Stuck at home? These online resources will keep everyone happy and healthy

Now we’re all unexpectedly spending a lot more time at home we’re going to need all the help we can get to stay active and entertained. 

Luckily there’s a whole world of free online resources out there ready and waiting to be used and we’ll be sharing them with a series of articles for everyone in the family.

From health and wellbeing websites to cooking classes, mental workout apps and educational resources for the kids, there’s something for everyone during the coronavirus lockdown.

First up are the younger members of the household. Click on the links below to find which resources will suit your kids best. 

Primary school children

It can be tricky keeping the younger members of your family entertained while at home. Once they’re finished playing in the garden, why not try out these online resources?

• Why not explore the wonders of the natural world with this live stream from Edinburgh zoo. You can check out what the pandas are doing on the Panda Cam, the tigers on Tiger Cam and the penguins on Penguin Cam. Visit www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/
• Get your youngsters reading with this free e-book library from Oxford Owl. For ages 3-11. www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/find-a-book/library-page/ 
  
  
  
  
• Created by Carol Vorderman, the Maths Factor website will help four to 12 year-olds with their maths skills. https://www.themathsfactor.com/
  
  
• Purple Mash helps youngsters learn computing and digital skills across the whole national curriculum with award-winning teaching and learning software for KS1 and KS2. It is currently offering free 14-day trials to teachers and parents. https://www.purplemash.com/
  
  
  
• For soccer mad youngsters the Premier League Primary Stars website offers a wide collection of free, football-themed, curriculum-linked, activities including maths, English and health and wellbeing, to educate and entertain children at home. https://plprimarystars.com/
  
  
• Looking for ways to gets your children to exercise? Try the Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
  
  
  

Secondary school children

Looking for something more challenging to occupy older children at home? Check out these fun and educational challenges, apps and websites while they’re not at school.

• Aimed at budding engineers aged seven and above, download these Challenge Cards featuring 44 engineering and science challenges from the UK’s most famous inventor James Dyson. How many can you complete? James Dyson foundation
  
  
  
  
• Take the time to brush up on your French with these free study packs aimed at everyone from Year 7 beginners to A-level students. https://www.frenchteacher.net/free-resources/samples/
  
  
• He’s the nation’s PE teacher and millions are tuning in to get their daily exercise fix with Joe Wicks’ live workout very morning. Join in here. https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/pe-with-joe-1254.html
  
  
• Journey around the world without leaving your front room with this free virtual reality augmentation app for all ages. Includes hundreds of destinations including Mount Everest and The Louvre. Download here Expeditions App
  
  
• Take part in iDea -  an international programme that helps older children develop/demonstrate their digital, enterprise and employability skills for free using fun activities https://idea.org.uk/

For more information on how we're keeping you connected during Covid-19 click here.