Top 10 Kindergarten Science Apps & Websites

We are in Week 4 of The Science Celebration and I am thrilled that Ashley from Some Random Lady is back to share again…

I am thrilled to be part of the Science Celebration again! Last time I shared our hands-on flower dissection lesson; today I’ll run down our top ten favorite media resources for kindergarten with a bonus free printable for Learning Hypothesis readers. Thanks for having me back, Kim!

I love using media in our homeschool – especially when it comes to science. I’ll be honest, science is not my strong suit. I can name the planets and have a general idea about how photosynthesis works, but my kindergartner frequently stumps me. Videos, apps, and websites have helped me answer his questions and have answered more than a few of mine.

If YouTube and iPad aren’t on your lesson plans every week, I’d encourage you to check out a few of these science resources. Videos of animals in action, satellites flying through outer space, and actual scientists talking about their profession adds a dimension to science that is beyond what we are used to seeing in a book.

National Geographic Kids Website
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Nat Geo Kids has an outstanding website packed with rich information on every science topic from animals to space to the human brain! The kid-friendly interface encourages kids to click around and explore videos, games, and maps.

PBS Kids App and Games
http://www.pbskids.org and on your app store

I can’t say enough about PBS. The quality of shows is spectactular, and the app and website are no different. Kids have free access to safe and educational full episodes and games. Wild Kratts, Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid, and Nature Cat are just a few of the excellent programs featured on the website with a huge number of educational video games featuring the same characters.

Ology
http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology

One that might be new to you is Ology from the American Museum of National History’s website. This site’s user-friendly interface is loaded with videos, games, and online books to read together. Explore by activity or topic. This has quickly become a favorite in our house. My kindergartner enjoys clicking around to find new topics. I look at this website like the digital equivalent of strewing!

Scholastic Games
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/play/games/

 

The Scholastic website features learning activities aimed at kids ages 3-7. Explore games and videos with familiar characters such as Magic School Bus and Astroblast. You’ll probably want to play side-by-side, as this site requires a bit of reading and printables are accessible from the main page – which is great for grownups, but not great for a click-happy five year old!

 

BrainPOP Jr.
https://jr.brainpop.com/ and available on your app store

BrainPOP Jr. gives a gentle, humorous introduction to science and STEM. This is one of the apps we have on every device in the house. With a fresh movie every week, there is always something new to learn. Everyday free videos include classifying animals and internet safety. You can expect seasonal science videos with related games and quizzes.

Dino Park 1, 2, and 3
available on your app store

I’ll admit this one is mostly for fun, but if you have a kid as dinosaur-obsessed as mine you’ll be happy you found these apps. Available on all platforms, in these games you can break rocks to discover fossils, put them together, and read the name of the dinosaurs, marine reptiles, or ice age animals.

All Things Animal TV
on YouTube

All Things Animal TV is a great source for short, fact filled videos about all kinds of animals, but our favorite is going exploring with Ed and Eppa in the Wild. This short, engaging series (9 episodes, under 7 minutes per episode) is a fun introduction to new habitats for kindergarten and lower elementary aged kids.

FreeSchool
on YouTube

I love using FreeSchool to supplement a variety of subject areas. The videos gently introduce topics, slowing it down, and making it easy for young children to follow. FreeSchool covers a wide range of science topics from animals to Earth science and into outer space.

Sci Show Kids
on YouTube

We just love Sci Show Kids. Hosts Jessie and Squeaks make science approachable and interesting with short, fast paced videos. The perfect “hook” into elementary science topics. Sci Show Kids has answered just about every question we can have up with in kindergarten!

Crash Course Kids
on YouTube

Ready to explore more in depth? Crash Course Kids delves deep covering topics over a few fast paced episodes. The material is never watered down. Host Sabrina illustrates the information in a humorous and memorable way, breaking it down into digestible chunks for young learners.

 

 

Want to grab this list and much more?

You can grab a copy of the Science Celebration Yearbook 2017!  Enter your name and email below and I will send it straight to your inbox.

Don’t forget to check out the full list of kindergarten apps here.

Ashley Fox is a mom of three, avid planner, homeschool enthusiast and blogger at SomeRandomLady. Follow her homeschool adventures on Facebook and Instagram.