Mental health and wellbeing for children and young people
Young Minds: A wide range of help and advice for young people and parents, including where to get help and support, how to look after yourself, and a parent’s helpline
NHS Every Mind Matters: A range of resources to help and support mental wellbeing including advice about anxiety, low mood, sleep, stress and more. There are videos to support young people’s self-care, tips and links to other sites that can help.
The Mix: Essential support for under 25s, with a free, confidential telephone helpline and online service that aims to find you the best help, whatever the problem.
The Mix: how to stay sane on social media: Top YA author Holly Bourne shares her tips for staying sane on social media.
Barnardo's: A range of resources, tools, videos and more to support families with young carers.
Childline: Information and advice. Get support, a toolbox including coping kits, a mood journal and games.
Childline Calm Zone: Breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress.
Books, stories, writing and drawing
Bloomsbury (Facebook): activities every day at 8am and midday to support learning from home so children stay engaged and entertained.
BookTrust Home Time: competitions, storybooks, games and quizzes
British Library: brilliant activities and discoveries at the British Library
Cressida Cowell: reading 'How to Train Your Dragon' and sharing magical ideas on YouTube
Tom Palmer: extracts, videos and literacy resources
Michael Rosen: poems and stories
Robin Stevens: activities from the 'Murder Most Unladylike' series
Lovereading4kids: book recommendations
Children's books sequels: guides on what order book series come in
Mark Crilley: artist Mark Crilley has how-to-draw videos on YouTube in a mix of styles, like manga and real life
Tom McLaughlin: learn to draw with Tom McLaughlin
SingingHandsUK: songs and stories with Makaton
Authorfy: 10 minute challenges for young authors
Once Upon a Picture: using images to unlock literacy
Jonny Duddle: drawing on YouTube
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems: Mo Willems teaching how to draw
Pobble 365: words and picture starters for stories
Fun activities
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust: reconnect with nature and get wild at home
Girls Who Code: coding activities to do at home
Harry Potter: A History of Magic: online tour of the Harry Potter History of Magic exhibition from the British Library
MIT App Inventor: website developed by MIT to help you learn how to build android based apps
Creative Quarantine: creative adventures and activities for people with time to spare (young and old)
BBC Tiny Happy People: simple activities and play ideas for the early years
Scratch at Home: ideas for engaging in creative learning activities using the free Scratch coding environment
Help with learning
A2Z Homeschooling: a vast resource of links to other websites
Every School: a vast collection of links to other websites
Freddie's Mummy UK: a collection of home schooling websites
Stonewall: home learning packs
Off School: ideas for home schooling and fun activities
National Literacy Trust Dream Big at Home: literacy charity who work with schools and communities
Literacy Trust Words for Life: support for families at home
Twinkl with the BBC: BBC resources offered through Twinkl for free including worksheets, quizzes and BBC educational videos
BBC Remote Learning: how to use the BBC to help you study during lockdown
Myleene's Music Klass: learn about music on Myleene Klass's YouTube channel including some live classes each week.
Made With Music: virtual early years music class.
Classroom Secrets: free resources for home learning.
ICT games: educational games aimed at children between 5 and 8 years old.
BBC Bitesize: revision topics for the national curriculum and daily activities while schools are closed. Aimed at 3 age groups: primary, secondary and 16+.