roundup of Resources
Learning at Home Wakelet compiled by Tracy Brawner
DK Find Out
PBS Kids
Smithsonian Kids
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