The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are officially over, and they were so amazing, we can hardly wait to see what this summer will bring! You might be wondering, wait! Are there more Olympics? Yes! Coming up are the Summer Youth Olympic Games! This will be the first Olympic event on the African continent and will take place from October 31st – November 13th! To learn more visit: https://www.olympics.com/fr/dakar-2026/

There are so many events, incredible athletes, and plenty of chances for families to learn and play together. Whether your kids are glued to the TV cheering on their favorite events or simply curious about how people race across land and water, the Olympics are a great opportunity to turn screen time into learning.

Below are a few family-friendly Olympics activities and resources to help you and your family learn a little more about how these incredible sports happen. From short videos to learning activities, there is something for everyone.

Check out the resources below. The title will take you to the source! The Olympics: Body and Mind, a PBS NewsHour Classroom lesson plan designed for middle and high school students, ages 11 to 18. This lesson helps older kids explore what makes Olympic athletes successful by looking at both physical training and mental focus. It is great for curious tweens and teens who enjoy science, health, or sports, and it offers a deeper way to think about what goes on behind the scenes of elite competition. You can find the lesson plan here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/lesson-plans/2014/01/the-olympics-body-and-mind Peg + Cat: Animal Winter Olympics is a lighthearted video for children ages 3 to 7. Peg and Cat lead Team Penguin through silly winter games while introducing early math and spatial concepts like over, under, and between. It is a great option for preschoolers and early elementary kids who want to join in on the Olympic excitement without needing to know all the rules. Watch the video here: https://www.pbs.org/video/peg-animal-winter-olympics/ Molly of Denali King Run / The Native Youth Olympics, designed for ages 4 to 8. In this episode, Molly learns about the Native Youth Olympics, which are real traditional games rooted in Alaska Native culture. The story blends movement, teamwork, and cultural learning.

Watch the episode here: https://pbskids.org/videos/watch/molly-denali-full-episodes/1385817/king-run-the-native-youth-olympics/108100 If your kids need a chance to move instead of just watch, Get Moving! Go For the Gold! PBS KIDS exercise shorts are perfect for ages 3 to 8. These short videos encourage kids to get up and move like Olympic athletes, making them ideal for quick brain breaks, after-school energy releases, or stretching between events on TV. Watch the exercise shorts here: https://www.wpbstv.org/get-moving-go-for-the-gold-pbs-kids-%F0%9F%A5%87-shorts/

Watching the Olympics or other sports together can turn into an amazing learning experience with a little creativity. Families might choose a country to cheer for, keep a medal chart on the fridge, or talk about the importance of practice, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Even trying a safe version of an event at home can help kids connect what they see on screen to their own movement and effort.

Olympics are not only exciting to watch, they are also inspiring. They offer kids of all ages a chance to learn about different cultures, explore how bodies move, and see what it looks like to work toward a big goal. Enjoy the Games!