Research Guides: Parents' Guide to E-Learning Resources and Other Activities for Children: Free & Fun Things to Do While Social Distancing

Free & Fun Things to Do While Social Distancing

Wondering About Social Distancing?
The New York Times answers to your most common questions about the best practices for stemming the tide of the coronavirus pandemic.
FAQ about Social Distancing from NPR
FAQs about the do's and don'ts of social distancing.
What does #flattenthecurve mean?
Data visualization from the Washington Post about why there is a need for social distancing.
How to be Social During Social Distancing
It’s possible to have a bustling social life through digital platforms. And in these bizarre times, it’s more important than ever to set up those channels sooner rather than later. Here are a few tried-and-true tips for maintaining a social life while still adhering to social-distancing norms. (From Wirecutter)

Board Game Arena
Play your favorite board games online with other players around the world for free.
Console Living Room
You can enjoy old console games now online.
Internet Arcade
Long to play an old favorite arcade game? This website offers a host of coin-operated games you can now play for free online.
Jigsaw Puzzles
This website offers free jigsaw puzzles to complete online for adults and kids with different levels of difficulty.
Online Gaming Portal
This website is a portal to free online games.
Sudoku
Whether you are looking to learn how to play Sudoku, play with others online, or work on a challenge independently, this site is a great resource for Sudoku.
Tile Game
Link to play the Tile Game.

Classical Music in Video This link opens in a new window
Classical Music from Alexander Street supports the teaching and research of classical music with coverage of all major genres and time periods from medieval to contemporary, from choral works to symphonies, operas and the avant-garde. (If you have trouble accessing this resource using Safari on iOS, please try a different web browser.)
eBooks on EBSCOhost This link opens in a new window
Ebooks on EBSCOhost provides you with frontlist titles from the world's leading publishers to complement any library collection need. Users can access the full text of eBooks from their computer, or can download titles to most popular portable devices.
Kanopy This link opens in a new window
Kanopy offers streaming video and films on a variety of topics.

LeVar Burton Reads
On this podcast, take a break from from daily life and listen to a great short story read by LeVar Burton.

OverDrive eBooks and Audiobooks This link opens in a new window
The library's collection of popular fiction and non-fiction eBooks and audiobooks.

Patrick Stewart Reads Sonnets
Patrick Stewart reading a Shakespearean sonnet a day.
The Show Must Go On!
Andrew Lloyd Weber shares one of his musicals every Friday at 2 p.m. EST night for 48 hour viewing.
Social Distancing Book Clubs
This Time Magazine article provides information on 10 virtual book clubs you can join now and how to start your own virtual book club.

The Art Institute of Chicago
Visit the Art Institute virtually.
Explore Colonial Williamsburg From Home
Educational coloring sheets, Virtual meetings with our "Nation Builders," virtual tours of the CW collections, and more.
Google's Arts & Culture Site
Tour famous sites and landmarks.
Museum Virtual Tours
Links to 12 famous museums that offer virtual tours.

Chicago Reader's Guide to Local Podcasts and Music
Keep yourself company with these local podcasts and albums.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra from Home
While CSO concerts have been canceled, you can still enjoy performances from CSO musicians from home.

Naxos Music Library This link opens in a new window
The Naxos Music Library is the most comprehensive classical music library online. Apps are available for Android and iPhone/iPad. Please contact the PSC Library for the activation code to sign in.

LeVar Burton Reads
On this podcast, take a break from from daily life and listen to a great short story read by LeVar Burton.
Live on KEXP Seattle, WA
KEXP website offers videos and interviews with emerging and established musicians and bands.
NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts
Check out these intimate performances covering a wide variety of genres with various performers.
The Show Must Go On!
Andrew Lloyd Weber shares one of his musicals every Friday at 2 p.m. EST night for 48-hour viewing.

Astronomy Picture of the Day
Different pictures or images posted daily by NASA, along with a description of the image. Learn more about our universe!
C-NET Free Entertainment to Help You Survive Social DIstancing
An article from C-Net outlining free entertainment. Welcome to our new "abundance of caution" coronavirus reality, in which social distancing is the new normal and everything is closed or canceled. Already bored? Have no fear, I've rounded up a bunch of ways you can entertain yourself, all of them free. (You will, however, need things like a phone or tablet, a TV, an internet connection -- and possibly a yoga mat.)
Food Network Daily Dinners with Michael Symon
With restaurants closed and grocery stores low on stock due to coronavirus concerns, it can be stressful figuring out what to eat. Whether your're a home chef or a novice, you can watch Michael Symon cook up some recipes using pantry items starting today at 5 pm.
Leafsnap
Every wonder what kind of tree you have growing in your yard, neighborhood or one you encounter on a walk? You can now identify tress through this free app. Android version available through Google Play.
Learn a Language
Learn a language for free with Duolingo.
Milk Street Cooking Classes
The Milk Street Online Cooking School will be making their online cooking classes available for free through April 30, 2020.
Photography Classes
Nikon if offering free classes off their website during the month of April.