LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids’ Activities for a Time of Social Distancing

• Books for Kids, Kids' Activities • children's books

There are many kids’ activity lists going around right now as we all stay home to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)—but here’s one especially for LGBTQ families and friends, with queer-inclusive virtual storytimes, coloring pages, games, videos, and more.

Chalk rainbow - Alex Jackman

Obviously, we queer families don’t need to limit ourselves to queer-inclusive activities—otherwise we might not do anything but bake rainbow-sprinkle cupcakes all day. (Not that there’d be anything wrong with that.) Conversely, there’s no reason non-queer families shouldn’t enjoy many of the resources here. Still, some queer families may feel socially isolated at the best of times, depending on their geographic location and support network. The additional distancing required by COVID-19 precautions only adds to this. I hope the queer-inclusive resources below will remind us all that we’re still part of a big, vibrant LGBTQ community. In fact, the steps many LGBTQ people have taken to create virtual communities and supports over the years may have made us particularly well prepared for spending time physically isolated but digitally connected. We’ll get through this, folks. In the meantime, try some of these resources:

[Updated 4/23/2020]

Free Online Storytimes and Lessons

Virtual Queer Family Gatherings

  • Our Family Coalition, the organization for California LGBTQ families, is offering a dozen virtual programs in March for prospective parents and parents of kids from birth through teens. “Our hope is that we can continue to talk about the things that unite us: our children, our hope for children, and family-building specific to the LGBTQ+ community,” they say. Preregistration is required.
  • Philadelphia Family Pride also says on their Facebook page to “Stay tuned for some virtual events from PFP starting later this week.”
  • Keshet, the organization for LGBTQ Jews, is hosting a Family Virtual Dance Party on Wednesday, March 18, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
  • Family Equality has just launched The Neighborhood: A Virtual Hub for LGBTQ+ Families, giving parents, prospective parents, and children of all ages digital events, classes, and get-togethers. Offerings will include a support group for those starting or growing their families; a Drag Queen Story Hour; a class on cutting hair at home, taught by a professional stylist; and a writing workshop for teens taught by award-winning writer Robin Stevenson.
  • The Trans Empowerment Project is hosting a Trans Family Hangout every Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. ET and will include fun kids activities, support for parents, and more! Allies with children are welcome!

Cards and Games

  • Family Pride! Memory Match Game uses a familiar game mechanic: Place the 66 sturdy (board-book thickness) cards face down on a table and turn them over two at a time. If they match, you keep them. If they don’t, flip them back and it’s the next player’s turn. What makes this version stand out is that it celebrates family diversity with images of same-sex parents, single parents, grandparents, and different-sex parents and their children all having fun at a colorful county fair. The families come in many colors, and there are obvious Jewish and Muslim families.
  • Pura Belpré Honor Award winner Maya Gonzalez and Matthew Smith-Gonzalez have created the “Playing with Pronouns” card deck, 84 cards designed to counter gender stereotypes and offer kids an opportunity for self expression. The deck is based on the duo’s children’s books, They She He Me: Free to Be, and They, She, He easy as ABC, which already give children (and adults!) a number of ways to think about and play with gender. They say the cards are geared toward ages four to nine, but can be adapted for other ages, including grown-ups. The set comes with more than six games ideas “but holds the potential for many more,” they say. Get it via their website along with additional game ideas and coloring/activity pages.

Kids’ Coloring Books and Pages

Also, some coloring resources that come from creators known for their coloring books for adults. My sense is that the below would be fine for kids, too, but I haven’t had the chance to review them fully, so use your own judgment.

Videos, Movies, and Songs

Once again, too, here are a few recent LGBTQ-inclusive children’s and middle-grade books, and some general resources on “How to Educate Yourself and Your Kids About Coronavirus.” Be well, all!

(I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.)

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