Oxford Owl is a FREE website that has been designed purely to support children's learning from 3 to 11 years old. Initially attracted to the lovely bright, easy to explore layout, we weren’t sure just how much help we would find for free. So, we were delighted with just how much there is for both parents and their children to discover at Oxford Owl.

The website has two main parts, Reading and Maths. Each part has General Tips (Reading for 3-11 year olds, and Maths for 3-7 year olds) to give you some great ideas on how to encourage and incorporate reading skills and Maths skills into your family’s everyday activities. The tips are great reminders of how simple it can be to add a little learning into even the busiest of schedules. Then there are age group specific tips that will help you to guide your child through each stage.

Fun Ideas delves a little deeper with the activities you can try at home and again there is a general section for encouraging children of all ages and then more age specific ideas. We loved that many of the activities involve little or no cost and can be done anywhere, even in the car, so the next time you are traveling together, switch off the radio and play ‘The Doctor’s Dog”.

At school is an essential jargon breaking part of the website. You can find information along with clear explanations about each stage, and the expectation that your child’s school has for that year group, along with all of the terminology that you will need to know. The maths definitions are particularly helpful as this is an area that has changed quite a lot over the years.

Questions section has answers to some of the common questions parents have about the how-to of helping a child with their reading at home.

Kid’s Barn is purely full of fun and games (that are still linked to learning) for the children and a great tool to have up your sleeve on a rainy day. 

Julia Donaldson (Author of The Gruffalo) even makes an appearance with a series of seven videos where she shares some simple and fun ways you can help your child with their reading at home. As always, Julia’s ideas are full of fun and are sure to inspire you.