Do your students want to add their own unique stamp to their technology creations? Likely, the answer is yes and sound is one easy and fun way to add spark and pizzazz to programming, presentation, or animation projects. Free sound libraries are great resources for finding legal, royalty free clips. And almost all free sound libraries are searchable using key words. So add an emphasis noise to a focus point on a slide, enhance an animated graphic story with a looping background tune, and insert the perfect sound to enrich a coding project. The possibilities are unlimited!
Here’s a list of sound libraries that TechnoKids has recommended in past blogs – this summary includes them all. And if you have any favorites that we’ve missed, be sure to let us know!
Free Sound Libraries for Students
Pixabay Music
- search by genre, mood, movement, or theme
- simple to preview samples and download
Videvo
- main site includes videos: so restrict search to Audio and pick Music or Sound Effects
- download is simple; then filter allows user to restrict search to Free clips.
ZapSplat
- safe for student use; browse by category e.g., Fantasy, Cartoon, Nature, Sport, and many more
- ad free; over 106,000 sounds
BBC Sound Effects
- search by suggested category, then narrow the search by a specific term, e.g., Animals – lion
- sort by duration – ascending or descending
SoundBible
- sounds available in wav or mp3 formats
- short description of each sound helps in searching
Free Sound Effects
- restrict search to free by selecting Free Sound Effects in left menu to access over 10,000 free effects
- sort by length when searching; choose general category e.g., Nature and then view subcategories – Jungle, Lava, Thunder, etc.
freeSFX
- school friendly list of categories – Cartoon/Comical, Vehicles/Transportation, Foley, Nature, Music/Children’s including number of sounds in each
- mp3 format only
SeaWorld Animal Sounds
- actual sound recordings
- each sound includes link to learn more about the animal
Partners in Rhyme
- searchable collections of royalty free music and sound effects
- limit searches to Free to avoid clips that must be purchased
FreePlay Music
- music is free for use in education, high quality, can search by music mood
- must create an account and login to download
Free Music Archive
- ad-free legal music to download
- can limit search by duration but file size is unavailable
Free Sound Libraries in TechnoKids Projects
Put these great sound collections to good use with TechnoKids technology projects. Following is just a sampling of how students can be inspired as they add sound to their computer creations:
TechnoAnimate
In TechnoAnimate, students animate a graphic story using Adobe Animate CC lessons. Then to enhance the action, they place sounds clips or music on the Timeline.
TechnoArcade
In TechnoArcade, students build a series of games as they learn programming skills. In the game Let’s Jam, they transform the keyboard into a musical instrument to allow the player to lead a jam session. Then they apply their coding knowledge to add sound to an action escape sequence, a hide and seek game, and a treasure hunt!
TechnoCode
In TechnoCode, students use Scratch to build games, puzzles, mazes, animations, stories, and more. As they learn to write scripts, students add sound blocks that play audio clips, make them repeat, and combine sound with other actions.
TechnoInternet
In TechnoInternet, students learn about responsible digital citizenship. As they practice Internet safety, they also explore online radio stations and music services, search for sound clips, and bookmark sound libraries.
TechnoWhiz
In TechnoWhiz, even primary students can explore sound as they learn how to use Scratch Jr to design silly scenes, explore a magical land, and feed a pet monster.
Free Sound Libraries Caution Note
Although TechnoKids has reviewed these libraries for use in schools, some sound collections may contain inappropriate sounds or advertising. Before using these resources, discuss digital citizenship responsibilities with students before using these resources to confirm their understanding of suitable content.