At-Home Reading Resources

The Reading Team has curated a list of free, online materials that parents and students in Grades K-5 can use at home. 

Access free books through the New York Public Library

  • STEP 1

    Apply for a library card through the free SimplyE app for iOS and Android. Use the card to check out books at your local public library, or read on a phone or tablet by using the app.

  • STEP 2

    Use the SimplyE app to borrow free ebooks and audiobooks, and to access databases for both middle and elementary school students such as the African American Experience, Explora Elementary and New Book of Popular Science.

  • STEP 3

    Once you have a library account you can also download the free Libby app and check out library books and materials that way as well.

  • FOR MORE INFORMATION

    The New York Public Library offers many excellent programs for kids and teens. To find them, visit here.

Other Sources of Free EBooks and Audiobooks

  • Storyline Online

    Actors read books for young children accompanied by illustrations, with subtitles so children can follow along.

    Storyline Online

  • Open Library

    Borrow free books for children and adults to read online.

    Open Library

  • International Children’s Digital Library

    This online library hosted in partnership with the University of Maryland offers more than 4,000 children’s titles in many languages.

    International Children’s Digital Library

  • Project Gutenberg Library

    Find classic books in the “children’s bookshelves” section.

    Project Gutenberg Library

  • Free Kindle App for Phones

    Read books on a phone or tablet with the free Kindle app. Available on iOS, Android, Mac and PC.

    Free Kindle App

  • Free for Amazon Kindle

    Once you have the Kindle app installed, download free children’s books from Amazon.

    Free for Amazon Kindle

Math resources recommended by our Columbia University math volunteers

  • BEDTIME MATH

    This site offers a new bedtime math story every day that can be read to or with your child.

    Bedtime Math

  • KHAN ACADEMY

    This site offers free video-based math courses for all levels as well as classes about art, computer programming, chemistry, biology, finance, history, and more.

    Khan Academy Kids

  • NUMBER TALK IMAGES

    This bilingual (French/English) site offers lots of fun images of objects that children can count and gives you and your child an opportunity to talk about numbers.

    Number Talk Images

More general education resources & projects

  • Oxford Owl for Home

    Lots of ideas for reading, math and other learning games and exercises your child can enjoy.

    Oxford Owl for Home

  • Scholastic Learn at Home

    Daily projects and resources for PreK-6th grade+.

    Scholastic Learn at Home

  • BrainPOP, BrainPOP Jr., BrainPOP ELL

    1000+ short, animated movies across subjects for K-12 students.

    BrainPOP

  • Reading Rockets

    Great resources for parents and children from the popular PBS show.

    Reading Rockets

  • Khan Academy

    Curriculum for all grades in various subjects, including science, history, arts, humanities, and more.

    Khan Academy

History Resources (For Middle School+ Students)

  • Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

    Primary source archives.

    Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

  • HippoCampus

    Thousands of educational videos in multiple subjects for middle school through college.

    HippoCampus

  • Library of Congress

    Library of Congress: Millions of archives from the largest library in the world. 

    Library of Congress

  • Newsela

    Current event stories for 5th-12th students that align with educational standards.

    Newsela

  • Smithsonian Open Access

    Millions of items from the world’s largest museum and research complex.

    Smithsonian Open Access