Psychiatric medications are an important part of treatment for many people who live with a mental illness. They can improve symptoms and help promote recovery and wellness, but the price for medication can often be an obstacle.  Luckily, there are some options you have for reducing the price of your medication.

Health Insurance
Health insurance can help protect you from high medical costs. Health insurance provided through work, through a family member or privately purchased, may offer discounts on mental health medication. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that your health plan cover mental health equally to other treatments—this is called mental health parity.

The ACA also puts into place comprehensive health insurance reforms that provide more choices, improve quality, lower costs and hold insurance companies more accountable. The act is designed to help you find health insurance that is affordable and offers comprehensive coverage, from doctors to medications to hospitalizations.

Talk With Your Doctor
If you don’t have insurance, the first thing you should is speak with your doctor if you are having trouble affording your medication. They may be able to provide you with free samples for a period of time. It may also be possible to switch to a less expensive brand-name medication or the generic form of your medication.

Prescription Assistance Programs
Government Prescription Assistance Programs
Many states and counties offer prescription assistance programs. Contact your NAMI State Organization and NAMI Affiliate for information about programs in your area.
www.needhelppayingbills.com is a website that also lists state and local assistance programs that you may qualify for.
Your state’s Medicaid office may have information about prescription assistance and discount programs.
If you participate in Medicare Part D and need financial assistance you may be qualified for the federal benefit program called Extra Help. The Medicare Rights Center—1-800-333-4114—can let you know if you qualify.

Nonprofit Prescription Assistance Programs

• NeedyMeds helps people of all ages, with and without insurance, locate Patient Assistance Programs, free/low cost clinics, state programs and offers a free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card. For more information,  you may call their helpline at 800-503-6897.
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying people without prescription drug coverage get the medication they need for free or nearly free. They offer access to public and private programs, including pharmaceutical company programs.
• RxAssist helps individuals find information about free and low cost medication programs and other ways to manage your medication cost through their online Patient Assistance Program Center. They also provide a prescription discount card that patients may be able to use even if they have health insurance coverage.
• RxHope provides program descriptions and downloadable applications for prescription assistance programs for specific medications.
• PatientAssistance.com is a nonprofit site that offers money-saving offers such as printable coupons and a searchable database of available patient assistance programs.
• GoodRx allows you to compare drug prices from pharmacies in your area, including big pharmacy chains, local pharmacies and mail order companies

By Sarah Stiefvater PureWow

By Meghan T. Walls, PsyD KidsHealth

​If you feel stressed about coronavirus, you're not alone. Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had ripple effects into almost every aspect of our lives. It's affected the way we live every day. So much has changed in such a short time.

It's natural to feel anxiety when we face a crisis, the unknown, or sudden change. It's a normal reaction to feel the need for safety, certainty, predictability, and control.

Anxiety is a normal emotion and serves as a signal to pay attention so we can protect ourselves. Anxiety alerts us. It prompts us to adapt. But when we're overwhelmed by anxiety, it sometimes can do more harm than good.

When anxiety becomes overwhelming, we're less able to rise to a challenge, and sometimes we get stuck.

Here are some tips that can help you cope with anxiety and give you a sense of control even during an uncertain time. Many are simple techniques with proven benefits.

Follow the advice of experts. First, know what to do to avoid the spread of germs. This not only helps keep you safer, it gives you and your kids a sense of control! Follow the expert guidelines for health and safety. Wash your hands well and often. Keep surfaces clean. Stay at home when you can. If you need to go out, wear a mask and keep a safe distance from others. When you do these things, you protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Notice, label, and accept your emotions. When you feel anxious, quietly say to yourself, "OK, there's my anxiety again." Just putting a label on what we feel helps reduce our concern.

Accept anxiety as one of your many emotions. Don't ignore it, fight it, reject it, or be afraid of it. Don't judge yourself for feeling it. Be kind. Give yourself permission to be human.

Keep it in perspective and notice the good. Don't let anxiety run the show. It's one part of your emotional life, but it's not the whole thing. Leave room to challenge yourself: Is there anything going well? What positive things have happened that make me think this anxious thought might not be accurate?

Direct your attention or practice mindfulness. When you notice anxious thoughts, know that you don't have to dwell on them. Direct your attention to things that help you feel calm. You can use techniques such as guided imagery (easily found on YouTube or Google Video) or mindfulness practices that help you focus on being in the moment.

Practice breathing. Just pausing to take a breath can calm you in a difficult moment. It can help you pause before you react, and choose how to react. Specifically, "belly breathing" or diaphragmatic breathing is most helpful. Practice for 5–10 minutes a day. Try an app like "Belly Bio" that is free to download.

Reach out to others. Staying in touch with friends and family is good for you and for them. Feeling close to others reduces anxiety, and has been known to boost the immune system. Even though we're staying home more, we can reach out by phone, video chat, or social media. We can feel close, even while we're apart. Practice physical distancing, but social togetherness.

Practice gratitude. Noticing what we're grateful for is a powerful remedy to anxiety. Showing gratitude is another way to feel close to others. It benefits your mood and your health. Say a simple heartfelt thank-you. Make a list of what you're grateful for. Send a letter to someone who's helped you. Let loved ones know how much they mean to you.

Be awed by nature. Even 5 minutes spent appreciating nature can lower anxiety and blood pressure. It raises emotional well-being. It reminds us we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

Be active. Even though we are staying at home more, find ways to be active every day. There are plenty of ways to be active outdoors and still practice social distancing (also called physical distancing). Exercise relaxes you. It generates hormones that boost the body's immune system. If you can't get out, take a fitness class online.

Keep your balance. Calming anxiety doesn't mean ignoring problems. It's about finding our balance so we can cope well; so we can help ourselves and each other though this situation. We can find calm and well-being even when we face great uncertainty.

Know when to reach out for help. If your anxiety seems overwhelming — if you're having trouble sleeping, eating, or interacting in the ways you normally would — get help. Most behavioral health providers are offering telehealth visits during this time and can schedule with new patients. Don't be afraid to reach out for help during this stressful time!
​

Tickets: $19 ​- Are you prepared to Zoom with ghosts? Kids and adults team up to explore real places that are said to be haunted, and you’ll learn the tales of the ghosts who linger there. You’ll meet our host on Zoom, then your team will go into a breakout room and use our browser-based app to follow a trail of clues across eerie websites, in search of answers to tricky questions. To play, you just need a computer, a team, sharp eyes, and maybe nerves of steel.

Along the way, your team will…

- Visit Philadelphia’s creepy Eastern Penitentiary and its bygone (or are they?) prisoners
- Discover the New York City home of Mark Twain, who might still linger there
- Check into the Hollywood Hotel where celebrity ghosts still haven’t checked out
- Learn the chilling fates of victims of the Salem Witch Trials
- Sneak into the White House in search of the presidents whose ghosts have been spotted there
- And those are just a few of the adventures and ghost stories your team will enjoy on this online Halloween scavenger hunt. It’s great for family fun or an unusual school activity that reveals famous people, unusual places, and unforgettable folklore.

The game is suitable for age 10 and up. Click below to get into the game…before it’s too late!

Joining the game is simple. One hour before your event, you will receive a video conferencing link and instructions to distribute to your fellow participants.

By AMNY

Under One Hour
Demarest Farms
244 Wiermus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
201-666-0472
(40 min from Midtown)
Demarest Farms’ pumpkin picking season starts September 19th! Make your reservation on their site and pick out the perfect pumpkin. Once you make a reservation, you will be given a date and time to arrive at the farm. Although hayrides are limited this year, you can still take a private hayride throughout the orchard and take home a pumpkin of your choice. The cost for general admission is $7, includes free parking and entrance to pumpkin patch; plus $12 for the largest pumpkin you pick. Children 2 and under can enter for free. Open 8-5 pm, daily.

Queens County Farm
73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Queens, NY 11004
718-347-3276
(40 min from Midtown)
As the longest continually farmed site in New York State, Queens County Farm opens their pumpkin patch up again this October for families to enjoy. Pumpkin month at Queens County Farm is full of excitement with autumn in the air. While the pumpkin patch is open primarily on weekends, feel free to come during the week to purchase pumpkins in the Farm Store. Open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, October 3–October 25, 2020 and Mon, October 12 11:00 am–4:30 pm. General admission is free to the public, except during special events.

Hillview Farms
223 Meyersville Road, Gillette, NJ
908-647-0957
(50 min from Midtown)
Pick your own pumpkins at Hillview Farms! In October, you and your family can visit this family-owned and operated farm that has 53 acres of locally grown food. You can even visit their roadside market that has apples, pumpkins, vegetables, tomatoes, donuts, cider, and bakery items. Open 9 am-6 pm (field closed to the public at 5 pm), daily. 

One Hour to One Hour and a Half
Secor Farms
85 Airmont Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430
201-529-2595
(1 hr from Midtown)
Make picture-perfect memories at Secor Farms’ storefront pumpkin patch. No reservations are required to enter the pumpkin patch, though there may be lines, as they will be limiting their capacity in the patches. Don’t leave before browsing the farm’s market, full of fresh-pressed apple cider and homemade apple cider donuts. Open 9 am-5 pm, daily. The pumpkin patch will be open through Oct. 31st. 

Dr. Davies Farm
306 NY-304, Congers, NY 10920
845-268-7020
(1 hr & 10 min from Midtown)
With a scenic trailer ride that takes you to the Pumpkin Patch, Dr. Davies Farm is a great spot to enjoy an autumn day outside and find beautiful pumpkins! The hayrides have been a farm favorite for decades, transforming your pumpkin picking experience into much more than choosing a pumpkin. Call ahead to ensure availability for the hayride as the farm will be limiting the number of guests. Open 10 am-4 pm, daily.   

Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560
914-277-3188
(1 hr and 15 min)
Outhouse Orchards attracts plenty of families year after year — you can even bring your family dog! Choose from pumpkins, gourds, and an assortment of Halloween decorations as you celebrate the fall season. Reservations are not required during the weekdays, but please book a reservation if you are visiting the farm on the weekend. Pumpkins are weighed by the pound, weekend parking is $10, and weekday parking is free. Open 9 am-5 pm, daily. 

Riamede Farm
122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ 07930
908-879-7762
(1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
You might know Riamede Farms for iconic apple orchards, but they also have a Cut-Your-Own-Pumpkin Patch! Cut pumpkins right from the vine in this pumpkin patch at the beginning of the season. Riamede Farm recommends that you bring your own cutting shears as well. Make sure to also grab some delicious apples, donuts, and baked goods during your visit. Pumpkin and squash fields open in late September. Open 9 am-4:30 pm, daily.

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560
914-485-1210
(1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
Every weekend in October, head to Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard to pick pumpkins! Their Farm Store offers fresh donuts, local produce, eggs, meat, jams, honey, maple syrup, and more! Access to the pumpkin patch is available only through purchasing apple orchard tickets, so reserve your ticket on their website. One ticket gives entry up to four guests. Kids under 10 get free entry. Your pumpkin picking experience is sure to be an exciting one for the whole family here! Cash only with an ATM available in the farm store. They’re open 10 am-5 pm daily, and pumpkin picking is available on weekends only, (10 am- 4:30 pm).   

Stuart’s Fruit Farm
62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY 10527
914-245-2784
(1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
Not only a fruit farm, Stuart’s Fruit Farm features the perfect pumpkin patch for families, and it is family-operated! Enjoy the autumn air and the farm views as you survey the pumpkins and choose your favorite. You can also buy pre-picked pumpkins and gourds at the farm stand if you don’t have the time to venture into the pumpkin patch. Open 9 am-6 pm from August 1st to November 1st, daily. Cash or check only.

Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
908-879-7189
(1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
Head to Alstede Farms to pick the freshest pumpkins with your family! There are plenty of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes to choose from: orange and white, munchkins, gourds, and assorted winter squash. Due to COVID, there will be limited tickets on the weekends to avoid crowding; guests are encouraged to visit on the weekdays where there is less attendance. Open 9 am-6 pm, daily.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
914-245-5111
(1 hr and 20 min from Midtown)
Pumpkin picking is open for the season at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm! Spend the day with your family in the patch as you search for your favorite pumpkin. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm is also very well known for their markets: the bakery, apple farm market and the country market. Purchase tasty treats, decorations, and, of course, pumpkins! Currently, the farm is operating at a reduced capacity, so try to get there early! They’re open 10 am-4:30 pm, Wednesday-Monday (closed on Tuesdays).

F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm
26 Pinelawn Rd, Melville, NY 11747
631-271-3276
(1 hr and 30 min from Midtown)
Catch the Annual Fall Festival at F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm for pumpkin picking, hayrides and more! The festivities run through September 19 – October 31. F&W really encourages parents to bring their children to pick pumpkins, so come on out for this family tradition. Check out LI’s largest straw pyramid, play mini-golf, and have playground access. Bring your beautiful pumpkin home to carve, eat, or display! $10 entry fee per person, children under 2 years old enter for free. Open 12-4:30 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm Saturday-Sunday.

Apple Ridge Orchards
101 Jessup Road, Warwick, NY 10990
845-987-7717
(1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
Looking for an educational and interactive experience at the pumpkin patch? Check out Apple Ridge Orchards for some family fun with pumpkins! Take photos in front of the custom farm displays, such as an old tractor and portrait paintings. You can also taste sweet treats and pet the farm animals as you visit the farm. No reservations needed. Pumpkins cost $10 and general admission is $3 which includes free parking and entrance to the farm. Open to the public 9 am-6 pm, Thursday-Sunday and holidays. 

Lawrence Farms Orchards
306 Frozen Ridge Road, Newburgh, NY 12550
845-562-4268
(1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
Not too far of a drive from NYC, Lawrence Farms Orchards has a pumpkin patch with a wide selection for families to choose from. After you find your perfect pumpkin, browse the concession stand, which features apple cider donuts, pies, cookies, chicken tenders, paninis, hot dogs, roasted nuts, fries, pizza, nachos, ice cream and more! Enjoy a morning out in the pumpkin patch and delectable lunch or snack afterwards to celebrate the fall season. Open 9 am- 4 pm, from June to October. Admission is $5 per person, children under 2 years old are free. Season passes available.

Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, NY 12570
845-227-2306
(1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
Beginning in late September and running through the end of October, Barton Orchards boasts a wonderful, family-friendly pumpkin patch. Barton Orchards started as an apple farm, but they have since expanded to include tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, squash, and, of course, pumpkins! There are plenty of other exciting activities to do and food to taste during your visit. Online ticketing is required, with tickets available one weekend at a time. Open 11 am-5 pm, daily. $10 minimum purchase required. 

Fishkill Farms
9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
845-897-4377
(1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
The pumpkin patch has both edible and decorative pumpkins to choose from, as well as gourds, squash, corn stalks and straw bales for your fall decor! Make sure to book your reservation to go pumpkin picking with the family at Fishkill Farms and don’t leave without tasting their freshly made donuts at the farm store! Open 9-4:45 pm (field closes at 5:45 pm), Tuesday through Sunday for PYO. 

Over an Hour and a Half
Apple Dave’s Orchards
82 4 Corners Road, Warwick, NY 10990
845-772-1242
(1 hr and 40 min from Midtown)
Pick your own pumpkins at Apple Dave’s Orchards and choose your favorite pumpkins. Apple Dave’s Orchards will soon be announcing their pumpkin picking dates so you and your family can head to the farm for a day of fun. While you are there, take a walk in the herb and flower gardens and enjoy lots of their delicious food. Browse the Country Farm Store on your way out, which has fresh apple cider donuts, pumpkins, jams, jellies, pure honey and more. Open 9 am – 4:30 pm, September 5 through late October.

Elwood Pumpkin Farm
1500 E Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743
631-368-8626
(1 hr and 40 min from Midtown)
As Long Island’s most western pumpkin farm, Elwood Pumpkin Farm opens up pumpkin picking off the vine to you and your family this fall! Kids also will love the child corn maze and wagon ride around the farm. Pumpkins are priced by size. Open 10 am – 5 pm, September 26, 27, weekends in October, and Columbus Day. Open weekdays at 3-5 pm or by appointment.

Hurd’s Family Farm
2187 State Route 32 Modena, NY 12548
845-883-7825
(1 hr and 50 min from Midtown)
There are pumpkins in all shapes and sizes at Hurd’s Family Farm. Small pumpkins are $5, Medium $10, Large $15, and XL pumpkins are $20. Enjoy an assortment of fall activities while you’re there, such as pony rides for kids under 4 ($8), and wagon rentals ($5). Activity wristbands can be purchased for $15 in advance, giving access to activities like obstacle courses, a bounce house, duck racing, and so much more! In order to keep capacity limited, the farm is offering activities in two time groups. Activity groups are on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am-1 pm and 1 pm-4 pm. “Pick Your Own” is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am-5 pm. Reservations open by 8am on the day for which they apply. You must make your reservation on the same day you plan to visit!

Dykeman Farm
31 Dykeman Lane Pawling, NY 12564
845-832-6068
(1 hr and 50 min from Midtown)
This long-established farm has had pick your own pumpkins since 1974! Pumpkin picking season will be starting September 26 and will be open on weekends throughout October. There are also plenty of photo spots all around the pumpkin patch for you to take photos of your little ones as they pick pumpkins this year. The farm stand is open 10am – 5 pm, daily. Picking is open September 26 – October 3 on weekends, Yom Kippur, and Columbus Day. 

Harbes Family Farm
715 Sound Ave, Mattituck, NY 11952
631-298-0800
(2 hrs from Midtown)
With 8 acres of on-the-vine pumpkins, Harbes Family Farm has a huge selection of pumpkins just waiting for you to take home! There are many different varieties available, so you will have no shortage of options here. Enjoy their apple cider donuts and other options as you pick your pumpkins. Pumpkins are sold by the pound. Farmstand open Monday – Friday from 10 am – 6 pm, and Saturday – Sunday from 9 am – 6pm.

Bishop’s Orchards
1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437
203-453-2338
(2 hrs from Midtown)
Although Bishop’s Orchards may be a bit of a drive from NYC, it will surely be worth it once you’re making family memories in the pumpkin patch, which opens mid-September and runs through Halloween. These sphere-shaped pumpkins are perfect for decoration during Halloween and Thanksgiving, or just the fall season in general! You can also prepare the pumpkins for meals or snacks, such as pumpkin seeds or pumpkin soup. Along with the pumpkins, browse the mums, corn stalks, gourds, squash, Indian Corn, and various other activities for kids and families to enjoy. Grab a scoop (or three) of ice cream while you’re there from Bishop’s Orchards’ new Creamery Ice Cream stand. Open 10 am-5 pm, daily.

Hank’s PumpkinTown
240 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976
631-726-4667
(2 hrs from Midtown)
The name says it best, as Hank’s PumpkinTown truly is a pumpkin town with pumpkins of all sizes! Other fall decorations available include gourds, corn stalks, straw bales, Indian Corn, mums, Montauk daisies, door hanging and more. New this year is the Pink Tractor, which features pink porcelain doll pumpkins! Hanks’ PumpkinTown donates a portion of the proceeds from each sale to Breast Cancer Research. There is gem mining for an additional cost on weekends and an exciting wooden playground. The Market includes apple cider slushies, apple cider and pumpkin donuts, kettle corn, candy and caramel apples, corn dogs, chicken tenders and many more treats. Open 9:30 am-5:45 pm, daily.    

These alternatives serve as safe distractions from self harm, instead of just replacements with another unhealthy coping mechanism.

You aren’t replacing the self harm, you’re giving yourself time for the urge to pass and to let yourself feel something different.

​It’s not the cure but it’s something in the mean time, until you can learn to live through your emotions/anxiety/depression without needing to self harm.

By AMNY

By Ally Noel MommyPoppins

Virtual Learning for Kids of All Ages

1. PBS Learning Media
These interactive lesson plans are curricular-aligned to meet standards from preschool all the way through high school. FREE 

2. Museums with Virtual Tours Through Google Arts and Culture
​Google Arts and Culture allows children to access world-renowned museums from home.  You can tour the collections of more than 1,200 museums online through its catalog.

3. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is always free and provides high-quality content for kids (and adults) of all ages. Make sure to check out Khan Kids for the littlest of learners. FREE

4. Code.org
Since 2013, Code.org has been providing free online coding classes for students of all ages. Learn how to think like a programmer while completing online modules. FREE

5. Scholastic Learn From Home 
The K-12 education powerhouse that is Scholastic has you at-home learning needs covered with lessons for kids from pre-K through sixth grade and up. Kids can dive into topics like the future of zoos and life science. It's all divided by age and grade level. Requires small monthly fee.

6. ReadWriteThink Printing Press  
If your kids want to create newsletters, newspapers, brochures, or any other printable, then check out the Printing Press fro ReadWriteThink. They provide engaging lesson plans for kids in K-12 to bring the printed word to life. FREE

Preschool Online and Remote Learning

7. Starfall Education 
This bright and colorful website will appeal to preschoolers and those in the early elementary years, from pre-K through third grade. The activities are easy to find and arranged by discipline, season, or curricular topic. (Some FREE options, also membership options for more content.)

8. The Cat in the Hat Invents
Everyone’s favorite Cat is the start of this STEM-based website that challenges kids to be engineers and problem-solvers. FREE 

9. Cosmic Kids Yoga
The Cosmic Kids YouTube channel will get your kids moving for a little post- or pre-study yoga break. Kids follow the poses that also help to tell a story in these short (roughly 10 to 15 minute) yoga sessions. (It also streams on Prime.) FREE

10. Highlights 
This popular kids’ magazine provides interactive through its wide variety of websites and apps. Play endless rounds of hidden picture puzzles, learn about shapes, listen to stories, and more. FREE

Elementary School Online Learning Options

11. Wow in the World
Wow in the World is a podcast for curious kids and their grown-ups brought to you by the folks at Tinkercast. These 20-30 minute episodes investigate factual real-world stories. FREE

12. Mystery Science
Mystery Science has opened up its most popular science lessons for FREE and easy for remote learning during the coronavirus crisis. Topics range from weather to who invented pizza. Head to your child's grade level for age-appropriate learning. FREE (as of publication)

13. DIY.org
Kids can watch videos and learn how to make something all on their own with DIY.org. Older kids will love creating their own videos to upload and share on the platform. A free 14-day trial is available.

14. Cool Math Games
This site offers tons of games that incorporate math into the strategy, from virtual Chess to more video-game like math games. Search by skill or take a break with some math trivia. FREE

15. National Geographic Kids
Explore the world through games and videos on National Geographic Kids. Take a quiz about Mars or explore current topics like Kids vs. Plastic. FREE

16. Rivet
Rivet is a free reading app that has over 3500 leveled books for kids. FREE 

17. Dance Mat Typing  
There is nothing all that exciting about learning how to type, but Dance Mat Typing somehow manages to make this tedious task fun! Four levels of play will have you typing like a pro in no time. FREE

Middle School Online Education
​
18. BrainPop
BrainPop began as a collection of short cartoons that taught students about difficult topics. Over the years, it added a number of interactive features, such as games and quizzes. Teachers can request free access to gain to BrainPop’s entire catalog of educational videos, and there is some FREE access to all during the coronavirus outbreak.

19. Minecraft Education
Minecraft Education is so much more than "just a game." This learning platform promotes creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. 

20. Scratch
Program your own interactive stories with Scratch. This free learning tool develops important skills like problem-solving, creative thinking, and collaboration. FREE

21. Prodigy Math
Sign up for a free account and start playing these standards-based math activities. FREE

22. Funbrain
Funbrain provides hundreds of free games, videos, and books that help kids develop their literacy, math, and problem-solving skills. FREE

23. Kodable 
Type your first lines of code, learn javascript, and other programming concepts with this online computer science platform. Starting with basic drag and drop coding, Kodable provides lessons that will foster creativity and critical thinking. FREE

24. NaNoWriMo
Encourage creative writing with the NaNoWriMo 30-day writing challenge. Kids create a profile and will receive a variety of writing challenges as they work toward completing a novel! FREE

High School Online Education Resources

25. Ken Burns in the Classroom 
Ken Burns has been making historical documentaries for nearly half a century. These thoughtfully developed lesson plans truly bring history to life. FREE

26. Desmos
This is the modern-day version of the good ol' graphing calculator. The free app will let you graph all the parabolas you want! FREE

27. TED Talks
Watch a thought-provoking TED Talk on just about any device. This nonprofit provides free access to thousands of inspirational, motivational, educational, and instructional talks. These top 25 TED Talks are a great place to start. FREE

28. Quizlet
This mobile and web-enabled app lets users create and use virtual flashcards that cover a variety of topics. Set up a virtual study session with friends over video or among the family. FREE

29. How Stuff Works
This website explains how just about any and everything works. With topics that range from science to entertainment and lifestyle, How Stuff Works takes challenging concepts and breaks them down into language that is easy to understand. FREE

30. Nova
Nova is the nation’s top watched science series, so it should come as no surprise that its website is filled with original award-winning content from journalists, scientists, and engineers. FREE