10 AWESOME ENVIRONMENTAL WEBSITES FOR CHILDREN

For many families still in the midst of homeschooling, it can seem that everyday is a battle… too many tears, too many tantrums and any inspiration seemed to have left the building some weeks ago!

My children - both still in primary school - are just about managing to cover the key subjects each morning but then they are very quick to ask for some screen time.

In my desperate attempt to keep them engaged, motivated and inspired we have been searching out some of the best (FREE) online environmental resources available. Here are our favourites…

National Geographic Kids

Jam-packed full of amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more. Personal favourites here are the superb fact sheets, there’s even one about Coronavirus, as well as the quiz section - see how much your kids know about the world around us? Click here to visit.

WWF

A tonne of resources for all ages - really aimed at schools and teachers - but also lots to satisfy those inquisitive minds at home. From rainforests to rivers, climate change to space, there is literally loads to inspire your kiddies to learn about our precious planet. A brilliant filter tool allows you to search for the right content based on your child’s age. Just click here.

BBC Bitesize

This is a tricky one… an awesome resource but also somewhere that many children have to use for homeschooling. However, when it’s one Sir David Attenborough giving the lesson it makes it slightly more appealing! With different lessons to cater for ages 5 through to 11 and subjects including our world, the weather and the oceans, TV has never been more inspirational! Click here to watch on iPlayer.

The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trusts is a collection of individual local charities that work to protect our environment and make nature part of our lives. Their main site has some great webcams set up, allowing your kiddies to watch wildlife in action. Just click here.

More localised information can be found on the individual sites, including ideas for local walks, wildlife in your areas as well as a heap of fun resources for the children. Click here for the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Discover Wildlife

This site covers all you or your children might want to know about wildlife, but the highlight for us was the page dedicated to ‘The best wildlife livestreams to watch around the world’. There’s an enormous list of species you can livestream, including eagles, owls, puffins, hummingbirds, elephants and manatees. Just click here.

Natural History Museum

Everything you would expect from such an amazing museum! Our favourite sections were the virtual tours - allowing you to delve into the museum from home with a virtual self-guided tour of the galleries, with audio guides narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Click here to visit. Also the education section, packed with learning ideas as well as a fab ‘Try this at home’ section - including how to make a volcano and watch it erupt! Just click here.

ZSL Zoo School

The website associated with London’s oldest and best known zoo doesn’t disappoint. A learning resources section dedicated for each school stage from Early Years through to KS4, there’s a wealth of material for each age group including colouring sheets for the younger children to tasks such as designing your own animal enclosure for the older ones. There’s also a free Zoo Explorers Magazine to download, aimed at 3 to 10 year olds. Click here for more.

Marine Conservation Society

The Marine Conservation Society is the UK's leading marine charity, their work strives to protect the 15,000 marine species are found in seas around the UK. Their website is packed with resources for families and children, including how to set up your own beach clean event. For children that want more, there’s information about how to become a marine biologist alongside videos, facts and quizzes. Check it out here.

Young Persons Trust for the Environment

The Young People's Trust for the Environment is a charity that was set up to encourage young people's understanding of the environment. An awesome educational resource for both teachers and home-schooling parents… There a great new section full of home learning packs compiled to support parents and carers whilst their children are at home during lockdown, with a new pack released every Friday. Click here for more.

It’s Our Planet Too

How could we compile a list without including our very own site - It’s Our Planet Too - jam packed full of fascinating facts, little rhymes, inspiring quotes by real eco warriors, amazing pictures, blog posts, fun stuff to download and much more... when you’re finished here, then just keep exploring!