Tag: Windows Home and Family Resources

Our homes have never worked harder for us than they are right now. A home is our office, school, gym, sanctuary, and safe retreat from the world. That means it’s more important than ever to have organization systems in place to keep key parts of your home humming along.

See how these organization tips can help you achieve some of your New Year’s resolutions.

Discover an easier way to organize and manage your finances

Managing personal finances can be an unwelcome task for some people, but having the right tools can help make it easier. Join the millions of people who use Microsoft Excel to track their budgets, help simplify the task of managing finances, and to help stay on track with longer-term financial goals.

If you’re not a Microsoft 365 subscriber, there are some free templates you can use if you just want a simple tracking template or want to track your family’s monthly expenses. Just add your income and spending information and let the spreadsheets do the rest of the math for you.

Save time, organize and protect your computer files

Get the peace of mind that comes from knowing your computer files and photos are backed up and accessible to you wherever you go and whenever you need them. With OneDrive, your files sync between your computer and the cloud, so if you make changes on your computer, those changes are reflected in the file in the cloud—and vice versa.

You can work directly with your synced files anytime and can access your files even when you’re offline. Whenever you go online next, any changes you made while offline will sync automatically.

Organize and collect your thoughts while online

We all do it: While researching something online, we lose track of the key information we found. This year, discover a fun and visual way to track your ideas on the web by using Collections in Microsoft Edge. Collections allow you to easily identify your saved webpages by displaying the name, a quick summary, and a picture so you can find what you’re looking for at a glance.

Create collections to help you accomplish your New Year’s resolutions. Plan to eat better? Create a collection of recipes to try. Want to work out more? Create a collection of your favorite workout videos so you can easily find the video you want to watch each day. Looking to learn something new this year? Create a collection with videos and how-to pages to get you started.

You can also easily add Pinterest inspiration to your existing collection or export your entire collection to a new board on Pinterest. Whatever to-do list you have for 2021, you can capture it in a visually delightful way using Collections in Microsoft Edge.

Whether you’re looking to track and understand your spending better, to help protect your important files are protected, or to keep track of your ideas on the web, Microsoft has tools to help you take control and take charge in the new year.

Enjoy game night online
Puzzles. Word games. Card games. Board games. Games of all types are a hallmark of the holidays. Since gathering the whole group around a living or dining room table may be out of the question this year, it’s time to get creative. Discover new ideas with some of the best online games to play remotely like Sea of Thieves, Roblox, and Minecraft.

Kick off an adventure with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Board games are fun, but maybe video games are more your style. You can get together with family or friends across distances using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Play directly on your PC, console, and Android mobile devices from the cloud (beta), and hunt for lost treasure, defend against alien invasions, race supercars, and more. There are hundreds of games waiting to be played and more are added all the time.

And if you need to make sure “one more hour” of Minecraft really means one more hour, you can set screen time limits that work across devices, apps, and games with Microsoft Family Safety.

Watch a movie together

Holiday movie classics. Comedies. Action adventures. Sometimes the fun of watching a movie is talking about it with your friends afterwards. You might not be going to movie theaters this holiday, but you can still enjoy a movie together using the new Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) extension on Microsoft Edge.

This extension works with your favorite streaming services including Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO GO, Disney+, Netflix, and more. Use it to sync video playback with your group so you can discuss and react together in a chat—no matter how far away they live.

And, through our partnership with Netflix, Microsoft Edge is currently the only browser that delivers 4K UHD video streaming. Teleparty is available on the Microsoft Edge add-ons site. Download and install Teleparty now to host your next virtual viewing party.

Build your own laptop

Yes, you read that correctly. Keep your child(ren) busy by having them build their own powerful computer.

The Kano PC comes disassembled with a set of simple instructions, so your kids can learn to build it themselves. You’ll inspire them to learn how computers work, plus they’ll come away with a powerful 2-in-1 laptop they can use for class or for fun. Along the way, they’ll also gain skills in coding, design, 3D modeling, and more.

Learn something new

If you’ve been meaning to learn a new skill, another language, or how to play an instrument, go ahead and make that happen now. Just choose what you want to learn from home with these handy apps.

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or have been meaning to get one, don’t forget to make use of the great additional benefits from our partners that are available with your subscription, such as:

• CreativeLive: Want to learn how to play guitar, take great family photos, or learn skills you can add to your résumé? Explore over 300 hours of classes ranging from photography and music to business, design and more.
• Blinkist: Learn anytime, anywhere with fast 15-minute audio bits from over 4,000 top nonfiction titles.

While you might not be able to gather with everyone you want in person this year, you can still stay connected through online games, video games, and virtual movie nights. And if you want more “me time,” you can choose to use the time to learn new skills or listen to an acclaimed nonfiction book. Whatever mindfulness or connection you seek, there are many creative ways to find it this holiday season.

Stretch your money further this year

Presents, décor, food, and more all seem to add up faster during the holidays. With a few tricks, you can get what you need, while spending less.

You can easily compare the price of a product you want across retailers now with a single click, using price comparison in Microsoft Edge. Use it for your holiday shopping list to save you money as you shop. Try it out today by Creating a collection and adding a product to it. When you click “compare price to other retailers,” you’ll see a list of prices of that item across other retailers along with direct links to their pages so you can easily complete your purchase.

Find cash-back deals from participating merchants easily—right from the Microsoft Bing search results page. You no longer have to look for cash-back offers across multiple websites; now, when you search for products, brands or categories, you’ll see great Bing Rebates offers right in the Bing search results.

See all cash-back deals, including the latest deals when you sign in with your Microsoft Account here. You can also stay up to date on price drops and rebates by using Bing while shopping online. You can even get loyalty points back!

If you want to track the money you are spending, it’s time to discover an easier way to manage your finances. Money in Excel is a dynamic, smart template and add-in for Microsoft Excel that allows you to securely connect your bank, credit card, investment, and loan accounts to Excel and automatically import your transaction and account information into a spreadsheet.

Write down your thoughts

While the holiday season can be merry and festive, it’s also a time of reflection and can sometimes start to feel dark and lonely. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, writing your thoughts and feelings in a journal may help.

A journal is great for organizing whatever’s on your mind. You can use it to understand and express your emotions or to keep track of your daily to-do list. Motivational quotes and gratitude lists are also good for staying energized and grateful during periods of stress.

To be consistent with your journaling habit, use habit-stacking to associate it with something you do every day.

For example, you can journal your plan for the day while drinking your morning coffee or eating breakfast. At night, try journaling after you brush your teeth and climb into bed.

Connect with others

You might not be able to meet in person, but you can still get in touch. To keep the holiday spirit going, use Meet Now to stream a virtual holiday dinner, candle lighting, or opening your holiday gifts.

Discover new ways to fuel your mind and body

The holidays are about coming together, but sometimes you just need time to yourself. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or have been meaning to get one, don’t forget to make use of the unique partner benefits included in your subscription:

• Headspace: Learn how to stress less, move more, and sleep soundly with Headspace and guided meditation.
• Blinkist: Learn anytime, anywhere. Get 15-minute audio bits from over 4,000 top nonfiction titles.
• eMeals: Get inspired for weeknight meals or special holiday dinners with recipes that range from kid-friendly to Keto, budget friendly and vegan. eMeals even provides options to save time through easy shopping list creation and options for grocery delivery services.

Presents, travel plans, in-laws? Stress and anxiety can be an unwelcome visitor during the holidays. However, if you add these tips into your routine, you’re on your way to managing and maintaining your mental health better for a more relaxed holiday season.

*Calls up to 24 hours each, but just call back to start a new call and keep talking!

Everyone has their own vision of what makes a perfect holiday, but there’s one thread that unites us all: coming together to celebrate with loved ones.

Carve out time to catch up with friends and loved ones

The holidays are the perfect time to comb through old memories and forge new traditions. Video calling makes it easy to spend time together, even when you’re time zones apart. Here are some ideas for how to spend your time while connecting:

• Keep traditions alive. Light candles or lanterns, decorate your house or tree, open presents, sing carols around the piano, enjoy holiday baking sessions, and more. The memories you plan on making this year can still be shared with your loved ones via video call.
• Give thanks. Make your holiday dinner an online party using Meet Now. You may not be able to pass potatoes in person, but you can share what you’re grateful for, swap stories, and enjoy time with your loved ones virtually.
• Craft holiday fun. Whether it’s a gingerbread house with graham crackers or cutting out paper snowflakes, create your masterpieces together and then send and share your “nailed it” photos.

Don’t let distance get in the way of celebrating with your friends and family this holiday season. With Meet Now, you can easily get together on a video chat. From virtual holiday gatherings with your family or spontaneous chats with your friends, you can connect no matter where you are. The best part is you don’t need to download an app or sign up for an account to video chat! Just add the Meet Now link to the Outlook calendar invitation you created above.

Make a yearbook video

This has been a year like no other. Whether you want to document your life at home, work from home, or your adventures beyond your home, capture and share those moments with a Video Recap in Microsoft Photos.

Stroll down memory lane from different perspectives

See the events in your life from the eyes of your friends and family with Shared Albums in OneDrive. Invite everyone to combine their photos and videos to get fresh, unique perspectives of memories. Remember, unless it’s a selfie, the person most likely not to be in the picture is the photographer. So make sure everyone’s included with Shared Albums!

Design your own holiday card

Create and customize heartfelt holiday greetings for friends and family that you can mail, email, or text. In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can transform each card into something truly special with your own personal touches.

While this holiday season will be different, it can still be extraordinary. Group video calls, shared albums, and digital cards can help you stay in touch with your friends and family over the holidays. Use these tips to make and share new memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

*Calls up to 24 hours each, but just call back to start a new call and keep talking!

Spending more time on a computer because of remote, distance, virtual, or hybrid learning means it’s a great time to use some key features that can provide extra help with school assignments. Learn how to capture thoughts more quickly, get coaching to improve presentation skills, get assistance with math homework, do two things at once, and more. Whether you’re a parent helping a younger student or a student learning the basics of your computer, these tips are designed to help make schoolwork a little easier.

Capture thoughts more quickly

Most people can talk faster than they can type. If that describes you or your student, use speech-to-text to author content in Microsoft Word in Office 365 Education version for some extra help.

First-time users of the Dictate feature will be asked to give permission for Word to use the microphone, after which talking and transcribing can begin. Thoughts can be recorded with focus kept intact and productivity preserved. Word will do its best to transcribe everything with capitalization and punctuation. This is especially helpful for kids who have dyslexia, dysgraphia, or who have trouble reading or writing.

Get coached on presentation skills

Practicing presentations while looking into a mirror is a long-standing tradition, but at best it can help you with eye contact and facial expressions. Now you can get extra help on your presentation skills with Presenter Coach in PowerPoint. If you give permission to use your computer’s microphone, it can analyze a speech or presentation.

Here’s some of the things Presenter Coach looks out for:

• Pacing (words per minute)
• Pitch
• Usage of fillers, like ums, ers, uhs, you knows, etc.
• Informal speech
• Euphemisms and culturally sensitive terms

For example, if you said the phrase, “best man for the job,” Presenter Coach would suggest “best choice for the job” to use more inclusive language.

Improve reading comprehension

Ever read a large block of single-spaced, tiny-sized text and not comprehend a word of it? Immersive Reader can help with that or can provide extra help to a student who is struggling to learn to read.

It takes text and increases the sizes of the letters and spacing between lines, while simultaneously enabling it to be read aloud in voice. As it progresses through the passage, it highlights words for focus. At any time, you can change the reading speed, font, background color, and even highlight which words are nouns, adjectives, or verbs.

This powerful tool can also read to you and can translate words or entire documents into 67 languages. It is included in Word, Outlook for the web, OneNote, Teams, Flipgrid, Forms, Microsoft Edge, Minecraft, Whiteboard, and Office Lens.

Get help with math assignments

Write or type math problems and Math Assistant in OneNote can solve it for you—helping you reach the solution quickly or displaying step-by-step instructions that help you learn how to reach the solution on your own.  Math Assistant is a digital tutor that provides help for students and parents on math assignments and homework.

Say you were faced with a problem in your textbook with an ask like “solve for x”. Where would you start?

With Math Assistant in OneNote, it would be with the draw tool. After solving, you can even go as far as have Immersive Reader read steps aloud and generate quizzes for additional practice to help you learn the concepts, not just get the assignment done.

See what you need on screen, side-by-side

Your class is streaming in your browser and you’re taking notes in OneNote or “passing notes” in Teams or Skype. Your math notes are in OneNote and you’re doing a math worksheet online. Your reference material is on a web page and you’re answering questions in another app. If you’re still flipping back and forth between the different apps and windows, prepare to be delighted by Snap.

So, the extra time spent on a computer during remote, distance or hybrid learning, combined with the extra help with school assignments can help increase productivity and maximize academic success.

This school year, parents, teachers, and students are likely dealing with remote, virtual, distance, or hybrid learning, rather than heading back to the classroom. With learning (and maybe working, too) taking place wherever there’s room in your home, a good computer can help with academic success in a remote environment. Here are some tips to get set up and ready to go.

1. Customize the PC settings

Everyone learns things and does tasks differently—and Windows 10 PCs are designed to adapt.

You can also set parental controls in Family Options. This is to help ensure younger kids stay safe as they explore the Internet. Set screen limits for games and apps to build healthy habits on the PC.
Whenever you want to make changes, just start with the Settings panel. There’s a search bar built in, so you can instantly find the options you’re looking for.

2. Set up a note-taking system

OneNote makes it easy to take, keep, and organize notes from classes, study sessions, and test preparation. For example, you can start by organizing and labeling sections by the classes on schedules and the materials you’ll get for them, like readings, class recordings, and practice tests. That way, they’re ready to receive documents from the teacher and will have everything organized and in one place when it’s time for exams.

You’ll be grateful to have a digital notebook when you need to find specific facts like the information the teacher said would “definitely be on the test.” Rather than flipping through your notebook page after page, just search in OneNote.

By adjusting these settings before you start the school year, you’re preparing for academic success. You increase productivity by organizing everything in one place where it can be referenced anytime and on any device.

3. Get Microsoft Office for free

Got an email address ending in .edu? Then you’re in luck. For eligible students and educators, Office 365 Education version is free!

Make remote learning easier with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and more.
Why you should download it right now:

• Work together with real-time coauthoring, autosaving, and easy sharing in your favorite web apps: Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Stay on top of your email with Outlook for the web and a 50 GB mailbox.¹
• Enjoy a digital hub that integrates the conversations, calls, content, and apps your school needs to be more collaborative and engaged with Microsoft Teams.
• Use built-in accessibility features and Learning Tools that support reading, writing, math, and communication.
• Never run out of space with unlimited personal OneDrive cloud storage.²

4. Never lose your work

Teachers understand that technology is imperfect. But with cloud storage becoming the norm, it’s assumed that work can and will be recoverable if the PC falls off a bed, was accidentally was left on top of the microwave, or gets swallowed by your roommate’s golden retriever.

When you enable backup and restore files and folders with OneDrive, you can safeguard term papers, school projects, and even class notes. But it’s not set to back up by default—you have to tell it which folders you want saved! You can then access them on any device or retrieve them wherever you or the student in your life finds themselves studying. You can even password-protect folders containing your most sensitive files.

If you don’t already have a great computer for your student, check out our tips on what to look for in a new computer. If you already have a computer, the setup tips outlined here will help you increase productivity, keep organized, and protect work to help increase your academic success during remote learning.

It’s an unusual time to be a student. Virtual classes, hybrid models, independent learning—going to school just doesn’t look the same as it did last year.

Yes, having a good computer for school has always been important. But now it’s vital to pick a laptop that has the power, adaptability, and longevity for the “new normal.”

Here’s why we think it should be a Windows 10 PC powered by a 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processor.

1. Function AND form

In 2020, “status symbol” laptops or tablets just don’t carry the same clout when everyone’s learning from home.

What students need more than ever are powerful PCs with innovative form-factors, like 2-in-1 laptops that learners can switch from tablet mode to laptop mode depending on what works best for them.

Speaking of which:

Two words: touch screen. Today’s students grew up using their smartphones. Touching the screen is how they interact with devices. This naturally translates to computers with a touchscreen interface, and they can use all the inputs they want—touch, mouse, pen, and keyboard.

Oh, the options you have! From 2-in-1s to tablets and laptops, of all different sizes—there are a variety of form-factors from respected manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo to choose from. You’ll find an option that’s perfect for your student’s needs and style.

Sounds expensive, right? You’d be surprised at the laptop deals you can find. Whether your budget is $300 or $1,300, you can find the best laptop for learning and for your student, wherever they are.

Here’s what you should look for:

• Speed and power: If you’re looking for blazing speed, you’ll find it in an Intel® Core™ i7 powered laptop. Intel® Core™ i3 and Intel® Core™ i5 laptops are also incredibly powerful compared to older PCs. And whether it’s research, writing, content-creation, or compiling code, all of these devices have the speed you need.
• Screen size: Classes are long and school days are even longer. A bigger screen can make it all a little easier on the eyes. There are great laptop options that can also be backpack-friendly for when they return to school or head out for a study session, while still a great size for relaxing on the couch for gaming or streaming.
• Battery life: The whole point of laptops is to work on them wherever you want without being tethered to a desk or power cable. Longer battery life enables flexibility to work from the couch, kitchen table, classroom, or library.

2. Accessible and compatible by design

Learning styles vary greatly. Some students are visual learners, whereas others are more hands-on. Some read to understand, others listen or talk to understand. Some students struggle to read, write, or speak.

Classes have different application requirements. Some teachers require use of a course-specific app, or all final papers to be completed in Microsoft Word format.

This is where Windows PCs shine; compatibility and built-in accessibility features that over 1 billion users enjoy worldwide. Whether your student needs to make everything easier to see by adjusting text size and color or boosting contrast, or would prefer to have items read aloud to them by using the built-in screen reading app, Narrator, your student can customize their computer to work best for how they want to use it, where they want to use it.

Some laptops even come with touchscreens and digital pens that allow students to take notes as naturally as they would on paper. Just switch from Laptop to Tablet mode on 2-in-1 laptops—it’s ideal for math and physics problems! Research even shows that students who use a digital pen for science classes showed a 38% increase in performance.¹

3. More future-proof

If you start your student off with an Intel-based Windows PC in college, they’ll have 4 years of experience with the platform by the time they graduate (8 if you start in high school! Up to 12 if you start in elementary school!). And with Fortune 500 companies looking for computer literacy to get their work done, you’re setting students up for success in the job market ahead. Internship or entry-level role, you’ll be giving your student an advantage by ensuring they’re tech-savvy for the work environment.

This also applies to those who want to blaze their own path. If your current student is looking to be a future entrepreneur, give them the best chance by giving them the best computer that can do it all.

With a Windows 10 computer, your student can take on any challenge from the first day of school to graduation and beyond. Convenience, compatibility, built-in intelligent features that learn and adapt—combine all that with the speed and responsiveness of an 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and you’ve got a formula for success.

First impressions matter. Especially when you’re looking for a job. It’s why we fuss over the right verbs in our résumés and rehearse our introductions. Every detail matters at every stage of the process, and here’s how Microsoft can help.

From a recruiter’s first look at your résumé or LinkedIn profile to job interview tips, Microsoft has what you need to help you present your best self and make that great first impression.

1. Create a well-designed, well-written résumé with Word

Start with Microsoft Word to make a professional-looking résumé that catches a recruiter’s eye.

Word’s free résumé templates are beautifully designed and easily customizable, giving any job seeker a great starting point to stand out from the competition. Let Word take care of the formatting—you can focus on the content. That’s where the Résumé Assistant tool comes in when you have a Microsoft 365 subscription. Integrated as a panel in Word as you edit your file, the tool enables you to look up roles in specific industries to see top skills related to that role.

You can then use them as inspiration for your own description. For example, if you’re seeking a role as a project manager in marketing, you can use Résumé Assistant to receive suggestions regarding work experience summary, skills, and other relevant content available on LinkedIn.

Once you’ve built your résumé, you can use Microsoft Editor to scan your résumé for mistakes. The tool looks out for résumé-specific style issues such as first-person references, vague verbs, awkward expressions, and more. Remember: When it comes to presenting your best self, polish is vital.

2. Build your professional identity with a great LinkedIn profile

These days, recruiters or hiring managers often search the internet for your name when they receive your résumé or are considering you for a role. Make sure they like what they see by making your LinkedIn profile as compelling as possible.

Sure, you may know how to make a résumé. But the next step is about telling a story that says you’re the perfect candidate for the job. What better platform to broadcast it to potential employers than LinkedIn? With 690 million members (and counting), it’s the world’s largest professional network by far. And it’s the first stop for many who want to get connected, stay informed, and get hired.

Tyrona Heath, global lead of LinkedIn’s B2B Institute, offers a few tips on how you can improve your profile:

• Add a photo that suits your profession. Did you know adding a photo results in 21 times more profile views and nine times more connection requests?
• Draft a compelling summary. This is not only an opportunity to tell your story, but also to weave in searchable keywords based on the job you want.
• Detail your work experience. Profiles with more than one position listed are 12 times more likely to be viewed! If you need help writing a description, just use Résumé Assistant.
• List your skills. Including at least 5 of your skills gets you up to to 31x more messages from recruiters and others who can help you get ahead.

3. Prepare for your interview with Presenter Coach

Why just rehearse in front of the mirror when all it can do is show your reflection? Instead, you can rehearse and get job interview tips from Presenter Coach, accessible via LinkedIn Interview Prep or PowerPoint! By using artificial intelligence (AI), Presenter Coach can record and give you feedback on your delivery for a presentation, interview or simply how you present yourself. Here are a few things Presenter Coach checks:

• Words per minute
• Filler words like “ums” and “ers” and frequency
• Non-inclusive terms and phrases, like “you guys” or “best man for the job”
• Originality, helping you avoid clichéd expressions
• Monotone pitch: Presenter Coach can also give tips on varying your tone to avoid boring your audience.

This can be especially good preparation for remote interviews. The first impression potential employers are getting from you will be via video calls and recorded “introductory clips”—so make them count!

First things first: Do what works for you.

No one knows your child’s needs like you do, so try mixing and matching activities to make a schedule that works for you. This weekly schedule comes filled with activity ideas, and you can customize it to fit your needs. We’ve also listed some free and paid programs that can help fill the time and keep your kids occupied—but try adding in other activities that are tried-and-true favorites for your family.

Team up for success.

Planning everything can be tiring, so try partnering with other parents and guardians and have each person gather activities for a set day of the week. Then share what you’ve found, like printables, activity ideas, crafts, and more.

Consider themed days.

Brainstorming activity ideas can be tricky, but picking a theme for certain days can help streamline the process and kickstart your creativity. Need ideas? This customizable schedule has a few to get you started.

Browse free activities from Microsoft.

From fun learning to creative projects to family activities, these ideas can help keep kids busy and engaged.

Check out virtual summer camps.

These camp and online learning ideas span age ranges, with free and paid options, all with a focus on keeping summer full of fun.

Age 3-18

Outschool Summer Camp—Feed your kid’s curiosity and elevate their summer with a variety of fun classes where they can learn with peers in live video classes that meet in small groups. From subjects like reading, writing, and math, to the history of comics, spy school, hand-sewing, and Star Wars tech, they’ll find something to keep them engaged. The inspiring teachers consist of professional educators, artists, scientists, and adults with an expertise to share.
Class prices vary and start at $5/class.

Camp Wonderopolis—Kids get hands-on with cool experiments that exercise their mind and body. Build vocabulary, background knowledge in science, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and other literacy skills along the way. Whether you register as a Camper (kids of all ages) or Counselor (parents, community and library program staff, teachers), you’ll find appropriate activities for you.
Free

Age 4+

Epic!—Explore this digital library with resources for kids under 12. Get instant access to over 40,000 of the best books, learning videos, quizzes, and more, including fiction and nonfiction titles.
Try free for 30 days. Afterward, unlimited access is $7.99/month.

DIY.org—Search this huge library of hands-on projects, how-to videos, and an awesome kid community. DIY.org has a variety of courses for any skill level, across 50 different categories that include photography, drawing, science, Minecraft, music, Legos, cooking, inventions, and more. Kids earn badges while they learn new skills. Activities range from simply watching fun videos to teaching and inspiring other kids.
Try free for 14 days, give as a gift, or buy for yourself. The cost is $15-25/month depending on the number of kids and your billing preferences.

Kanopy—Access Kanopy with your library card for a free way to watch thousands of films, TV series, animated books, and educational content—all without ads. You can check out up to 10 titles per month, with three days to watch each. Plus, get Kanopy Kids for unlimited age-appropriate shows and movies with access to parental controls.
Free. If your library isn’t on Kanopy, the app helps you send a request.

Age 8-15

Age 14+

BBC micro:bit—Create, learn, and code with the pocket-sized computer that’s transforming the world. Do quick projects in MakeCode, Python, and Scratch to help you get the most out of the micro:bit’s features or tackle design challenges and work to save the planet with technology.
Micro:bit cost can vary. Free projects and lessons available at microbit.org.

CreativeLive—Browse this collection of educational video courses with content ranging from photography, flower arranging, mixed-media collage, drawing, and music composition to lifestyle content such as business skills and personal growth.
Courses range from $9.99 to $199. App is for iOS | Website is for everyone
Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) subscribers get more than 300 hours of creative classes taught by experts. Valued at $120, free for 3 months, it’s perfect for the summer! Learn more about the benefits

No matter what summer activities you choose, we hope the season is filled with fun, new adventures, and learning together.