Online Resources and Activities: Early Childhood


Low Cost Learning Materials for Infants and Toddlers

A blanket resource for low-cost learning materials readily available to support infant and toddler development from the National Association for the Education for Young Children

SHAPE America

Infant/Toddler/and Preschool

English and Spanish resources you can download and print with ideas to engage children physically with materials you likely have at home

NAEYC- Building Social and Emotional Skills

Ideas to support emotional and social skill learning at home with your child

Conscious Discipline I Love Your Rituals

Rituals, songs, and rhymes that incorporate eye contact, gentle touch, and playfulness

Watauga County Public Library

Request and reserve new books and reading material for your family online. Curbside service is available during operational hours

NAEYC Explore Outdoors

10 ideas to get your child exploring outdoors

Virtual Field Trips

40 virtual field trips to discover new experiences with every adventure 

Tinkergarten DIY Activities

This website shares ideas with families age-appropriate activities! They can be divided by age, skill level, and time frame!

Highlights@Home

Highlights is offering a Highlights@Home resource for families that includes various activities every week. You can go back and forth through the blog to see other week’s ideas! Each Highlights@Home collection includes puzzles to solve, stories to read, active play ideas, crafts to make, ideas for community, and writing, drawing, or conversation prompts!

The Children’s Playhouse in Boone

While the playhouse is currently closed to the public, check out their list of At-Home Play and Learning Ideas on their sites.


They are also offering Monthly Play Kits designed for children ages 2-6 with hands-on activities and project materials for families to use at home. Check on the link on their homepage to sign-up for your monthly play kit.

Outdoor Learning

Blog site that offers ideas of outdoor learning opportunities to make sure students reap the benefits of flora and fauna. Gives ideas and explains the benefits of ways to incorporate learning in all areas through nature.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo Webcams

Explore the National Zoo and see animals like lions and elephants in real time at the exhibits. 

Common Sense Education Early Childhood Education Resources

Common Sense Education’s favorite top-rated, seriously fun early learning apps, games, and websites. Each offers the engaging and well-scaffolded experiences that kids need as they start learning.