As parents, it can be difficult to keep kids engaged during school closures and breaks. In-home lessons can help children stay busy, even when it is not possible to physically be at a camp or class. Virtual learning can also benefit children who are seeking advanced instruction that may not be available near you. (Also see: Online Classes for Kids: Tips for Success)
Live, Interactive Classes vs. YouTube
In a live online class, the instructor and students meet on Zoom or another interactive system and can see each other. Students are able to ask questions and can follow along in the class. A live class meets at a specific time, so it’s important to note the time zone of the class. Scheduling live classes can be beneficial for staying on a routine during school closures.
Live online classes are also an opportunity to schedule virtual playdates with friends or classmates. During this time of social distancing, it can be fun for kids to connect with their friends while doing something fun online.
Recorded online courses may be found on YouTube or other educational websites and can be watched at any time. These types of online lessons can be helpful if need a quick option. The most common types of pre-recorded online classes are movement – kids dance or zumba.
Online Art Classes for Kids
Art is a very popular online class for kids of all ages. Most art classes use materials you would normally already have at your house – pencil, paper, old magazines or paint. Live art classes provide time to ask questions or spotlight finished art projects.
Family favorites include:
CD’s Art Studio: Draw a different subject every week – previous classes included baby raccoons, penguins and even a hedgehog.
Art & Soul: Small group, highly interactive sessions through an online Art Club.
Young Art: Select from a variety of lessons in all kinds of art media, including clay sculpture, animation, acrylic painting, and pencil sketching.
Artist Center: The online classroom is a State of the Art Program using “The Masters” techniques.
KidztoPros: Variety of creative art programs including anime, graphic design, architecture art design and more.
Find low cost or free online art classes for kids >>
Online Coding Classes for Kids
From beginner level Scratch to more advanced Python, find online coding and gaming camps for kids of all ages. Introducing a child to programming languages could be either a building block for a career or an entertaining option for your young gamer. Not sure where to start? Get expert tips on picking the right coding camp to fit your child.
Family favorites:
Camp Edmo
NR Computer Learning Center
Discover Science Center
CodeREV
KidztoPros
Find low cost or free online coding classes for kids >>
Online Sports and Fitness Camps for Kids
Set aside some time to burn off all that extra energy from being stuck at home. Movement and exercise can help support children’s mental and physical well-being during this challenging time. Online sports and fitness camps include skills and fun games that kids can do from the safety of their own home, backyard, garage or patio. Family favorites include martial arts, yoga, dance, virtual recess and more.
Find low cost or free online sports and fitness camps for kids >>
Online LEGO® Camps for Kids
Popular LEGO® camp curriculums have been adapted for online learning so that your child can make their screen time count with engaging and entertaining STEAM enrichment. Build with LEGO® in themes of cities, robots, superheroes and more.
Find low cost or free online LEGO® camps for kids >>
Online Girl Scout Camps
Earn Girl Scout badges through online workshops in coding and science. Popular badges include: Fling Flyer badge, Coding Basics Badge, Bugs Badge for Brownies and more!
Find online girl scout classes and camps near me >>
Online School Break or Full Day Camps
Many online classes are between 30 minutes and an hour, but full day virtual camps are available. These may be more more convenient for parents that have multiple kids or are trying to work from home.
New Camps:
Camp Super Duper (9:30am-3pm)
Teeter Pal Spring Break Camp
Free Online Classes for Kids
ActivityHero LIVE offers a free, daily series of live, interactive classes for kids. These classes are made possible by teachers who want to help families while school is out with classes in art, music, business, medicine, cooking, LEGO®, fitness and more. They are also small businesses who have lost income due to COVID-19.