Parents around the globe are getting overwhelmed with managing their routine in this coronavirus quarantine with kids. The lockdown under Coronavirus is a strange situation that we are imposing on our children and their moodiness or discontent are just different states of mind. During this trying time, it is absolutely crucial to ensure that the kids are getting useful resources to continue exploring and creating. You don’t want them to end up on couches with gadgets and games till anxiety and depression gets hold of them.
Free Online Resources for Pakistani Kids
There are thousands of online resources for kids, both paid n free, we have created our own list of free resources that are more pertinent to Pakistani parents. This list includes resources from different categories that are absolutely free, easily accessible and are highly recommended based on their content and usefulness.
Recommended YouTube Channels for Kids
Normally we would recommend you to spend as much one-on-one time with your kids as possible. However, this quarantine requires work-from-home for either both parents or one parent while other parent gets additional housework. These YouTube channels are our handpicked for the exploratory content that they are teaching with interesting videos which can cover up for experimental education that we miss in our Pakistani school system.
Crash Course Kids
Initially launched for 5th graders and above, this channel now covers a wide range of topics related to Science, Engineering, Food & Nutrition, Earth, Architecture, Climate, you just name it! We would not categorize it in terms of age as the videos are so interesting and easy to understand that kids from 5 years and above can easily get hooked up while learning main concepts. You can check the link below for their video and subscribe to the channel for free.
Peekaboo Kidz
Peekaboo kidz is another YouTube channel that has a wide range of educational videos for kids including topics like immune system, psychological problems, pollution, mathematics, technology and hundreds of other topics. The animated videos are bright, easy to interpret for all ages and very informative. The channel also has classic English songs, Phonics songs and lullabies for younger kids.
Rock ’N Learn
Rock ’N Learn is a general knowledge channel for smaller kids starting from 12 months up to 6-7 years. The channel offers videos for baby words, preschool videos, nursery rhythms and songs and language learning for kids. The channel also has videos related to Mathematics and Science for younger kids.
Science Max
Whether your kids are into science or not, they must be familiar with basic concepts of science including physics and chemical reactions. This YouTube channel has several exciting videos where the host Phil conducts all science experiments on larger scale which is not only fun to watch but also increases our general knowledge regarding basic concepts of chemistry and physics.
SciShow Kids
SciShow Kids is another interesting learning source which is based on the concept of human curiosity and all possible questions that comes into our minds regarding earth, animals, humans, geography, clothes, food etc. The channel uses attention-grabbing graphics in each video to ensure that kids and young adults are not bored while learning. There is no age group for this channel as videos are easy to understand and informational for all ages.
Islamic Learning Resources
There is a growing number of channels and websites that can be utilized for developing interest of kids in our Islamic history and teachings of Allah preached by Prophets. We recommend our personal favorites for your kids that can not only increase their knowledge regarding Islam but also develop interest in learning more about its foundations.
Stories of the Prophets – Quran Stories
This channel covers timeless tales from lives of our Prophets, Friends of Prophets (Sahabah), Family of Prophet (SAW) and many more related to Islam. The videos are made with care, respect and without any controversial material. A highly recommended series for your family in this difficult time of quarantine.
One4Kids
One4Kids is another great channel for relatively younger kids to understand concepts of our religion along with learning different Surah from the Quran. The channel features various Quran learning videos as well as cartoons with Muslim characters preaching several concepts from Quran.
Urdu Learning Resources for Kids
To facilitate Urdu vocabulary of your kids, there are two great Urdu channels that we recommend.
Urdu- Stories of the Prophets – Quran Stories
This channel is the Urdu version of the channel we recommended earlier and has great and easy narration for your kids as well as adults.
Urdu Fairy Tales
Urdu Fairy Tales has a wide range of Urdu stories for your kids. The channel has over 1.4 million subscribers and channel offers same stories in many other languages as well.
Free E-books/ Stories
With bookshops and libraries closed due to lockdown, it is difficult to find any alternative for young readers that can replace their reading habits. We found three great websites that are offering wide range of free story books and e-books.
Oxford Owl
Oxford Owl provides reading material for both teachers and students where material for home is free with a huge eBook library, Phonics Guide, Maths Games, and Activities for kids from age 1 to 11 years old. The website also has Reading Schemes, Spelling competitions and Time Table techniques. This free online resource is a great tool for keeping your little ones occupied as well as well-learned.
Access here: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/
Story Online
Story Online is a children’s literacy website that is launched by SAG-AFTRA Foundation, featuring hundreds of celebrities reading children’s books with added illustrations to original books. This website is an excellent source for your children that is guaranteed to improve their reading, communication, concentration and logical thinking skills. The videos for book reading by celebrities is free to access by parents and is highly recommended for increase vocabulary skills of your kids.
Access here: https://www.storylineonline.net/
Story Berries
Story Berry is another great free source for stories, fairy tales and poems for kids of age 1-12 years old. The website provides audio books, videos as well as reading material for kids in various categories.
Access here: http://www.storyberries.com/
Music Related Learning Resources
Learning in quarantine should not be restricted to educational stuff only. Research shows that learning any new skill can improve our brain function by multiple times. Here are two great music related free online source that can interest your kids.
The Singing School
This YouTube channel is based on sight singing in order to improve your singing skills. The channel has hundreds of videos for kids and adults who are interested in learning to expand their vocal chords. This activity will not only upgrade another skill in your child but can also enhance their confidence.
Exercise and Other Physical Activities
While there are hundreds of channels online that provide workout videos for kids, majority of those channels include adult exercises as well. We are recommending one channel that has content for kids only and can be safely subscribed by parents for their kids.
Little Sports
Little Sports through animated videos provides a wide range of workout routines for kids of all ages. These engaging videos should be made part of daily routine to make up for missed out activities due to quarantine.
Arts and Other Related activities
Let the inner artist in your kids shine with these awesome free tutorials. These tutorials will not only help pass time but can significantly improve your children’s anxiety and mental strength.
Draw Everyday with JJK
Draw everyday with JJK is an excellent source for learning free art, Cartooning and Writing lessons by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Jarrett J. Krosoczka. This channel has hundreds of videos on drawing, storytelling and writing lessons that can help the little artist in your home.
Rapid Fire Art
Rapid Fire Art is a YouTube channel by a self-taught portrait artist who shares lessons for speed drawings, tutorials, reviews and other art entertainment content. Learning new forms of art is an excellent technique for keeping your kids engaged while their brain develops sharply by learning such skills.
Creative Bug
This website provides over 1000 free videos and tutorials for various arts and crafts projects. Some of the projects include arts and design, sewing, quilting, jewelry, knitting, food, crochet and many more activities for kids.
Access here: https://www.creativebug.com/
Google Arts & Culture
Google Arts and Culture is an amazing exploratory website for kids and adults where google provides a detailed view of artworks, 3D maneuvering through art galleries and museums around the globe and street views of famous tourist spots and landmarks.
Access here: https://artsandculture.google.com/
Online Teaching Resources for Kids of all ages
If you are interested in a proper course or diploma for your kids or want any academic resource to make them understand different concepts, here is a list of recommended teaching resources that also offer free courses and learning material for kids all age.
Khan Academy
Access here: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Brain Pop
Access here: https://www.brainpop.com/
Udemy
Access here: https://www.udemy.com/
Discovery Education
Access here: https://discoveryeducation.com/
