Activities to do at home and online

NOTE: We encourage all children and families to make use of these resources, however only children who are already registered with their local Children's University will be able to collect Children's University stamps for their participation. If you want to find out how to get involved with your local Children’s University, you can find their contact details here. Please be aware that we typically work through schools, so signing up while schools are closed is sadly unlikely.

• If you take part in a Children’s University-branded activity, typically you will find contact details on the document and instructions as to how to collect your stamp. Please follow those instructions.
• If the activity is not a Children’s University validated activity, you’ll need to fill out a reflection form and send it to contactus@childrensuniversity.co.uk

Download the reflection form as a PDF

Download the reflection form as a Word document

To ensure we are able to offer as many opportunities as possible at this time, we are currently promoting many activities that have not been validated. These are activities that we are promoting in good faith and in the spirit of Children’s University, but we cannot attest to the quality of the learning. By clicking any of the links you acknowledge that you are leaving the Children’s University website.

As these have not been validated, it’s important to note:

• parental supervision is advised when looking at external sites
• in order to earn a Children’s University stamp for taking part in a non-validated activity, you’ll need to fill out a reflection form (Download as a PDF or download in Word) and send it to contactus@childrensuniversity.co.uk
• Children’s University Trust is not responsible for the content on these external sites
• You can contact us at any time to add to this list or request the removal of links

Children’s University is all about encouraging participation in learning beyond the classroom. At present many of the destinations, clubs and social spaces that we typically signpost people to are not as accessible as they would normally be due to the spread of COVID-19. It’s important to follow official advice and parent / school discretion when deciding whether an activity is suitable. We have provided links to official guidance here.

While the majority of activities we are signposting to are designed to be done alone and at home, there may be some that encourage activities that currently go against Government advice. Please consider this guidance before acting on advice given in the below resources.

Lockdown After School Club 2021

Every week during lockdown we’ll promote a national worksheet with five suggested activities for the week. These will give you or your child fun ideas for activities that can be done at home. There's one for each day of the week, but you can do as many or as few as you like! Each activity is worth 1 credit.

To get a stamp code for Children’s University Online email contactus@childrensuniversity.co.uk with evidence - this could be a photograph, video, a work sheet - or a completed reflection sheet. 

Download the reflection form as a PDF

Download the reflection form as a Word document

After School Club weekly challenges

Click here for the After School Club week of 18th January

Click here for the After School Club week of 25th January

Click here for the After School Club week of 1st February

Click here for the After School Club week of 8th February

Click here for the Half Term Club week of 15th February 

Click here for the After School Club week of 22nd February

Click here for the After School Club week of 1st March

Here are some validated activities and challenges you can download and complete at home

Children's University Activity Book - Click here to download

Our June Half Term Challenge Sheet 2021- Click here to download

Our Easter Holiday Challenge Sheet 2021 - Click here to download

East London February Half Term Challenge - Click here to download

Our Summer Challenge Sheet 2021 - Click here to download

Essex Children's University Bumper Summer Challenge - Click here to download

Croydon Children's University Summer Holiday Challenge -  Click here to download

Our October Challenge Sheet 2021 - Click here to download

Our Winter Challenge Sheet 2021 - Click here to download

Our February Half Term Challenge Sheet 2022 English language- Click here to download 

Our February Half Term Challenge Sheet 2022 Welsh language - Click here to download

Our Easter Challenge Sheet 2022 - Click here to download

Our Easter Challenge Sheet 2022 Welsh language - Click here to download

Bristol and South Gloucestershire May Challenge Sheet 2022 - Click here to download

Our June Half Term Challenge Sheet 2022 - Click here to download

Our June Half Term Challenge Sheet 2022 Welsh version - Click here to download

Our Summer Challenge Sheet 2022 - Click here to download

Bristol and South Gloucestershire Summer Challenge Sheet 2022 - Click here to download

Our October Half Term Challenge Sheet 2022 - Click here to download

Our Winter Challenge Sheet 2022 - Click here to download

Our February Half Term Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our Easter Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our May Half Term Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our Welsh May Half Term Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our Summer Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our Welsh Summer Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our October Half Term Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our Welsh October Challenge Sheet 2023 - Click here to download

Our partners in East London have put this challenge together. To complete it you'll need to also download their Doodle a Day template and this Story of You template. 

Colchester Museums and Essex Children's University Iron Age Challenge Sheet - Click here to download

Essex Children's University have teamed up with Colchester Museums to create this fantastic set of challenges all linked to the Iron Age. 

Essex and Suffolk Children's University Half Term Challenges - Click here to download #1 & here for #2

Here's a great set of challenges from our partners in Essex and Suffolk. 

Our Winter Holiday 2020 Challenge Sheet - Click here to download

Have a go at our Winter Holiday 2020 Challenge! Don't forget to collect evidence of your activities you can then fill out an activity reflection form which can be found here and send it to contactus@childrensuniversity.co.uk to collect your stamp.

Nottingham Trent Children's University Character Activity - Click here to download

Have a go at this activity sheet from our partners in Nottingham. Explore different character traits as shown in the book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

East London Children's University Summer Challenge - Click here to download

Have a go at this great Summer Challenge Sheet from our partners in East London

Kent Children's University Spring Challenge - Click here to download

A huge 28 pages of challenges from our partners at KCU!

Blackburn Children's University Easter Challenge Sheet - Click here to download

Easter activities from our partners in Blackburn

Our #Mentalhealthawarenessweek Kindness Challenge - Click here to download

Kindness is so important. Can you do a random act of kindness everyday for a week?

Children's University Scotland Downloadable Resources - Click here to view on their website

View and download an array of activities produced by our partners in Scotland. 

Children's University Australasia - Click here to view on their website

View and download an array of activities produced by our partners in Australia and New Zealand.

East London Children's University Bumper Challenges 2020 - Click here to download

Our partners in East London have put together this bumper spread of activities to do at home. See how many you can do!

Essex and Suffolk Children's University Bumper Challenge 2020 - Click here to download

Check out this bumper pack of challenges from our partners in Essex and Suffolk. 

The Hive Summer Challenges 2020 - Click here to download

The Hive are our partners that run Children's University in Croydon and New Forest. You can download their bumper summer challenge and then fill out this activity sheet when you're done. 

Money Matters worksheet by Rooster Money - Click here to download

Having some money know how, understanding the importance of saving and being smart with your cash is really important. Learn how with Rooster Money's Money Matters course.

Bigfoot Creative Arts Activity Pack - Click here to download

This pack will help you learn more about the creative arts thanks to Bigfoot Arts Education! It has been designed to help you think about a variety of roles that are important in relation to the creation of an arts event, performance or film. Earn up to 6 credits.

Art gallery Tours -  https://secretldn.com/virtual-tours-museums-galleries/

A link to over 30 different art galleries you can look around online                          

Draw along with Nick Sharratt  - http://www.nicksharratt.com/drawing_tips.html

Drawing tips from Nick Sharratt

National Geographic Kids - https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/

Activities and quizzes for younger children                         

Online museum tour - https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

Visit 12 different museums or galleries from your own home        

Virtual London Museum Tours  - https://londonist.com/london/museums-and-galleries/calling-all-culture-vultures-here-s-how-to-experience-london-virtually-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Tours of a number of London Museums                

Creative Bug -  https://www.youtube.com/user/cbugstudio

Inspiring designers and crafters to bring video workshops right to your screen

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems! - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheKennedyCenter

Well-known illustrator Mo Willems will be doing Lunch Doodles for kids on YouTube                           

Back to All News #gardengig - Make music at 4pm - https://www.sheffieldmusichub.org/news/gardengig-make-music-at-4pm

We encourage you to hold a #gardengig at 4pm (anyday, everyday if you wish) to bring music and positivity to your community. Whether it be your child or you who plays, we want to lift spirits and keep our students practicing and performing.                       

The official Neil Gaiman Website for younger Readers - http://www.mousecircus.com/

The official Neil Gaiman Website for younger Readers, read, play games, download printable activities, and watch videos inspired by Neil Gaiman’s books

Red Ted Art  - https://www.redtedart.com

Easy arts and crafts for little ones                          

The Imagination Tree - https://theimaginationtree.com

Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest                    

Travel and Leisure  -  https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

Pretend to travel the world. Go on a virtual tour of these 12 famous museums           

Health Street - https://padlet.com/jgladwin999/z3y2ql69kkpy

Find out more about the roles available in the NHS and how they impact on people 

Duolingo - https://www.duolingo.com

Learn languages for free. Web or app.                  

The Lookout - http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/activities/10086

Welcome to The Lookout: a space for children and young people to look around at everything that’s happened over the past 18 months and report back to people in positions of influence. In taking part in The Lookout, young people will reflect on, process, and share what's changed for them, what they hope for in the future, what they need for that to be a reality, and what they want to see change. They'll take part in a magical guided meditation activity and be encouraged to share back their experiences in creative ways. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard - don't miss out!

Blockly - https://blockly.games

Learn computer programming skills - fun and free 

Bank of England Museum - https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/home-learning-hub

Bank of England Museum have put together a list of home learning activities to help students, teachers, families and adults to learn about the economy, our work and our history

Tinkercad  - https://www.tinkercad.com

Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding

Toy Theatre - https://toytheater.com/

Educational online games           

Chatter Pack  - https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home

A list of free, online, boredom-busting resources!

Amazing Educational Resources - http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/

A huge online list of companies and organisations offering free subscriptions and activities

The Lookout - http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/activities/10086

Welcome to The Lookout: a space for children and young people to look around at everything that’s happened over the past 18 months and report back to people in positions of influence. In taking part in The Lookout, young people will reflect on, process, and share what's changed for them, what they hope for in the future, what they need for that to be a reality, and what they want to see change. They'll take part in a magical guided meditation activity and be encouraged to share back their experiences in creative ways. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard - don't miss out!

Bank of England Museum - https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/home-learning-hub

Bank of England Museum have put together a list of home learning activities to help students, teachers, families and adults to learn about the economy, our work and our history

Beast Academy (Math) - https://beastacademy.com/

Online maths resources, including printables                     

Free science lessons - https://mysteryscience.com

Mystery Science

Scratch - https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/

Creative computer programming   

Wow Science - https://wowscience.co.uk/

A huge array of primary science activities!          

Excel Easy - https://www.excel-easy.com/

Children and young people will learn the basics of Microsoft Excel by working their way through this fully illustrated Excel tutorial from Excel Easy. Excel Easy is accessible anytime, anywhere for free. No registration will be asked.

Blue Peter Badges - https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges

If you have a stamp and a nearby post box

The Lookout - http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/activities/10086

Welcome to The Lookout: a space for children and young people to look around at everything that’s happened over the past 18 months and report back to people in positions of influence. In taking part in The Lookout, young people will reflect on, process, and share what's changed for them, what they hope for in the future, what they need for that to be a reality, and what they want to see change. They'll take part in a magical guided meditation activity and be encouraged to share back their experiences in creative ways. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard - don't miss out!

Sport England - https://www.sportengland.org/news/how-stay-active-while-youre-home

How to stay active at home        

Joe Wicks, The Body Coach - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyCLoPd4VxBvQafyve889qVcPxYEjdSTl 

Joe Wicks is hosting P.E. lessons daily at 9am live on YouTube

Oxford Owl for Home - https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/

Lots of free resources for Primary age                   

Cruise challenge - https://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/media/1231/cruise-challenge.pdf

This work sheet was created by one of our partner Brownie groups      

World Book Reader - https://worldbook.kitaboo.com/reader/worldbook/index.html?usertoken=Mjk5MzQ6MTpJUjA5MjAxNjoyOmNsaWVudDE2OTc6MTY5NzoyMjE2Mjg4OjE6MTU4NDM4MDExMzA2Mjp1cw%3D%3D

1000s of free eBooks       

All in One Home School - https://allinonehomeschool.com/

This is the awesome free curriculum that we use. Everything from preschool activities to 12th grade is here!    

All in One Home School Games - https://allinonehomeschool.com/thinking/

List of thinking games by grade               

Scholastic Learn at Home - https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Scholastic has created a free learn-from-home site with 20+ days of learning and activities

Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/

School closed? We’re here for you with free resources to keep everyone learning.                          

First News Education - https://schools.firstnews.co.uk/remote-learning-resources/

With the worldwide closure of some schools and the potential for more to do so, have you considered your solution for remote learning? For a limited time, we’re offering free, current issues of First News newspaper (PDF edition), Activity Sheets, and an extended 6-week trial of the iHub.      

The Open University - https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

The Open University's OpenLearn where all the courses are free. Good for older young people and parents/carers too!      

Stress Awareness Month 2021

April 2021 is Stress Awareness month why not complete this worksheet and gain a Children's University credit https://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/media/1361/stress-awareness-month.pdf

The Kids Should See This - https://thekidshouldseethis.com

Wide range of cool educational videos 

Cbeebies Radio - https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio

Listening activities for the younger ones     

Crash Course  - https://thecrashcourse.com

You Tube videos on many subjects            

Crash Course Kids - https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids

You Tube videos on many subjects                         

BrainPop - https://www.youtube.com/user/mobytherobot

BrainPOP® creates animated, curricular content 

Curiosity Stream - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd7zlpSjvUuUwsQdqV3LF3w

Thousands of documentary films and series available worldwide on a range of devices. Dive Deep into science, history, technology, nature, health and more.

Discovery Education - https://www.youtube.com/user/DiscoveryEducation

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are in half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools in the U.K., and more than 50 countries.                        

Free School - https://www.youtube.com/user/watchfreeschool

FreeSchool is a safe and friendly place to expose children to famous art, classical music, children's literature, and natural science in an age-appropriate and kid-accessible way.                     

Our partners at the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) have developed off the shelf resources for running extra-curricular clubs for children. Aimed at teachers or other adults looking for support to introduce a science or STEM club to children, PSTT is creating 4 freely accessible club packs.

Each pack provides:

• an overview of how to run the sessions and list of all the resources required (simple, everyday materials) for 8 sessions.
• an activity sheet for each of the 8 sessions, giving the session leader guidance on organising the activities, which will include a practical challenge for the children, key facts/science and ideas for questions and further activities.
• Some packs also contain a fact sheet for children to take home to encourage them to share findings with their families and take their learning further.

Downloadable from the PSTT website - Click here to download

If you're going to any of these Learning Destinations, be sure to take these sheets with you!

Chessington Zoo - Click here to download

Meet over 1,000 animals at Chessington Zoo; from the exotic and endangered to the just plain cute. Zoo Quest is a self-guided interactive learning experience which helps children to find out amazing facts about some of the incredible animals in the zoo and deepens their understanding in a fun way. This activity is worth 2 credits.

Learning at Colchester Zoo - Click here to download

This pack is designed to provide parents, families and groups with information and activities to help you learn at Colchester Zoo. Complete the activities to earn Children’s University passport stamps! This activity is worth 1 credit.

Forestry Commission - Click here to download

Download this activity sheet to take with when you visit a woodland looked after by the Forestry Commission. Fill in this activity sheet as you walk around and enjoy the forest. Learn how a well-managed forest works, and how it can be so much more than simply a place to grow trees. This activity is worth 2 credits.

LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Activity Sheet - Click here to download

Download this activity sheet to take with you when you visit LEGOLAND® Windsor. Challenge yourself at some of our favourite sections of the resort and fill in the activity sheet as you go. If completing the activity pack as part of Children's University, get in touch to request our exclusive discount. This activity is worth 4 credits.

Museum of London - Click here to download

This trail will take you around the Museum of London highlighting some of London’s most exciting times. There is one activity in each gallery, but make sure to look around to discover other things you might like. This activity is worth 2 credits.

SEA LIFE Aquariums - Click here to download

Download this activity sheet to take with you when you visit any of the SEA LIFE aquariums around UK. Pay close attention as you walk around the SEA LIFE Centre and fill in the Children’s University activity sheet as you go. Discover even more about conservation as well as our incredible turtles, sharks and other aquatic wonders. This activity is worth 2 credits.