Are you looking for resources while school is out? Check out these great, local resources including free meal sites, free educational sites, fun ideas while the kids are home, tips from local educators, and more!
• Free Meal/Supply Sites for Families
• Free Learning Websites
• Home Play Ideas
• Tips from Local Educators
• Tips from Local Parents
If you have a free resource to add to this list, please email us at ccparent@ccparent.com!
With new information coming out daily, please check websites, social media accounts, or call before planning to visit.
Bulldog Pantry: The Bulldog Pantry distributes food monthly from 9–10:30 a.m. at the Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno, 2311 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno. www.thebulldogpantry.org
Central California Food Bank: CCFB serves Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties. Food is available for pick-up at over 200 food distribution sites. Call 237-3663 for more information. www.ccfoodbank.org/food-locator
Neighborhood Market VDC and VCC: Thousands of pounds of food are given away to Central California families. The Neighborhood Market VDC is held in the Main Parking Lot of Valley Dream Center 1835 N. Winery Avenue, in Fresno, every second Monday of the month starting at 11:00 a.m. The Neighborhood Market VCC is held in the Main Parking Lot of Valley Christian Center, 4649 E. Shields Avenue, in Fresno, every third Thursday of the month starting at 9:00 a.m. Call 492-3324 for more information. www.valleydreamcenter.org
ABC Mouse: The Step-by-Step Learning Path presents a curriculum through a carefully designed program of more than 850 lessons. As your child completes each lesson, they are guided to the next one and are motivated to continue learning through rewards! Preschool through 2nd grade. Redemption code: SCHOOL7771. www.abcmouse.com/redeem
ABCya!: Learn about your five senses, practice addition with dice, and make a pizza—all while playing fun games that support learning! www.abcya.com
Adventure Academy: Kids can join the ranks of young scholars in a fully-immersive virtual universe for those seeking knowledge and adventure. Gain access to hundreds of hours of educational activities, teaching essential skills in math, language arts, science, social studies, and more! 3rd through 8th grade. Redemption code: SCHOOL7771. www.adventureacademy.com
Bookflix: Bookflix is an online resource aimed at Preschool to 3rd graders and offers animated storybooks, books online, educational games, and more. www.fresnolibrary.org/resources/bookflix.html
California Academy of Sciences: Fun, online activities for grades Preschool through High School including Nature Play, Compost Investigation, Spot the Bird, Flipside Science, Creatures of the Sea, and more! www.calacademy.org
Camp Kinda: Camp Kinda is a free virtual summer experience designed to keep kids in grades K–8 engaged, curious, and having fun—even if they’re stuck at home. Kids will enjoy 3–4 hours of engaging activities each day! It’s like summer camp…kinda. www.campkinda.org
Dial-A-Story: Fresno County Public Library’s 24-Hour, Dial-A-Story is a great way for children ages 3 to 7 to hear a free and fun story! All you have to do is dial 600-TALE or 600-8253!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities! www.imaginationlibrary.com
Fresno TK: Parents will love this collection of resources provided by Fresno Unified and other Transitional Kindergarten teachers. The site is easily navigable for kids and provides a connection to teachers. www.sites.google.com/view/fresnotk
Fun Brain: Kids in grades Pre-K through 8 will enjoy the free interactive games, books, videos, and printables that help develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving, and literacy. www.funbrain.com
Google Arts & Culture: Take virtual tours and explore exhibits at over 500 museums and galleries—right from the comfort of your own couch!
artsandculture.google.com
Highlights for Kids: Read, play games, and conduct cool science experiments! Kids will enjoy the activities, videos, and more! www.highlightskids.com
HP: If you are looking for some easy printable activities for those days inside, check out these fun, engaging, and educational printable activities. www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/printable-worksheets-for-kids
Into the Book: This reading comprehension resource focuses on eight research-based strategies: Using Prior Knowledge, Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing, Inferring, Summarizing, Evaluating, and Synthesizing. Try the online interactive activities! www.reading.ecb.org
Kanopy: With your Fresno County Public Library card you can enjoy unlimited plays in the curated video collection for kids! www.fresnolibrary.kanopy.com/signup/auth/publiclibrary
Kvaroy Kids: One of the most important topics for all generations to understand is where our food comes from, and why it matters. By exploring sustainable food production with our kids, we’re equipping them with a fundamental knowledge that ultimately supports the overall health of our oceans, planet, animals, and people. www.kvaroyarctic.com/kvaroykids
Khan Academy: Students can utilize the free exercises, quizzes, and tests to practice and master skills, as well as watch instructional videos to help learn material. www.khanacademy.org
Nat Geo for Kids: Go wild! Kids can learn all about geography, fascinating animals, and more through facts, games, and pictures! www.kids.nationalgeographic.com
National Wildlife Federation: Enjoy free Ranger Rick educational guides, free Eco-School programs, and free gardening tips great for attracting wildelife! www.nwf.org
Oxford Owl: Parents can access hundreds of free eBooks and activities on Oxford Owl for Home. Teachers can access resources and expert school improvement support on Oxford Owl for School. www.oxfordowl.co.uk
PBS Kids: Hang out with your favorite characters by playing games and watching videos, all while learning! Plus, there’s a section for parents, too! www.pbskids.org
ReadingIQ: A library in your pocket! Growing readers are making strides in their learning and development with increases in reading and comprehension. Preschool through 6th grade. Redemption code: SCHOOL7771. www.readingiq.com/redeem
Scholastic: Keep the learning going with special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin! https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Seussville: Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss and his friends. Explore crazy characters through books, videos, and more! www.seussville.com
Star Fall: This free public service helps children from Preschool to 3rd grade with reading, language arts, and mathematics by emphasizing exploration, play, and positive reinforcement. Encourage your kids to become confident and intrinsically motivated! www.starfall.com
Storyline Online: Children’s literacy resource featuring the world’s best storytellers reading books aloud. Each video includes an activity guide with lessons for K-5 students to do at home. www.storylineonline.net
Switch Zoo: Make new animals, play animal games, solve animal puzzles, take a guided tour, and join a zoo quest. Build a biome and an online habitat, play other learning games, read animal facts, get lesson plans, and more! www.switcheroozoo.com
Teachers Pay Teachers: Resources, knowledge, and inspiration! Millions of free resources created by educators who understand what works in the classroom. Inspire our next generation. www.teacherspayteachers.com
This Teachable Moment eBook: This Teachable Moment is a free, downloadable eBook from PBLWorks that provides an intro to Project Based Learning and features 21 easily-implemented, “follow-the-recipe” projects that engage children of all ages in meaningful learning at home. www.pblworks.org/for-families
• Measure the perimeter of your home.
• Write a letter to your teacher.
• Learn ten new words and use them!
• Read, read, read! As much as you can!
• Read a book to a sibling or pet.
• Create a vision board using magazines.
• Find, pick, and dissect a flower.
• Create and test paper airplanes.
• Find ten rocks and describe them.
• Go bird watching in your backyard.
• Plant a seed inside or in your garden.
• Engineer a boat that can really float.
• Play 20 questions with an adult.
• Make puppets and perform a show.
• Paint a picture or figurine.
• DIY a musical instrument.
• Create and perform a new dance.
• Practice a new yoga pose.
• Create your own training regimen.
• Have a glow stick dance party!
• Practice deep breathing exercises.
• Create your own quiet space.
• Create a Venn diagram for 2 things.
• Cook a family member’s favorite dish.
• Create a museum of your drawings.
• Practice and perform a magic trick.
• Play board and card games with family.
• Create a scavenger hunt.
• Go camping inside.
• Pop popcorn and watch a movie.
Thanks to the community for some of these great ideas!
“Have patience and take breaks! This is easier said than done, but this is all new and we’re all learning. Your child will test you and you should look at it as an opportunity for teaching. If your patience is running thin or you notice your child may benefit from a brain break, take one! Go for a quick walk, dance with your kids, or just take a mental break. You need the break as much as they do. Plan them throughout your day to save everyone’s sanity.” —Angela A. (Clovis)
“Use this time as an opportunity to cater to your child’s specific needs. If your child needs more help with Language Arts, schedule more time reading and writing each day.” —Carrie B. (Madera)
“Clear your expectations and be flexible. Your house may not look like a classroom, you may not read books to them like their teachers, and your kids may not behave as well as normal. Don’t let these things get you down. This is a time to be flexible. We are all doing the best that we can!” —Fran S. (Fresno)
“Stick to a routine or schedule and set boundaries. Have your routine or schedule posted so your kids know what is expected of them. It’s also a good idea to set your own routine or schedule to keep yourself on track. Set clear boundaries for your kids so you can also get your own work done. You can set physical boundaries if you want to keep them out of your home office or time boundaries if you need a block of uninterrupted time.” —Andrew O. (Visalia)
“Have a behavioral and rewards system in place. I use mason jars with the coins from their Connect game. Red chips are given when they show behaviors I don’t want and yellow are for good behaviors I want to see continue. I use this system to have them earn free time on technology. I also have daily and weekly prizes. We have a small treasure box, but it doesn’t have to be toys and candy, there are lots of things that are free you can use as incentives.” —Angela A. (Clovis)
“If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask for help! If you’re struggling with your child’s homework, look into hiring an online tutor. Many businesses here in the Valley are still offering remote services. If you’re struggling with your own work, talk with your boss to see what type of support is available to you.” —Sara L. (Fresno)
“Make sure to utilize online sources if you have internet access. Keep your kids reading, even if that means from their textbooks. Reach out to their teachers if you haven’t done so already. Kids need to keep their brains stimulated—reading and problem-solving are some of the easiest ways!” —Mr. Miranda
“If you’ve received instructions from your child’s teacher, connect with other classroom parents. Check in with them daily to keep yourself accountable. Have the kids video call each other at the end of the day to discuss how their work went.” —Mrs. Camden
“Keep your child reading and writing. We can’t let them regress. Teachers have worked too hard! There are so many companies that have offered free services—resources are out there! We want kids to keep their minds active and we want parents to talk to their kids about what they’re reading and learning.” —Ms. Metzger
“Gently remind your kids that this is not a vacation and learning is still the priority. Lay out a schedule for your kids every day. Cater the schedule to what will best fit your home, time, and your kids’ ages. Visual schedules will work best for younger kids and written schedules will work best for older kids. Consistency is key, keep a routine!” —Ms. Lopez