Stuck at home? 20 learning activities to keep kids busy

By Julie Rawe
Expert reviewed by Amanda Morin
With many schools closed because of the coronavirus, you may be worried about keeping your child occupied in between distance learning classes at home — especially if you’re trying to juggle kids and work. To help with this, here are some learning activities that are simple and fun for your child to try.
These activities are free, except for the board games and some of the apps, and may even help your child keep skills up.
From Understood
- Discover DIY math tools for grade-schoolers.
- Get started making an accomplishments box.
- Download growth mindset activities to build self-esteem.
- Learn how to create a strengths chain with your child.
- Find out how to use TV as a social skills tool.
- Discover fun things your child can read besides books.
- Get ideas for when you don’t have time to read with your child.
- Explore indoor activities to keep your active child busy.
- Use board games to help build important skills.
- Try some meditation apps for kids.
From around the web
- Download Reading Rockets’ five-day space adventure toolkit.
- Build emotional smarts with GreatSchools’ feeling words game.
- Download Common Sense Media’s apps to inspire outdoor play.
- Watch famous actors read kids’ books out loud.
- Use baking to help young kids work on math skills.
- Play animated math games for grades 4–8.
- Explore a world of wonders, like why cat don’t like water.
- Play a sci-fi game to develop ethical decision-making skills.
- Find science projects based on your child’s age and interests.
- Use “how to” videos to make things like time capsules, shadow puppets, and chocolate pizza.
Get more coronavirus updates and tips for kids who learn and think differently.
About the author

About the author
Julie Rawe is the special projects editor at Understood.
Reviewed by

Reviewed by
Amanda Morin is the author of “The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education” and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days.