COVID-19 gotcha down with all of the talk about social distancing and self-quarantining? Wee ones driving you crazy? Teenagers sulking, moody and complaining of boredom? Looking for *FREE* educational resources to keep your offspring amused and entertained? Looking for ways to expand your horizons outside of your personal bubble?
The Band Back Together Project has you covered! Whatever floats your boat, we have a resource for you. See the extensive list below and check back often. We’ll update it as we receive additional suggestions. Don’t see your favorite free resource listed? Email Ann and she’ll add it.
General
Digital Public Library of Art (DPLA): DPLA connects people to the riches held within America’s libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural heritage institutions. Diverse materials including photographs, books, maps, news footage, oral histories, personal letters, museum objects, artwork, government documents
FarmFood 360: Virtual tours of 11 different kinds of farms
Khan Academy: Lots of topics broken down by age and subject
Curriki: Best curriculum, lessons and on-demand content free, open, and accessible to all
Math
Math Coach Corner: Multiple math games
Prodigy Math Games: Math game battles to earn points by solving math problems. Free! The home page makes it look like you have to pay for membership but there’s a “play free” button up in the corner to bypass that
Resource Bank – Math: Hub features a variety of collections to assist teachers, students and parents in developing mathematical skills, concepts and understanding
English Language Arts (ELA)
Storyline Online: Your favorite children’s books read by celebrities
Scholastic Reading Learn at Home Activities: 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. Updated daily.
Humanities / Social Studies
iCivics: Games – Branches of Power, Court Quest, Immigration Nation, Race to Ratify, SupHouse
Memorica – Mexico: Explore, investigate, filter, examine, discover and understand archives that are part of the cultural heritage of Mexico
Virtual Museum of Migration: The Virtual Migration Museum tells the story of migration in 3D. Visitors can move through a fictional urban landscape where they can enter and explore different buildings, each with a unique theme. In these buildings, the visitor can learn more about a range of topics, including work, culture and education. The stories are illustrated with items taken from the DOMiD collections. Additionally, visitors can also travel through time by switching between three different periods
Latino Virtual Museum (Smithsonian): Empowers a greater understanding and deeper appreciation for the enduring contributions of Latinos to our country. Preserves a growing collection of diverse stories and experiences that reflect Latino presence in our history and culture, and convenes conversations, inclusively, about the stories and connections that continue to inspire generations to come
Girl Museum: Girl Museum is the first museum in the world dedicated to girlhood. We are a virtual museum for exhibitions, education, and raising awareness about girls and girlhood globally. We are also an information platform for social/cultural dialogue and investigation. We research and collect cross-cultural historic and contemporary images and stories from and about girlhood around the world. Through exhibitions, publications, and projects, we explore and document the unique experience of being born and growing up female.
Exter Time Trail: Exeter has one of the longest and most distinguished histories of any British city and you can explore over 250,000 years of it through Time Trail. The story is told through hundreds of objects from RAMM’s collections and with images of historic buildings and archaeological sites. Try our games and puzzles section to have a go at building a Roman mosaic or explore historic Exeter in Minecraft. Have you tried our new trails for mobiles?
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts: New Jersey’s history, culture, trades, and crafts
KaiXR: Kai XR creates inclusive & accessible mixed reality spaces allowing kids to explore, dream, & create. Kai XR is a one-stop-shop for audiences brand new to mixed reality. Our educational resources offer educators, parents, & life-long learners a path to become early adopters of mixed reality.
Europeana – Archaeology: Explore 2,302,911 archaeological treasures from European museums, galleries, libraries and archives
Europeana – Industrial Heritage: Explore industrial heritage and working lives in 488,356 photographs, videos, objects, documents and more from across Europe
Europeana – Migration: Explore 230,988 items on the topic of migration to, from, and within Europe
Maps & Geography
Minnesota History: Resource for reliable information about significant people, places, events, and things in Minnesota history
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Maps: Explore 5,000 years of art across the globe. You’ll find fun facts, project ideas, and behind-the-scenes videos made by curious kids. Program your destination to explore worlds of art
Europeana – Maps & Geography: Explore 75,003 maps, globes, charts and more from collections across Europe
The China Guide: Virtual tour of The Great Wall of China
Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford: Virtual Tour
Dalí Theatre-Museum, Catalonia: Virtual Tour
The Vatican: 360-degree Museum Tours
The Palace Museum: The Forbidden City, China, 360-degree Virtual Tour
Hallwyl Museum, Stockholm: VR Tour
Byzantine and Christian Virtual Museum: Virtual Tour
Westminster Abbey, London: Virtual Tour
The Science Museum, London: Shipping Galleries Virtual Tour
Mexican National Institute of Anthropology & History:Virtual Tours (Flash)
National Museum of Natural History, US: Virtual Tour
National Archaeological Museum, Spain: Virtual Museum
Ancient Mediterran (SmartHistory): The Great Pyramids at Giza, the Parthenon in Athens, the Colosseum in Rome, and more. c. 5000 B.C.E. – 400 C.E.
Arts of the Islamic World (SmartHistory): From the Dome of the Rock to the Taj Mahal, the Coronation Mantle, the Ardabil Carpet, and more… c. 640 – 1924 C.E.
Africa – Art Contributions (Smart History): Africans have contributed to the world’s cultural heritage with works of astonishing innovation. 7000 B.C.E. – present
Asia – History of Art (SmartHistory): Discover thousands of years of art from the world’s largest continent. c. 3500 B.C.E. – present
Oceania – Pacific (SmartHistory): The Pacific Ocean is seen to connect rather than separate the many islands of Oceania. c. 1500 B.C.E. – present
The Frick, Pittsburgh: Virtual tours, online collections, activities
Cranbrook Art Museum, Michigan: Exhibit Virtual Tours
U.S. National Parks: Virtual tours of 33 of the United States National Parks
Yellowstone National Park, US: Virtual Tours
Yosemite National Park, US: Virtual Tour
FarmFood 360: Virtual tours of 11 different kinds of farms
History
National Museum of African American History & Culture (Smithsonian): The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts.
Mexicana Ministry of Culture – History: Open platform of available digital collections of cultural content and spaces, including museums, libraries, archives, television and radio stations. Diverse formats available
Mexicana Ministry of Culture – Anthropology: Open platform of available digital collections of cultural content and spaces, including museums, libraries, archives, television and radio stations. Diverse formats available
SmartHistory: Art has the power to transform lives and to build understanding across cultures. We believe that the brilliant histories of art belong to everyone, no matter their background
Ancient Mediterran (SmartHistory): The Great Pyramids at Giza, the Parthenon in Athens, the Colosseum in Rome, and more. c. 5000 B.C.E. – 400 C.E.
Arts of the Islamic World (SmartHistory): From the Dome of the Rock to the Taj Mahal, the Coronation Mantle, the Ardabil Carpet, and more… c. 640 – 1924 C.E.
Africa – Art Contributions (Smart History): Africans have contributed to the world’s cultural heritage with works of astonishing innovation. 7000 B.C.E. – present
Asia – History of Art (SmartHistory): Discover thousands of years of art from the world’s largest continent. c. 3500 B.C.E. – present
Oceania – Pacific (SmartHistory): The Pacific Ocean is seen to connect rather than separate the many islands of Oceania. c. 1500 B.C.E. – present
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Time Machine: Explore 5,000 years of art across the globe. You’ll find fun facts, project ideas, and behind-the-scenes videos made by curious kids. Program your destination to explore worlds of art
American Battlefield Trust: Experience the Civil War like never before and tour the battlefields in panoramic view. Jump from battlefield to battlefield using our virtual 360-degree tours that offer historic detail on battle highlights and points of interest, compelling photography, lively video, in-depth articles and more.
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello: Virtual Tour
King Tut’s Museum: Virtual Tour
Remembering Lincoln – Ford’s Theater: After President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865, people across the world left behind evidence—letters, diaries, newspapers, sermons, mourning ribbons—that reveals their responses. These traces of the past show how the country, coming back together after four years of a bloody Civil War, mourned—or didn’t mourn—our 16th president.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Virtual Tours, timelines, etc. The estate, gardens, and farm of Mount Vernon totaled some 8,000 acres in the 18th century. Presently, an estimated 500 acres of this historic property have been painstakingly preserved along the banks of the Potomac River.
Prisoners At Home: Everyday Life in Japanese Internment Camps (DPLA): On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry (two-thirds of whom were US citizens) were forced to evacuate from their homes and report to assembly centers. From there, they were moved to one of ten internment camps, or War Relocation Centers, located in remote areas of seven states—California, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, and Arkansas.
American Empire (DPLA): This exhibition maps the diverse and rocky terrain of the American empire to show how it informs contemporary conversations on heritage, citizenship, racism, and globalization.
America in 1918 Influenza Pandemic (DPLA): From the spring of 1918 to early 1919, no aspect of life remained untouched by the 1918 influenza pandemic for Americans at home and on the WWI war front. This exhibition explores the pandemic’s impact on American life.
Torn in Two: Mapping the American Civil War (DPLA): This exhibition tells the story of the American Civil War both nationally and locally in Boston, Massachusetts, through maps, documents, letters, and other primary sources.
Activism in the U.S. (DPLA): The United States has a long history of activists seeking social, political, economic, and other changes to America—along with a history of other activists trying to prevent such changes.
Europeana – 1914-1918 World War 1: Explore the untold stories and official histories of WWI in 378,649 items from across Europe
Natural Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian): Collection of 145 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time; in these moments we find Earth’s story
Science
Heritage on the Edge: Explore how five cultural sites are being affected by climate change (Rapa Nui, Easter Island; Edinburgh, Scotland; Bagerhat, Bangladesh; Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania; Chan Chan, Peru)
Race to the Moon (DPLA): In 1955, the US and the USSR each announced plans to launch a satellite into orbit. Who would be the first to succeed?
Mexicana Ministry of Culture – Archeology: Open platform of available digital collections of cultural content and spaces, including museums, libraries, archives, television and radio stations. Diverse formats available
Exploratorium: Science Snacks
Les Fruits de Mers: Activities, books, films about Caribbean wildlife
Museum of Ontario Archeology: History of Ste. Marie II
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Live Animal Cams
San Diego Zoo: Live Animal Cams
Explore.org: Live Animal Cams
All About Birds: Explore any type of bird you’re interested in, hear their different calls, live animal cams
Shedd Museum: Dive into questions about your favorite animals with a new kids video series
Archeological Analytics: Social media collections focused on Archeology. Organization that helps institutions create and distribute enticing content using their digitized collections
Nat BioExplora: Natural science open collections portal (3D images, bio diversity)
NASA – 9th-12th Grade / High School
NASA – STEM Lessons from Space
Light Up the Cave (Smithsonian Games)
Tami’s Tower – Let’s Think About Engineering (Smithsonian Games)
Disaster Detector (Smithsonian Games)
Arts
ArtUK: Explore the online home for every public art collection in the United Kingdom
Mexicana Ministry of Culture – Art: Open platform of available digital collections of cultural content and spaces, including museums, libraries, archives, television and radio stations. Diverse formats available
Evolution of Personal Camera (DPLA): Since the advent and eventual commercialization of photography throughout the nineteenth century, cameras have continuously redefined the American public’s conception of how images and history can be captured and shared. Looking to the early cameras of the 1800s to today’s cell phones and social networking apps, this exhibition explores how the personal camera has shaped American consciousness and culture over the course of its development
Open Culture Coloring Pages: 113 museum coloring books
Hammer Museum: The Hammer Museum champions the art and artists who challenge us to see the world in a new light, to experience the unexpected, to ignite our imaginations, and inspire change
Speed Art Museum: At home art making videos
Norton Smith Museum: Children’s art projects (scroll down to section)
National Museum of Australia: DIY projects
Arte: Cultural documentaries, films, and more
Corning Museum of Glass: Glass is a versatile, ancient material that is still being explored and understood by artists, scientists and historians today. The story of glass is a story about art, history, culture, technology, science, craft and design.
Europeana – Art: Discover art, artists and stories in 3,511,246 artworks from European museums, galleries, libraries and archives
Europeana – Fashion: Explore historical clothing and accessories, contemporary designs, catwalk photographs, drawings, sketches, plates, catalogues and videos from more than 30 European public and private institutions
Europeana – Photography: Explore the history of photography in 5,065,084 items from European cultural heritage collections
Museums
Google Arts & Culture: Tour 500 of the world’s most famous museums
The Louvre, Paris: Virtual Tour
The Hermitage, Russia: Virtual Tour (YouTube)
Virtual Museum of Canada: Discover history, art, science, nature and more through virtual exhibits from Canada’s museums and heritage organizations
Mexicana Ministry of Culture: Open platform of available digital collections of cultural content and spaces, including museums, libraries, archives, television and radio stations. Diverse formats available including radio programs, short films books, magazines, photographs, digital publications, thesis, multimedia objects, paintings, sculptures, etc
Smithsonian – Digital Learning Labs: Smithsonian Learning Labs gives parents and teachers have access to millions of digital resources from across the Smithsonian’s museums, research centers, libraries, archives, and more. You will also find pre-packaged collections that contain lessons, activities, and recommended resources made by Smithsonian museum educators as well as thousands of classroom teachers like you. Use the search bar below to search for Smithsonian Learning Lab Collections.
Caregivers of Grades Pre-K thru 5: Games, Activities, Makers, Resources
Tweens & Teens: Games, Activities, Makers, Resources
Kindergarteners: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
First Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Second Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Third Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Fourth Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Fifth Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Sixth Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Seventh Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Eighth Graders: ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Open Culture Coloring Pages: 113 museum coloring books
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea: Virtual tour of museum
Music
Musical Instruments Museums Online (MIMO): World’s largest freely accessible database for information on musical instruments held in public collections. Database contains the records of 64,070 instruments
Europeana – Music: Explore 610,607 recordings, sheet music, instruments, and music-related collections from European audio-visual archives, libraries and museums
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO): Free, orechestra performances, both live and on-demand
The Metropolitan Opera: Free, on-demand operas
Health / Nutrition
Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition (Smithsonian Games)
International Association of Children in Museums: Kids Guide to Corona Virus
Sports
Europeana – Sports: Explore sport across Europe with 155,841 photographs, films, sound recordings and texts from European collections
Games
Sources
MCN (formerly: Museum Computer Network)