13 Free English & Multilingual Online Books for Children

It pains me deeply to read that parents are choosing to keep their children home out of fear resulting from the president's threat of mass raids. But I totally get it because I would, too. This means no summer camps or trips to the library. No bookstores for story time.

Or maybe you are a family on a budget and summer camps aren't on your list for this year so you are looking for free resources online to keep your kids busy learning...in an entertaining fashion, of course.

Or maybe you are just looking for ways to supplement your child's activities over the course of the summer.

If any of these sound like you, there are still ways to help maintain and even continue to develop your child's literacy skills at home during the summer.

I started looking for free online children's literature that you can access from home and was pretty excited about all of the ones that are available. Here's what I found:

1. International Children’s Digital Library - Available in 5 languages! Read my review here.
2. Read Conmigo - English and Spanish No longer available.
3. Unite for Literacy - 2 written languages (English and Spanish), PLUS 43 languages for narrated stories!! WOW!
4. Magic Keys - English only. Pretty simple
5. Free Children Stories - English only
6. The Library of Congress - English only
7. Magic Blox - Books in 6 languages!
8. Oxford Owl - English only. Free ebooks for kids 3 - 11yo
9. Storyline Online  - Famous actors read aloud children's books. English only. Includes teacher's guides
10. Open Library  - Mostly Classics
11. Project Gutenberg - Also mostly Classics. Available in 4 languages, but not Spanish.:(
12. Children's Books Forever - 12 different languages!!!
13. Aaron Shepard's World of Stories - Folktales, fairytales, legends and more

Also, don't forget that I have printable FREE Summer Camp @ Home Calendars for children ages 6 to 10ish! You'll find book recommendations and more.

Project-Based Learning Ideas for Summer

I have a love/hate relationship with summer because I love that my kids don't always have something scheduled to keep them busy, but I also hate that they sometimes are just lazy and complain about being bored. 😝

I've already talked about BOCA, my guide for summer learning. And on Wednesday, I shared my first book recommendation.

Well, today's recommendations fall under the "Activities" section.

Project-based learning (PBL) is one of the best ways to engage kids and sneak in some learning. Personally, I think there has to be a lot of thinking going on, physical activity in some form or fashion, and a satisfying end result.

In practice, PBL nurtures specific skills, including planning, critical thinking, reasoning, and creativity, visualizing and decision making, and knowing how and when to use technology, and choosing the most appropriate tool for the task.

Generally, in classrooms, PBL is a joint effort because students work in teams to complete the project. But parents can use PBL at home, too, with multiple children or just one.

Where do I start? 

Fortunately, there are quite a few companies out there creating project kits that you can purchase and give to your kids. National Geographic, Thames & Kosmos, and Discovery are just a few examples.

To get you started, I've put together a PBL Idea List and added it to my Amazon shop. Currently, there are 30 45+ different kits on the list, and I'll be adding more as I find them. Here is a peek at some of my favorites...

Mayan Calendar, Wall Calendar

Ages 14+

Discovery Kids DIY Toy Model Engine Kit

Ages 8+

Snap Circuits Arcade Electronics Exploration Kit

20+ Build and Play Games!!

Ages 7+

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Crystal Growing Lab

Ages 8+

Playz Edible Candy! Food Science STEM Chemistry Kit

Ages 8+

You can find these and so many more by clicking here.

Spanish Board Games to Enjoy this Summer

Here comes summer and while children everywhere are rejoicing, many parents who have to keep said children busy are frantically searching for fun activities. 

If you are one of these parents, then check out my Amazon Shop where I've assembled a collection of a variety of products I recommend to entertain and educate your kids! Every week, I'll be adding fun resources that your children will love. From books to board games to puzzles and more, you'll find resources for a variety of ages in English, Spanish, and both. I'll sneak in math, science, reading and other subjects. And some products are just for fun. 

This week's feature? Board games! Here are a few examples of what I've included:

This post contains affiliate links.

Board Games in Spanish:

Kloo's Race to Madrid

Play and Speak Spanish - Quickly and Easily!

From your very first go, you'll learn Spanish words and make Spanish sentences to score points. KLOO's game is a deceptively easy and fun way to learn Spanish. Just be ready for how fast you pick up the language.

KLOO's Learn to Speak Spanish Language Card Games Pack 1

¡Oraciones Divertidas!

This unique sentence-building game will help the Spanish-speaking child learn about Spanish sentence construction and basic grammar--while having fun! Great for practicing basic grammar, including sentence building, parts of speech and more. Can also be used with Spanish Words & Letters Reading Rods® (LER 7017) for additional hands-on learning fun. Guide included. Board measures 16-1/2 square. For 2 to 4 players.

Juego de Palabras Spanish Reading Rods Word Game

Students will challenge their phonics skills as they race to build words against the clock. This fast paced game can be played at multiple levels and customized to practice specific reading and word-building skills. Includes 112 color-coded Rods, 1 two-minute timer, 4 pencils, 1 score pad, and instructions. For 2-4 players.

Board Games in English:

AZUL

TILE PLACEMENT GAME: Azul is a tile placement game in which players become artisans tasked with creating the most beautiful tiled mosaics. Compete for the highest score by claiming tiles and arranging them on your board to score points

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego Card Game

Calling all ACME agents to figure out Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?!?! 

In this card game, you will be on a top-secret mission to recover the greatest treasures known to mankind - The Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty’s Torch, and more - from Carmen's gang. Get ready to jet set across the globe. Your assignment is to apprehend Carmen Sandiego, track the location of her hideout, and determine which loot she has stolen. Once you zero in on Carmen’s location, you must declare “I have a warrant for Carmen’s arrest!” The first Gumshoe to make a Loot-Location match and successfully reveal Carmen wins the game. But beware, if you make an incorrect accusation, Carmen can escape! Can you catch Carmen? For 2-4 players, ages 8 and up.

The Oregon Trail Card Game

How Will You Die on the Oregon Trail?

All sorts of gruesome deaths await you and the rest of your wagon party in this official multi-player card game version of the classic computer game. To win you’ll need to keep one player alive all the way from Independence, MO to the Willamette Valley. But between rattlesnakes, starvation, dead oxen, broken bones, dysentery, and a host of other calamities the odds are long . . . almost as long as the Oregon Trail itself.

Players work together to move along the trail, fording rivers and playing Supply Cards to overcome calamities. But be warned–there will be times when it makes sense to let one of your wagon mates succumb to a calamity rather than expend precious supplies. And every time players go the way of all flesh, you’ll flip over the roster card and write their names on tombstones (don’t forget to include a quick epitaph). It’s a great way to relive your fond memories of one of the world’s most beloved computer games, and to kill off your family and friends at the same time.

Explore the World

Explore interesting and exciting places around the world. Learn facts about both the natural world and the manmade world. For example, "what world record does the Mariana trench hold?" answer: deepest place on earth. This is a natural world question. If you look at the image provided for a question card sample, you'll see what a manmade world question looks like. There are also flag cards, which ask questions about the country whose flag is pictured on the card. And there are travel cards, which help players travel forward or backwards on their journey! our Planet is a cool and amazing place. Why not go exploring! explore the world is a fun and educational game for the whole family.

High Seas Addventure

Invite your kids to dive in and race their favorite ocean creatures to an island paradise by adding numbers to making 10. Kids will practice their number facts without even knowing it! Octopus and shark cards add an element of surprise. This game features 2 levels of play to challenge your children as their skills grow. For 2-4 players.

Check these out and others by clicking here.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

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• Prepping for Summer with MommyMaestra
  
  
• 15 Homemade Paletas to Try this Summer
  
  
• Printables for Summer Fun Learning
  
  
• Project-Based Learning Ideas for Summer

7 Other Construction Kits for LEGO Lovers

One of my biggest challenges during the summer is keeping my kids off tech. That means finding projects to keep them busy. If this sounds familiar to you, then you'll enjoy my posts this week with ideas and products that are geared to challenge and engage!!

I'm listing these in order of age range, starting with products that the youngest kids can enjoy.

This post contains affiliate links.

Lincoln Logs 100th Anniversary Tin (Ages 4+)

I can't believe that Lincoln Logs have been around for 100 years! That just proves how special this product is. This set is made entirely of wood, just like the originals.

If there's one thing that doesn't change, it's history... and Old West play! This gift tin is perfect not only for this generation, but the sturdy logs can be passed down! Start a family tradition, or add onto a classic set, because these Lincoln Logs are compatible with other Lincoln Logs sets. The included design is for the old Meeting House from 1925. A thriving frontier town needs a great log-built Meeting House. Get the roof in place before winter storms and torrential rains hit the village! Put together hitching posts so the horses don't wander off into the wilderness.

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GoldieBlox and the Dunk Tank (aff) (Ages 4+)

Do you have a younger engineer you want to encourage? Think GoldiBlox! In this kit, Goldie has to find a way to give her dog, Nacho, a bath. One problem: Nacho hates water and loves being a dirty dog. After many tries, Goldie finally comes up with the perfect contraption: A dunk tank! Introduces the real-life STEM concept of hinges and levers. Designed for tinkering and creative exploration, GoldieBlox toys build spatial skills and confidence in problem-solving. All GoldieBlox toys are inter-compatible.

Ruby Rails Sky-High Cable Car (aff) (Ages 6+)

Help Ruby Rails, Goldie’s BFF, build a gondola ride and soar high above Bloxtown! Combine plastic construction pieces and durable chipboard to construct the two towers, and connect them with a pulley to send Ruby swinging right over the kitchen sink. Introduces the real-life STEM concept of tension.

Designed for tinkering and creative exploration, GoldieBlox toys build spatial skills and confidence in problem-solving.  All GoldieBlox toys are inter-compatible. Comes with 32 pieces, including Ruby mini-figurine. Hundreds of how-to building videos online to help spark creativity in young engineers.

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14-in-1 Educational Solar Robot Kit (Ages 8+)

This kit is recipient of the "Best Green Products Award 2013" from Dr Toy and Creative Child Magazine has anointed it with "Top Toy of the Year Award" and "Kids Product of the Year Award." This robot can be transformed into 14 different robot modes which include a multitude of comical and functional movements. The user can easily change from a Wagging-Tail Dog to Running Beetle to Walking Crab to Surfer to Speedster to Zombie Chaser! The robot kit provides unique accessories and parts that make the robot move on land and water.

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These Engino construction kits because I have a major LEGO-lover who enjoys building things. I love that these are not gender specific! Boys and girls alike will love these projects. 

STRUCTURES: Buildings and Bridges Set (Ages 8+)

Learn all about buildings and how they literally support our lives! Construct different types of bridges and find out how their architecture design provides massive weight support. Discover all the types of forces applied and how engineers manage to reduce their effects.

Build 9 working models such as a house, a pyramid and various types of bridges: beam, arch, truss, cable-stayed and suspension bridge.

Simple Machines (Ages 8+)

The SIMPLE MACHINES set is a combination of the basic 5 sets of "Discovering STEM" series and covers all Simple Machines mechanisms. These mechanisms offer a mechanical advantage and are crucial elements of many machines and devices. They are designed to multiply or reduce force, increase or decrease speed and convert one type of motion to another.

Build 60 working models that cover the subjects of levers, the wedge, the wheel and axle, the screw, the inclined plane, the pulley, as well as the more advanced gears and linkages!

Gears and Worm Drives (Ages 8+)

Learn how Gears can easily reduce or increase speed, change force or transfer motion from one position to another. Discover how Worm drives are used to greatly reduce rotational speed and how screws can convert rotational motion to linear, while greatly increasing force.

Build 12 working models such as an experimental crane, a gearbox, a carousel, a helicopter, a screw press and a crane with a rotating arm.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

• Activity Books for Young Engineers
  
  
• Using Broken Devices to Nurture Your Child's STEM Interest
  
  
• Get Your Kids Excited About STEM With EEME
  
  
• The Search for STEMnauts

Fun Printables for Bilingual Summer Learning

Are you looking for games and activities to keep your kids busy this summer? Maybe you're looking for ways to keep your kids off tech. Or maybe you need a boredom buster for a long road trip. Or maybe you are an educator looking for materials to use in your summer program.

Whatever your situation, I hope you'll consider some MommyMaestra printables that are available in both English and Spanish! Great for ESL, Spanish learners, and bilingual children looking for fun activity sheets, here are a few of my most popular products for summer. They are a great way to sneak in some learning and avoid summer brain drain!

Psst! Don't miss my Summer Fun Sale and get 30% off all my digital downloads this weekend only! Just use the code SUMMERFUN.

Taking a road trip? My Bilingual Travel Games are loads of fun! The set includes the following games in English and Spanish:

• Red Car, Blue Car 
• The License Plate Game
• Travel Bingo
• Rhyme Time
• Word Puzzles
• Search & Find
• and more!

Summer time just seems like the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to The Magic Tree House series... in English OR Spanish! I have several versions of this printable packet available. It includes activities to supplement your child's reading of the first three books in the series. You can get the English version, the Spanish one, or the combo packet.

Looking for some culture? Introduce your children to one of the most popular Mexican sports! My Lucha Libre Coloring Booklet includes text that describes the most popular elements associated with this Mexican version of wrestling.

You might also love my Alphabet Lotería Activity Pack! It comes with a brief history of Lotería, ways to play, ways to win, and 12 tablas (game boards) – 6 in English, and 6 in Spanish. I did my best to choose items that reflected the Latino culture and that began with the same letter in both English and Spanish. :)

For a dip into art history, consider this Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera packet. It features a kid-friendly biography of the couple and their marriage, reading comprehension quiz, short reading passages about each artist’s style of art, activity pages for creating a self-portrait and a mural, and recommended reading to extend the learning.

And last, these reading comprehension passages on 10 Latinas in History is super popular! It comes with one-page reading passages about the following 10 famous Latinas:

• Ellen Ochoa
• Isabel Allende
• Dara Torres
• Frida Kahlo
• Linda Ronstadt
• Dolores Huerta
• Sonia Sotomayor
• Carolina Herrera
• Rita Moreno
• Sor Juana de la Cruz

I’ve also included reading comprehension worksheets that focus on facts and vocabulary from the passages, a matching activity, dictionary reference, and complete the sentence. An answer key is included.

These are only a few of the fun products available in my shop or via my TpT shop. I hope you'll take a look around. And if you purchase any, I'd love to see how you use them with your kids! Share a photo on the MommyMaestra FB page!

App Review: Yash Math Adventure

As we head into summer vacation, I have to think about how I'm going to keep my kids' reading and math skill sharp without making them feel like we're doing school work. Reading is easy as I simply make regular trips to the library and bookstore to let them choose their own books. But math tends to be another matter. At first, I was having them do one lesson each week from their math curriculum, but that was ALWAYS met with resistance and complaining. And then, I had the opportunity to review a new app by Degenet and my problem was solved! (Pun intended!)

Name: Yash Math Adventure
Subject(s): Math
Brief Description: A math learning app disguised as an adventure game!
Price: $2.99
Language: Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, and French
Ages: 6+ years
Device: iOS, Android, Windows, Kindle

Created by a team of Hispanic team of artists, software and game developers, Yash Math Adventure is the most fun math app that we've encountered so far. My son, who is not a fan of math, but loves adventure games, has really enjoyed this app. And so has my daughter who is going into 7th grade. From beginning math students to advanced, this is an app that grows with your child. You can change your setting to determine the complexity of the math problems. 

First, you select a profile. Up to three different profiles can be stored at once, so you can either have three different players at different skill levels using the app (like my son who just finished 4th grae and my daughter who just completed 6th), or you can set it up so that one game focuses on addition or subtraction skills (or both!), while another focuses on multiplication and/or division. You can select the difficulty level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced).

Then you'll watch a short animation that introduces you to to the game (see more below). After that you begin moving through the levels that include different habitats, such as woodlands, palm beach, hollow caverns, desert valley, hidden falls, and mount lava.

In true Mario Brothers fashion, you'll be collecting coins, dodging creatures, jumping and swimming your way to success. Sometimes you'll have to push a lever to open a gate and in order to push it you have to successfully complete a math problem. Or if you accidentally get stung by a bee or fall in a pit, you have to answer another math problem. There is a nice balance of adventure and math in this app so that your child doesn't get annoyed by the amount of math problems, but isn't just sitting there playing some mindless game, either.

And MommyMaestra readers will love that this app is that it is available in SIX different languages. You don't have to buy separate apps. When you start the game, just click on "Options" and then select your preferred language. There isn't a lot of reading or language involved, just a fun animated introduction before the game begins. It basically tells you that some bad guy has hidden coins all over the world and you have to go and collect them to save the day. 

You can also turn off the music, sounds, or reset the game from the Options menu. The music isn't obnoxious and the graphics are rich and colorful.

We also love the little student with his backpack. He's cute, but my daughter does wish that the game offered the option of a little girl, too.

So if you're looking for an app that your kid will actually enjoy and that hones his or her math skills at the same time, this is it! You can play this game year round, or save it for the summers. 

Visit their website to learn more. Enjoy! 

How to Send Your Kids to Summer Camp...at HOME

Hallelujah! Summer is officially HERE!

For us, that means a more relaxed schedule, less structure, and frequently bored kids. And that's okay by me. Boredom is the mother of invention and creativity. So I'm more than happy to let my kids get bored and have to use their brains to dream up ways to stay busy and entertain themselves.

One thing summer does NOT mean around here: free tech all day long. Nope. No way, José. I have pretty strict tech time rules. They can only play on the computer/iPad/Kindle AFTER they have:

• Read a book
• Finished chores
• Made something
• and Completed a family service project (more about that later).

They also have assigned tech times (from 2- 4 in the afternoon).

However, despite all of my intentions to have no set schedule, I do need some guidance at home. SO I was compelled to create my own little non-schedule schedule for guidance this summer. And I started thinking, maybe some MommyMaestra readers would enjoy a little non-schedule schedule, too?

And then THAT got me to thinking about summer camps and this post on my Facebook page: 

Not everyone can afford summer camp all summer long (I certainly can't). And while one or both of my kids may have a week in June that they'll be doing a class at our local college (LEGO Robotics!), it won't eat up the whole day and it's only one week. SO that means I need to be thinking about how to keep these kids busy in a way that isn't too structured and doesn't requite TOO much effort on my part.

Enter in the MommyMaestra FREE Summer Camp at Home Plan!

Okay, so I've already started off by stocking up on all the basic art/craft supplies at the now-far-away Michaels (Boo hoo! Still mourning the loss of the one I used to go to near my house that closed up!). And I made a list of those items that we typically use. It's now available in this packet so you can stock up, too, if you want to. 

I also have a simple, open plan for those of you who like a lot of freedom. You can just print and cut out my little weekly guide and hang it up somewhere in your house for easy reference.

Or if you just want ideas for things your kids might enjoy doing, I've made a calendar for the month of June that includes one activity to do each day. These crafts teach your children valuable skills without them realizing it. I’ve also been very careful to include crafts or activities that explore Hispanic heritage. You don't have to do the activities in order, and you don't have to do all of them. Just pick and choose what you'd like your kids to do and go with it. Heck, you don't have to do ANY of it if you don't want to!

Remember: No stress! No pressure! Just FUN and EASY!!

Anyway, you can download this packet here.

In addition to this packet, I have lots of fun stuff planned for you here on the blog, so be sure to stop in often and see what sort of goodies I've shared to keep your kids busy when they get bored. (While secretly learning without their realizing it!)

I hope you guys all have a great summer! 

MommyMaestra's Summer of Fun

My biggest challenge this summer is to keep my kids busy having fun....and OFF tech. Not completely, mind you, because there are a lot of super online programs happening, but I definitely want to limit the amount of time they spend this summer staring at a screen.

Because we're traveling a lot and have family coming to visit, I'm not spending a lot of money on summer camps. So that leaves me with the problem of trying to kick boredom to the curb and keeping my kids happy. I suspect that I'm not the only one with this issue. Therefore, I'm going to be sharing various activities and opportunities over the next few months to keep your kids entertained.

First, I want to be very clear that many of the activities will be based on supplies and kits I find at my local craft stores. I have not in any way been compensated (or even approached!) by these stores. I simply went to them in my search of supplies and found great bargains, activities, books, or opportunities and spent my own money/time. I'm going to spend the summer sharing them with you by posting at least three times a week. 

Okay, on to summer fun!

If you want to be super logical about it, you can begin by deciding on a budget. For example, I might say that with my two kids I'm going to spend $100 a month total on activities and/or classes. That's $50 per kid. Sounds reasonable to me. 

Next, I started scouring the web, my huge library of craft books, as well as magazines for ideas on super fun crafts. I've already started a Pinterest board that I'll be adding to daily. Feel free to follow it!

If you are participating in the L4LL Latino Children's Summer Reading CAMP, then don't forget that there is a Summer Bucket List your kids can download in English or Spanish under the Summer/Verano theme. It's got a lot of ideas and you can stick it right on your fridge for easy reference.

After starting a list of fun crafts/activities that they want to try, I had the kids put together a list of supplies that we needed to buy. We already had most of the items in our School Supply & Art cabinets, but there were a few we'd run out of or had never thought to use before.

Then we headed off to our local craft stores to stock up. 

It just so happened that we were at Michaels on the first day of their summer Passport to Imagination classes. Do you know about them? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 - 12 pm, your kids can make crafts with a Michaels educator. The classes run for 7 weeks and each week features a different theme. This week was all about PIRATES! My kids made a pirate doubloon necklace and an eye patch. You can click here to see the themes for all of the remaining weeks. 

The classes are fairly inexpensive; $5 for one class or $12 for three. My kids had fun and wanted to go back on Wednesday, but we had other plans already. We're looking forward to going back soon, though. The good thing is that you can just pop in to whichever class is convenient for you!

While the kids crafted, I took their list and browsed the store, and went to a few others to collect all the supplies we needed and to browse for more ideas. 

We returned home with a bag full of goodies and a ton of excitement for a full summer of creativity!

Stay tuned to learn about some of our favorite crafts...

25 Ideas to Avoid Summer Learning Loss

For the past two and a half weeks, my son has been out of school and enjoying his summer vacation! Thank goodness for great weather for outdoor play and lots of World Cup activities to do. Nevertheless, the days are long and I have to make sure my soon-to-be second grader is keeping his academic skills sharp so he is ready for school in September.

Summer is a nice break from school but it doesn't mean your child has to stop learning. If you don't want your child to miss a beat, have them practice and do a little from the list below every day. Even if they do 20 minutes of each subject, that is less than two hours a day of learning! Remember to keep things balanced. It's okay if your child read for an hour on Monday but didn't get to read on Tuesday. In our home, we pick two or three subjects a day and focus on it for a little longer than 30 minutes each.

Here are 25 ideas to help avoid summer learning loss (the links provided are helpful too):

Keep reading. 
Take trips to the library or book store frequently for fresh literature ideas.
Start a book club in your family. Kids love to see their parents read (especially the same book)!
Find kid-friendly comic books and magazines for a nice variety.
Join a reading program!
Reference books are always cool.

Write everyday.
Help kids keep a daily summer journal or diary.
Send postcards or letters to friends and family.
Make your own family newspaper.
Spelling test!
Write a story or book.

Math is fun
Play Math Bingo.
Allow Math Apps.
Follow a recipe.
Do fun word problems aloud (great on road trips)!
Sort your piggy bank money and take a trip to the bank.

Art/Music
Outdoor messy art: From sidewalk chalk to lots and lots of paint!
Play music while building with LEGOs, cardboard boxes and blocks.
Introduce new music genres to your kids.
Create a stage and perform a favorite song.
Open an art gallery with your best work. Don't forget the hors d'oeuvres!

Language practice
Play bilingual board games!
Make it a Spanish Summer.
TV time only en espanol.
Read, write, math, art/music...in Spanish.
Invite Spanish-speaking friends over for a play date!

Keep checking back for new posts with the best educational ideas! We hope that you have a great summer!

Betty Galvan, is writing "for smart and stylish moms" over

at MyFriendBettySays.com