Boredom Busters: Resources to Keep Kids Amused at Home

Whether it’s a rainy day, summer vacation, or a coronavirus related school closing, parents need ways to keep their kids occupied. We’ll be updating this page regularly!

 

Reading and Education:

• Your local library

As long as you have a library card, you can access electronic resources without having to go into the library. Check out the list below or search WorldCat to find your local library

• • Allegheny County (PA) Library System
  • Beaver County (PA) Library
  • Butler County (PA) Federated Library System
  • Crawford County (PA) Federated Library System
  • Mercer Area (PA) Library
  • Washington County (PA) Library System
  • Westmoreland (PA) Library Network
  • Akron-Summit County (OH) Library
  • Cuyahoga County (OH) Public Library
  • Youngstown and Mahoning County (OH) Library

 

• Tablet and Smartphone Apps
  • ABC Mouse
  • Epic! Reading
  • Dr. Seuss Treasury

 

• Online or phone ordering from your friendly neighborhood bookstore
  • The Tiny Bookstore Online
  • Looking for book recommendations? Send a text to (412) 585-2651 (if you don’t have unlimited texting, standard messaging or data rates may apply) or connect with us through Facebook Messenger

 

• Virtual Storytimes

The Tiny Bookstore is starting regular, online storytimes with one-way video.  Join our private Facebook group to participate: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tinybookspghstorytime

 

• Audiobooks

Using audiobooks instead of print books isn’t cheating……And even if it were, desperate times call for desperate measures.

• • Libro.fm: Use the code SWITCH to get 3 free audiobooks.
  • Hoopla (through your local library)
  • Libby (through your local library)

 

• eBooks
  • We hate to sound redundant, but: Your local library
  • The Tiny Bookstore: Search for ebooks on the left side

 

• Scholastic

If you sign up for a free Book Flix account, Scholastic has  up to 20 days of educational activities on their Learn at Home page.

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Crafts and Puzzles:

• Shop the local dollar store for supplies
  
  • Most dollar stores have a great assortment of craft supplies at affordable prices
  • Dollar stores also have jigsaw puzzles, card games, small versions of board and travel games, and cheap toys

 

 

 

 

• Things you already have at home
  • Everyday items take on new lives and purposes when they are seen through the eyes of a child. In the words of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come up.”

 

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Gaming and Technology:

• Coding
  • Tynker
  • PBS Kids Scratch Jr.
• Roblox
• Minecraft