Online courses and home learning for children and teens

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Course for children and home learning. Home schooling in self-isolation

If your children are learning at home for an extended period, being temporarily home-schooled or revising, this list of home learning ideas should help you – as a parent or teacher – find interesting and stimulating online teaching ideas.  There is a mix of free and paid online courses for children and teens, including short and long courses, blended learning, revision, and research-based activities – all of which can be accessed and completed at home and independently.

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Online home learning courses for primary school children

All primary subjects

  • The School of Life has provided a fantastic series of free resources for parents and teachers which can help with home learning – Tools for Young Minds. These downloadables include indoor activities to promote exercise and curiosity, a pack to encourage ‘a love of wisdom’, an emotional learning pack to help children manage and communicate their emotions, an art therapy pack that includes a mini scheme of work, and a relationship skills course (based on Happy, Healthy Minds) that will help to develop interpersonal skills. Highly recommended.
  • EdPlace – a full range of school content courses for English, maths, and science for children aged 5-11 are covered with up-to-date, engaging and interactive videos, animations and quizzes. Ideal for short-medium-term learning at home.
  • BBC Bitesize Primary – all UK curriculum areas are covered for children aged 3-11.
  • Oak National Academy – free online lessons for Years 1-11, including English, maths, science, history, geography and computing. Lessons include videos, quizzes and activities, making this an excellent resource for independent learning, revision and catching up with missed schoolwork.
  • PBS Kids – A free, and vast, website that is full of animated and fun educational games.
  • National Geographic Kids primary resources – For active subscribers there are lots of online and downloadable resources linked to primary (especially KS2) curriculum areas, including English, maths, science, art, STEM, history, and geography.
  • The Children’s University, Manchester – a great selection of free interactive resources and fun activities for KS2 children. All subjects are covered.
  • Good ideas by Michael Rosen – the ultimate guide to creative homeschooling for parents, and a useful insight for teachers creating resources.
  • Bogglesox TV – a YouTube channel for 0-8-year-olds, featuring activities, songs, counting animations, crafts, drawing tutorials, and spelling fun.
  • Book Life has collated a series of free downloadable resources including books for topic work, posters and activities sheets to complete.

Primary maths

  • Khan Academy – a free, non-profit, website that is very strong on maths, STEM, and science; but also offers literacy, arts, and humanities content. Video-based teaching is supplemented by frequent quizzes and multiple-choice assessments.
  • Mathletics – online maths learning, games, and quizzes.
  • White Rose Maths – free maths activities, downloadable workbooks and home learning resources for children in Years 1-6. Particularly useful for parents helping with number skills, calculation methods, fractions and mathematical problem-solving.
  • NRICH Maths – free mathematical investigations, puzzles and challenges from the University of Cambridge. Activities are organised by topic and encourage children to develop mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and logical thinking.

Primary literacy / English / Drama

  • Storybooks online –  our selection of free-to-view storytime online read-alouds on YouTube and Vimeo.
  • Scribblebibble – a fantastic free collection of creative writing prompts for children and teens aged 5-18. Each activity includes an inspiring video, ideas for thinking, discussion and writing, photographs to explore different perspectives, and teaching suggestions. Ideal for creative writing, independent study, homework and inspiring writing for pleasure.
  • We highly recommend Touch Type Read and Spell, a multi-sensory program that teaches touch typing and spelling using phonics and repetition. It provides a step-by-step and confidence-building structure for less confident writers and spellers.
  • Teaching and home learning resources from the Poetry Society – includes downloadable and interactive activities for KS1 through to further education. The videos by Joseph Coelho are ideal for primary-aged children.
  • Words for Life – free reading, writing, speaking and listening activities from the National Literacy Trust. Resources are organised by age, from babies and preschool children through to primary-aged pupils, with a separate Zone In section for teenagers aged 13 and over.
  • Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man and Captain Underpants, in association with Scholastic, has created a page of activities to ignite a love of reading. Perfect for reluctant readers aged 6-11.
  • Oxford Owl free eBook library – a collection of free online reading books for children aged 3-11, including Oxford Reading Tree, Read Write Inc. and Project X. Books are organised by age and reading level. Free registration is required.
  • Authorfy – children’s author masterclasses featuring video interviews, book extracts, writing challenges and downloadable activities. Authors include Jacqueline Wilson, Katherine Rundell and Kate Pankhurst. Excellent for inspiring creative writing and developing reading comprehension.
  • Digital Library –  Free stories for younger children, with illustrations and animations.
  • Michael Rosen’s poetry for children video channel. A great collection of poems to listen to, read, join in with, and perform aloud.
  • Chicken House has put together a great collection of video author interviews and book readings from top children’s authors and poets – entitled #coopedupkids.
  • There’s also a great range of free audiobooks from the World Book Day, including fairy tales and classics.
  • Puffin Schools also has a growing collection of author-read extracts which are great for primary-age children and ideal to emulate classroom storytime at home.
  • Storyberries –  free stories and audiobooks for preschool and EYFS children. Great to share and read aloud.
  • LearnEnglishKids – Literacy-based activities and research. Ideal for reluctant readers and writers.
  • Scholastic home learning – a large selection of home-based revision materials, some of which are downloadable.
  • The Shows Must Go On! – a YouTube channel featuring musical theatre performances, songs, extracts and behind-the-scenes videos from popular stage musicals. A useful resource for introducing children to musical theatre.
  • Children’s Poetry Archive has collected a number of poetry readings from top children’s poets and offers a range of suggested activities.
  • Free audiobooks from BBC Sounds

Primary Science, STEM and DT

  • A great range of free science resources for primary-aged children, from STEM learning – arranged by topic area.
  • STEM: James Dyson Challenges – a great series of daily science and engineering challenges to complete at home. Ideal for practical science, teamwork and mixed-age siblings working together. Highly recommended.
  • Little Inventors – a series of STEM challenges, ideas, making projects and resources. Ideal for primary and early secondary-aged children.
  • Free activities and resources from the Science Museum in London.
  • Wildlife with Steve Backshall – recorded wildlife question-and-answer sessions with the TV presenter, exploring animals, habitats, conservation and the natural world. Ideal for curious young scientists.
  • Science with Maddie Moate – an engaging collection of free educational videos exploring science, nature, engineering and technology. Includes practical experiments, investigations and explanations suitable for primary-aged children.
  • A fun DT activity to make an origami paper horse that seemingly walks by itself.
  • Education consultant & DT teacher Darrell Wakelam has published a series of exciting paper automata and sculpture ideas on his Twitter profile. We really like the chameleon.
  • Transport for Wales train activities – a great series of challenges including creating a set of ‘Train Trumps’, designing your own livery (we had great fun with this one!), and designing your own train network. Tweet your creations to @transport_wales!
  • Royal Institution ExpeRimental – a collection of practical science experiments for children and families, featuring instructional videos and activities using everyday household materials. Ideal for investigating physics, chemistry and scientific ideas at home.
  • Eden Project and Explorify primary science activities – free curriculum-linked investigations exploring plants, habitats and the natural world. These activities encourage observation, questioning and scientific discussion, with access through a free Explorify account.

Primary modern languages

  • Muzzy (from the BBC) language courses for children, including French and Spanish.
  • Lingo Bus – online Mandarin Chinese language courses for children, featuring lessons with Chinese teachers and supporting digital learning resources. The programme develops listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through structured activities and interactive tuition.
  • A Green Mouse – free French and Spanish learning resources for children aged 7-14, including videos, listening activities, short stories, songs, interactive quizzes and printable worksheets. Particularly useful for KS2 language learning and independent practice at home.

Independent study, revision, extended tasks and video content for 5-11s

  • Pupil Prime Minister – A KS2 literacy extended project focusing on creating a political party – a fun introduction to the political process that includes planning, persuasive writing, speech writing, and presentation skills.
  • PE with Joe – Joe Wicks is your new PE teacher and is in your living room! Full details here.
  • Dance with Oti Mabuse – dance in front of the computer or TV with Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse.
  • Breathe – an engaging mindfulness project for KS2. Includes writing, meditation performing and explanation presenting skills for literacy.
  • Take a Stand – an Eco-related project for KS2, inspired by Greta Thunberg. Literacy-based, this task includes letter writing, persuasive writing and creating a short video.
  • This is Us – a fun personal writing exercise for KS1 and KS2, using the poetry of Joseph Coelho as an impetus.
  • Raspberry Pi Code Club projects – hundreds of free, step-by-step coding activities for children, including creating animations, interactive stories, computer games and websites. Projects use Scratch, Python and other programming tools, with activities for beginners and more confident coders.
  • BBC micro:bit coding projects – free programming challenges, activities and tutorials for primary-aged children. Projects include creating simple games, electronic gadgets and digital inventions. Many introductory activities can be explored using an online simulator without owning a micro:bit.
  • Magazine, newspaper, and activity book subscriptions are a great way to inspire children and keep up with daily reading for pleasure. This page has a thorough list of magazines for children and teens – with both physical subscriptions and online.

Virtual tours of exciting places – ideal to use as a stimulus for personal projects in literacy, humanities or PSHE

  • The Louvre has put up its entire collection for viewing online – a treasure trove of art and antiquities, and ideal for home learning projects.
  • Random Street View – is an addictive app that drops you into a random place on the planet. You can play it as a game, where you have to work out where you are based on geographical clues, language, intuition, and deduction. Think of it as a visual comprehension exercise. It’s also a great starting point for creative writing – for all age groups. This app is particularly good viewed on an IWB or large-screen TV.
  • The Monterey Bay Aquarium – fish and sea life everywhere. Ideal for children interested in undersea life.
  • The Houston Zoo – see what the gorilla and giraffe are getting up to – in real time.
  • Discovery Education and Polar Bears International – educational videos, recorded virtual events and learning resources exploring polar bears, animal adaptations, conservation and the Arctic environment. An engaging resource for science, geography and environmental projects.
  • A virtual tour of the White House, with the President of the United States as your tour guide. (That’s Obama, not Trump).
  • Explore The Vatican – with spectacular 360-degree visuals of many of the rooms.
  • Perhaps the ideal spot to get away from people – it’s the Moon! This 4K tour by NASA looks great on a widescreen TV and the site includes links and information for further research.
  • Natural History Museum virtual tours – explore the London museum from home through virtual gallery tours, interactive exhibits, digital collections and scientific discoveries. Children can investigate dinosaurs, fossils, wildlife and the natural world. Ideal for science projects and independent research.

Online home learning courses for secondary school children

Online GCSE courses

We’ve hand-picked a selection of online GCSE courses for students learning at home, preparing for examinations or supplementing classroom teaching. Courses may provide structured lessons, independent study and revision materials. Students intending to sit GCSE examinations as private candidates should check examination entry arrangements, available specifications and any additional fees before enrolling.

Independent study, revision, extended tasks and video content for 11-16s

All subjects

  • BBC Bitesize Secondary – a complete collection of curriculum resources for all KS3 and KS4 school subjects, presented using videos, infographics, quizzes, and short assessments.
  • Seneca Learning – interactive online revision courses for KS3, GCSE and A level students. Covers English, maths, science, history, geography, languages and numerous other subjects. Free revision content includes explanations, questions and quizzes, with additional paid features available.
  • Tutorful – hire an online tutor. Subjects covered include English, maths, science, history, geography, French, Spanish, German, business and law.
  • LabXchange – a free collection of science and STEM learning resources developed at Harvard University, including educational videos, virtual laboratory simulations, interactive activities and teaching materials. Suitable for secondary-aged students exploring biology, chemistry, physics and related sciences.
  • Scholastic ‘Learn at Home’ – free activities aimed at 11-15-year-olds (grades 6-9 are the equivalent of UK school years 7-10)

Secondary maths

  • Khan Academy – recommended for maths and science. A great site for KS3 and KS4 students to browse independently and seek out gaps in their knowledge.
  • Free KS3 maths revision exercises and video explanations – a complete collection of maths curricular resources for KS3 and Common Entrance (Year 8) maths revision. Video-based.
  • Mindspark – an adaptive online learning platform offering personalised maths practice, explanations and assessments. Its mathematics programme covers Indian school classes 1-10 and includes content aligned with IGCSE and other international curricula. Useful for supplementary mathematics practice, although it does not follow the UK national curriculum specifically.
  • Corbettmaths – a comprehensive collection of free mathematics teaching videos, practice questions and worksheets. Particularly useful for KS3 and GCSE revision, with clear explanations covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics and problem-solving.
  • Maths Genie – free GCSE maths revision resources, including videos, worksheets, worked examples, exam questions, past papers and mark schemes. Resources can be selected by exam board, making this particularly useful for targeted revision and examination preparation.

Secondary English and drama

  • Barrington Stoke, a publisher that specialises in highly engaging books for reluctant and dyslexic readers, has produced a great home learning help pack for parents. Their website also includes lots of interesting ideas for responding to reading and inspiring creative writing.
  • Teaching and home learning resources from the Poetry Society – these include downloadable and interactive activities for KS1 through to further education. The Foyle Young Poets of the Year resources are ideal for secondary-aged pupils.
  • The National Theatre is offering its collection of filmed world-class productions for free to eligible schools and there’s a seven day free trial for home use. Performances include Jane Eyre, Twelfth Night, Treasure Island and Frankenstein. Great for home learning and GCSE revision.
  • LitFilmFest – a collection of recorded literacy and creative writing activities for upper KS2 and lower KS3 pupils. Video lessons explore storytelling, writing techniques and creating films based on pupils’ own writing. Featured authors include Ross Montgomery, Peter Bunzl and Dashe Roberts.
  • BBC Teach has produced a fantastic series of free movies that set essential passages from texts to funky music to help students remember them. There are nine of the most popular GCSE set texts included.
  • Royal Shakespeare Company Shakespeare Learning Zone – free resources exploring Shakespeare’s plays through character guides, key scenes, themes, performance videos and production photographs. Ideal for KS3 and GCSE English Literature students studying Shakespeare.
  • BBC Sounds has a superb collection of free GCSE English Literature revision podcasts that cover several of the most studied set texts, such as Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Blood Brothers, Jane Eyre, and An Inspector Calls.
  • Free BBC Sounds audiobooks:

Science and STEM

  • STEM learning has produced an excellent range of activities suitable for home learning and extension work away from the classroom. Split into helpful physics, chemistry and biology topics, there are packs for KS3 and KS4 and A level.
  • Tassomai – smart learning and study techniques for curriculum content, delivered in punchy short online lessons. Good for teens who hate revision and struggle with science and maths.
  • The Naked Scientists – a series of podcasts on topical science themes produced by the University of Cambridge. Great to provoke further reading and exploration.
  • PhET Interactive Simulations – free interactive science and mathematics experiments developed by the University of Colorado Boulder. Students can investigate electricity, forces, waves, chemical reactions and other scientific concepts through engaging virtual simulations.
  • Isaac Science – free interactive physics lessons, problems and practice questions for KS3, GCSE and A level students. Developed through the University of Cambridge, the resources encourage mathematical reasoning and scientific problem-solving, with questions ranging from introductory exercises to challenging extensions.

Humanities

  • History Hit Live with Dan Snow – a collection of recorded history discussions featuring historian and TV presenter Dan Snow and expert guests. Topics include major historical events, significant figures and periods of world history.
  • The National Archives education resources – free history investigations using original documents, photographs and historical records. Topics cover British and world history, with materials suitable for KS3, GCSE and A level students. Particularly useful for developing source analysis and historical interpretation skills.
  • UK Parliament learning resources – free downloadable activities, presentations, videos and educational materials explaining democracy, elections, Parliament and the law-making process. Suitable for citizenship, politics, history and PSHE lessons, with resources for primary, secondary and post-16 learners.

Economics, Politics & Business Studies

  • The Financial Times (FT) hosts a site for schools offering free teaching materials, free FT articles and features for students aged 16-19 and collaborative events and calls for entries. The site is mainly aimed at economics and business studies post-16 students but also includes many pages relevant to geography, politics, ethics, climate change, consumerism and international development. Highly recommended.
  • Bank of England education resources – free materials exploring money, inflation, interest rates, financial decision-making and how the economy works. Includes downloadable lessons, videos and activities for KS3, KS4 and sixth-form students studying economics, business or personal finance.

Creative and practical activities

  • Podcasting is a great activity for older teens, or for parents to organise and supervise with younger children. It allows pupils an opportunity to articulate their thoughts on a subject and to plan and deliver content to an audience. Buzzsprout offers a free package, that includes a hosting package and all the distribution tools needed to start a podcast and get it going. All that’s needed is a mobile phone or computer, (optionally a podcasting microphone kit for the more ambitious), subject knowledge, imagination and an internet connection.
  • FunTech CreativeTech – a paid online creative technology course for children covering graphic design, computer animation and web design. Taught over three terms, the programme introduces digital graphics, animation techniques and website development through structured lessons and creative projects.
  • The Smithsonian Museum has opened up a treasure trove of millions of images, artwork and media clips for open access. These can be used for pupils’ work, research, or to create new and exciting artworks in photo editing software.
  • PE with Joe – a collection of recorded home workouts led by fitness instructor Joe Wicks. These energetic exercise sessions require little equipment and provide a useful way for children and families to stay active at home.
  • If you want to turn cardboard boxes into serious geometric architecture, have a look at this inventive home educator’s blog post.

Virtual tours – take an online trip to an art gallery or museum

  • The Anne Frank Secret Annex – a stunning realisation of Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam, featuring every room, historical detail, archive material, videos, and timelines. An excellent resource for extended project work.
  • Visit the Louvre – virtual tours include Egyptian antiquities and The Galerie d’Apollo.
  • The Van Gogh Museum – with virtual tours of the gallery via Google.
  • Google Places has a vast library of places around the world that can be visited virtually on your laptop, tablet or PC.
  • A spectacular travel guide and virtual tour of the Great Wall of China. Ideal for home learning projects.
  • A mind-blowing and immersive interactive tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. A truly wild place. There are more multimedia tours of US national parks here. These sites are a great resource for geography projects or extended research projects for literacy.
  • International Space Station virtual tour – explore the International Space Station through a series of fascinating videos presented by NASA astronaut Sunita Williams. Discover the crew’s living quarters, laboratories, observation deck and equipment, with explanations of life and scientific research in orbit.
  • Explore the Taj Mahal‘s interactive graphic map – inside and outside.
  • Go inside the Space Shuttle Discovery in this 360-degree look-around YouTube video from NASA.
  • Once Upon a Try – an inspirational STEM-themed site from Google that looks at key innovations in science and technology over the last 3000 years.

Online home learning courses for sixth-formers

Online A level courses

These online A level courses offer flexible study for sixth-form students, home-educated learners and private candidates. Course fees and examination entry fees are usually separate, and arrangements vary between providers. Before enrolling, check the examination board, current specification, practical assessment requirements where applicable, and arrangements for sitting examinations at an approved centre.

Independent study, revision, extended tasks and video content for 16-18s

  • A Beginner’s Guide to Writing in English for University Study – run by the University of Reading, this course develops grammar, vocabulary, and style in preparation for the first year at university.
  • How to Succeed in Your Welsh Bacc: the Individual Project Essentials – ideal for sixth-formers in Welsh schools and further education.
  • How to Succeed in Your EPQ: the Nuts and Bolts of Completing Your Project – ideal for sixth-formers in English schools and further education.
  • Preparing for University – run by the University of East Anglia, this course focuses on useful study skills.
  • Improving Study Techniques – a study skills method using three steps, developed based on research, by the University of Groningen.
  • English for Academic Study – run by the University of Coventry, this course will be useful to sixth-formers planning on studying for an arts degree at university.
  • Prepare for Career Success at University – an interesting and informative course, run by Goldsmiths University, that shows students how to spot which aspects of a university course will be useful for the skill set required in their intended career.
  • BBC Bitesize post 16 – aimed at consolidating literacy and maths skills for the workplace.
  • If you are interested in studying physics or applied mathematics at University – take the time to read the renowned Feynman lectures – which are now all freely available from Caltech. The videos are available here.
  • University of Cambridge HE+ – a collection of free supercurricular resources created by Cambridge students and academics. Includes articles, videos, challenging activities and research questions across subjects such as medicine, engineering, English, law, mathematics and the sciences. Ideal for sixth-formers exploring university-level study.
  • Oxplore from the University of Oxford – an interactive learning website exploring thought-provoking questions about science, philosophy, politics, ethics, society and the wider world. Excellent for developing critical thinking, independent research and discussion skills beyond the school curriculum.
  • OpenLearn study skills courses – free online learning from The Open University, including academic reading, note-taking, independent study and preparation for higher education. Particularly useful for sixth-form students developing the skills needed for university courses and independent research projects.

Home learning educational activities and ideas for all mixed-aged children, teens and families

  • Have a look at our page of writing competitions for children and teens – all of which can be entered online.
  • We also have a 100-question book quiz based on popular books for children which can test the family!
  • Winchester College’s ‘Catalyst’ online programme offers courses for 10-17-year-olds, including children preparing for secondary school and students preparing for university. The creative thinking and problem-solving approach focuses on important skills in critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and confidence. Note – these are paid courses.
  • Topical Talk from The Economist Educational Foundation – free, ready-to-use teaching resources exploring current affairs for pupils aged 10-16. Topics include politics, climate change, technology, media literacy and global issues. Lessons develop critical thinking, discussion and communication skills. A free account is required to download the resources.
  • STEM: James Dyson Challenges – a great series of daily science and engineering challenges to complete at home. Ideal for practical science, teamwork and mixed-age siblings working together. Highly recommended.
  • An engaging and informative life skills site from NatWest to teach children and teens about money. Split into age groups suitable for KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, and KS5. Free registration is required.
  • Here’s a highly rated online Lego engineering challenge for children aged 8-12; and Lego contests suitable for older children here.
  • Audible audiobooks are an excellent way to expand a child’s reading, and for older children, catch up on reading for coursework or exam revision.
  • Kindle eBooks are an effective way to access books cheaply, and Kindle apps and readers also feature text-to-voice facilities that can read text aloud.
  • ePals – an international online learning community connecting children and educators through pen-pal exchanges, language practice and collaborative projects. The service has supported both schools and home-educating families, although home educators should check the current registration arrangements. Adult supervision and message moderation help support safe communication.
  • Investigate your local library’s online portal. Many offer eBook and audiobook loans, and some offer free access to Pressreader.

Guidance, advice, and resources for home-educators

  • A massive list of online learning resources and topics from the Smithsonian Institution, aimed at school children aged 5-16 in the United States. Ideal if you run out of ideas!
  • ‘A Parents Guide to Elective Home Education‘ – this excellent free course for home educator parents covers Special Educational Needs, EHCPs, dealing with the LEA, and provides resources and support.
  • GOV.UK guidance on educating your child at home – official information for parents in England considering elective home education. Explains parental responsibilities, education requirements, local authority involvement and considerations for children with special educational needs. A useful starting point for understanding the legal framework for home education.

Other pages on this site that you might be interested in:

Online courses and CPD for teachers How to deliver online lesson broadcasts Magazine subscriptions for kids and teens Writing competitions for children and teens

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About Tom Tolkien

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Tom Tolkien is a highly qualified (BA Hons, PGCE, QTS) children's literature expert and teacher with over 25 years of experience. He has led inset courses, developed curriculum materials, spoken at conferences, advised on longlisting for several international children's literature awards and written for educational publishers and contributed to a BETT award-nominated app. Social profiles: X | LinkedIn

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This resource was last updated on November 2nd, 2026 and first published in 2022.

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