- Updated September 26, 2024
Parents Guide to Creative Learning from Home
Creativity comes in many forms – and any parent knows just how naturally creative kids can be! Whether it’s creating images, dancing, cooking, coding, pretend play, making music or movies there are countless ways for kids and teens to express themselves and build confidence.
We’ve rounded up some great resources and online programs for kids to get their creativity flowing! You’ll find both free resources as well as paid classes and camps with expert-led instructors.
Art, Photography & Crafts
McMichael Gallery – ArtVenture Online
Offering free online artsy fun for kids and families. The Kids Corner for ages 5-7 includes week for fun step-by-step art activities and ideas for the whole family. Gallery Explorers for 8 – 12 years old, introduces kids to the history of Canadian art and encourages personal artmaking at home. Living with Art Accessible Programming is also being offered for ages 7+.
Outschool
A huge library of fun, social, and safe learning for kids ages 3-18 yrs led by passionate teachers. Outschool has a large selection of art and music classes for kids. Classes from $10.
Skillshare
An expansive learning platform with a huge array of topics, Skillshare is hard to beat. Learn from experts in the arts, design, and business fields. You’ll find classes in photography, entrepreneurship, design, illustration and much more. The site offers classes that appeal to adults mostly, but there is still a fairly large selection that will appeal to younger learners. Whether you just want to brush on your skills, inspire your child or teen or launch a brand new career, Skillshare offers high quality learning videos, great variety and value.
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Activity Hero
This website has a huge resource of free virtual classes for kids. Topics include art, drama, STEM, music, chess, science, cooking and singing.
Carla Sonheim
Carla Sonheim, author of “Drawing Lab,” joined artist-teachers Lynn Whipple and Diane Culhane to create six free video lessons for kids of all ages. All you need are some basic art supplies and less than an hour a day!
Outschool
A huge library of fun, social, and safe learning for kids ages 3-18 yrs led by passionate teachers. Outschool has a large selection of art and music classes for kids. Classes from $10.
Disney Jr.
Offers fun activities for the little ones and offers printables.
Sparketh
Online art classes for children and teens from beginner to advanced. Free 30 day trial.
Kitchen Table Class Room
Art classes and free printables.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
Free video art classes each day hosted by the famous children’s author Mo Willems.
Music, Dance & Drama
School of Rock Markham
During the outbreak of CoVID-19, School of Rock launched School of Rock Remote, a new online instruction option that gives kids and families the opportunity of continuing their School of Rock education from home until they can return to the school for group rehearsals.
88 Keys Music & Discovery Centres
One of the first Early Childhood Music Education Centers in York Region and well known for their popular Kindermusik programs. The centre is temporarily offer their programs online. Classes are available for all ages and include guitar, piano, voice and violin.
Simply Guitar
Simply Guitar is named the #1 way to learn guitar. The online programs offer easy to follow programs at your own pace with simple and fun video lessons, and songs created by world-class musicians. The app actually listens to you play and then provides feedback as you learn songs you love! It’s a simple and fun way for all levels to learn to master the guitar. Simply Guitar is currently offering a 14 days free trial + 20% discount on subscription. Sign Up Here
Bernadette Teaches Music
Learn to play the ukulele with this free 30 day YouTube program. Includes basic to more advanced skills and free downloadable handbook.
Simply Piano
Like the Simply Guitar app but for the piano! Learn how to play the piano in no time, with fun and easy courses, tutorials, and songs. The app listens to you play and provides feedback as you learn songs you love. It’s a fun way for all ability levels to learn to master the piano. Simply Piano is currently offering a 14 days free trial + Get the “Pianist Must Haves” book (music theory, scales & chords) for FREE. Sign Up Here
Chrome Music Lab
A website that makes learning music more accessible through fun, hands-on experiments. Kids can make their own songs, and many educators use Chrome Music Lab as a tool in their classrooms to explore music and its connections to science, math, art, and more.
Food & Cooking
Raddish Kids
A culinary club for kids that delivers cooking kits to get your kids excited and inspired each month. Based in the states, they also deliver their kits to Canada! Radish also offers free Bonus Bites online library of cook-along videos, kitchen skills and tips and more!
Rooks to Cooks
Kids learn culinary skills and how to cook meals and desserts! Based in the GTA, Rooks to Cooks offers fun year round programming for kids.
Kids Table
Features a full line-up of virtual cooking classes for kids, teens and families. With interactive instruction from skilled instructors.
King Arthurs Flour Baking School
Offering classes for kids and adults. Fun-themed recipes like make your own Naan bread, Snowman Cupcakes and cookies are easy to sign up for online. Just gather your ingredients in advance and cook along with the experts via zoom.
STEAM: Science, Technology, Arts & Math
The Steam Project
Based in Richmond Hill, The STEAM Project encourages youth to use their skills to improve the lives of others through hands-on experiences with new and emerging technology while focusing on empathy and designing with purpose. The centre is now offering Virtual Maker Classes, After School Programs and Virtual March Break Camps.
Mad Science Toronto
Fun with science is what Mad Science is famous for! Now they are offering all their fun STEM activities online. Parents can sign kids up for after-school workshops and virtual March Break camps. (Virtual parties are also now available). Mad Science also now has a free online At Home Experiments page with colouring pages, easy science experiments you can do from home and more!
The Curiosity Lab
This GTA based STEAM school offers private virtual STEAM classes for kids ages 5+. Learn 1 on 1 with highly qualified instructors – weekly classes include Coding, Minecraft, Animation, 2D and 3D game development, website development, illustration and more.
Exceed Robotics
With multiple locations in the GTA, the centre is now offering online courses as well. Kids and teens can learn Robotics, web development, game design, Virtual Python and more.
LSA
GTA-based Lifetime Skills academy offers some unique creative online programs for ages 4-16 years including online STEM for girls, graphic design, 3D design, coding and more.
Activity Hero
This website has a huge resource of free virtual classes for kids. Topics include art, drama, STEM, music, chess, science, cooking, and singing.
The Kid Should See This
An online library of over 4,500 videos on math, science, art, nature, music, and more.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids
Puzzles and riddles for children.
Fitness & Wellbeing
True North Sports
The GTA based Sports camps have created a free online resource of fun actives for ages 4-14 years who are stuck at home. Organized by sport, the downloadable activity sheets include fun drills, activities and games.
DreamyKid
Meditations and affirmations for the whole family
We are Teachers
Fun physical activities for the whole family, plus other activities to keep kids moving and active.
Green Child Magazine
Meditations for kids along with free resources for parents.
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5 thoughts on “Creativity Online: Virtual Programs for Kids”
This is such a fantastic resource for parents! I’m always looking for new ways to keep my kids engaged and creative, especially during these times. The virtual programs you’ve highlighted seem like a great way to foster their imagination. Thank you for sharing!
I love the idea of virtual programs for kids! It’s amazing how creativity can flourish even online. These options provide such a great opportunity for kids to explore their artistic side while staying safe at home. Thanks for sharing these resources!
I love the idea of virtual creativity programs for kids! It’s such a fantastic way to keep them engaged and inspired, especially during times when in-person options may be limited. The variety of activities you mentioned really piques my interest. I’ll definitely be looking into some of these programs for my little artist!
This is such a wonderful resource! I love how these virtual programs can inspire creativity in kids while they learn from home. It’s great to see so many options available that cater to different interests. I can’t wait to try some of these activities with my kids!
I love the idea of virtual programs for kids! It’s great to see so many creative options available that allow children to explore their artistic sides from home. The flexibility and variety you mentioned will surely help engage kids in new ways. Looking forward to trying some of these out!
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