If you’re either a teacher or a parent of young children, you’ll love our list of 25 free educational websites for elementary school students.
Why? Because it covers many subjects, from math to cooking, and it even includes apps to go along with most of the sites. There are practically hours of childhood entertainment just waiting to be found in this simple little list.
But the best part is, it’s educational entertainment. They won’t be frying their brains out playing video games and they won’t be staring at the TV either. The kids who get their hands on these sites can sharpen their brains while having fun. And even though it’s hard to imagine (especially for them), learning can be fun after all. (For more evidence of this, see 6 Best Google Apps for Education.)
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We used a few different reputable sources to create this list, including articles from Today’s Parent, Aleteia and Care, and they’re all free sites (or sites where you can sign up for a free subscription). Not to mention, they’re clean. The websites that have free corresponding apps were also highlighted with links to the app store. One even has a free corresponding podcast.
Some of the resources are well known such as National Geographic Kids or Highlights Kids. While others are more obscure finds, but just as much of a blast for kids.
If you’re a parent, you’re probably dying for some alone time. You just want to binge on Netflix without interruption. Or at the least, wash that every-growing stack of dishes without constantly being distracted. But entertainment for kids these days is hard to come by.
How do you find entertainment that doesn’t bore them senseless within the first nine minutes? How do you help your little rascals use the internet for good without fearing they’ll end up hijacking your Facebook account and embarrassing you beyond repair? And most importantly- how do you cook a decent dinner without paying oodles for a babysitter every night?
Enter this list of 25 free educational websites for elementary school students. You can kiss the babysitter goodbye.
25. Highlights Kids
Apps: Highlights for Children, Inc on Google Play
Based on the popular kids magazine, this site includes everything from hilarious kids jokes to the fun games and activities.
24. Time for Kids
App: TIME for Kids Classroom in iTunes
This one on our list of free educational websites for elementary school students is more for the older elementary school student, but it’s got news stories from around the world that help kids become acquainted with the world of politics, crime and all the other unpleasant things that make up this dark world. But it’s still fun, we promise.
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23. PBS Kids
App: Play PBS KIDS Games in iTunes
Kids of all ages will love this site. It’s colorful, action-packed, and guaranteed to keep them entertained while you finally get that laundry done.
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22. Brain Pop
App: BrainPOP Featured Movie on Google Play
Believe us when we say that this site is genius. Even older kids won’t say they’re too cool for it. It requires a subscription, but the home subscription is completely free.
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21. ABC Mouse
This one’s only free for 30 days, but hey, that’s a whole month of quality reading, math, science and art education.
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20. Kids Know It
There are free math, spelling and history games, yes. But there are also dinosaur, astronomy and biology games for kids. That’s on point.
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19. NASA Kids
App: SA: National Geographic Kids app on Google Play
Speaking of interesting subjects for kids to learn, what about space? All your Star Wars lovers will love diving deep into the fun on this website.
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18. National Geographic Kids
Enhance their love for wildlife and nature by letting them develop the screen stare from interacting on this site all day long. Hey, it’s better than getting the stare from watching tv.
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17. The Happy Scientist
Can you make soda glow in the dark? How sharp is a goldfish’s memory? Answer these questions and more via The Happy Scientist that ranked 17th on our list of free educational websites for elementary school students.
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16. Seussville
You just have to click on this site (and have Adobe Flash Player running) to see that it would simply delight any child.
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15. Discovery Kids
Play games, watch videos and explore fun avenues of nature simply by heading to the above URL.
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14. Kids Cooking Activities
Who said learning has to be confined to math and science? Cooking is a great activity for even young children to begin learning. Here’s how they can do it.
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13. DOGO News
App: DOGOnews in iTunes
Much like number 24 on our list of free educational websites for elementary school students, DOGO news is basically MSN for kids, or without the stories with cover photos of scantily clad celebrities.
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12. Kids Reads
This site is chock full of book reviews and author interviews for the kind of kid who sneaks under the covers with a flashlight long after you’ve tucked them in.
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11. ABCya
Grades K to five can learn about more than just ABC’s from this site, whose mascot is an adorable monkey.
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10. Fun Brain
This site specializes in games, videos and books for kids, and has levels up to eighth grade. Finally, you can catch up on your Facebook feed without interruption.
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9. Khan Academy
App: Khan Academy on Google Play
The internet ravings about this brilliant site can’t be ignored. They even have Trigonometry, so you won’t have to relive the nightmares of your high school classes just to help your teenager with their homework.
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8. Science Bob
Bob likes science. So will your children after visiting this site.
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7. Cool Math Games
App: Cool Math Games on Google Play
Some sites that claim to have “cool” math games will put your kids to sleep within seconds. Others, like this one, actually have cool math games.
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6. Fact Monster
Fun facts are a great educator for kids because they really make learning pop. So it’s no surprise that Fact Monster is just the thing for the restless child.
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5. Kids Health
Aspiring doctors need to know all about the skeletal system, germs and even (maybe especially) puberty. So do kids who aren’t aspiring doctors, for that matter.
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4. Storynory
Podcast: Storynory on Stitcher
Audible has become a recent hit with adults, but you have to pay for that. Storynory is for kids, and it’s free. No more roadtrips with screaming children for you.
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3. How Stuff Works
App: HowStuffWorks on Google Play
We are continuing our list of free educational websites for elementary school students with How Stuff Works that has everything, including money, culture, and cars. And it breaks down complex, grownup issues into a level easy for kids to understand.
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2. Disney Junior
App: Disney Junior on Google Play
Not only can kids interact with their favorite Disney characters, they can accidentally learn a few things in the process. They won’t even know they’ve just grown a little smarter.
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1. Math Chimp
Math can be a blast for some kids, and a total bore for others. This site resonates with both types of kids.
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So what are you waiting for? After reading about our 25 free educational websites for elementary school students, it’s time to call the kids in and get them started.
