Introduction
Are you looking for free and engaging learning websites to inspire your child’s love for education? Look no further! In this article, we have compiled a handpicked list of the 20 best free learning websites for kids in 2023.
Free learning websites for kids
These websites offer a wealth of educational resources, interactive activities, and captivating content that will ignite your child’s curiosity and make learning an enjoyable adventure. From pre-K to high school, we have covered a wide range of subjects, ensuring there’s something for every young learner. Let’s dive in and discover these fantastic websites that blend education with excitement!
Table of Contents
1. Library Books Online: OverDrive
What We Like:
- No late fees for overdue books
- Borrow audio books for free
What We Don’t Like:
- Requires a library card from your local library
If your local library partners with OverDrive, your child can enjoy the world of digital books at no extra cost. With over 300,000 eBooks for children, including Young Adult Fiction and Young Adult Non-Fiction, this platform offers an extensive collection sorted into sections. Say goodbye to late fees, as books are automatically returned on the due date!
2. National Geographic Kids
What We Like:
- A wide variety of learning formats
- Factual information presented in entertaining ways
What We Don’t Like:
- It can be a bit difficult to find a desired subject in a specific format
National Geographic is renowned for its factual information, and their kids’ website is no exception. This engaging platform offers lessons in gaming, video, and photo formats. From short written lessons to quizzes designed for young minds, National Geographic Kids provides a captivating exploration of the world’s wonders.
Go to National Geographic Kids
3. Epic
What We Like:
- Thousands of books for children of all ages
- Colorful illustrations
What We Don’t Like:
- Monthly fee required
If your little one has an insatiable love for reading, Epic is a subscription service worth considering. Gain unlimited access to an extensive online library with books for kids of all ages, from preschoolers to pre-teens. The added quizzes make reading even more enjoyable as kids earn badges while expanding their knowledge.
4. Scratch
What We Like:
- Teaches the basics of coding
- No internet connection required
- Completely free
What We Don’t Like:
- Website is a little cluttered
- Social networking feature isn’t appropriate for all children
Introduce your child to the exciting world of coding with Scratch. Developed by MIT’s Lifelong Kindergarten Lab, this user-friendly programming language utilizes visual building blocks to help kids grasp the fundamentals of coding. With Scratch, children aged 8 to 16 can create interactive stories, games, and animations while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Go to Scratch
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
What We Like:
- Extremely easy to navigate
- Turns art history into fun, simple lessons
- Multiple ways to engage kids of all ages
What We Don’t Like:
- We can’t find one thing we don’t like!
Unleash your child’s creativity and appreciation for art with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website for kids, #metkids. This hidden gem offers three exciting ways to explore the world of historical art. Kids can embark on a journey through a clickable map spanning 5,000 years of art, travel through time with the interactive time machine, or dive into engaging videos on various artistic subjects. Let their imagination soar as they discover the wonders of art!
6. Funbrain
What We Like:
- Offers fun ways to problem-solve
- Is gated by grade level
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s a little tricky to find certain subjects sometimes
- Lots of ads
Funbrain is a dynamic website that offers math and reading options along with a treasure trove of games, videos, and a virtual playground. Designed for kids from Pre-K through 8th grade, Funbrain provides hundreds of free interactive activities, books, and printables. Whether it’s solving puzzles, exploring math concepts, or engaging with captivating stories, Funbrain makes learning an enjoyable adventure.
7. Toy Theater
What We Like:
- Unique approach to educational games
- Works on computers, laptops, and mobile devices
What We Don’t Like:
- You can’t search by age or grade
- Ads (But they aren’t terribly distracting)
If you’re seeking a website with out-of-the-box games that foster learning, Toy Theater is a must-visit. This platform offers an array of educational games covering topics such as time, the alphabet, measurement, numbers, and more. With its interactive manipulatives and engaging activities, Toy Theater makes learning math, reading, art, and music an entertaining experience.
Go to Toy Theater
8. Open Culture
What We Like:
- Thousands of available courses
- Easy-to-use alphabetical list of topics
What We Don’t Like:
- Ads. Ads.
- You’re not always sure where you’ll end up online
Open Culture is a treasure trove of free upper-level classes from universities worldwide. Discover a vast array of courses, ranging from archaeology to public speaking, all conveniently compiled for easy access. With written materials, audio books, and online formats, Open Culture offers a wealth of knowledge to quench the thirst for learning in curious minds.
9. DeltaMath
What We Like:
- Searchable by modules or Common Core standards
- Assignments teach children as they progress
- Hundreds of math topics provided
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s free, but you need to set up an account to explore the site
- Only available for sixth grade and up
For parents who seek assistance in teaching math, DeltaMath is the perfect solution. By creating a teacher account, you can easily generate assignments tailored to your child’s needs. DeltaMath provides a seamless learning experience with interactive modules and the ability to track progress. If your child stumbles on a concept, DeltaMath offers prompts and answers to help them improve their understanding.
10. Whyville
What We Like:
- Lots of unique activities to engage young minds
- Sponsored to avoid ads
- Explore the site on a limited guest account
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s fairly juvenile for most teens
Created by scientists, Whyville offers an immersive online community for kids in 3rd to 8th grades. This virtual world encourages exploration, problem-solving, and learning through a range of interactive activities. Dive into marine biology, participate in the Whyville Senate, or even learn about economics while building your own virtual empire. Whyville is where education meets entertainment!
11. The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids
What We Like:
- Lessons offered are hard to find elsewhere
- Uses history, earth, and animals to engage young minds
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s hard to search for specific topics
- Kids should be able to read if parents can’t assist
The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids offers a delightful twist on traditional almanacs, delivering engaging lessons updated for the 21st century. Delve into history with daily events, explore the wonders of earth and animals, and dive into captivating lessons that inspire curiosity. With visually friendly content presented in bite-sized chunks, this website is ideal for elementary-aged learners.
12. Chrome Music Lab
What We Like:
- Encourages creativity through musical exploration
- Offers multiple unique musical options
- No registration required
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s a bit difficult to understand and use if you’re not a music aficionado
Chrome Music Lab is a playground for budding musicians and music enthusiasts alike. Unleash creativity, experiment with sound, practice rhythm, and even explore the intersection of music with math and science. From creating melodies to composing your own songs, Chrome Music Lab offers a dynamic and interactive musical journey.
Go to Chrome Music Lab
13. Storyline Online
What We Like:
- Search stories by author, reader, title, or run time
- Excellent quality videos and storytellers
What We Don’t Like:
- The selection is limited
- The filter option doesn’t always return great results
Storyline Online, presented by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, brings beloved books to life through captivating read-aloud videos. Let talented actors enchant your child with their storytelling skills, fostering a love for literature. With captions for reading reinforcement and a variety of books to choose from, Storyline Online makes storytime an engaging and educational experience.
Go to Storyline Online
14. ABCmouse
What We Like:
- Includes games, videos, printouts, and teaching tools
- Detailed assessments for parents to track progress
What We Don’t Like:
- Only goes up to fifth grade level
- A lot of elementary schools use ABCmouse because it has educational tools for teachers and parents. In addition to educational games and quizzes, the website features sing-alongs and read-along books for younger students. Get access to the mobile app for a monthly fee.
15. TurtleDiary
What We Like:
- Online quizzes and assessments to gauge progress
- Includes games, videos, printables, and teaching tools
What We Don’t Like:
- Only goes up to fifth grade level
TurtleDiary offers a comprehensive learning platform with a wide array of resources. Engage your child with online quizzes, assessments, games, videos, and printables across various subjects. It’s an ideal tool for reinforcing math, language arts, and science skills while allowing parents to monitor their child’s progress and provide tailored support.
Go to TurtleDiary
16. PBS Kids Games
What We Like:
- PBS Parents section has helpful tips for adults
- Kids can browse by their favorite shows
What We Don’t Like:
- Some games might be too challenging for young kids
- Some games don’t have descriptions, so you don’t know what to expect
PBS Kids Games offers a delightful collection of educational games designed for preschoolers. Featuring beloved characters like Arthur, Curious George, and Bob the Builder, these games focus on fundamental skills such as letters, memory, math, and problem-solving. With additional games related to science, music, and more, PBS Kids Games combines learning and entertainment in a safe and engaging environment.
Go to PBS Kids Games
17. GoNoodle
What We Like:
- Designed to get kids moving and active
- Combines activities kids enjoy to encourage physical movement
- Focuses on happiness
What We Don’t Like:
- The site can be difficult to navigate
- Activities are limited, although they are creative!
GoNoodle is the ultimate destination to get your child up and moving while learning. This innovative platform combines fun activities, dance routines, and mindfulness exercises to promote physical activity and enhance cognitive development. From zany dance parties to yoga sessions, GoNoodle makes learning through movement a joyful and energizing experience.
Go to GoNoodle
18. Sesame Street Games
What We Like:
- Create an account for free
- Sort games by characters featured
What We Don’t Like:
- Account required to access all content
- Links to other websites like YouTube and iTunes
Sesame Street Games brings the beloved characters of Sesame Street into the digital realm, offering a wide range of educational games to keep your child entertained and learning. Explore games that cover shapes, letters, numbers, and more. Each game is accompanied by suggestions for offline activities, allowing parents to reinforce the lessons and extend the learning beyond the screen.
Go to Sesame Street Games
19. YouTube Kids
What We Like:
- Advanced parental controls for a safe viewing experience
- Thousands of hours of kid-friendly content
What We Don’t Like:
- Some videos include ads
- Not all content is educational
YouTube Kids provides a safe and controlled environment for kids to explore and discover educational videos. With advanced parental controls, you can customize the viewing experience and ensure your child accesses appropriate content. From science experiments to storytelling, YouTube Kids offers a vast selection of videos that entertain and educate young minds.
Go to YouTube Kids
20. Treehouse Games
What We Like:
- Games feature popular cartoon characters
- Topics covered include typing and coding
What We Don’t Like:
- Some games may take a while to load
- Fewer games compared to similar sites
Treehouse Games combines the magic of beloved cartoon characters with engaging games. Kids can enjoy a variety of activities focused on typing, coding, and more. From Paw Patrol to Dora the Explorer, the familiar faces make learning enjoyable and interactive. While the selection of games may be smaller, the content is high quality and promises hours of edutainment.
Go to Treehouse Games
Conclusion
With the advent of technology, learning has become more accessible and engaging for children. These 20 best free learning websites for kids in 2023 offer a treasure trove of educational resources, interactive games, and captivating content to make learning an enjoyable experience. From exploring the wonders of nature to unraveling the mysteries of coding, these websites cater to various interests and age groups. So, dive into this world of knowledge, ignite your child’s curiosity, and embark on a journey of discovery and growth!
With this comprehensive and engaging article, you can expect to generate traffic and provide valuable information to parents and educators seeking the best free learning resources for children in 2023.
With this comprehensive and engaging article, you can expect to generate traffic and provide valuable information to parents and educators seeking the best free learning resources for children in 2023.
