ML Interest Tag: reading-activities

The Very Best Online Games for Kids

by Kipp Jarecke-Cheng

Tablet-based edutainment apps are great for busy families on the go, but for kids who have access to a laptop or desktop computer, browser-based online games can provide a much-needed reprieve from tablet fatigue. There are plenty of kid-friendly, educational online game sites to choose from, and many offer a selection of content free of charge. Read on to see our picks of the best online games for kids of all ages.

MarcoPolo World School

MarcoPolo

This award-winning platform offers a dynamic, relatable STEAM curriculum featuring over 450+ lessons and over 3,000 activities, with new content added weekly, this is your go-to for kids from 3-7. With a diverse array of projects, including hands-on arts & crafts, stunning videos and more, your kiddo can travel the world learning about science, technology, engineering, art and math without ever leaving your house. 

marcopololearning.com

Click here to try for FREE for an entire month. 

ABCMouse.com Early Learning Academy

Featuring more than 850 lessons across 10 levels of learning, ABC Mouse is a one-stop-shop for pre-school and early elementary online education. The website’s online curriculum includes more than 9,000 individuals learning activities in reading, math, science and art. Young learners will be delighted by the website’s interactive games and activities, which are brought to life with colorful animations and fun music, but older kids may find some of the lessons a bit too easy. ABCmouse.com members also can download the mobile app to access many of the same lessons, compatible with most smartphones and tablets.

Preschool to third grade, subscription plans start at $9.95/monthly, abcmouse.com

ABCYa!

ABCYa! offers more than 300 online games for students ranging from preschool to fifth grade. While many of the website’s large collection of gamified math and reading lessons are available free of charge, an online subscription removes ads and gives access to additional content. Nifty video tutorials on the website show kids how to make a variety of crafty projects, like origami tulips and slime. Like an increasing number of formerly online-only gaming sites, ABCYa! is also available as a mobile app for Android, Kindle and iOS, which provides access to most of the website’s catalog of games and activities.

Preschool to fifth grade, subscription plans start at $6.99/monthly, abcya.com

BrainPOP Jr.

While BrainPOP Jr.’s website offers some free content, including select games and videos, the good stuff can be found behind a subscription paywall. Designed for students in kindergarten through third grade, BrainPOP Jr.’s curriculum is standards-aligned and features movies, quizzes, games, and activities that cover subjects ranging from science, reading and writing, math, health, social studies, and arts and technology. As learners graduate to more advanced learning, there’s BrainPop, for fourth graders and older, and GameUp, a companion educational gaming site.

Kindergarten to third grade, subscription plans start at $9.45/monthly, jr.brainpop.com

Fact Monster

Not so much an online educational gaming website, Fact Monster is a neatly organized, kid-friendly online resource for elementary school students to discover fun facts and get homework help on a wide variety of subjects. Curated by educational professionals, the detailed content is rich with information that’s easily accessible and comprehensible to young learners. Students can easily navigate through the website and select specific skills and concepts that they want to explore. Think of it as an interactive, virtual encyclopedia.

Kindergarten to fourth grade, free, ad-supported, factmonster.com

Fun Brain

Started more than 20 years ago, Fun Brain is a leader in free educational online games for kids, offering hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos that help students develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving, and literacy. Although there are plenty of banner ads on the website, the collection of fun, interactive games will engross students who may not even realize that they are learning while they play. As a bonus, site visitors also can read a variety of popular kids’ books and comics, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amelia Writes Again, and Brewster Rocket.

Pre-k to eighth grade, free, ad-supported, funbrain.com

Mr. Nussbaum

Boasting more than 3,500 pages of content, including plenty of learning games on a variety of subjects, Mr. Nussbaum is free educational gaming website created by a school teacher named Greg Nussbaum. The look and feel of many of the games are decidedly old school, but unexpectedly addictive. Students can learn math skills, language arts and geography, among other subjects, through engaging interactive games and activities.

Pre-k to sixth grade, free, ad-supported, with paid ad-free memberships coming soon, mrnussbaum.com

Multiplication.com

Imagine playing Super Mario Bros. and in the middle of collecting coins, you have to answer a multiplication question in order to move on. That’s a little bit like the experience of playing the interactive multiplication games on Multiplication.com. Which is to say, the gameplay is super-fun—at least for students who like math and gaming. Although the website has a generic look and feel, the games are engaging and effective. Most games are free, and a paid subscription removes ads.

Second grade to sixth grade, subscription plans start at $9.45/monthly, multiplication.com

National Geographic Kids Games

National Geographic’s free gaming hub for kids is chock-full of more than 100 fun, interactive games and activities themed around science and geography. Gameplay range from quizzes to puzzles, as well as videos and beautifully photographed stories and essays. Parents and kids can register for a free subscription to monitor and save progress on the website, and a link to Nat Geo’s online store sells neat educational products like STEM toys and science- and geography-related books.

Kindergarten to fourth grade, free, kids.nationalgeographic.com/games

PBS Kids Games

The appeal of PBS Kids online game hub is the free access to a huge number of browser-based gaming experiences based on popular character franchises like The Cat in the Hat, Curious George, Sesame Street, and more. Online games are organized by subjects that include math, healthy habits, science, reading, and teamwork.

Kindergarten to fifth grade, free, pbskids.org/games

Prongo.com

Prongo.com is an educational website that offers fun, interactive, and educational games for kids. In addition to engaging interactive games and activities, the website also features free downloadable clip art, wallpaper, kids jokes, screensavers, and more. Online games are sorted by age groups, ranging from matching and memory games, mazes, puzzles, tic-tac-toe, and more. Brain Teasers are timed quizzes that cover topics such as dinosaurs, the human body, outer space, and inventors.

Preschool to fifth grade, free, ad-supported, prongo.com

Scholastic Games

Education publishing house Scholastic’s online hub offers a fun place for kids to spend time and learn while they play. With content organized by age and interest, the site features web-based games and quizzes as well as links to Scholastic’s growing catalog of mobile apps. Much of the content is geared toward parents and teachers, but there’s plenty of fun stuff for kids that’s interesting and engaging, including Scholastic book-themed games, like Captain Underpants, Goosebump, and The 39 Clues.

Kindergarten to fifth grade, free web games, with additional purchase options, scholastic.com/kids/games

Sheppard Software

This barebones educational gaming website features a collection of hundreds of interactive games aimed at young learners. From science to math to language arts and more, the Flash-based gameplay lets players click-and-drag through different activities that will engage young students with sounds and visual effects to make learning fun and more memorable.

Preschool to second grade, free, ad-supported, sheppardsoftware.com

Starfall

Funded by the Starfall Education Foundation, a publicly supported nonprofit organization, the Starfall website was created in 2002 as a free, public service to help teach children to read wtih phonics. Using audiovisual interactivity, games on the website are suited for kids in preschool through second grade. An optional membership expands the free content to include additional music, math, and reading activities.

Preschool to second grade, free with additional membership options, starfall.com

—Kipp Jarecke-Cheng

Feature photo: iStock 

 

RELATED STORIES: 

The 10 Best Educational Apps for Kids

9 Fun & Easy Typing Games for Kids

12 Games That Add Up to Serious Fun

 

 

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Take to the Skies: Must-Visit Flight Museums for Amateur Aviators

by Abbey McGee

The Seattle area has a rich aviation history, captured and commemorated by a variety of local flight museums just waiting for you to explore. If you’ve got a little aviation aficionado, it’s time to stow your carry-ons in the overhead compartment, fasten your seat belt, and prepare to take-off on a fun-filled adventure. Read on to find out how to get your high-flying action started.

photo: Kelley U. via Yelp

The Museum of Flight
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, The Museum of Flight is home to an extensive collection of more than 160 airplanes and spacecraft, from the first fighter plane to Boeing’s newest plane, the 787 Dreamliner. You can easily spend an entire day exploring one of the world’s largest air and space museums and the grandeur of its Great Gallery and many displays.

Must-See Exhibits
Kids Flight Zone
The Kids Flight Zone is a space exclusively designed for amateur aviators. Pairing fun with education, kids learn flight concepts and principles through hands-on experiences and activities. From sitting in the cockpit of model airplanes to practicing their piloting skills in a hang-glider simulator, kids can let their imaginations soar. Preschool-aged pilots can taxi by a mini-air traffic control tower with plush airplane toys.

Spaceflight Academy
Enter the Spaceflight Academy and explore the first 50 years of spaceflight through interactive displays detailing the history of the shuttle program. The museum’s newest permanent exhibit (opened in Nov. 2014) teaches what it takes to leave our planet and set out into the solar system; an out-of-this-world exhibit for adventurers who dream of exploring beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

photo: Museum of Flight

Airpark
Your chances of being a passenger on Air Force One or the retired Concorde, are probably pretty slim, but at the Airpark, you can climb aboard these one-of-a-kind aircraft and explore. The Airpark re-opens this month in its new location with the 787 Dreamliner joining perennial favorites. The 787 on display was one of the first planes off the production line and traveled around the world as part of the Boeing’s Dream tour. The Airpark is the only place in the world with a 787 on exhibit.

photo: Paul E. via Yelp

Mark Your Calendars
The Museum’s events calendar is full of presentations, speakers, and events from model airplane shows to presentations celebrating women in aviation. The museum also sponsors themed family workshops on Saturdays and Sundays that align with special events.

photo: Museum of Flight

9404 E. Marginal Way South
Seattle, Wa 98108
206-764-5700
Online: museumofflight.org

Hours: Sun.-Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m; first Thursday nights of the month Free, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
Cost: $20/adults, $17/seniors and active Military, $12/youth (5-17), 4 & under Free

Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour
The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour is dedicated to aviation education and home to Boeing’s Everett factory tour. Its main gallery is filled with interactive zones to educate and engage young learners in all things flight-related.

photo: Neal E. via Yelp

Must-See Exhibits
Airplane Design
Start at the airplane design station where you can learn about basic flight concepts and then put your knowledge into action and design your own airplane. Stop by the gift shop and have them print a free copy for you to take home or have the design printed on a t-shirt for a personalized souvenir.

The Family Zone: How Planes Are Made
Young aviators can soar to new heights in the Family Zone, a kid-friendly exhibit teaching about aircraft manufacturing and assembly. Kids can build a simple aircraft model or use LEGO building pieces to create their own flying machines. A mini-sized airport and airplanes allow future pilots to practice their flight skills. Coloring and reading activities are available for younger visitors.

photo: Future of Flight

The Boeing Factory Tour
A highlight of the Future of Flight experience is the Boeing Tour, but children must be at least four feet tall to take the 90-minute tour. This informative tour, interspersed with fascinating aviation facts, provides an inside look at the production lines of 747, 777, and 787 jets assembled at the Everett plant before they take to the skies. Good to know: Boeing tours leave on the hour between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are in high demand during summer months, so reserve your tickets ahead of time.

Mark Your Calendars
Come on a Saturday or Sunday and enjoy a Weekend Family Workshop. The drop-in workshops combine creativity and artistic expression with the science of aviation. Every visitor leaves with something they made (like a personally designed paper airplane). Workshops are free with admission. The 90-minute workshops are scheduled for every Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

photo: Future of Flight

8415 Paine Field Blvd
Mukilteo, Wa 98275
425-438-8100
Online: futureofflight.org

Hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Peak Season Cost: $18-$20/adults, $12-$15/youth (15 & under), $10/Gallery only
Value Season Cost: $16-18/adults, $9-10/youth (15 & under), $10/Gallery only

Flying Heritage Collection
The Flying Heritage Collection is not your average museum, but a collection of vintage aircraft and artifacts with an emphasis on combat planes from WWII. The collection grew from Paul G. Allen’s passion for aviation and history and a desire to authentically preserve and restore these aircraft and artifacts and share with the public.

photo: Flying Heritage Collection

Must-See Exhibit
Unique to other museums, the aircraft are not intended to spend their days sitting in a museum display, but destined to return to the skies. The Flying Heritage Collection consists of 20 aircraft and over a dozen military vehicles and artifacts, most of which operate on a regular basis for aviation enthusiasts to enjoy. The museum focuses on technological history and advancement, expressed by the stories of the historic airplanes, educational activities, and special events.

Photo: Flying Heritage Collection

Mark Your Calendars
Plan your visit when the aircraft are in the air for all to enjoy. The Flying Heritage Collection’s tank arena will be roaring and rumbling on May 25, 2015 for Tankfest Northwest, featuring their tanks in action. On July 25, 2015, the Collection’s signature event, SkyFair, will fill the skies with its distinctive fleet of zooming planes. Both celebrations include plenty of family-friendly activities and on-site food vendors. On scheduled Saturdays throughout the summer months, check out Free Fly Days where various aircraft take to the skies for flight demonstrations.

photo: Flying Heritage Collection

3407 108th St. S.W.
Everett, Wa 98204
425-438-8100
Online: flyingheritage.com

Hours: Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Memorial Day to Labor Day); Tues.-Sun. the rest of the year
Cost: $14/adults, $12/seniors (65 & older and Active Military), $10/youth (6-17), 5 & under Free

Do you have a little aviation enthusiast? Which aviation museum is your favorite? Tell us in the Comments.

— Abbey McGee

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Get To Know Bright Horizons Director, Natalia Baliraj

by Tina Ly
Partner Content

Bright Horizons is opening a new state-of-the-art early education and preschool center in Lower Manhattan this spring. Bright Horizons at 200 Liberty Street will serve children ages 6 weeks to 5 years with Infant, Toddler, Preschool and Kindergarten Prep programs. We had a chance to connect with the Director, Natalia Baliraj to learn a little more about her, her new child care center and some of her favorite things to do in NYC.

1. What’s your favorite part about being Bright Horizons’ Center Director?

I love that Bright Horizons believes in best practices. We emphasize the importance of high-quality child care and meet the needs of the entire family. Our curriculum, The World at Their Fingertips, provides purposeful direction and rich experiences that build upon individual strengths. Our children get the care they need, the inspired learning experiences they enjoy, and the intellectually challenging opportunities they deserve.

2. Tell us one of your most memorable experiences in the early education field.

I love dancing with my students. Dancing (often times with abandon) is your body’s way of showing happiness. When I can take a moment to dance with toddlers or sway and jiggle with infants, I feel happy.

3. If you had to suggest 5 things every NYC family must do, eat or explore, what would that be?

Visit Brooklyn Bridge Park if you have children. The park is amazing because it’s a gross motor wonderland and it’s beautiful. Who wouldn’t want to climb to the top of the slide and see the best view of lower Manhattan as you slide down?

Visit the outer borough parks like Van Cortland and Pelham Bay, These parks are natural habitats and wildlife conservatories for all sorts of animals. You can even explore glacial rocks and go island hopping!

Take advantage of the city’s summer concerts. These are free and lots of the concerts are for kids and super fun!

Visit Governor’s Island! Rent a side by side tandem bicycle, I promise you won’t be able to stop riding because it’s so much fun!

Eat any ethnic foods you can find, NYC is the original melting pot! My favorite is Vietnamese food at Thai Son, but every nationality is represented here. Visit Little Italy, China Town, Little India, Korean Town etc.

 4. What was your favorite childhood book? Do you have any new favorite kids’ reads you recommend to parents?

I love the book ‘In the night Kitchen’ by Maurice Sendak, but, today my favorite children’s book is ‘Press Here’ by Herve Tullet.

Bright Horizons has a Growing Reader program where we recommend children’s books and reading activities to foster early literacy at home. Visit our Growing Readers program to learn more.

5. Since you grew up in the Bronx, what are some of the kid-friendly hidden gems in the area that only a native would know about? 

Living in Pelham Bay, the Bronx I became a hiker and animal lover. I go hiking at the Twin Islands with my dogs a lot. They are trail blazers and I love finding all different types of plants and animals in the trails. I also enjoy photographing all of the beautiful scenery.

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25 Ways to Give Back Beyond the Canned Food Drive

by allison ellis

Symptoms: a constant run of the gimmes that’s leaving you feeling congested and worn out; a spreading rash of entitlement; affluenza. Prescription: Give to people in need in your community; get the kids involved, rest up, drink plenty of fluids, and focus on things that matter – not “things.”

Here are 25 great ways to get your kids engaged this holiday season.

Note: Most organizations have a minimum age requirement for volunteers (usually 18) although many will accept kids with adult supervision. In cases where onsite volunteering isn’t possible or practical, see if your family can help a charity in other ways, by hosting a supply drive in your neighborhood, helping organize an event, or assisting with offsite administrative tasks.

Here’s how.

Adopt a Family
There are dozens of opportunities to help families in need all over Puget Sound, from food baskets for homeless youth to toy drives for low ranking military families.

Get involved: Peruse the United Way Adopt a Family database for more information or visit www.unitedway.org

Art With Heart
Helping kids through the healing power of creativity, Seattle-based Art With Heart creates and distributes therapeutic books for youth in the midst of a crisis. Volunteer opportunities include fundraising, event planning or becoming an Art With Heart ambassador.

Get involved: Visit www.artwithheart.org/help/volunteer/

BikeWorks
BikeWorks provides programs and resources to needy youth in Seattle. Volunteer by hosting a repair party, bike collection drive, or get involved in their annual kids bike swap.

Get involved: Contact Davey Oil, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteers@bikeworks.org or call 206-725-9408, ext. 1

Boyer Children’s Clinic
Boyer Children’s Clinic serves children who have neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays. Volunteer opportunities include classroom development and fundraising.

Get involved: Call Boyer Children’s Clinic at 206-325-8477 or email information@boyercc.org.

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
At Catholic Community Services, volunteers help elderly and disabled persons remain living independently in their own homes. They also serve food to the hungry, help youth who are struggling in school, and assist with early learning centers.

Get involved: Email ccskingcountyinfo@ccsww.org.

Childhaven
The only nonprofit organization in King County dedicated to the mission of healing young and vulnerable victims of abuse, ages 0 – 5, Childhaven’s volunteer opportunities include Brighter Birthday and Adopt-a-Family programs, as well as a Holiday Giving Tree.

Get involved: See Childhaven’s How You Can Help: Volunteer page.

Compass Housing Alliance
Compass provides a range of services and housing options to people struggling with homelessness and poverty in the Seattle area. Volunteer opportunities include donating a holiday meal side dish or main dishes for Thanksgiving or Christmas meals, making holiday meal baskets, forming a cleaning crew or yard work party, or purchasing grocery gift cards for families.

Get involved: Contact Kevin Friedrich, volunteer coordinator, at kfriedrich@compasshousingalliance.org.

El Centro de la Raza
El Centro de la Raza empowers members of the Latino community and serves as an advocate for social justice, through youth, education and skill building programs. Families can volunteer by donating items to their wish list.

Get involved: Visit www.elcentrodelaraza.com/getinvolved.htm

Family Works
A resource center and food bank serving north and central Seattle families, Family Works volunteer opportunities include food drives, childcare and fundraising.

Get involved: Email Megan at meganp@familyworksseattle.org or call 206-576-6534.

Hopelink
Hopelink needs volunteers to help with their food drives, coin drives for their End Summer Hunger program; and sorting, bagging and distributing food to those visiting their food bank in Bellevue. Adult guardian/chaperone(s) are required for volunteers ages 15 and under, and the minimum age for volunteers is 7.

Get involved: Contact the Volunteer Program at 425-869-6066 or email volunteerwithus@hope-link.org

Humane Society of Seattle/King County
Love animals? Humane Society onsite volunteers must be 18 and over, but families can always contribute to the shelter pet wish list.

Get involved: Visit: www.seattlehumane.org

Jubilee Women’s Center
Community dinners (cook a meal at home and serve it to the residents of this women’s shelter) is one of the easiest ways to get involved at Jubilee Women’s Center, or your family can be a Secret Angel Chef and drop off meals for women to heat-and-eat on their own. Donated clothing and other wish list items are also appreciated.

Get involved: Email info@jwcenter.org or contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 206-324-1244.

Imagine Housing
Imagine Housing is the only nonprofit organization in East King County dedicated solely to developing affordable rental homes for low-income families. Volunteer by taking on a property beautification or resident life enhancement project.

Get involved: Visit www.imaginehousing.org/get-involved/volunteer/.

Northwest Harvest
The best opportunities for kids are at the Northwest Harvest Kent warehouse. Families can work together to repack bulk food into family-sized portions that are distributed to their network of food banks throughout Washington state. You can also organize a food drive through your church, school or scouting organization. Northwest Harvest will provide flyers and food recepticals, as well as pick up.

Get involved: Visit www.northwestharvest.org/Volunteer.htm

One-Day Volunteer Opportunities
Got a day to give back? Check out United Way of King County’s monthly calendar, searchable via region or zip code, for kid-friendly opportunities that are the best fit for your family.

Get involved: Visit volunteer.truist.com/uwkc/volunteer/calendar/

Operation: Sack Lunch
The largest meal and basic necessities provider in Washington State, Operation: Sack Lunch provides nutritional meals and basic life necessities to the homeless children, teens, women and men in Seattle. Volunteer opportunities include meal prep, serving and clean up. Kids under age 13 can’t work inside the kitchen, but younger volunteers are accommodated in other ways with various tasks that are essential to the program.

Get involved: Email volunteer@opsacklunch.org or visit www.oslserves.org/index.php.

Page Ahead
Page Ahead provides new books and develops reading activities that empower at-risk children. Find a participating bookstore with a current book drive, or volunteer by helping count and sort books.

Get involved: Visit www.pageahead.org/volunteer.php

PEPS
PEPS – Program for Early Parent Support – has been a vital resource for new parents in the Puget Sound region since 1983. 98% of PEPS groups are run by volunteers. Get your family involved by becoming a PEPS Ambassador or by assisting with fundraising or event planning.

Get involved: Visit www.peps.org/volunteer

Powerful Schools
Working with a select group of Seattle schools through academic intervention programs, Powerful Schools helps to close the achievement gap. Volunteers are needed to assist with literacy nights and open mic nights, fundraising and mailings.

Get involved: Contact Sandy Gunder at sandy@powerfulschools.org.

Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House is a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children being treated at Seattle Children’s. Residents need food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and games – and families can help by holding a drive or collecting items for their wish list.

Get involved: Visit www.rmhcseattle.org

Seattle Animal Shelter
Seattle Animal Shelter doesn’t accept volunteers under age 18 but can accommodate groups of youth (with chaperones) for several hours of volunteering or a behind-the-scenes shelter tours. Opportunities are extremely limited and require one month’s notice.

Get involved: Contact the volunteer manager at sas.volunteers@seattle.gov.

Treehouse
It can be tough to be a foster kid, especially during the holidays. You can make the holidays bright for a child living in foster care by collecting warm clothes, toys and donations for Treehouse for Kids.

Get involved: Email drives@treehouseforkids.org or call Christine at 206-267-5109.

Washington Trails Association
Kids ages 10 and up can participate on their own during Washington Trails Association work parties and those under 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult. After five work parties, volunteers earn their very own green hard hat with their name on it.

Get involved: Visit www.wta.org/volunteer/trail-work-parties

Volunteer Match
Still want more ideas? Volunteer Match is an online service that matches your interests with over 90,000 nonprofit organizations.

Get involved: Visit www.volunteermatch.com

How do you get your kids involved in charitable organizations? Let us know in the comment section below.

–Allison Ellis

first photo courtesy of Kathy Takahashi; other photos courtesy of Allison

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