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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

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The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

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Visit the Smithsonian Learning Lab's Animal Webcams and complete the Zoo Webcam Bingo sheets.

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Author, Dav Pilkey gets creative and has fun with of fans favorite characters from Dog Man and Captain Underpants! Read-alouds and drawing lessons are just some of the imaginative things he offers on this website.

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Rewarding for teachers, easy for families, fun for kids- a love of reading is inside every Book Box.

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The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read-Alouds & Activities

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The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read-Alouds & Activities

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Enjoy an extensive list of various authors reading their books allowed. You will also find suggest author activities on this website!

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It's no surprise that authors are incredibly good at bringing their own books to life. Whether through live or pre-recorded visits, read-aloud videos, or other virtual author activities, kids will connect with books like never before! Here are some of our favorite options to try.

Pre-Recorded Virtual Author Visits

Check out these videos of presentations authors have given at schools and libraries. There are authors here that will interest students at any age.

Arree Chung

Hear Chung talk about the process of creating his book Mixed: A Colorful Story. The allegory of one color who thinks it's better than the others is meaningful at any age.

Bao Phi

Bao Phi's lovely book A Different Pond showcases the relationship between a father and his son. As they fish for the food their family needs, the father tells his son about a pond from his own childhood in faraway Vietnam.

Jasmine Warga

Author of the Newbery Honor book Other Words for Home, Jasmine Warga gives an engaging talk about how she writes.

Jennifer L. Holm

From her Babymouse graphic novels to the Sunny series and beyond, Holm writes books that middle grade readers absolutely love.

J.H. Reynolds

Do your students love the thrills and chills of the MonsterStreet series? Then they'll love seeing its author answer kids' questions about reading and writing!

J.K. Rowling

Every kid will recognize the author of the beloved Harry Potter books! See her interview with the Harry Potter Reading Club in this video.

Kate Messner

Kate Messner writes fiction, nonfiction, novels, chapter books, and picture books, so there's a good chance most kids have read at least one of her books.

Katherine Applegate

Lots of kids read The One and Only Ivan in class, and Applegate has plenty of other popular and award-winning books as well. Hear her talk about her books (and even show off her adorable dog!).

Lois Lowry

Here's another name kids will recognize. Whether they love The Giver, the Gooney Bird series, or any of her other numerous works, they'll enjoy listening to her speak and answer audience questions.

Max Brallier

The Last Kids on Earth book series is now a Netflix series too! Listen to author Max Brallier talk about his writing process and give kids a writing challenge of their own.

Live Virtual Author Visits

Want to set up a virtual author visit live for your class or school? If you have a particular author in mind, visit their website (or their publisher's) to contact them and find out if they do virtual visits. Scholastic offers virtual author visits through their catalog, so that's a great place to start.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has a terrific roundup of virtual author visits and writing workshops too. Here are some to consider.

Gutman has written all sorts of books for kids, and he's happy to do virtual school visits. Find his offerings and prices at his website.

Nonfiction children's author Kurtz loves to present his books to kids of all ages. His virtual offerings include readings, interviews, and concept-based workshops.

Long does both in-person and virtual author visits based on her popular books, like How I Became a Pirate. Visit her website to see her offerings and book a visit.

Biebow's colorful book about the inventor of Crayola crayons is a delight. She offers free virtual visits, plus interactive in-person workshops.

Known for Dahlia in Bloom, Koehler offers both virtual author visits and writing workshops. She does professional development workshops for teachers too.

Virtual Author Read-Alouds

When you hear authors read their own books, it gives you a whole new perspective on their works. That makes read-alouds some of our favorite virtual author activities.

Hale's YouTube channel includes a playlist called Storytime With Uncle Bruce. Hear him read about Clark the Shark and other hilarious characters.

Gutman has a whole collection of read-alouds on his Facebook page, like Miss Blake Is a Flake. Kids will love his wacky style!

Visit her YouTube channel to see the author read her book Where Are My Books? She's got a few other read-alouds too, along with drawing tips.

Fabien Cousteau is the grandson of famed sea explorer Jacques Cousteau. His book series explores his own experiences under the water, and you can watch his read-aloud on Facebook.

You'll feel inspired when you hear Byers read her heartfelt book I Am Enough.

Lin reads aloud from her picture books as well as chapters from her longer books on her YouTube channel.

Watch Knowles read the first chapter of her middle-grade novel Where the Heart Is, while giving students a fun writing exercise.

Hear Cook read a variety of books from her collection, like Wilma Jean the Worry Machine. Her YouTube channel also includes interviews, advice, and other fun virtual author activities.

Watch Messner read Fergus and Zeke and the 100th Day of School in this YouTube video.

This read-aloud of Fry Bread includes some of the author's thoughts on writing the book and the recipe he included at the end.

Listen to Henderson read the first chapter of her book The Magic in Changing Your Stars on YouTube.

The author regularly shares read-alouds of his books, like I Love You Like a Pig, on his Instagram page.

The author has added a collection of videos of herself reading from her picture books on Instagram. Titles include When We Are Kind and You Hold Me Up.

Hear readings from Shusterman's books on his YouTube channel, including excerpts and complete short stories.

The author created a Stay at Home: Story Time section on his website. Initially made during the 2020 COVID lockdown, these videos are still lots of fun to watch.

Visit Reynolds' Facebook page to see him read from some of his most popular books, like The Dot.

The award-winning author and illustrator reads from her book The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in this YouTube video.

The author reads his picture books on his YouTube channel, where he also has lots of drawing videos for inspiration.

Other Virtual Author Activities

So many wonderful authors and publishers have YouTube or Instagram channels! Join them as they teach you how to draw, offer writing tips, and lots more.

Kids will do more than just watch these videos. They'll write, draw, and create on their own, inspired by famous authors and illustrators.

Watch story time, Cressida Cowell's summer camp, author interviews, how-to-draw videos, and a whole lot more.

The prolific author has a robust website full of videos, activities, podcasts, and more virtual author activities to engage kids of a variety of ages.

The Lunch Lady author and illustrator has a series of videos showing kids how to draw some of their favorite characters. His YouTube channel also has cartooning tips, writing tips, pep talks, and shorts.

This YouTube channel is rich with content, including interviews, tour journals, how-to-draw tips, and so much more.

The Kennedy Center sponsored this series of videos with the beloved author of classics like Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Author and illustrator of hits like Smile and Drama shares drawings, time-lapse videos, and more on her Instagram page.

Aspiring illustrators will enjoy this series, where any kid can learn to draw creatures of every kind.

These half-hour chats with well-known middle grade authors are the perfect length to share with your classes.

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The Big List of Virtual Author Activities

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Check out live and pre-recorded author visits, read-alouds, and other virtual author activities like drawing sessions to share with students.

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A wide variety of children's books read by various readers. This website also has a paid service that allows you to have family members read books to your children on video that you then can share with your children. (This website requires Flash),

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Kids books with audio. Children's books narrated by their authors and illustrators. It's Storytime..

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It's Spike's first trip to the big city and there are so many new things to do, see, and smell-he doesn't know where to begin. A cat on a leash! A snake with legs! A dog on a skateboard! And that's just the beginning. Spike can't believe his eyes.

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From classics like Peter Pan, Little Women and The Brothers Karamazov, Project Gutenberg offers over 60,000 free eBooks to download in formats like epub and Kindle or to read in your browser! You will find the world's great literature here, with focus on older works for which U.S. copyright has expired.

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This is a direct link to video playlist of some of the great stories from HarperKids Storytime Anytime!

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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A must-visit website for anyone who likes to listen to books, read books, or know about authors. This website is full of read-alouds, children's author interviews, drawing video how-tos - all for kids!

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Get ready for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade as Rocco reads Melissa Sweet's book, Balloons Over Broadway, in this episode of Read Out Loud! Read more "

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An AMAZING resource, Storyline Online is an award-winning children’s literacy website, with videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.

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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

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This play is presented by the Chicago Children's Theatre and is the story of a young girl who builds a miniature city that comes alive.

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Over the next month 40 free titles will be released. Why not start with "Hamlet"?

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Here are 12 classic card games you can play with kids. All you need is a deck of playing cards!

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Our very own SSIS PE teachers, Alison Leathwood and Chris Sylvester have created an AMAZING resource in this website that contains multiple kinds of workouts for all fitness levels.

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This website has 12 simple games to play with dice. Enjoy!

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20 Dice Games Teachers and Students Will Love

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Before you know it, you’ll be on a roll.

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Fitnessblender.com has over 500 free videos, ranging from 5 - 90 minutes. Sort by type of exercise, difficulty or even a specific area you would like to target. The website does require sign-up, but for these simple, easy-to-follow, no-music workouts, it is worth it!

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The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, is offering a free guided Morning "Meditocean" (meditation) with soothing footage from the jellyfish aquarium. They plan on posting new videos weekly.

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The YMCA, or the "Y" as it is referred to in the US, is offering free online gym classes suitable for all ages!

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Each week, starting April 2, the National Theatre will stream one of their productions. The stream will be available to watch for one week. Visit YouTube below, or the National Theatre's website for more info.

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"national theatre" acting "set design" props directing olivier lytellton lights voice london costumes theatre "national theatre live" "rufus norris" shakespe...

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At the National Theatre in London, we make world-class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring. And we make it for everyone. National Theatre Live is National Theatre's ground-breaking project to broadcast the best of British theatre to cinemas in the UK and internationally. Unmissable theatre, any time anywhere.

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Spice up your kitchen knowledge with these free online cooking courses from Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Cooking School!

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Wild Earth broadcasts daily LIVE sunrise and sunset safaris from South Africa.

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Previously shared with students, this is a fun Zumba for anyone who would like to get up and dance!

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Phew, this will get you going in the morning. A 30 minute no-equipment cardio & HIIT session. If it doesn't suit you, there are many others on Youtube.

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30-Minute No-Equipment Cardio & HIIT Workout

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A morning family yoga may not be something you've ever done. Here is a beginner video. See if it suits you, or find another.

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Feel less anxious and learn how to breath in this video from Dr. Andrew Weil, MD.

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"Practicing a regular, mindful breathing exercise can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders."
Andrew Weil, M.D.
Since breathing is something we can control and regulate, it is a useful tool for achieving a relaxed and clear state of mind. I recommend three breathing exercises and techniques to help relax and reduce stress: The Stimulating Breath, The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise (also called the Relaxing Breath), and Breath Counting. Try each of these breathing exercises and techniques and see how they affect your stress and anxiety levels.

The Stimulating Breath (also called the Bellows Breath)

The Stimulating Breath is adapted from yogic breathing techniques. Its aim is to raise vital energy and increase alertness.

Inhale and exhale rapidly through your nose, keeping your mouth closed but relaxed. Your breaths in and out should be equal in duration, but as short as possible. This is a noisy breathing exercise.

Try for three in-and-out breath cycles per second. This produces a quick movement of the diaphragm, suggesting a bellows. Breathe normally after each cycle.

Do not do for more than 15 seconds on your first try. Each time you practice the Stimulating Breath, you can increase your time by five seconds or so, until you reach a full minute.

If done properly, you may feel invigorated, comparable to the heightened awareness you feel after a good workout. You should feel the effort at the back of the neck, the diaphragm, the chest and the abdomen. Try this diaphragmatic breathing exercise the next time you need an energy boost and feel yourself reaching for a cup of coffee.
Watch a video of Dr. Weil demonstrating the Stimulating Breath.

Breathing Exercise 2:

The 4-7-8 (or Relaxing Breath) Exercise

The 4-7-8 breathing exercise is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Although you can do the exercise in any position, sit with your back straight while learning the exercise. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth, and keep it there through the entire exercise. You will be exhaling through your mouth around your tongue; try pursing your lips slightly if this seems awkward.

Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.

Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.

Hold your breath for a count of seven.

Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.

This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

Note that with this breathing technique, you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth. The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time. Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation. The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4:7:8 is important. If you have trouble holding your breath, speed the exercise up but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases. With practice you can slow it all down and get used to inhaling and exhaling more and more deeply.

This breathing exercise is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system. Unlike tranquilizing drugs, which are often effective when you first take them but then lose their power over time, this exercise is subtle when you first try it, but gains in power with repetition and practice. Do it at least twice a day. You cannot do it too frequently. Do not do more than four breaths at one time for the first month of practice. Later, if you wish, you can extend it to eight breaths. If you feel a little lightheaded when you first breathe this way, do not be concerned; it will pass.

Once you develop this technique by practicing it every day, it will be a very useful tool that you will always have with you. Use it whenever anything upsetting happens - before you react. Use it whenever you are aware of internal tension or stress. Use it to help you fall asleep. This exercise cannot be recommended too highly. Everyone can benefit from it.
Watch a video of Dr. Weil demonstrating the 4-7-8 Breath.
Breath Counting

If you want to get a feel for this challenging work, try your hand at breath counting, a deceptively simple breathing technique much used in Zen practice.

Sit in a comfortable position with the spine straight and head inclined slightly forward. Gently close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Then let the breath come naturally without trying to influence it. Ideally it will be quiet and slow, but depth and rhythm may vary.

To begin the exercise, count "one" to yourself as you exhale.

The next time you exhale, count "two," and so on up to "five."

Then begin a new cycle, counting "one" on the next exhalation.

Never count higher than "five," and count only when you exhale. You will know your attention has wandered when you find yourself up to "eight," "12," even "19."

Try to do 10 minutes of this form of meditation.
Watch a video of Dr. Weil demonstrating Breath Counting. Reviewed by Benjamin S. Gonzalez, M.D., May, 2016.

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Breathing Exercise: Three To Try | 4-7-8 Breath | Andrew Weil, M.D.

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"Practicing a regular, mindful breathing exercise can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders." Andrew Weil, M.D. Since breathing is something we can control and regulate, it is a useful tool for achieving a relaxed and clear state of mind.

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This is a great 10-minute guided audio mindfulness practice that everyone can benefit from.

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"The Kid Should See This" is one of the most comprehensive resources of well-curated intelligent content for curious minds of all ages. This site includes videos from institutions like MIT, Harvard and NASA. Topics range from technology, space, and nature to the arts and more.

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Watch the Jellyfish Webcam from the Georgia Zoo

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Watch the Jellyfish Webcam from the Georgia Zoo

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Relax as you benefit from the mesmerizing effects watching jellyfish live at the Georgia Zoo.

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Invite a Google 3D animal into your home and create funny pictures to share with friends.
- Go to Google on your phone
- Type one of the animals on the list with the word "view in 3D, for example "Tiger view in 3D"

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Using items in your home, see how creative you can get in recreating classical paintings. Don't know any paintings? Head over the the museum column!

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Make paper airplanes and compete to see whose will go the furthest.

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How To Make 5 EASY Paper Airplanes that FLY FAR

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Stunning scenery from multiple 360-degree aerial views of the legendary Taj Mahal.

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Here's a post of multiple ideas of places to visit. Send us a postcard!

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AndrewSoundarajan/iStock via Getty Images Plus.

From National Parks to the Louvre, you can check out these 15 different places from the comfort of your own home.

1. The National Museum of Natural History

Take a look around the stunning exhibits at this Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C. You have the option to tour past exhibits like "Against All Odds: Rescue at the Chilean Mine" or "Iceland Revealed," along with what's currently on display.

2. The Taj Mahal

You can explore the exterior of the famous Indian mausoleum with Air Pano's virtual tour. It allows you to easily jump to different vantage points of the Taj Mahal and see them from a bird's eye view.

3. The Great Wall of China

Constructing this massive piece of architecture took more than 1800 years. You can visit this historical landmark without leaving your couch by heading here.

4. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Google Arts & Culture lets you take a peek inside this art museum in Los Angeles. With the zoom feature, you can probably get even closer to the artwork than if you were to visit the Getty in person.

5. The Louvre

Looking at fine art has never been so simple. On the Louvre's website you can choose to explore several different exhibits such as "The Advent of the Artist," "Remains of the Louvre's Moat," and more.

6. The Vatican's Museums

Now you can skip the crowds and still tour inside the Vatican. This virtual tour allows you to see the landmark's museums such as the Pio Clementino, Raphael's Rooms, and others.

7. The Sistine Chapel

You can't take a photo of the Sistine Chapel in person-it's not allowed-but you can tour it virtually. Click here, and look skyward to see Michelangelo's masterpiece.

8. Route 66

Route 66 was the United States's first all-weather highway, running from Illinois to California. Now you can get your kicks on Google Street View of Route 66.

9. The Colosseum

Are you not entertained? You will be as you click around this virtual tour of this ancient arena.

10. Palace of Versailles

Constructed in 1624, the Palace of Versailles contains countless rooms you could easily spend hours walking through. And now you can spend hours leisurely meandering through the halls-without the crowds-by heading here.

11. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

If you've ever wanted to journey to two of the world's most active volcanoes, now is your chance. After a short video introduction, you can take a guided virtual tour of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

12. Stonehenge

There's still a lot of mystery surrounding Stonehenge, a prehistoric stone monument near Wiltshire, England, whose construction dates back to 3000 CE. When you visit the site virtually, you can get a close-up view of the stones, zoom in on carvings, and watch educational videos about them.

13. The Musée d'Orsay

Built in an old railway station, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris is the place to go to look at work by Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Gustav Klimt, and many other artists. Check out their work by heading here.

14. Yosemite National Park

If you're sitting on your couch, do yourself a favor and take a minute to roam around Yosemite National Park. You can hike to the top of Half Dome, see Nevada Falls, and even star gaze in the park.

15. The Pyramids

Survey the awe-inspiring achievement of the Great Pyramids at Giza from above.

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While some islands are known for their unusual geography or unique history, Lítla Dímun is notable for its weather. The island, which is the smallest of Denmark's Faroe Islands chain, is often capped by a lens-shaped cloud, making it resemble a scene from a fairytale.

According to Mental Floss's own Kerry Wolfe writing for Atlas Obscura, the cloud floating above Lítla Dímun is a lenticular cloud. This type of cloud forms when moist air flows over a protruding geological feature, like a mountain top. When the wind moving up the landmass hits the air current directly above it, a sort of wave is created on the downwind side of the mountain. The moist air falling down this wave evaporates and then condenses into a large, flying-saucer-shaped cloud atop the mountain peak as a result.

Another factor that makes Lítla Dímun distinct is that it's the only one of the 18 main Faroe Islands without human inhabitants. Visitors to the mystical location will instead find a thriving population of sheep. Originally, Lítla Dímun was home to a group of feral sheep likely dating back to the Neolithic era. But they were hunted to extinction in the 19th century. Domesticated sheep were introduced there around the same time, and today, farmers visit the island once a year to round up their flocks.

One of the few signs of human life are the ropes farmers use to scale the cliff faces bordering the island. Even if you have rock-climbing skills, Lítla Dímun may be dangerous to visit. A boat ride to the rocky shore is only possible when the surrounding sea is calm.

vladystock/iStock via Getty Images

You no longer need to spend all your free time struggling to capture the vibe of your favorite city in a few carefully chosen syllables- OpenStreetMap Haiku will do it for you.

The site, developed by Satellite Studio, uses the information from crowdsourced global map OpenStreetMap to create a haiku that describes any location in the world. According to Travel + Leisure, the poems are based on data points like supermarkets, shops, local air quality, weather, time of day, and more.

"Looking at every aspect of the surroundings of a point, we can generate a poem about any place in the world," the developers wrote in a blog post. "The result is sometimes fun, often weird, most of the time pretty terrible. Also probably horrifying for haiku purists (sorry)."

The results are also often waggishly accurate. For example, here's a haiku describing Washington, D.C.:

In other words, it seems like the city runs on compulsive coffee refills and paperwork. And if you thought life in Brooklyn, New York, was a combination of alcohol-fueled outings to basement bars and traffic-filled trips into the city, this poem probably confirms your suspicions:

The website's creators were inspired by Naho Matsuda's Every Thing Every Time, a 2018 art installation outside Theatre Royal in Newcastle, England, that used data points to generate an ever-changing poem about the city.

Wondering what OpenStreetMap Haiku has to say about your hometown? Explore the map here.

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15 Amazing Places You Can Tour Virtually

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AndrewSoundarajan/iStock via Getty Images Plus. From National Parks to the Louvre, you can check out these 15 different places from the comfort of your own home. Take a look around the stunning exhibits at this Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C.

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This virtual 360-degree tour of the ancient sandstone city of Petra is crammed with facts and information.

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Stroll through Yosemite Park, California

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Stroll through Yosemite Park, California

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Closed to visitors, Yosemite Park in California has an amazing virtual tour. If you haven't been before, don't miss it!

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The Metropolitan Opera in New York City is streaming operas each evening, with subtitles in English. Their upcoming schedule can be found here.

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You can now sit back and enjoy an evening at the Berliner Philharmoniker which has made their Digital Concert Hall to  everyone.

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Find an activity on this home crafts activities guide (PDF) if you want ideas of easy crafts that can be done at home.

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You're never too old for Legos. This website has several ideas for Lego challenges and other projects. Clear the dining room table and get to building!

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Here's a collection of awesome LEGO building ideas that will inspire any LEGO® fan! This post is full of 100+ brick building challenges and instructions. Build characters, animals, machines, and more.
We love LEGO® bricks because of the open-ended fun and imagination they inspire! There are so many benefits to LEGO® building such as hand-eye coordination, logic, creativity, and problem solving.
This post was updated September 10, 2019 Here is how this post works. This post is a collection of LEGO building ideas, all in one place, but each one has its own separate blog post. LEGO® Machines and STEM Learning: See each project in more detail by clicking the links below.
Build a LEGO Lock & Key Safe - Two ways to build a little LEGO box that actually opens with a key! Instructions in the post.

Build a Balloon Powered LEGO Car - Build a car that is propelled forward by air rushing out of a balloon. Great science project! This demonstrates Newton's 3rd Law of Motion.

Build a LEGO Catapult (to shoot those little plastic LEGO balls, or something similar). Instructions in the post.

Engineering with LEGO and Water - Build a river with flowing water and a working waterwheel. Great for the warm weather months. (And it gets your LEGO clean at the same time - ha ha!)

Rocket Powered LEGO Car - This car is powered by an Alka Seltzer reaction inside a plastic bottle.

Rubber Band Powered LEGO Car - Build a car that is powered by a rubber band that you can wind up. Instructions in the post.

LEGO Marble Run - this marble run is truly epic! The post shows kids how to build some really neat features on their marble run, and there's also a video demonstration.

LEGO Spinning Tops - this will keep kids busy for hours. Perfect to do with a group, as kids will enjoy making their tops "battle" each other!

Learn about Simple Machines with LEGO Pulleys - This project will allow kids to understand and feel the mechanical advantage that pulleys provide.
LEGO Bridge Building Challenge
Build Wind Powered LEGO Contraptions - This was a favorite activity! Use an electric fan to power your LEGO creations.

LEGO Demolition Derby - Fun!
LEGO® Around the House
Build a LEGO Balance - and actually compare the weights of items.

Make a LEGO Photo Frame - Use bricks to build a message on this fun frame! Simply begin with a wood craft frame. The post has all the details!

Build some LEGO night lights - these really light up! Use battery powered tea lights for a safe and fun option.

LEGO Desk Organizer - with a charging station!

Minifigure Cable Holders - For your phone charger, etc. These are so fun!

Build a LEGO Candy Dispenser - This machine really dispenses a little handful of M&M's! One of our most popular projects ever.

Here's another way to build a LEGO Candy Machine - this one dispenses Starbursts one at a time with a clever mechanism.

Build a LEGO Card Holder - to help young kids with card games. Love this idea from A Mom with a Lesson Plan.
Build and Play with LEGO®
Make a LEGO Mosaic Letter - fun for any LEGO fan's room!

Make some Duct Tape LEGO Capes - perfect for replacing missing capes or adding accessories to any minifigure!

Stained Glass LEGO Challenge - this is one of my favorite building challenges! So pretty.
How to Build a LEGO Yoda How to Build a LEGO C3PO and R2-D2
How to Build a LEGO Unicorn - so whimsical and fun! Instructions in the post, and there's a parts list too!

LEGO Pictures - From Childhood 101. Love these!

How to Build LEGO Dogs - Hound type dog and Westie

More LEGO Dogs - Dachshund and Mastiff

How to Build LEGO Pandas - Pandas are some of my favorite animals!

How to Build LEGO Cats - Build posable cats that are so adorable! Instructions in the post.

Make a LEGO Zipline - from Little Bins for Little Hands

Build a LEGO Racetrack for Hot Wheels Cars - Release all the cars at once!

How to Build LEGO Minions - Another favorite! With instructions in the post.

LEGO Photography - Create hilarious or dramatic scenes with mini figures and then take pictures!

LEGO Hearts - from Little Bins for Little Hands

Inspired by Big Hero 6! LEGO Baymax Building Instructions

Inspired by How to Train Your Dragon - Toothless (Night Fury) Building Instructions

and Hookfang (Monstrous Nightmare) Building Instructions

20 LEGO Projects for Beginners - SO many fun LEGO® building ideas! Build a drum set, a piano, llamas, vehicles, and more.

17 Beginner LEGO Projects - All of these projects use pieces from the LEGO® Classic Creative Building Set.
Build the Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle with LEGO
20 Simple LEGO Projects - All of these projects use pieces from the Small and Medium LEGO® Classic Tubs, so this is a great way to get started with LEGO®! (Links to the tubs in the post.)

Build a LEGO track for Hexbugs - Favorite!

LEGO Ice Excavations from Lemon Lime Adventures
LEGO® Games
LEGO Nerf Targets - Combine two favorite toys with this fun building challenge!

LEGO Party Games - This is a great collection of realistic (not over-the-top Pinterest) ideas.

LEGO Family Fun Night from Not Consumed - simple games!

Printable LEGO Board Game from A Mom with a Lesson Plan

LEGO Tic Tac Toe from Kids Activities Blog. Turn it into a take-along kit by putting all the pieces in a bag!

Build a Board Game out of LEGOs - Design your own board game with a working game spinner. This is the perfect project for a rainy day!

Build a LEGO Chess Set - This is really cool!

Build a LEGO Skittles Game from Little Bins for Little Hands
LEGO® Building Ideas for Holidays and Seasons
LEGO Timed Building Challenges - Like Pictionary, but with LEGO®!

Build LEGO Chicks, Bunnies, and Butterflies - Adorable spring projects that are not difficult to build.

Spring LEGO Projects to Build Fall Tree LEGO Wall Art
7 Ideas for a LEGO Easter Egg Hunt - These are fabulous ideas for an Easter egg hunt, especially if you want to keep it candy-free.

How to Build LEGO Snowflakes - there are so many ways to make these, and the designs are so beautiful. Perfect building challenge for a group.

LEGO Christmas Projects -

We have SO many LEGO Christmas building ideas! You can find most of them here, as well as a printable version: LEGO Christmas Ideas

Five Christmas LEGO Projects - with Building Instructions

This is my FAVORITE Christmas Countdown - Build a LEGO Advent Calendar with Doors that Open.

LEGO® Storage and Organization DIY Wooden Crate Minifigure Display
Three Ways to do a LEGO Advent Calendar - This was SO fun and might become a tradition at our house!

This is our LEGO® table, and we love it! Find all the details here - IKEA Storage LEGO Table.

Affordable LEGO Organization from Little Bins for Little Hands

Cheap & Easy LEGO Storage from Happiness is Homemade. I like these little bins!

37 Genius LEGO Storage Ideas from Kids Activities Blog.
WHEW! That's a lot of LEGO® ideas!
Magnetic Minifigure Display - I like this idea! The mini figures are magnets, but can also be taken down and played with anytime.
LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® group of companies which does not sponsor. authorize, or endorse this site.
Also, be sure to check out our LEGO® book - Awesome LEGO Creations with Bricks You Already Have. This book makes a perfect Christmas or birthday gift, and it's a great price for kids to take as a gift to a birthday party. The book is full of 50 new projects with parts lists and step-by-step instructions.

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100+ Lego Building Projects for Kids - Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls

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Here's a collection of awesome LEGO building ideas that will inspire any LEGO® fan! This post is full of 100+ brick building challenges and instructions. Build characters, animals, machines, and more. We love LEGO® bricks because of the open-ended fun and imagination they inspire!

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Draw a map, hide items around the house, send everyone off to look. It works for all ages!

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If you're stuck in the house with kids, try a classic treasure hunt or scavenger hunt that's fun and gets them moving. Create a clue to find a location or item, then have another clue waiting at that spot. That tip leads to the next spot, and so on. Place a treasure, such as a toy or treat, at the final destination. This self-directed activity empowers the child to complete a task on their own (or cooperatively if playing with others). At the same time, the child learns about sequencing, which is the importance of following steps in order.

Before You Get Started

There are different types of treasure hunts: indoor hunts, backyard or neighborhood hunts, or a photo-based hunt. You can increase the level of complexity and scope of the hunt, depending on the child's age. Determine the type of hunt that is right for you and the child. Create or print out clues.

Make some ground rules. Anticipate that the child will be excited to get started. Rule one: No running. If more than one child is playing along, they will be a team. The second rule should involve taking turns to read the clues.

Ready-Made Clues for an Indoor Hunt

The treasure hunt should be a workout for the brain with hints that require some thinking. Rhyming clues have built-in kid appeal. You can make a version for preschoolers with pictures that you draw or print from the computer. Take a look at this ready-made list of clues about ordinary indoor objects. The answer key follows.

1. I have four legs, but I don't have feet.
I come in handy when it's time to eat.

2. My job is to put an end to sleep,
Which I do with music, a buzz, or a beep.

3. For fast heating or cooking, I am tops.
And, oh, that good smell when my popcorn pops!

4. I'm packed really full of boxes and cans.
I may hold a broom or a mop or a dustpan.

5. Flour and sugar and coffee and tea,
I keep these handy but hard to see.

6. I can take you to places you've never seen,
But first, type your password in on my screen.

7. I'm loaded and unloaded, but I'm not a truck.
Having a helper like me is a great piece of luck.

8. I rain on you when you need a scrub.
I'm very much like my friend the tub.

9. I make it possible to have fresh food.
Everyone agrees I'm one cool dude.

10. Watching your favorites is lots of fun.
But don't watch too much! Kids need to run.

11. I never get angry, but I do get hot.
I'm the perfect place for a pan or a pot.

12. It's my job to give all your clothes a tumble,
Which I do while making a bit of a rumble.

13. I have a round knob and also a lock.
Visitors and salesmen may give me a knock.

14. I'm one part chair and one part bed.
Up with your feet and down with your head.

15. I take your clothes for quite a spin.
But first, they get wet. That's how I begin.

16. I'm filled with feathers or other soft fluff.
To sleep without me can be quite tough.

17. Turn me on, and I'll give you a light.
I'm used some in the daytime but mostly at night.

18. A story, they say, can take you away,
But a book still needs a place to stay.

19. I have drawers and also a nice flat top.
For homework I'm helpful-keep working, don't stop!

20. I'm hungry! I'm hungry! Please feed me a slice.
I'll spit it back out all brown and nice.

21. I'm not a selfie, but I do show faces.
Find me in bathrooms and a few other places.

22. Adults go here when they first wake
And at other times when they need a break.

23. Most every day, you step on me.
All I require is a bend of your knee.

24. I go round and round and get really hot.
In larger families, I'm used quite a lot.

25. I'm paper, but I'm not used for writing a letter.
The spot by your potty suits me much better!

26. I have hands but no arms and also a face.
And my hands always move at the same steady pace.

27. I may have eyes, but I really can't see.
People love to make fries out of me.

28. The more I dry, the wetter I get.
A little one can be used for soaking up sweat.

29. I hold all the words you need to know.
Use me to make your vocabulary grow.

30. I'm never wicked, but I do have a wick.
I come in all sizes, from skinny to thick.

Answers: 1. Kitchen or dining table, 2. Alarm clock, 3. Microwave, 4. Pantry, 5. Kitchen canisters, 6. Computer, 7. Dishwasher, 8. Shower, 9. Refrigerator, 10. Television, 11. Kitchen stove, 12. Clothes dryer, 13. Front door, 14. Recliner, 15. Clothes washer, 16. Bed pillow, 17. Lamp, 18. Bookshelf, 19. Desk, 20. Toaster, 21. Mirror, 22. Coffee maker, 23. Stairs, 24. Clothes dryer, 25. Toilet paper, 26. Clock, 27. Potato, 28. Towel, 29. Dictionary, 30. Candle

You can edit this list to incorporate items that are specific to your home. If your home has more than one of these objects, the child/children may have to check out more than one location before they find the next clue. If clues are ambiguous, it can make the game last longer, gives the children more exercise, and adds to the fun.

To make the hunt more challenging, assign each item a point value based on how difficult it is to find. Tween children or grandchildren particularly enjoy this type of hunt.

Outdoor Treasure Hunts

When the weather is nice, treat the kids or grandkids to an outdoor treasure hunt. Similar to the indoor treasure hunt, use clues to point to items or locations in the yard or outside the house.

If the child is doing this activity outside or is old enough to do a neighborhood hunt, make sure traffic isn't an issue. Consider an enclosed park as a safe location.

Photo Treasure Hunts

Treasure hunts involving cameras are a fun way of incorporating technology in the mix. Children love using devices to augment their daily experiences. There are two ways to do this. You can use "photo clues" and take pictures of odd nooks and crannies in your home. Print out the images and place them as a pointer, directing the child how to find the next spot.

Children might appreciate a photo-only treasure hunt, which is suitable for those who are old enough to use digital cameras or smartphones. In this scenario, the child will be taking the photos. Make a list of items in the home or outside and ask them to take a photo of that item. Give the child a set period to find the object and take their photographs. The child can work in a team or on their own.

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Use These Clues for an Indoor Treasure Hunt

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If you're stuck in the house with kids, try a classic treasure hunt or scavenger hunt that's fun and gets them moving. Create a clue to find a location or item, then have another clue waiting at that spot. That tip leads to the next spot, and so on.

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See some of the world's most famous works of art the National Gallery in London.

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Take a virtual stroll through the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History online.

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Google’s Arts & Culture platform has partnered with 1,200 leading museums and archives to show their exhibits online and offer virtual tours.