Explore the engaging activities below with your young learner! For printable activities, if you don’t want to print them, consider downloading the page as an image or taking a screenshot on your phone or tablet. You can then write or draw in a photo editing app. These activities also include virtual programs you can access for free on your tablet, phone, or computer!

 

Early Literacy Programs

Several early literacy programs typically offered in our libraries are being offered for free online!

BabyFingers
There are ASL videos and resources freely available at their website:

More resources and updates on free live stream classes will be available on their social media page. Resources recommended by Baby Fingers:

Department of Education’s Learn at Home
Early childhood instructional resources to help children learn about the world around them and practice important skills. 

Turtle Dance Music
Turtle Dance Music will be live streaming concerts and performing books to kids every day (including Saturday and Sunday) at 10 AM, 12:30 PM and 3 PM.

Scholastic Teachables
Sign in with your library card to explore this database for mini-books and printable activity sheets. (Grades Pre-K–6)

 

From Children’s Book Authors

Author Doreen Cronin’s website
Worksheets and activities based on her books.

Author Mo Willems at the Kennedy Center
Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons as Mo invites you to doodle together and explore ways of writing and making.

 

Printables and Downloadable Activity Sheets

PBS Parents
Find resources, printables, and activities themed around PBS kids’ shows. Click on “Play” to search for different types of printables and activities.

Reading is Fundamental Literacy Central
An online hub for literacy and reading that features many lesson plans, activities, and printable materials such as book-themed word searches, crossword puzzles, and memory games. Click “Find a Book” to search for specific books and paired activities. You can also search by grade level and material type.

Lakeshore Free Learning Activities
Get printable worksheets, at-home lesson plans, craft ideas, and activities.

Canticos
Find coloring pages themed around bilingual Nick Jr. characters, with words in English and Spanish.

Sesame Street Printables
Get coloring pages and activities themed around the characters from Sesame Street.

Penguin Printables
The publisher offers writing and drawing activities, puzzles, games and mazes, word searches, and coloring pages themed around picture books, nonfiction books, and chapter books.

Candlewick Press Resources
Candlewick Press has produced myriad resources featuring some of our favorite characters like Stink and Mercy Watson. Click on “Activity Sheets and Reproducibles” for printable resources.

Harper Kids Storytime Anytime
Fun printables based on picture books published by Harper Collins. Also some great storytime tips!

Scholastic Parents
Resources, downloadable activities, booklists and more! Click on “Activities and Printables” to find printable learn-at-home activities.

 

Other Recommended Websites and Resources

Too Small Too Fail
Staycation family resource includes 10 ways families can talk, sing, read, and play at home.

Super Simple Songs
Explore songs and lyrics for children including nursery rhymes.

Reading Rockets
Resources, activities, and reading tips for parents focused on building reading skills and developing a love of reading! Features downloadable Reading Adventure Packs with activities parents and children can do together.

Brightly
An online hub from Penguin Random House to “help raise kids who love to read.” Features reading tips, book recommendations, activities, and more.

PBS Kids
Play games online and watch fun videos.

Scratch Jr.
This app is a simplified version of Scratch designed for coders ages 5–7. It can be downloaded on any iOS or Android device. Guides and activity ideas can be found on the Scratch Jr. website under the Learn and Teach pages.

Back to School with NYPL

The New York Public Library is here to support kids of all ages, educators, and parents and caregivers with an array of programs and resources, both in person and online. Discover what we’re doing for kids and teens as New Yorkers return to school this fall—plus books, free homework help, learning tools, and fun, engaging activities to help you develop all your skills.

Learn More

Our Supporters

These programs and initiatives are part of the Library’s Tisch Youth Education Programs, led by the Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education. Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.

Major support for children's and young adult programming is provided by the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences. 

Major support for youth education is provided by Arthur W. Koenig; Jane Lauder; the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF); Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Barakett Endowment for Children’s and Young Adult Programs and Services; The Gottesman Fund; E.H.A. Foundation, Inc.; Mr. and Mrs. Evan R. Chesler; Robert A. and Elizabeth R. Jeffe Foundation; Michael ByungJu Kim and the MBK Educational Foundation; New York Life Foundation; Verizon Foundation; the Gray Foundation; and City’s First Readers, an initiative made possible with funding from the New York City Council. 

City's First Readers logo.