Hand-picked tools for every scenario, all well-suited for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teachers and families are in a tough spot right now due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many are quickly figuring out distance learning arrangements for their students or kids for the first time. Beyond the tricky technical and logistical issues involved — not to mention equity and safety issues — teachers are also trying to understand how to re-formulate their curriculum. During this process, there will likely be some content gaps to fill.
If you’ve found yourself searching for quality, content-focused tools students can turn to at home, then we think the list below will help. These are all hand-picked tools we recommend for this unprecedented situation. Most are free (or cheap), and all offer standout learning experiences that shouldn’t be too difficult to slot into your plans. Of course, you’ll also want to dig into their privacy and safety practices, so make sure to check out the privacy evaluations on the review pages (when available).
Elementary Math and Science
Khan Academy Kids
Creative, smart mix of pre-K to K activities is a breath of fresh air
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon
Mystery Science
Big questions, kids’ curiosity drive impressive science curriculum
Price: Free memberships available
Platforms: Web
Prodigy
Adaptive math practice wrapped in role-playing adventure
Price: Free (with optional paid upgrades)
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Elementary ELA and Social Studies
Epic!
Free, expansive digital library unlocks treasure trove of books
Price: Free for teachers and, due to COVID-19, caregivers if invited by teachers
Platforms: iOS, Android, Chrome
Lalilo
K-2 literacy program offers comprehensive, adaptive activities
Price: Free through the end of the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19
Platforms: Web
Lexi’s World
Kids create a lovely magical world by spelling simple words
Price: $2.99
Platforms: iOS
Elementary Arts and Creativity
Book Creator
Magically easy way to create and publish digital books and multimedia
Price: $4.99
Platforms: iOS
Picture Dots
Kids connect the dots with multisensory, interactive media creator
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS
Sound Rebound
Make musical contraptions with playful sound and physics sandbox
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS
Middle School Math and Science
CueThink
Social approach to problem-solving promotes deep math learning
Price: Free through July due to COVID-19
Platforms: Web
Mosa Mack Science
Engaging design challenges turn kids into actual science detectives
Price: Free through July due to COVID-19
Platforms: Web
Science Journal by Google
Turn your phone into a lab sensor to collect and analyze data
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android, Chrome
Middle School ELA and Social Studies
CommonLit
Feature-rich literacy resource offers superb support for readers
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
826 Digital
Popular after-school program shares its resources with teachers
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
iCivics
Exceptionally well-designed games, lesson plans demystify government
Price: Free
Platforms: Web (and individual games available on iOS and Android)
Middle School Arts and Creativity
DIY
Design, build, and share new things offline and online
Price: Free
Platforms: Web, iOS
Google Arts & Culture
Excellent curation and an unmatched art collection invite exploration
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Tinkercad
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Price: Free
Platforms: Web, iOS, Chrome
High School Math and Science
Big History Project
Fascinating look at life’s bigger questions with a fresh perspective
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
BioInteractive
High-quality multimedia brings biological research to life
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
CanFigureIt Geometry
Flex your deductive reasoning muscles with geometric proofs
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
High School School ELA and Social Studies
Actively Learn
Empowering reader keeps kids actively, independently engaged
Price: Free through the end of the school year due to COVID-19
Platforms: Web, iOS, Chrome
Facing History
A wealth of resources explore racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Global Oneness Project
Captivating, cross-curricular stories increase cultural awareness
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
High School Arts and Creativity
Adobe Spark
Super-flexible design tool for crafting fab images, videos, and sites
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
GarageBand
Amazingly powerful audio workstation unleashes creativity
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Mac
Snapseed
Extremely powerful photo editor will equally delight pros, amateurs
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android