# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Possible Advertisement

At our educational website, we have hundreds of free, online, learning games for kids. But anyone interested in online learning can use our site -
we have so many subjects - (geography, math, animals, science,
language arts, creative activities, health) and lots of levels for all abilities - loads of games and activities for learners of any age.

Over the last year we've had over 20 million visitors
and over 5 million hours of learning!

Recommended sections per level:

Preschool and Kindergarten
*Preschool/Kindergarten* (numbers, colors, shapes, alphabet, animals)
*Preschool Animals* (movies, create games, games, flashcards)
*Animal Kid's Corner* (lower row - puzzles, matching games, painting)
*Geography* (learning and lower levels - states, countries, more).
*Early Math* (counting, simple adding and subtracting, more)
*Easy Spanish* (colors, objects, animals)
*Animal Environments Paint and Make* (paint 7 scenes and add animals!)
*Seasons Paint and Make* (paint seasonal scenes and add nature and objects!)
*Earth Tips* (movies and infographics on the environment)
*Paint Cats* (paint 7 cats and learn different types)
*Paint Dogs* (paint 12 dogs and learn different types)

Elementary School - early Middle School
*Animal Kid's Corner* (upper row for older kids, lower row for younger.)
*Preschool Animals* (movies and create activities)
*Math Games * (many levels and topics, many kinds of games)
*Seasons for Kids* (painting activities, matching games, winter, fall, spring, summer)
*Grammar Games*(games, tutorial, verbs, adjectives, nouns, punctuation)
*Dinosaurs* (games, activities, movies)
*Geography* (8 skill levels - states, capitals, countries).
*Government Games* (balance of power, branches of govt, executive branch)
*Science* (Life Cycle, Plant and animal cell, movies, games)
*Animals* (hundreds of articles and fun animal games)
*Health* (Games about the systems, digestion, skeleton)
*Easy Spanish* (colors, objects, animals)
*Create Zone* (paint, make, and create activities)
*Animal Environments Paint and Make* (paint 7 scenes and add animals!)
*Seasons Paint and Make* (paint seasonal scenes and add nature and objects!)
*Earth Tips* (movies and infographics on the environment)
*Paint Cats* (paint 7 cats and learn different types)
*Paint Dogs* (paint 12 dogs and learn different types)
*Cell Games* Learn about animal, plant and bacteria cells. Tutorial, Quiz and Game!

Middle School - High School
*Geography* (Many levels of difficulty to choose from upon skill level).
*Math Games * (many levels and topics, many kinds of games)
*Science* (Life Cycle, Plant and animal cell, deep sea creatures, movies, games)
*Government Games* (balance of power, branches of govt, executive branch)
*Animals* (hundreds of articles and quizzes)
*Create Zone* (paint, make, and create activities)
*Earth Tips* (movies and infographics on the environment)
*Cell Games* Learn about animal, plant and bacteria cells. Tutorial, Quiz and Game!

College
*Geography* (Advanced skill levels). *Health* (Medical terminology quizzes)
*Math Games * (review/sharpen skills)
*Brain Games* - take breaks but have fun with a brain boost!

Adults
All sections - we have many adult users who love learning...
In particular, we seem to have a lot of adults writing to us about their love for:
*Geography* (time to become a geography expert!)
*Science* (so many interesting things to learn and relearn - impress your kids!)
*Animals* (hundreds of articles, facts and games)
*Animal Kid's Corner* (You're never too old to learn or relearn!)
*Math Games * (keep yourself sharp! many levels)
*Brain Games (keep your brain working well - a favorite with adults!)
*Earth Tips* (tips for daily ways to help the environment)

Possible Advertisement

"I stumbled upon your fun interactive geography games from a link on the Massachusetts Geographic Alliance Website. Since then, your games have become quite a hit with my competitive colleagues!"
--Candice Gomes, Education Outreach Coordinator, Boston Public Library (Sheppard Software's geography games were featured in the Boston Public Library's 2006 Exhibition on Mapping)

"Terrific online educational games, especially geography."
--Dallas Children's Museum

First, let me say I love your website! I have students with learning disabilities that need multiple way to learn math, and your site fills the bill! - Darrin, Rose Park Elementary in Billings, MT

"Awesome site... it is the only reason I am passing my World Geography class!" --Stephen

"Our preschool teacher just sent us homework with this new website on it! My twins love it - they are 4 1/2 and can't get enough! The sounds, the action, so many choices and things to do. I bookmarked this for them and have sent the website to numerous friends and best of all it's FREE!-Cherie Ventola
Thank you for such a wonderful learning tool."--

"Let me say that you guys have an awesome website. I stumbled across your site one day, and it has been the easiest, most effective, and really the most fun method for learning geography that I've found." --David Weaver

"I am thrilled to have stumbled upon your site! As a homeschooling mom, I love to find sites that encourage brain activity and reinforce the facts I teach during learning time!
The range of information is wonderful!!! Keep up the fantastic work!"
-Mrs. JaNell Hancock

Your website has SO much to offer!

This site is exactly what I have been looking for! I have four children within five years of age and they can all play your games! I love that you can choose your level of difficulty. The games are colorful and simple, not cluttered like some. The instructions are easy to understand and they cover basic learning that can be neglected with other "too busy" games. I can't believe what a blessing it is to have stumbled upon this site! I looked up "kindergarten math games online." This is the first one that I actually enjoyed navigating around in and that actually kept the kids' attention without discouraging them.

This site will be a daily part of our learning! The kids were fighting over who could take the next turn at the learning game! It is reinforcing everything I am trying to teach.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!"

Jill Grell

"It is an amazing tool! My 10 year old granddaughter has learned
every country on every continent. And so has her 85 year old grandmother! Me!"
- Donna Blue

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sheppard Software: Fun free online learning games and activities for kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hundreds of fun educational games and activities for kids to play online. Topics include math, geography, animals, and more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Topmarks: teaching resources, interactive resources, worksheets, homework, exam and revision help

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Searchable site of thousands of quality teaching resources, interactive resources, homework, exam and revision help. Useful for teachers, pupils and parents.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ABCya! • ABCya! • Learning Games and Apps for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun. Topics include math, reading, typing, just-for-fun logic games… and more!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Browse Kindergarten Games | Education.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Browse Kindergarten Games. Award winning educational materials designed to help kids succeed. Start for free now!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Play games with your PBS KIDS favorites like Curious George, Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger and Peg + Cat!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A basic numeral recognition activitiy. Develop your mouse control and number skills by matching number digits to words in the 1 to 10 range.

A drag and drop alien making activity to develop mouse control skills and to develop language. Use the worksheet to direct the activity more tightly.
Friends-to-make

This simple labelling activity can be used to reinforce the idea of labels and as a framework for children to begin to add their own captions and labels to familiar scenes such as a teddy bear's picnic.
picnic lesson outline

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Free online interactive EYFS, Foundation Stage and Early Years resources, activities and games. Help your child with early learning goals. Learning through play is the perfect way to teach 3-4 year olds first skills in counting, initial sounds, colours, compare and order, matching and mouse skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ABCmouse.com helps kids learn to read through phonics, and teaches lessons in math, social studies, art, music, and much more! For kids ages 2 to 8.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Starfall Education: Kids Games, Movies, Books & Music for K-5 and above

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
At Starfall, children have fun while they learn - specializing in reading, phonics & math - educational games, movies, books, songs, and more for children K-5 and above.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sesame Street | Preschool Games, Videos, & Coloring Pages to Help Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger & Kinder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When Elmo is having big feelings about appearing in the talent show, he asks Abby to cast a magic spell to help. The spell goes haywire, sending Elmo and Abby on a surprising adventure. In Elmo’s Mindfulness Spectacular, a 45-minute Sesame Street and YouTube special, Elmo and Abby learn techniques t…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sheppard Software received an award
for our Preschool & Kindergarten section!
It was reviewed in the "Surfing the Net with Kids" column,
featured in newspapers across the US!

An excerpt from the column: "No famous television characters here, but a wonderful collection of interactive, educational games just for preschoolers and kindergarten kids. Subjects include animals, colors, numbers, letters and shapes."

Reviews on Sheppard Software's Preschool and Kindergarten Activities:

"I think this is done really well. I am excited to use the pre-k kindergarten activities with my kindergartners in the lab! Thank you for for all of your creativeness!!!"
-Carla Buell ( School Librarian - Schneider Elementary)

"Our preschool teacher just sent us homework with this new website on it!
My twins love it - they are 4 1/2 and can't get enough! The sounds, the action, so many choices and things to do. I bookmarked this for them and have sent the website to numerous friends and best of all it's FREE!
Thank you for such a wonderful learning tool".
- -Cherie Ventola ( Corona-Norco Unified School District, California)

"Hi, I am a assistant Pre K childcare teacher and I work in the Before and After School classroom. During the afternoons the kids love to explore new things. As I was planning my classroom activity, I came across your website and I loved it! It was exactly what I needed. Thanks, thanks, thanks!" -Mary Gordon

"I am happy to tell you that we tried the pre-k section last night and it was excellent! We will continue to use the website its truly very educational and my kids fell in love with it! Thanks." -I. Ceesay

"I work at a school for students with special needs and teach science. We are fortunate enough to have been given whiteboards. The content that you have for Preschool and Elementary age students on your site is so wonderful. My students love interacting with it. We appreciate and applaud your efforts! " - Sally ( Rock Creek School )

"I teach early childhood: special education. I love the Sheppardsoftware site! We use it with a Satalight Smartboard. Even my students have great difficulty attending to other activities attend to your games and activities. It is amazing. Please, keep making more activities. Thank you! "

From " Kids on the Computer" blog:
"Sheppardsoftware.com is full of educational games and learning activities. There's a special section just for preschoolers and kindergardeners that is fun without being too busy and overstimulating."

"We love the preschool games! Thank you so much for offering these programs. Keep them coming." -Rosamarie Singh

"I love your programs. I teach a developmentally delayed 2nd grader who simply cannot grasp colors and your game has helped so much. I change it a little in that I tape a strip across the bottom with the color words under the boxes (learning to read the color names). I also turn off the volume and instead of him hearing what the object is, I have him tell me what color it is as he is dragging it. Works great. Thanks again." - Joann D'Andrea

"I just found your website!! I'm in love! Thank you for something free, creative and so enjoyable!!! My children and I love it! We homeschool and I cannot afford a lot of extra material. This is GREAT!! Thanks again!"

"This is an awesome site! I just love it. I work with first graders so that is how I found out about this site, but it will be the perfect thing for my pre-school grandson. He will flip over this site, I just know it. It will become his favorite, that I can guarantee. Just the thing he needs for working with his colors. Thank You so much!" - Cindy Hermes

"I love these games. My son is better able to understand his colors, numbers etc. Thank you for a beautiful site." - Janelle Parris

"My Granddaughter and Grandson our 3 and 4 they will love this!! I cannot wait to show them! Thank you so much for having something like this and it is FREE :)"
- Diana Ames

"This site was recommended to me by a fellow social studies teacher as we were doing our US geography review with our classes. I happened to stumble upon the preschool section as I was exploring the site at home. What an awesome job you guys have done with the preschool section. I have a 2 year old little girl and we played around with the colors and shapes game last night and it was so much fun. She loves it!

I was amazed at how user friendly the programs were for my daughter. She had NEVER used a computer before and by the end of the night (we spent about an hour playing/learning) she was able to use the mouse and point and click and everything! She actually cried when I told her we had to stop and get ready for bed. I can't wait to check out the rest of the games!

From a 7th grade teacher and the parent of a 2 year old, I say "JOB WELL DONE!" -Ms. Porschia Grace ( Osceola Creek Middle School )

"I just found your new preschool games while looking for a state game. I LOVE THEM. I work in a FMD room (K-2) with 8 children
(6 autistic, 2 other) and we are always looking for interactive games online. Thank you so much for making just what we have been looking for." - Kathy Hussey (specializing in childhood autism)

I am a huge Sheppard Software fan! My kids love all the preschool games. They are 3 and a half and one and a half and they play them all the time. Our 3 ½ year old plays the puzzles and animal games every day. I also teach Grade 2 and 3 students in an I.T. class, and they have become fans as well. It is a great website for children! Keep it up! -Samuel D. Cook (Head of School- North Jakarta International School)

"I run the computer lab at a Primary School in Thomasville Ga. I teach pre-k and kindergarten students in the lab and I showed the website to the students one day. They LOVED it as do the teachers and myself. The site is easy to navigate and holds the interest of the child. It teaches the pre-k the skills they will need to learn in kindergarten. I also use the site to tutor some kindergarten students who are not quite where they need to be as far as knowing colors and counting. I write whole lesson plans around the website. Thanks you very much for an AWESOME website." -Angie Blankenship (Computer Lab teacher)

Some other activities your preschooler might enjoy.. .

Preschool Animals, Animal Pages, Games for Kids
Sheppard Software's games for kids are great for online learning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sheppard Software received an award for our Preschool & Kindergarten section! It was reviewed in the "Surfing the Net with Kids" column, featured in newspapers across the US! An excerpt from the column: "No famous television characters here, but a wonderful collection of interactive, educational games just for preschoolers and kindergarten kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you are on vacation, running errands or just away from home, free video read alouds are a great way to fill what can be hours of waiting into a lot of fun! These are convenient stories for families on the go. View them on a computer, tablet, or phone. If you have a few minutes you have time for a story! The playlist below includes more than 100 video read alouds from old classics like Where the Wild Things Are to newer favorites like Little Jumbo. Featured readers include actors, performers, celebrities, and oftentimes the author themselves. This listening library is available all day every day (and all night!) for returning to old favorites. "Read it again!" has never been easier!

Click on a book cover to hear a story!

For more help keeping children hearing and enjoying great stories you can find even MORE Free Video Read Alouds or try IndyPL's DIY Online Storytimes at Home. Because reading aloud to kids-even after they know how to read independently-benefits kids of all ages. Video read alouds are a great tool to help create a culture of reading. They don't replace reading aloud together in-person, but they are a fun alternative and supply key early literacy benefits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for free video read alouds of children's stories? Just click on a book cover to watch 100+ stories read aloud!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here you can find lots of lovely interactive books to read online or watch with signing.

There are classic children's stories that we think you and your family will love, including Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd to Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson, along with newer favourites such as Chris Haughton's Oh No, George! and Everybunny Dance! by Ellie Sandall.
Our storybooks and games are free to use, however some older devices aren't able to support them. You can also watch our Storytime playlist on YouTube read by the likes of Ore Oduba, Adam Buxton, Fearne Cotton and many more.
We also have lots of free online games for children to enjoy. Whether you're after number games, puzzle games, colouring or interactive storybooks, there are lots of fun activities to try!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Stories for kids online and fun games to play

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find kids' books to read online for free, including classic children's stories like Hairy Maclary and Owl Babies, and play our fun online games - from number games to colouring.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the Summer I shared over on Facebook a video that went crazy! It has been view over 4 million times! Hair dressing role play.

Having worked with children for over 10 years. Quite often you will see children attempting to style each others hair. You can hear parents coming through as they reenact their morning routine of getting ready.

Many times over the years we have set up role play areas linked to hair dressing after seeing interests unfold within the classroom.

I was lucky enough to talk to Zaira Almahdi over the Summer who had made this prop for hairdressing role play. I thought it was genius - and you did too!

I have been sent so many emails asking how this was achieved so I wanted to share a little more with you on how you could go about making something similar.

Laminating Pouches and Laminator

Whiteboard Pen and Rubber

As you can see from the video there is a large rectangular piece of cardboard. This is the frame for the prop. Coloured card has been used to create the clothes that sit on the shoulders of the portrait.

You can create a face outline using a piece of card, drawing your face shape and laminating it. Cut it out and stick it in place. This will make a surface suitable to use with a whiteboard pen. You will be able to rub the faces drawn off to give a blank surface again to recreate.

You may want to use velcro to attach the face. This would allow children to add a face shape of their choosing. You can also look at creating templates for the different skin tones. I really love the idea that children could customise their prop.

For the hair holes have been pierced through to the card and wool has been pulled through these holes. You could use a glue gun to secure the wool in place. You could then add another sheet of cardboard to the back of your prop frame to make the creation sturdy. You can see that a bunch of strands have been posted through each hole.

Add a basket with clips and bows and you have a station for a hairdresser.

Opening the clips on a bow really gets the muscles in the fingers moving. Its a great fine motor activity and a skill to navigate and attach onto the hair working on hand eye co-ordination.

The children will love adding extra detail and accessories onto their prop.

If you are able to fully supervise the children and feel that cutting the hair is something you think they would enjoy and it's safe for them to do - you may want to give that a go too.

I would highly recommend that if you go down this route you keep a very close eye on the children to ensure the only hair they cut is on their prop.

Lets take another look at the fabulous prop creates by Zaira in action:

What fun! Have you created something similar? Do get in touch! I would love to share your designs and creations!

I would like to say a huge thank you to Zaira Almahdi for sharing this brilliant idea and featuring on Learning and Exploring Through Play.

Be sure not to miss anything from us by:

I always share things there first, and quite often some ideas don't always make the blog. So come and follow us.

We quite possibly have the best community group on Facebook. Looking for inspiration, advice? Want a place to share your ideas and activity set ups with like minded people?

Other posts to check out on Learning and Exploring Through Play:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the Summer I shared over on Facebook a video that went crazy! It has been view over 4 million times! Hair dressing role play. Having worked with children for over 10 years. Quite often you will see children attempting to style each others hair.

# data[].attributes.headline
An empty pizza box can be used as an easel

# data[].attributes.subject
An empty pizza box can be used as an easel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DIY Cardboard Easel | Cardboard crafts, Diy cardboard, Diy easel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A quick and easy way to make a table easel out of cardboard.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kids like to pretend! They like to pretend to be doctors, vets, check out operators but they most like to pretend to be a grown up.

The number of times my kids have watched me hang the washing out is too much to count but they have been there and unknowingly they are observing and watching every action and every movement.

Imaginative play washing line is so simple to put together but yet so effective for kids to pretend, engage and make sense of their world. Practising and experimenting with the various skills they will take into adulthood.

Imaginative play is essentially children acting out the various experiences they have had or something of interest to them. Children learn from experience: from what happens around them, from what they see, hear, smell, taste and touch. To absorb those experiences and make sense of the world, they need to be engaged in imaginary play.

What you will need?

You will need a piece of string; we have used a skipping rope, a basket with small clothes or dolls clothing, pegs and two chairs to tie the rope between. I found that the chairs were a good height for little people to reach.

Manipulating and pinching the pegs are great for working those fine motor skills and also eye and hand coordination by holding the clothes at the same time as watching what they are doing with the pegs.

Let's Pretend

I was very surprised when Miss 4 brought the washing inside and started folding it into a pile. I had never expected this! I have them trained well! Haha!

Let's Learn

This is such a great activity to incorporate singing the song Wet Washing Hanigng on the Line.
Wet washing hanging on the line, Dries so very quickly when the weathers fine, Along comes the wind and blow them all about Flip, flap, flip, flap, blowing all about
Click here to download and print the lyrics: Wet Washing Hanging on the Line

The learning benefits of imaginative play:

It provides opportunities for children to identify with the adult world. Practise and role play their understanding and interpretation.

Develop social skills: practising negotiation skills, turn taking and sharing. Provides opportunities for working out problems and experimenting with solutions.

Emotional development: Understanding and expressing their feelings through the re-enactment of certain experiences. Taking on roles that encourage discipline and empathy.

Encourages imagination: Children can be anyone and do anything in the pretend world.

Develop language skills: practising listening, looking and talking. Being spoken to and talking with other people, also developing an understanding of what is being communicated through body language such as smiles and nodding.

I also believe that imaginative play is a great way for children to relax and unwind from their busy lives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids like to pretend! They like to pretend to be doctors, vets, check out operators but they most like to pretend to be a grown up. Wet washing is a great imaginative play opportunity for kids to pretend to be a grown up #Pretendplay #imaginativeplayideas #wetwashinghandingontheline

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Drawing Portraits 😜 ages 4+ 😜 Dylan and his buddy Myles had a blast drawing portraits of each other using this easy method with sheet protectors and dry erase markers!

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR DRAWING PORTRAITS ACTIVITY (affiliate links):
Sheet protectors Dry erase markers
White sheet of paper or white surface

WHAT TO DO:

1. Start by having one child hold up a transparent sheet protector and have the other child attempt to draw their face using dry erase markers. (Washable paint would work well too, but would be messier.) Be sure to use stiff plastic sheet protectors so the sheet doesn't wrap around the face.

2. After one child has completed his or her drawing, have the children switch roles.

2. Once complete, place the sheet against a white surface or put a sheet of white paper in the protector to view the final result!! The boys had such a fun time drawing each other, they could not stop giggling.

3. The sheet protectors we used have a hole in the top so they can be easily hung on a bulletin board or wall for easy display!

Drawing portraits with a partner like this is great as an ice breaker or partner activity. This idea was inspired by an activity on Homegrown Friends.

Check out the boys in action drawing each other's portraits in the below video:

Posted in Tagged Age 4-5, group activity, preschool, sheet protectors, team activity Age 6-7, Age 8+, Art and Craft Activities for Kids, Top Posts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Drawing Portraits on Sheet Protectors * ages 4+ ⋆ Raising Dragons

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Drawing Portraits 😜 ages 4+ 😜 Dylan and his buddy Myles had a blast drawing portraits of each other using this easy method with sheet protectors and dry erase markers! Sheet protectors Dry erase markers White sheet of paper or white surface 1.