Home activities and resources for wee ones

There are so many ways to keep stories, songs, rhymes and play alive at home during lockdown. Here's our pick of free resources and activities for every family to enjoy:

BBC Authors Live

BBC Authors Live brings free, world-class author and illustrator events for children and young people right into your home. There are loads of shows to choose from in the Authors Live On Demand Library, from picture books and young adult novels, to illustrators, comics and more! You can watch along, read along and even draw along from the comfort of your own home.

Authors Live on Demand

Live Music Now Scotland

We love music at Bookbug and are delighted that our chums at Live Music Now Scotland have recorded some special performances for everyone to enjoy at home. Join Grant McFarlane & Ron Jappy for a wonderful interactive session for 0-5 year-olds featuring Scottish songs on guitar and accordion. Follow actions to Katie Bairdie and dance to Scottish jigs at home!

(this link will open in a new window)Live Music Now Scotland

Play Scotland

Play is one of the most important things we can do to support our children's physical, emotional and social development. It's also a great way to have fun together! Our friends at Play Scotland have some brilliant ideas for playing at home during lockdown - you can also follow their #PlayEveryday campaign on social media for more inspiration.

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Gaelic4Parents

Looking for ways to keep stories, songs and rhymes alive in Gaelic at home? Check out the Gaelic4Parents website to listen to all of our new Bookbug Bag stories being shared in Gaelic. You can also listen to some traditional Gaelic songs online and download the lyrics to help you learn new favourites together.

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Audible for Kids

For as long as the nurseries and schools are closed, Audible is offering families the opportunity to listen to many of their children's books for free. Download timeless classics like Winnie the Pooh and The Tales of Beatrix Potter for those moments in the day when you all need a little downtime! For families who don't speak English as a first language, there are options in 6 other languages too.

(this link will open in a new window)Audible for Kids

BBC Word Waves

If you're looking for new stories and poems to share at home, BBC word waves have a wonderful selection from some much-loved Scottish authors including Debi Gliori, Matthew Fitt and Robert Louis Stevenson. As well as listening to the stories, and watching them being shared, little ones can follow an animated word wave bring the words to life on screen.

(this link will open in a new window)BBC Word Waves

Julia Donaldson and Friends

If you've got a Julia Donaldson picture book fan in your house, they'll love seeing the author bring some of her favourite stories to life. With guest appearances and lots of music and dancing along the way, these short films are a brilliant way to keep books alive at home. They might even inspire you to find new ways to share other books together!

(this link will open in a new window)Julia Donaldson and Friends

Don't forget that you can find plenty of songs and rhymes to share at home on the Bookbug app or the Bookbug Song and Rhyme Library. You can find more videos and other things to keep you busy in our Home Activities Hub. There's a new online Bookbug Session to join in with every week on our website and it's also worth checking your local library's website and social media for details of online Bookbug Sessions taking place.

Stay safe, happy, and healthy at home!