At Home Activities
Need some inspiration for at home activities? We have you covered! Below you will find a variety of at home activities that will keep your little ones entertained while also learning. Be sure to check back regularly as we continue to update this list with new ideas.
UNICEF Kid Power
Through the incredible video content, kids are encouraged to get physically active while unlocking therapeutic food packets for children in need around the world AND earning coins to donate to local causes
Nature Walk Bracelets
Whether you’re exploring trails or the hidden corners of your backyard, make a nature walk bracelet with a duct tape to collect your treasures on your next outing
Giant Homemade Bubbles
What’s better than bubbles? GIANT bubbles! Step up your bubble game with this giant wand activity.
Nature Observation Bingo
Make a nature observation bingo card before you head out on your next outing! Make a bingo card of all the things you think you will see or hear, and mark them off as you explore.
PBS Learning
Get ready to learn! CPB and PBS have partnered up to develop high-quality educational media and resources to advance critical early learning skills for children ages 2-8 to help them succeed in school, work, and life.
Alphabet House
Every house can be an alphabet house! Draw or cut out a letter of the alphabet and give it to your child. Walk around the house and yard with your child and look for objects that start with the letter. Write each object you find down on a list.
Create Homemade Instruments
Singing is a wonderful form of self expression and a great way for little ones to learn and develop their language skills. Invite the whole family to make music together—create instruments of your very own using household items.
Create a Color Run
Looking to learn new shapes and burn some energy? Create a color run! Draw different shapes on a driveway or sidewalk with different colors of chalk and call out a color/shape and have your child run to that area. Continue to call out different colors and shapes in varying order.
Sing a Song
Singing is a great way to reach the recommended 30,000 words spoken every day to your young child! Put on a fun tune or sing on your own and encourage your little one to join you!
Storyline Online
Storyline Online is a website that hosts a large collection of children’s stories that are read out loud by famous people that you can listen to any time from the comfort of your own home!
Texture Collage
Creating art is more than just making something that looks pretty—it can also feel cool too! Try out this fun sensory craft with your little ones.
Edible Finger Paint
Let your chid explore and play with this fun edible finger paint activity!
Playground Scavenger Hunt
Get the kids outside for some fun with this playful playground scavenger hunt!
The Exploratorium
Keep kids inspired, connected, and supported with science resources and activities that leverage everyday experiences and real-world phenomena.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Try out this twist on hot chocolate on you family’s next cozy night in
Thanksgiving Word Search
Let your little ones try their hand at this fun online Thanksgiving word search activity
Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Let the kids enjoy some local wildlife with this pine cone bird feeder craft!
New Children’s Museum Toddler Time
The Museum hosts facilitated toddler programming every Friday morning beginning at 10am. The virtual Toddler Time at Home takes place on the first and third Fridays of each month, and the in-person Toddler Time at the Museum takes place on the second and fourth Fridays of each month with two sessions at 10am and 11am. The toddler program values the whole child and supports healthy bodies and minds, with music, movement and social play for young children. It’s also free with admission.
Fall Slime
This Fall slime recipe is perfect science and sensory play when the leaves begin to change color
Paper Plate Sunflowers
These paper sunflowers are perfect for a brightly colored afternoon activity.
Leaf Maze
Looking for a fun activity for your kids to do when you’re raking the leaves? Make a leaf maze or a leaf labyrinth for them to play in!
DIY Robot Costume
Let your little one’s imagination run wild with this DIY robot costume out of cardboard boxes!
DIY Musical Instruments
You can make these musical instruments with your little one using materials at home
Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Check out this list of different scavenger hunts that you can set up for your kids to do around the home and around the neighborhood!
PBS Ready To Learn
Through the Ready To Learn Initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, CPB and PBS are partners in developing high-quality educational media and resources to advance critical early learning skills for children ages 2-8 to help them succeed in school, work, and life.
Rock Painting
Finding new and different things to paint – like rocks – can keep this age-old activity new and fun!
Alphabet BINGO
Looking for a super fun way to learn the alphabet? Try ABCya’s Alphabet Bingo!
Recycled Rocket
Use recycled materials and other found supplies to design and assemble a rocket together fit for space
Ice Cream in a Bag
Use some simple ingredients to make your very own ice cream all inside of a plastic bag!
Sesame Street
Videos, playful learning activities, and ways to help families stay physically and mentally healthy
Rainbow Rice
Your little ones will love this fun sensory activity where they get to dig through rainbow colored rice to find little goodies
Edible Finger Paint
Try out this toddler-safe edible finger paint recipie for lots of messy creative fun
Shaving Cream Sensory Activity
Let your little ones have messy fun as they explore their sense of touch with this fun activity
Cardboard Box Train
Let your child use their imagination to create a fun train out of cardboard boxes that they can play with
Valentines Day Letter Match
Help your toddler familiarize themself with the alphabet using this fun letter-matching activity!
Sticky Spider Web Game
Try out this simple tossing game using just a few supplies from around the house
Symmetry Hearts Printing
Teach your little ones about symmetry while making art with this creative DIY project!
Listening Walk
Make a list of things you can hear on a walk and practice using the listening sense
Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt
Printable scavenger hunt to find little surprises around your house.
Winter Movies
Check out this list of kid-friendly, winter-themed movies to enjoy on a cozy winter movie night
Countdown Chain
Celebrate each hour leading up to the ball drop with this fun New Year’s craft!
New Year’s Coloring Party Hats
Download free templates for little ones to color their own party hats!
DIY Confetti Poppers
These easy-to-make confetti poppers are a perfect way to celebrate the arrival of the New Year!
Ring the Reindeer Antlers
This ring toss game that incorporates holiday elements into it is sure to be a hit with your kids!
Frozen Tic Tac Toe
This craft idea uses wine corks to make adorable figures from Disney’s “Frozen” to play a game of tic tac toe
What’s in Santa’s Hat?
Have your little ones put their tactile recognition to this test as they try to blindly guess what’s inside Santa’s hat
Build a Snowman Online
Your little ones can have fun putting different accessories on a snowman in this online activity
PBS Holiday Games
This collection of holiday-related online games features characters from PBS and many have an educational component to them!
Jingle Bell Toss
A fun craft and game that you can make with your kids and have them try their hand at making the bells into the cups!
Christmas Tree Bowling
Give this easy holiday craft a shot with your kids as they try bowling a strike with their homemade bowling pins!
Disney Holiday Games
Check out this collection of fun online holiday games featuring everyone’s favorite Disney characters!
Pin The Red Nose on Rudolph
A printable twist on the classic game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey to try out with your kids!
Santa Says
You can play this super simple twist on Simon Says just about anywhere with your little ones while incorporating holiday-related Simon Says commands!
Paper Plate Santa
Try out this fun craft to make a Santa face out of paper plates and some other household items!
Paper Pumpkins
Who doesn’t love paper crafts? Make adorable decorative pumpkins with your little one using construction paper!
Thankful Jar
Keep a record of the things that your little one is thankful for this year to bring out next Thanksgiving for some memories!
Printable Thanksgiving Charades
These printable cards for Thanksgiving charades make a perfect game to play with your family this Thanksgiving!
Food Network Thanksgiving Live
This livestream catered to parents will feature world-famous chefs such as Bobby Flay on a live stream to answer all of your Thanksgiving-related cooking questions!
Printable Turkey Paper Puppets
Use your printer to create some thanksgiving magic by making an adorable paper turkey puppet with your little one!
Turkey Cupcakes
Cooking and baking are great ways to get your little ones engaged and also learning! Add this fun turkey cupcakes to your Thanksgiving meal and make sure to include your kids in the process.
Turkey Headband Craft
Get in the Thanksgiving spirit with this turkey headband craft perfect to do with your little ones!
Leaf Rubbing
Grab some leaves, paper and crayons to make beautiful art that is also scientific.
Color the Placemat
Try out these printable placemats meant for coloring to help your child get creative with their artistic skills!
Feed the Turkey
This very simple DIY game is perfect for keeping your little ones entertained while sharpening their fine motor skills.
Tie Dye Face Covering
Make wearing face coverings more fun by tie dyeing them, which is a great activity to express creativity.
Soap Jellies
Have you heard of soap jellies? Soap jellies are wiggly, jiggly, foaming soap cubes that smell so good! You can use them in the bath, as shower jellies, or just as hand soap.
Teach your dog tricks
If you have a furry friend at home, this handy list will teach you tricks that your little one can teach them including how to sit, stay, shake hands, and more!
ABCYa
Your child can participate in these free learning games catered to their grade level ranging from Pre-K to 6th. The activities are even linked to Common Core learning standards for children at each grade level.
Mad Libs
Check out these printable Mad Libs word games that you can play with you kid to not only help them learn their parts of speech but also have lots of silly fun while doing so!
DIY Time Capsule
Create a time capsule with special trinkets and memories. Have fun decorating the outside of the box and decide as a family what items to put in.
Color Run
With different colors of chalk draw different shapes on a driveway or sidewalk and call out a color/shape and have your child run to that area. Continue to call out different colors and shapes in varying order.
JumpStart
JumpStart provides free educational activities to get your child thinking about science, art and math even before they enter preschool. Most of the activities are printable and only require materials that you can find in your home.
Reading Legacies
Reading Legacies is a San Diego based organization that works to promote reading to young children around the County. They routinely update their Facebook page with story time videos read by volunteers and even authors themselves that can be viewed at any time!
DIY Bean Bag Toss
Develop your childs motor skills and have fun by making your own bean bag toss game.
Crystal Names
Experiment with science and create a crystal decoration of your name! Encourage the little ones to help with measuring and mixing the supplies.
Toy Car DIY playsets
Check out this awesome list of do-it-yourself ideas for making mini roads, car-washes, and more for your little one’s toy cars using items you likely already have at home!
Make Elephant Toothpaste
This kid-friendly version of a classic chemistry experiment uses a few simple ingredients that you may already have at home or can find at the grocery store. Make sure to do this experiment somewhere where it’s okay to make a mess, because its messy!
Khan Academy Kids
By downloading the free Khan Academy Kids app, you can unlock an adaptive learning path for your child to engage in stories and activities catered to their progress and needs. The app also includes walkthroughs for parents so that they can learn how the app works. Be sure to download the app today!
Recycling Crayons
Take those broken crayons and make them brand new, use similar colors or combine several colors for fun!
DIY Bird feeder
Create a one-of-a-kind bird feeder by using recycled milk or juice jugs and just watch how many birds visit you!
Play at Home Recess
Playworks will be broadcasting interactive activities, stretching, games, warm ups, and cool downs on Facebook live on weekdays at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm to get your children moving from the comfort of your own home!
DIY Calming Jar
With school closures and not being able to see friends and family your little ones might feel anxious or worried, create a calming jar together to help them take a moment to relax when they feel stressed.
Daily STREAM Activity with Children’s Discovery Museum
Each weekday the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum will provide step-by-step directions and images of a daily activity that children can do at home. Every activity has a suggested age range and details about whether parent help is required. Check back to the San Diego Children’s Discovery website daily to learn about all kinds of activities including ball drops, how to make ice cream in a bag, milk art and MORE!
Virtual Cooking Classes
Join Delish every weekday at 10am Pacific for virtual cooking classes hosted on Instagram Live! Ingredient lists will be posted to their website prior to the live class so that you and your little one can participate from home!
Miss Megan’s Camp Kindergarten
Miss Megan comes to Facebook Live weekdays at 7am Pacific with her “Morning Meetings” for 3-7 year old children. During these meetings she does singing, counting, weather, calendar, reading, and more! All of her videos are done classroom-style to help give your little one’s day a little more routine. Her Morning Meetings remain on Facebook for future viewings.
Draw with Ed Vere
Illustrator Ed Vere uploads new drawing tutorials every Wednesday and Friday to his website. Though Ed is located in the UK and thus uploads very early in local time, his videos stay up on his website for viewing whenever you desire!
San Diego Union-Tribune Storytime
As part of The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Virtual Event Series, the San Diego Festival of Books is hosting Children’s Storytime on Facebook for you to enjoy at home with your family.
KneeBouncers: Free Toddler Games and Educational Games for Babies
Simple and interactive online games for toddlers that can be played by pressing any key on the keyboard or tapping the screen on any mobile device. These games can teach children to recognize colors, numbers and sounds to better prepare them for beginning kindergarten.
Cardboard Art
Cardboard Art: check out this list of creative ways for you and your little ones to make art together using little more than a cardboard box and some basic supplies!
PBS Kids Free Online Games
PBS Kids Free Online Games: These online games feature your child’s favorite PBS Kids characters including Elmo and Arthur in interactive games that include counting, sorting and even sing-a-long games!
Scholastic Learn at Home
Scholastic Learn at Home: Contains a weekly guide to parent-facilitated readings, bilingual activities and videos to watch each day with your child! Every weekday your child can learn about a new topic including animals, seasons, music, the importance of teeth brushing and more!
Hand Clapping Games
Parents, remember hand clapping games such as patty cake, rockin’ robin and slide? Teach them to your little ones!
- Patty Cake
- Miss Mary Mack
- The Cup Game
- Sevens
- Rockin’ Robin
- Tic Tac Toe
- Concentration 64
- Slide
- Say, Say Oh Playmate
- Stella Ella Ola
DIY Bubble Wand and Bubbles
Create your own bubble solution and wand. Have fun with bubbles!
Toy Washing Station
Let your little ones have fun while being productive by getting their toys nice and clean with this DIY toy washing station. This creative idea is also great because it helps clean off germs that may be hiding on toy surfaces.
Draw with Ed Vere
Illustrator Ed Vere uploads new drawing tutorials every Wednesday and Friday to his website
FleetTV
The Fleet Science Center has begun routinely uploading fun and educational videos on Facebook! Give their page a follow for updates on when a new video is released.
Sponge Painting
Cut a sponge into different shapes and dip one side into paint. Show your child how to press the sponge onto a piece of paper to create a colorful masterpiece.
A Basketful of Fun
Place an empty laundry basket in an open space. Turn it upside down, let your child push and pull it across the floor, or toss some favorite toys into it. Pretend the basket is a car or fire truck and push your child around while making the sound of a car or siren. Who knew a simple basket could be so much fun?
Learn@Home
YouTube’s new Learn@Home page provides curated playlists of kid-friendly learning videos by subject and grade-level
The germ called Coronavirus; a short guide for children
Check out this great children’s book that explains what Coronavirus is, why we are staying at home, things they can and can’t do, how to wash their hands and talking about their feelings.
50 Indoor Physical Activities for Kids
Even though we are stuck inside, it is still important to stay physical. These ideas are perfect for getting sweaty but inside.
Highlights Kids
Your favorite magazine is now online with tons of free activities and lessons.
Nick Jr.
Interact with all your favorite Nick Jr. characters through games, videos, full episodes and more.
Simon Says
The classic game we all loved as a child is still fun as ever! Check out this list of fun ideas to include in your game for even more silly fun.
Make Musical Instruments
Use regular household items such as pots, pans, cups and more to help your child unleash their musical side!
FunBrain
This fun website provides games and activities for free for your child to learn about math and reading from home!
Singing
Singing is a great way to reach the recommended 30,000 words spoken every day to your young child! Put on a fun tune or sing on your own and encourage your little one to join you!
San Diego Zoo Kids
This free website provided by the San Diego Zoo offers loads of fun videos and activities for your little ones to learn about the critters of the world from your own home!
Crayon Push Activity
Do this crayon push activity which is perfect for helping toddlers develop their motor skills and having fun while they’re at it!
Mess Free Finger Painting
Create mess free finger painting by putting paint into a zip lock bag and taping the bag to any surface. Kids can swirl the colors around and watch how they combine. Just make sure the bag is sealed tight!
Sink or Float
Grab a bucket or pot and fill it with water. Have everyone in the family pick a few items and guess which items will sink or float. Then put them to the test!
Alphabet House
Draw the outline of a letter on paper and cut it out. Give the letter to your child and walk around the house and yard together. Ask your child to find objects that start with the letter. Each time he finds an object, write it down on a list.
DIY Face Coverings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using a cloth face covering to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We put together a list of guides to help you make your own using common household supplies. Keep in mind, these face coverings should be laundered between uses for maximum effectiveness.
SwitchZoo
A great resource for little ones interested in learning about animals using online games and activities.
Rock Painting
Grab a rock which is a child-safe size and some paint and you and your little one can let your imaginations flow! From painting colors, to patterns, to even painting the rock like an animal, the possibilities are endless!
Backyard Camping
There’s no need to go far from home to have a fun camping experience. Try out backyard camping from the safety of home for a fun way to spend a day! Check out this of creative ideas to try while you’re at it.
Seussville
Little ones love reading Dr. Seuss and now they can have fun with his stories online! This website offers loads of games and reading activities so kids can have fun and learn at the same time.
Free Printable Activities for Kids
Get out your printer and check out these printable activities from puzzles to mazes and color by number. Endless amounts of fun!
Alphabet Find Learning Activity
Write the letters of the alphabet on paper and tape them around the house. Have your kids go in order or you can call out random letters for them to find.
How to Throw a Birthday Party at Home While Social Distancing
Here are some great ideas on how to throw a birthday party while in quarantine. We want our kids to still feel celebrated!
Adorable Animal Cams You Can Watch All Day Long
If your kids are missing going to the zoo or aquarium, check out these animal cams available all day.
DIY Sensory Activities
Sensory activities are great for babies and this easy DIY list includes ideas from sensory bags to a spider web discovery basket.
Paint with Kool-Aid
All you need is water, Kool-Aid mix, paper and a paintbrush and your little ones will be well on their way to creating an artistic masterpiece of their own.
PBS Kids
PBS Kids provides a large collection of tools, videos, and games tailored towards children.
Mini Garden
All you need is dirt, water and seeds! You can even choose a fun container such as a mason jar, a mug, or a shoebox to get creative!
Zoo Webcams
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park offer many livestreams of their wildlife for you and your child to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Tune in any time and watch as the creatures explore and play in their habitat throughout the day!
Cooking
Cooking healthy foods with your child is a fun way to bond, learn about healthy habits, and have fun while doing it. Check out First 5 San Diego’s helpful list of healthy recipes which includes ideas from quesadillas to fish sticks!
ABCmouse
This totally online early learning academy is giving out a free 30-day trial of its program for children 2-8 years old.
Tie Dye T-Shirts
Let your children get creative by making their own tie dye t-shirts! The possibilities are endless and they’re sure to love being able to wear a shirt they can say that they created themselves.
Build a Blanket Fort
Help your little one make their own fortress using a couch, pillows and blankets and let their imagination run wild.
Play Dress Up
Use some clothing items or DIY your own costume. Have your child dress up as their favorite superhero or dream job and let the creativity flow!
Scholastic Learn at Home
This wonderful lesson gives children in pre-K, kindergarten and beyond daily lessons and activities so they can sharpen their minds and keep up on their learning, even from home!
Amazing Online Music Resources for the Entire Family
There are lots of music resources that are offering free or inexpensive ways to stay connected to the universal language.
Indoor Picnic
Content: Make sandwiches or another tasty treat with the help of your little one and set up a blanket inside or in your yard for picnic time!
Make Slime
Content: Making slime is a great way to pique children’s interest in science and chemistry while making a fun, squishy toy. There are many ways to make slime, but the most common recipe calls for glue, water, borax and food coloring. Be sure to only try this with children who understand that they shouldn’t put it in their mouth.
17 Fun Things to Make with a Toilet Paper Roll
Who knew you could do so much with a toilet paper roll? Just don’t go through your toilet paper too fast to get to the rolls.
Simple, Fun Activities for Kids, From Newborn to Five
These simple but fun ideas are perfect for all kids ages 0 through 5.
Mathscore
A great way to develop math skills, Mathscore offers loads of activities and practice for children in kindergarten and beyond.
Storyline Online
This website hosts a large collection of children’s stories read out loud by famous people, from the comfort of your own home!
Learn with Alexa
For those who have access to an Amazon Alexa device at home, Bamboo Learning has a voice-based learning program including reading, math, and more for children of all different ages.
Virtual Events in San Diego
Organizations all around San Diego are creating online opportunities for kids to continue learning. This calendar curates local virtual events for you and your child to enjoy.
Explore Mars Online
NASA has created an excellent online simulation of travelling on the surface of Mars as the Curiosity Rover, great for budding young astronauts!
Zoo Webcams
The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park offers many livestreams of their wildlife for you and you child to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Tune in any time and watch as the creature explore and play in their habitat throughout the day!
Make Math A Routine
This website provides loads of fun ideas and ways to incorporate math learning into your child’s daily routine.
Cardboard Box Coloring
A perfect way to take advantage of your small children’s urge to color, all you need is a large cardboard box with an open top for your little one to have loads of fun coloring everything around them!
Backyard Camping
There’s no need to go far from home to have a fun camping experience. Try out backyard camping from the safety of home for a fun way to spend a day! Check out this of creative ideas to try while you’re at it.
Learn Science
This website provides fun science lessons for your little ones of Kinder age and beyond.
Music Lab
This fun website allows little ones to put their musical creativity to work through experimenting with sounds in a fun and visually appealing way
Talk. Read. Sing
Watch and hear celebrities read children’s books:
Storyline Online
YouTube channel of children’s books being read aloud:
The StoryTime Family