Coronavirus Boredom Busters

Our county, like many in the area, is under lockdown for the next two weeks (as of right now) which means all schools are closed and community centers, gyms, and entertainment venues should be too. Plus, as we all practice social distancing that discourages playdates, I thought I’d offer up some online resources that are available to help quell the cabin fever that will eventually set in with these Coronavirus Boredom Busters.

Whether or not you’re the type of family that plans on creating a schedule or homeschool set-up, I think these are just great ideas all around to share. My goal is to add resources to this list as I come across them!

First up – definitely check out your local public library – please not in person, but online! There are dozens of resources that can prevent boredom from setting in for all ages, including adults!

Local Public Library

Your local public library is sure to have a number of online resources for learning about all sorts of interesting subjects, access to newspapers, eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks, possibly music, and so much more!

Author Resources

Ben Clanton – FB Live Author Visit
Author/Illustrator is offering a free Facebook Live author visit on March 18 at 11am PST, and March 20 at 2pm PST

Dusti Bowling
Read alouds from her chapter books and videos about dessert animal pets!

Draw Every Day with JJK
Jarrett J. Krosoczka is streaming live webcasts every day at 2pm EST beginning March 16

Jarrett Lerner
Lots of fun activities including comic strips and drawing prompts for kids

Jess Keating
“10 free writing videos here, as well as zoodles of resources about animals, books, and more”

Josh Funk
Live Storytime on Saturday, March 21 at 11am EST on Facebook

Lauren Tarshis
Reading aloud I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Kate Messner
Middle grade author, Kate Messner has created a list of authors and illustrators sharing their work online

Mo Willems
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems is available on YouTube weekdays at 1pm EST

Oliver Jeffers
Will be reading a book a day starting on Monday (3/16) at 2pm EST

Remy Lai
A sketch diary prompt every day!

Book Resources

Brightly
Storytimes, book suggestions, and great information available for all ages

KidLit TV
A website filled with kid lit read alouds, interviews, and much more!

Picture Book Read Aloud Resources
(that don’t infringe on copyright)

Scholastic Learn at Home
Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. 

Storyline Online
Streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations

Additional Resources

Activities to Keep Kids Entertained – Popsugar
These are some go-to ideas for great indoor home activities for families!

Center for Puppetry Arts
Live puppet shows on Facebook daily (different times each day)

Educational Companies Offering Free Access
This is an entire spreadsheet of companies that are currently offering free access to materials!

Education from Home
Online resources from a homeschool mom, former elementary school teacher and middle grade fiction writer

Google Art & Culture
Tour museums, parks, and national landmarks without leaving home

Playdough Recipe
Because everyone loves to play with Playdough

Scratch
Free online programming tool for kids

Smithsonian Institution
Digitally explore many of the Smithsonian’s museums, collections and more

If you’re looking for even more activities, check out the tab on Literacious with ideas that you can adapt while at home!