Fun and Safe Websites for Children and Parents

Child Websites

  • Great websites for kids: Selected by the American Library Association
  • Safe Search Kids: A google search engine for kids to safely google things. 
  • National Geographic Kids: Find amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more. Visit National Geographic Kids today!
  • VR-Space - Interactive Historical Virtual Reality Field Trips:  No need for Virtual Reality gear!  This site has created a list of museums and historical sites that built "virtual reality" experiences for people who cannot visit in person.
  • Alan's Factory Outlet - Virtual Tours of Amazing Architecture Around the World: "Visit" some of the most important architecture around the world with this list of virtual tours!
  • Storyline Online: Celebrities read picture book stories and the pages become a slide show movie.
  • Starfall: A fun online phonics approach to learning to read
  • PBS Vocabulary Games: Fun vocabulary games for new learners and ESL
  • Family Playground: Fun and educational games from Scholastic
  • PBS Kids: Games and stories from your favorite PBS shows! 
  • Nick Jr.: Dora, Peppa Pig, PAW Patrol, and Team Umizoomi
  • Sesame Street: Fun with your Sesame Street friends
  • Go Mo: Meet all of author Mo Willem’s friends and play games
  • Seussville: All things Dr. Seuss
  • Prodigy: Math games for grades 1-8. Parents can have an account, or children can sign up with their parents' email.
  • Nitro Type: An absolute favorite for grade school children - this website allows them to race cars, gain points, and upgrade their cars by becoming more skilled at typing!
  • Typing.com: Practice typing with fun games and interactive lessons.
  • Slime Kids: Typing games, learn typing by playing games!
Little Boy on Computer

Basic Computer Essentials for Children and Parents

The U.S. Career Institute created an article that highlights the importance of basic computer skills and Internet safety.  The U.S. Career Institute does require enrollment, but the list of games and exercises at the bottom of the article are free! This is the link to the article. 

Woman on Laptop

Parent Resources 

  • What Do We Do All Day?: This is a parent blog/website run by a mother who wants to raise her children away from the screen so they can develop their imagination. She provides parents with books/games/activities that can keep children entertained independent of mom/dad and without bankrolling the family!
  • Intelligent.com:  Intelligent.com is an independent organization that collects data for high school and college students.  "We’re building guides to help students succeed in the classroom by bringing together the latest research with tips and techniques championed by today’s leading experts."  They have guides on life after college as well! 
  • Michigan eLibrary for Kids: A variety of resources for elementary and middle school students. Databases provide games and beginning-reader books online.
  • NoveList K-8 Plus: Find just the right book by subject, age, awards won, books made into movies, and much more. Read reviews and learn about the author. Create your own reading wish list!  
  • NSTeens: Online Safety Games for children and teenagers. Includes videos and quizzes about online safety (Especially what is safe to post online).
  • Protect Young Eyes: This is a company that visits public and Christian schools teaching parents and students alike about the dangers of recklessly using the Internet and apps. Weekly blogs provide valuable information for parents about the newest apps and what might be lurking on them.
  • Common Sense Media: Excellent reviews on books, movies, apps, and more! They compile lists on the best movie/app/game/music/etc. for children. All of this in addition to informative articles on media and parenting.
  • Card Games for Car Road Trips: Description and rules for classic family card games. (Does not have any online games)
  • Great Group Games: Hundreds of great ideas for fun and educational games to play with kids.
  • International Reading Association: This site offers PDF, printable resources for parents on literacy, helping your child read and write better, using technology and preparing your baby or preschooler to learn to read; an excellent site for parents.
  • Kid’s Health: Great information on children’s health issues, their growth and development and how to talk to your children about their health.
  • Click Magazine: Click is a science and exploration magazine for young children. Its website features fun science articles, many from the current and past issues of the magazine.
  • Michigan Department of Children and Families: Public services of all types offered for children and families in Michigan.
  • Grand Rapids Kids: Family oriented events and more around the Grand Rapids area.
  • Ottawa Area Intermediate School District: Parent resources on the Ottawa Area Schools.