Activities for Early Learners

Two young children reading a book together.

Museums are for learners of all ages and abilities. Smithsonian early learning educators work together across our many museums, research, and cultural centers to provide the right tools to help young children learn. The resources on this page, curated by the Smithsonian Early Learning Collaborative, teach children active observation and questioning skills that will help them stay curious and become critical thinkers and creative problem solvers. Find more resources and techniques by the Early Learning Collaborative.

Featured Resources

Text: Programs and Resources at the Smithsonian

Featured Smithsonian Children's Resources & Programs

Early learning resources from across the Smithsonian museums and research facilities.

A colorful castle made from childrens blocks.

Activities for 1–2 years olds

These very simple activities are perfect for our earliest learners.

Smithsonian Learning Lab Collections

Discover collections of early learning resources from the Smithsonian museums.

More Resources

High Quality Videos

Here is a small selection of high-quality, educational, and age-appropriate video content for children, allowing you to confidently engage your little ones, guilt-free.

Childrens illustrations of various aircraft

National Air and Space Museum

Flights of Fancy Story Time

Stories, sketches, and crafts inspired by air and space objects that you can enjoy together at home with young children.

Stamp featuring baseball player Roberto Clemento

National Postal Museum

Stamp Stories

Listen to the stories behind the people, places, and things featured on stamps.

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian

This collaboration with the National Head Start Association features videos, playful activities, and more.

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Side-by-side Learning and Activities

Here are a handful of side-by-side activities are designed for you to facilitate alongside your young learner.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Joyful ABCs

These activity booklets support children’s positive identity development while growing language and literacy skills with activities, museum objects, and new words.

A young girl stacks a tower of blocks covered in faces.

National Portrait Gallery

Young Portrait Explorers

Explore portraits of astronauts and activists, scientists and star athletes—and discover the stories behind them through close looking, movement, and art-making.

A group of artist portraits, illustrated simply.

Hirshhorn Museum

About the Artist (For Kids!)

Get to know the artists who made some of your favorite artworks with kid-friendly, interactive artist biographies, available entirely online.

More Resources

Expansive Activities

Whether it’s getting out and exploring, or planning a paint-flinging art project, these are sure to be fun activities to do with your young learners. We hope to bring the Smithsonian to your door through our online resources, but we also love it when you visit!