Keeping your kids amused as we live under the extended Circuit Breaker *Updated*

*Updated on 20 May at 13.30pm: Three new websites on page 2. 

As we come to grips with Work From Home and Home Based Learning, our kids have quietly entered into the mid-year school holidays. 

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are all stuck at home and often at a loss with what to do to keep them amused and out of our remaining hair as we try to work. 

Fortunately, not all of the Internet is bad. No...wait, I mean that. Yes, a lot is designed to distract with brainless videos and inane games, but there are gems out there and some are even educational. 

Here are some of what we found we hope you can use this period.

1) Adobe and Time magazine

They provide a weekly art lesson online. Each episode includes a new drawing assignment, and participants vote on what they'd like the following week's assignment to be.

While the tips can work for most kids, it is best for kids up to 8 years of age. 

Check out the link here. 

2) Amazon

Amazon Future Engineer is providing free access to sponsored computer science courses in the United States, intended for independent learners in grades 6-12 and teachers who are remotely teaching this age group. Parents can also access the curriculum. 

Best for ages 7 to 17.

Check out the link here. 

3) Amplify

Amplify has pulled from their top-rated programs to create a series of remote learning experiences that are high-quality, easy to use at home, and totally free.

There is something here for ages 5 to 17. 

Check out the link here. 

4) B&O Junior Junction 

B&O Railroad Museum is developing tools and resources for educators and students who are currently impacted by mandated school closures. Each Tuesday and Thursday they post a Junior Junction special, which includes a virtual storytime, accompanied by a corresponding educational activity that can be easily downloaded to use at home. How about making a volcano? Yes, that and more, step this way!

Best for ages 5 to 14. 

Check out the link here. 

5) Canon

Canon is offering a series of live webinars and masterclasses (free of charge), where viewers are able to pick up a new skill in different areas of photography every week hosted by professional photographers, and content creator Jimmy Chan.  hosting the 4-part Masterclass series, these online classes will definitely keep both parents and kids engaged. Please see the attached event listing for more information, and events are accessible via Canon’s Facebook events page.

 

Parents looking to pick up a new skill with their kids at home and parents looking for supplementary home-based learning resources to keep them meaningfully engaged at home can turn to Canon Creative Park. It provides a variety of free downloadable paper-craft materials that are suitable for kids of all ages to enjoy and let their creative juices flow. What’s more, anyone can access and download and print their templates for free – these templates include multiplication tables and even games such as chess and puzzles.

 

Best for ages 2 to 8. 

Check out the link here. 

6) Casio

Casio has developed an excellent resource to help with remote learning with online learning tools and resources designed to help sustain math skills at home. Not only that, but there's a whole host of math puzzles and quizzes to tease your mind, many needing calculator skills to help you out too. If you want to test yourself, Casio has made an excellent compilation. Just don't let their calculator line-up fool you; there's a different set of math puzzles behind each calculator!

Best for ages 4 to 18. 

Check out the link here and here.

7) GIA

Ignite a love for minerals and gems in youngsters with the GemKids Program. An introduction to gemology made up of free downloadable presentations.

Best for kids aged 8 to 10.

Check out the link here. 

8) Google Arts & Culture

A site with fun facts, awesome activities, and surprising stories for families to explore together. Explore museums, learn simple recipes, and discover a love of the great masters as you explore this site. 

Best for ages 8 up. 

Check out the link here. 

9) HP

No matter your kid's ages, there is something here for them to print, create, and discover – at home.

Best for ages 2 to 12. 

Check out the link here. 

10) iRobot

The makers of the Roomba is making virtual and offline coding projects available for elementary and middle school students for home use, some of which require no particular technology. To unlock the premium content, download the Root Coding app and enter the code, "LEARN" on the home screen.

There is something here for kids aged 2 and up. 

Check out the link here. 

11) Microsoft - Minecraft 

Minecraft Education Edition is available free to teachers through June 2020. They need to have a valid Office 365 Education account. There's a brief educator quick-start guide that includes a set of "curriculum kits," projects that can be implemented with students working remotely. The Minecraft Education Challenge invites students to learn about sustainability and inclusion, and then to design projects using Minecraft.

The company has also added a new education category within the Minecraft Marketplace, free of charge through June 30. Minecraft players can explore the International Space Station, wander through the inside of a human eye, learn what it's like to be a marine biologist and more. The world will be free to download through Jun. 30, 2020. Just look for the "free" tag.

Best for kids aged 7 and up.

Check out the link here. 

12) National Geographic Society 

They have released a number of free resources and visuals, including daily Explorer Classrooms live broadcasts (at 2 p.m. Eastern Time), to enable young people to hear National Geographic Explorers talk about their expeditions; educator-curated collections of learning activities; and a resource library with lessons, videos and articles.

Best for ages 3 to 17. 

Check out the link here. 

13) Porsche

Take a digital tour around the . See the history of the automaker, view the racing cars, and take in the behind-the-scenes action. Get up and close with their favourite racing drivers such as Stéphane Ortelli, Mark Webber and Kurt Ahrens in a Q&A session via Instagram. Even more exciting for car lovers of any age is Porsche4Kids where you can find a wide selection of games and kid-friendly activities to the public for free.

Best for ages 4 to 16. 

Check it out here.

14) Spotify

Spotify has curated a list of songs and podcasts, parents around the world have been playing to keep them distracted and occupied under the Here’s What Parents Around the World Have Been Playing for Their Kids at Home. It is based on age-group range so it will help many parents. 

Best for ages 3 to 15.

Check out the link here. 

*Updated: 20 May 13.30pm*

15) National Heritage Board

Virtually embark on an exciting heritage journey into Singapore's past and visit Historic Sites, National Monuments and Heritage Trails! Relive and discover Singapore's past through resources like collections, videos and publications.

Check out the link here.

16) Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is offering ebooks and crafts to keep kids amused at home. Parents can also play videos that feature Gardens by the Bay’s horticulturalists showcasing parts of the Gardens. They may also email plant questions into the Plant Doctor and the horticulturalists will answer them.

Check out the link here.

17) Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) developed resources to create activities to teach children about the “Animals We Love”. This offers online activity packs for pre-schoolers and primary school children to teach them about animals from River Safari and the Singapore Zoo.

Check out the link here. 

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