ed·u·tain·ment
/ˌejəˈtānmənt/
noun
- : entertainment (as by games, films, or shows) that is designed to be educational
- I've chosen not to add age ranges to this post. Children's ages vary greatly when it comes to content consumption. The best thing I can tell you is to listen to it, watch it, read it, play it. When we actively participate in what our kids consume we can make the best decision for that individual child based on their personality/maturity and our own personal values/beliefs.
Time: online 24/7, local radio station times vary
Format: audio
Cost: FREE & $9.99 monthly subscription option
Notes: Adventures in Odyssey has been "on the air" since 1987. There are life lessons, history and Bible stories presented in a fun way that kids (and parents) will enjoy. Odyssey plays on stations across the country and the 4 most recent episodes can be found online for FREE. They also have a paid subscription service that gives access to all of the Odyssey episodes digitally. To learn more you can visit Odyssey Adventure Club.
Adventures in Odyssey trailer
Format: app
Cost: FREE
Notes: My daughter asks to read Bible stories on my phone almost daily. They are easy to understand, interactive stories that provide games/activities after each story to reinforce the Bible story or passage.
Favorites: Roaring Rescue and Two by Two.
Format: video
Cost: FREE
Notes: I typically don't enjoy overly scripted reality/adventure shows, but Coyote is fun for both me and the kids and even my husband on occasion. Coyote gives us in inside look at the animals he encounters and we always learn something new about the world around us and the creatures who live here with us.
Notes: I typically don't enjoy overly scripted reality/adventure shows, but Coyote is fun for both me and the kids and even my husband on occasion. Coyote gives us in inside look at the animals he encounters and we always learn something new about the world around us and the creatures who live here with us.
Favorite: World's Most Famous Frog
Time: 24/7
Cost: FREE, $5 - $8 a month subscription
Notes: Education.com has work sheets, games and puzzles that reinforce learning concepts in a fun way. A few activities are offered FREE per day and there is a subscription if you need access to more.
Time: 24/7
Cost: FREE
Notes: Learn why Glasswing Butterfly wings are clear, see a Steinway Piano being put together from start to finish, and discover the answer to the burning question, Should We Eat Bugs? The Kids Should See This complies videos from all over the Internet on various subjects and makes them easier to locate for viewing.
Format: video, book
Time: 24/7
Cost: varies, available for individual episode or season purchase on Amazon, via Netflix, books available through your regular book seller.
Notes: We have seen every Magic School Bus Adventure multiple times. Both of my children love the original stories and the Netflix original series as well as the books. Ms. Frizzle is as delightful and educational as always.
The Magic School Bus Rides Again trailer
Mark Kistler's Imagination Station
Time: 24/7
Cost: Prime subscription, available for individual episode or season purchase on Amazon.
Notes: "Learn to draw dragons, spaceships, koala bears, castles, mermaids, sharks and more with high-energy author/cartoonist/Emmy-winner Mark Kistler." You can also find videos on Mark Kistler's YouTube channel.
Imagination Station trailer/demo
Mr. Wills Music World
Time: 24/7
Format: YouTube
Cost: FREE
Notes: Join Mr. Will, and sometimes his friends, as he takes you on an adventure to learn about instruments and music in every episode.
Favorite: Bongos
Time: Monday & Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Format: Facebook live/video
Cost: FREE
Notes: Join Mr. Steve and Wendy as they explore the NC Zoo. These EDventures are AMAZING! We get to experience the Zoo as never before while we see the animals, chat with the keepers and be charmed by Mr. Steve and Wendy. My kids enjoyed these digital visits so much that we purchased a membership to the Zoo for the coming year. You can watch past videos on their Facebook page or on YouTube.
Favorite: Zoo EDventures Polar Bears
Hours: 24/7
Format: video
Cost: FREE
Time: They have a good mix of intense nature videos and less intense videos. I am able to pick and choose appropriate videos for my littles and there are other videos that would be better for an older audience as well.
Favorite: Crocodile Mom Scoops Up Babies in Mouth
Format: video
Cost: FREE & Netflix options
Notes: StoryBots chronicles the adventures of Beep, Boop, Bing, Bang and Bo as they answer questions and help us learn all about the world around us. StoryBots is from NickJr. so the content is fairly mild and kid friendly. It's a bonus for us that we love it as much as the kids and therefore we don't pull our hair out when we watch it.
Favorite: The Dinosaur songs
Time: 24/7
Format: podcast
Cost: FREE & $5 monthly subscription option
Notes: The Story Pirate team believes that kids are creative, awesome and that they write the best stories. Join the fun as they produce sketches from the imaginative stories sent in by regular kids and take your kids on a journey to becoming better writers.
Favorite: The Mad Piano Player
Time: 24/7, various times on PBS your local PBS station
Format: TV show/video
Cost: FREE , some available for individual episode & full season purchase on Amazon.
Notes: shows available on PBS Kids rotate on a weekly basis. Each week or so 4 new episodes replace the "old" ones.
- Dinosaur Train - we have seen every episode of Dinosaur Train that is available on PBS Kids and are happy when new episodes are put online. Both of my kids love it and have internalized many dino facts.
- Super Why - this was recommended by a friend and we have watched it for the first time today. The content reinforces the reading concepts we are learning in kindergarten and she is participating with the stories.
Dinosaur Train Theme Song
Time: 24/7, various times on PBS your local PBS station
Format: TV show/video
Cost: FREE, available for individual episode & full season purchase on Amazon.
Notes: Martin and Chris Kratt go on real life and cartoon adventures with a different animal featured each episode. Real facts, real fun, real education. What's not to love? The Kratt brothers also have a YouTube channel with more fun videos and facts. Check it out here.
Just Discovered: Top African Wild Life
No comments:
Post a Comment