Your family's guide to being smart, safe, healthy, and prepared for any Rhode Island or national emergency including covid, flu, fire, hurricane, and more!
ACTIVITIES & SAFE FUN!
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning how to dance in the rain."
50 Nature-Based
Activities for Rhode Islanders.
There are lots of fun activities you can do right from your home, backyard, or neighborhood. Try some of these activities on your own or with your family!
www.riparks.com/getoutside.php#events
​
Audubon at Home -- Nature Play and Learning is a free resource for teachers, families and kids on our website. 20 nature themes that include stories, animal interviews, behind the scenes tours, backyard explorations, songs, crafts and more! We are also doing virtual and in-person programming for schools, libraries, child care centers and community organizations. We are here to support teachers, students and parents anyway we can.
​
​
​
​
​
​
Build a birdhouse - learn about various local species of birds and build a birdhouse to attract that species:
www.nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/
​
Go Providence.com - click for a list of virtual things to do including a restaurant guide.
​
The Land Trust Alliance - a national land conservation organization, has compiled an extensive list of no-cost, enjoy-from-anywhere diversions for kids of all ages. Including everything from scavenger hunts to art activities to virtual hikes, this list includes something for everyone. And because many of these activities require no prep time and minimal supervision, they’re the perfect response to the restless child’s “I’m bored” declaration.
Rhode Island Strong.
We are strongest when we work together, whether it's wearing a mask in public, checking in on an elderly neighbor, preparing a meal for an exhausted front line worker ... I've heard so many wonderful stories of kindness. If you have a story to share or strategies that could be helpful to others ... we're asking you to please send them our way. We'll include this information on the Rhode Island Strong page (CLICK HERE!). Thank you for caring and thank you for sharing!
ALL KIDS WHO SHARE ARE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING TO WIN GREAT PRIZES!!
​
Rhode Island Stronger.
Make Your Own
FACE COVERING
​
with (or without) a sewing machine
Kids will have a blast making these masks!
OCEAN STATE LIBRARIES
(OSL) is a consortium of Rhode Island’s 48 public libraries and St. George’s School. OSL coordinates a statewide catalog of library materials, digital content and future-ready technology services for its member libraries so they may better serve their patrons and communities. Through their library’s membership in OSL and OSL’s partnership with the Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services, library patrons have access to over six million books, movies and more, all available at or through their local public library.
​
AskRI [www.askri.org] Visit AskRI to explore free resources to help you learn a language (over 70 languages including 19 English as a Second Language Course), complete homework assignments, conduct research, or simply satisfy your curiosity. There are resources for learners of all ages, families, and other curious souls! Learning Express includes free test preparation - for SATs, various graduate school entrance exams, professional certification, and citizenship (in English and Spanish).
New digital resources are on the way, too! Stay tuned for news at oslri.org and AskRI.org about exciting new resources that will become available statewide soon. Many individual public libraries are also working on new digital resources, too. Check your local library website to see what’s available today and what’s on the way!
​
​
Online Learning & Other Resources
https://olis-ri.libguides.com/online/home
Search this guide by age group or topic by following the links below:
​
​
​
​
​
​
BEST MEDIA FOR FAMILIES
Best Media Lists: Our Recommendations for Families
(from Common Sense Media)
Need some fresh ideas for your next family movie night? In the market for apps and games that will entertain your kids and teach them a thing or two? Looking for a book to engage your reluctant reader? Our editors have hand-picked lists of their favorite titles in every category of media we cover -- movies, TV, books, music, websites, apps, and games (including learning ratings) -- to give you the information you need to make the best choices for your family. All of our picks are entertaining and rated to help you decide whether they're age-appropriate for your kids. Pandemic related resources - CLICK HERE!
Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest:
​
And more ......
5 Minute Crafts
Subscribe on YouTube (they're not really 5 min.)
​
4-H At Home
https://4-h.org/about/4-h-at-home/
Explore fun, educational activities and learning experiences for kids and teens to do at home.
ACCUWeather Summer Camp (Year round) -
STEM activities, learn about weather, and videos for the whole family - and not just for the summer!
​
Code.org - learn all about computers from the basics to creating code - all from your computer at home.
​
CommonLit.org - access their library of grade appropriate books and learning materials, searchable by topic, recommendations, etc.
​
Discovery Museum @ Home
www.discoveryacton.org/education/discovery-home
Lots of fun to choose from: backyard play, kitchen science, engineering, math mania, art Masterpieces, movement and health, and more. Enjoy!
​
www.easypeasyfun.com - Arts & Crafts - easy and fun - for kids of all ages. Family fun too!
​
Resources for families for fun and for at-home learning (available in multiple languages)
​
JetStream - a online "School" to Learn about Weather
from the National Service
https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/
​
​
Kitchen Explorers! America's Test Kitchen Kids:
Using the kitchen as a classroom setting, Kitchen Explorers! features hands-on experiments, kid-tested recipes, and interactive games that allow young kids to practice educational skills in a creative and unique way.
​
Discover cool stuff each week with your kids: fun ideas to help your kids to explore the world.
Online Museums for curious kids of all ages
​
PBS Kids
Sign up for newsletter to get daily activities and tips to help kids play and learn at home.
​
Providence After School Alliance (PASA):
The AfterZone for middle schoolers
The HUB for high schoolers
​
More weather/storm/science related activities
(from the NSSL - National Severe Storms Laboratory)
​
The Smithsonian Learning Lab - history, art, culture, science, articles, games, apps, and so much more!
www.smithsonianeducation.org/students
​
Wide Open School
​
Tips to support learning from home. Get resources for families and for educators.
​
You'll find thousands of things to do at-home, both online and off, from science experiments, coloring pages, recipes, unique activities, games, holiday fun, virtual field trips, and so much more, separated by age and interests, baby through middle school. Awesome website!
A Helpful ONLINE SAFETY GUIDE
(Including tips for People With Autism Spectrum Disorders) Important read - CLICK HERE!
Boston Globe: 75+ things to do while coronavirus has you stuck at home
Voices of Youth:
Voices of Youth is UNICEF's digital community FOR YOUTH, BY YOUTH. Share your art and be moved by others. Click HERE.
StoryTime Online
https://www.storylineonline.net
Well known celebrities read books to children - an award-winning literacy program for children of all ages. Created by the Sag/AFTRA Foundation.
Back-to-School Coloring Fun! (Click on Image)
PodCasts for kids? Absolutely!
Staying Healthy & Active:
COVID-19 PE and Fitness Resources for the Whole Family (Click Image)
​
50 Activities for Seniors in Isolation - Boredom (and Loneliness) Are Not Just For the Young! (Click Image)
​
Take a Dance Break!