Free Fun, Education and Entertainment
Fun for All Ages, from the Safety of Your Home!
Looks like it might be a while before this “Corona Craziness” is over. This list is for those of you who are sheltering in place, under quarantine or just wanting to spend time at home. These resources are FREE (with the exception of my books — as an author, I had to mention these — hope you’ll take a moment to check them out). I’ll be adding to the list on our website as I find new information, so feel free to check back there [https://bestlife.tips/]. And of course, you are welcome to share this link!
If you know of an event or link that isn’t included, please let me know, so it can be added to this list. You may comment below, or email me at BestLifeTips4Me@gmail.com. You are also welcome to follow my Facebook page where I post daily tips and freebies — https://www.facebook.com/bestlifetips/
BOOKS & MAGAZINES:
Of course, I had to include my books here. No need to even go to the mailbox — a number of these are ebooks. Thanks for supporting local authors! You can see all my books on Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/author/donnawylie
The Fussy Librarian — https://www.thefussylibrarian.com/
Freebooksy — https://www.freebooksy.com/
Story Time for kids. Astronauts read to kids from space! https://storytimefromspace.com/
Storytime — Betty White reads “Harry the Dirty Dog” — adults and kids alike will enjoy this — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j0OY3236jw&feature=youtu.be
Time Magazine for Kids — https://time.com/tfk-free/
CLASSES:
Adults — Sites for free online education — https://financebuzz.com/10-best-sites-for-free-online-education
Adults — online colleges and degree programs — https://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/free-online-degree-programs/
Kids and Adults — a list of free online classes — https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Stuck-at-home-568831521.html
Kids and Adults — Brave Wilderness. A great selection of adventure and animal stories. A favorite of a home-schooling mom (thanks to Amy for the tip) — https://www.youtube.com/user/BreakingTrail
Kids — Scholastic is offering free daily classes fro grades Pre-K to 6 and up. No sign up required. https://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/free-online-degree-programs/
Kids — List of companies offering free education classes — https://tinyurl.com/u7wam8h
COOKING:
Yeast Starter — NO yeast needed! https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17513/no-commercial-yeast-starter/
Bread recipes! 20 easy recipes for breads and rolls — https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/easy-bread-recipes-for-beginners/
Bread Recipes — NO yeast needed — https://tinyurl.com/ruys4oc
Make your own spreadable butter — https://www.thespruceeats.com/homemade-whipped-butter-427820
Pantry Staple Recipes — https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/unusual-dishes-to-make-with-pantry-staples
Wartime Meals from 1943! — Your grandmother probably used this during WWII. https://ia903100.us.archive.org/15/items/1943BhgCookBook/1943_bhg%20cook%20book.pdf
CRAFTS:
Art Fun:
100 Craft Projects with just 10 different supplies! — https://tinyurl.com/rc7l3ss
Mail someone a life-sized HUG! — https://tinyurl.com/ycrtvbb4
Make homemade cards and send them to your local nursing home to cheer up residents who are in isolation — https://tinyurl.com/vcrssxw Here’s one nursing home in Texas that would love to get your homemade cards and pictures. Check to see if there are homes in your area that would also like some cards. https://tinyurl.com/yx7tg94s
Coloring pages for kids (and adults!) Disney! 1000+ pages — https://tinyurl.com/r4ctdct
Coloring pages — Tucson, AZ! — https://tinyurl.com/sjx6gts
Crayola Fun! 52 creative ideas — https://tinyurl.com/seacwwu
Doodling with Mo Willems! https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
Drawing Tutorial — https://tinyurl.com/rh6ujha
Drawing — How to Draw — Animals, people, choose your favorite! https://www.howtodrawit.com/
Grow Vegetables from scraps! — https://www.ruralsprout.com/regrow-vegetables/
Grow Your Own Food from Seeds — https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-seed-saving
Knit & Crochet — many patterns to choose from — https://tinyurl.com/vxzchjt
Make your own Sundial! — https://www.miraclegro.com/en-us/library/make-your-own-sundial
Painting:
Bob Ross! Paint along with Every episode — https://www.youtube.com/user/BobRossInc/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=7
Easter Chick fork painting. Looks like fun! — https://masandpas.com/easter-chick-fork-painting/
Easter Rabbit painting using toilet paper rolls. Why not use this easy craft to make cards for fellow shut-ins? — https://www.craftymorning.com/toilet-paper-roll-bunny-stamps/
No Mess Cling Film Art — says this is for toddlers, but I kinda want to try it! https://tinyurl.com/unv9y7p
Paint Sip Fun is offering virtual classes — https://www.paintsipfun.com/
Rock your neighborhood! Paint rocks with inspirational sayings and leave them around the neighborhood for people to find — https://modpodgerocksblog.com/10-painted-rocks/
Simple Painting Tutorial — https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2580990992005175
Step-by-step tutorials. Unleash your creativity! Lots to choose from. https://stepbysteppainting.net/videos/
WOW Art — watch an artist paint and see if you can recreate her pieces. LOTS of videos — click “videos” to see the full list. Very relaxing just to watch, and fascinating to see the finished picture! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdZutxI1UnH9N3Fh_TeQ4Kw
Sewing Patterns, Face Masks:
Choosing the best material for face masks — https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/
Prevent Your Glasses from fogging up — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3293317/
Face masks, reusable with filter pocket. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm_NmpdgWWA — A favorite of nurses. No elastic needed. I used 1/2″ double-sided satin ribbon for the ties.
Face Masks — https://tinyurl.com/rcwxm7q — A selection of different patterns.
Face Masks, no-sew — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUcC9_yJvHM
Face Masks, No Sew from socks — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7J1jlL_pVw
Face Masks for Kids — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiKiVjpixhk
Face Masks, video tutorial — https://tinyurl.com/teb5vaq
Face Masks with filter pocket — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNX0cRrYj6U
Sewing Patterns, Misc
Bias Tape — fast way to make your own — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR7sWFwo48g&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
Paper towel, reusable — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCqt9OTbyew
Scrub Pants — https://tinyurl.com/sdlfupq
Surgical Scrub Cap — https://so-sew-easy.com/easy-surgical-scrub-cap-pattern/
ENTERTAINMENT:
Aquarium Cams — Monterey Bay — https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams
Arts and Culture — SO many to choose from! — https://artsandculture.google.com/
Botanical Garden Tour — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPjCy0iRSKQ&app=desktop
Disneyland! Virtual Rides! https://tinyurl.com/umez72y
Dracula’s Castle — https://freaked.com/you-can-now-virtually-tour-draculas-castle-from-your-own-home/
Eagle Cam! https://www.outdoorchannel.com/live/eaglecam/326707/0
Field Trips! Go on a field trip from home! https://tinyurl.com/v34zsse
Field Trips — even More! https://www.weareteachers.com/best-virtual-field-trips/
Field Trips galore! Over 30 locations to choose from! Thanks to super scout, Skylar, for sending us this link! https://www.titlemax.com/articles/road-trip-from-home-virtual-field-trips/
Football! NFL Game Pass Free until 5/31/2020 — https://gamepass.nfl.com/packages?redirected=true
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Home tour — https://franklloydwright.org/3dlab/
Livestream ANIMALS! Animals galore! Choose your favorite or follow them all — https://tinyurl.com/qll9728
Northern Lights Cam — Amazing! https://explore.org/livecams/zen-den/northern-lights-cam
Virtual Tours — a whole list of aquariums, museums, and zoos — https://tinyurl.com/shh79jt
Winchester House — tour this infamous architectural marvel — https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/video-tour/
Zoo Cam — Cheetah Cubs! — https://tinyurl.com/uzs6xgs
Zoo Cam! Phoenix — https://www.facebook.com/pg/PhoenixZoo/videos/?ref=page_internal
Zoo Cam! San Diego — https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
Movies and Videos:
Excercise with The Body Coach — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ
Facebook Watch — https://www.facebook.com/watch/
Modern Marvels — Lots of episodes to choose from, and so many fascinating stories! https://play.history.com/shows/modern-marvels#episodes
Movie Streaming Services — https://collider.com/free-movies-online-streaming/
Museums — A list to choose from https://tinyurl.com/rgwu4sl
Podcast — Josh Gad reads children’s books — https://tinyurl.com/w5jtmh2
Show & Tell from Atlas Obscura — https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/show-and-tell
VIDEO CHATS:
How about a remote get-together? This article lists some of the most popular video software for PC — https://www.techpout.com/best-video-call-software-for-windows/
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed the list and found some new sources of entertainment. If you liked this article, please let me know by giving me a thumbs up. Until next time ~ stay healthy!
