Level 5 is hard for kids but it’s even harder for the adults of bored kids. Struggling for things to keep your little one’s occupied? We’ve put together a list of 15 things you can do with them to try and keep them distracted.
This year is the first year of this festival which aims to showcase the best of science in film. There is a schools programme as well as a programme for adults, all of which can be viewed here. All the films are free to watch but you will need to register for tickets as they are limited, you can do this here.
This year is the 25th year of science week and there’s going to be tonnes of fun, online events for kids to get involved in from testing your tap water to quizzes and building your own machines. You can see the full programme here.
For 9 to 12-year olds, enjoy a journey of creative experimentation and create works of art using a variety of homemade materials with STEAM (science technology, engineering, art and math) techniques. Find out more here.
This festival celebrates Irish children’s books with a host of online events including virtual workshops, talks, story time, meet the author, advice and recommendations and much more.
This annual event has something for everyone no matter what age but every year they have a special children’s programme that never disappoints with events such as story time, story writing and notebook making workshops as well as a series of bedtime stories podcasts, all of which are free.
You can now enjoy access to all four National Museums of Ireland who have created ‘Museum at Home’ hubs where kids can enjoy inspiring activities from archaeology to natural history as well as decorative arts. Click here to find out how to book in.
The Gallery encourages learning through art and with a highly engaging programme their activities will help support children’s cognitive, fine motor and emotional/affective development whilst they get to have fun and do some art. Get a list of events and more info here.
Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube has been running kids’ yoga classes since 2012 and encourages mindfulness and relaxation through fun, interactive adventures through 5 different lands which build strength, balance and confidence. You can stream all their videos ad free here.
Aviva, in conjunction with the FAI are running a virtual soccer sisters’ hub, they have been releasing different skills videos created by accredited FAI coaches which are demonstrated by Women’s National Team players Isibeal Atkinson and Jessica Ziu. Watch the videos and emulate the skills you see in your garden! Stream the videos here
Set up an at home scavenger hunt around the house by printing off pre-made clues from Pinterest. Hide something for your kids in a top secret and give them the first clue then sit back, have a cup of tea and see how long it distracts them for! For ideas, you can look here.
There are tonnes of great YouTube channels that teach kids how to draw, paint and do arts and crafts. Get them a paper and some pencils and let them tune into a channel like ArtForKidsHub for some online art classes.
Baking is a fun thing to do at home with the kids, get out the cookbooks, let them pick something and give it a go. Once they’ve perfected it, let them do it again and film themselves hosting an at home version of the great bake off!
Duolingo is a free online app that facilitates the learning of languages through fun games and challenges, through speaking, listening to stories as well as matching up and writing, you’ll be well on your way to learning a new language in no time!
If you’ve gotten into arts and crafts and you’re looking to do something a little different, you can try writing some secret messages in invisible ink. Why not leave them on the fridge for someone or put them in an envelope and post them. You can find out how to make invisible ink here.
These are weird times, but they won’t last forever and as much as we’re sick of level 5 and lockdowns, it would be cool to have something to remember them by, plus, making a time capsule is fun activity to do with your kids. Put some things in a box, it can be anything, a letter about what’s going on, a COVID-19 sign, newspaper clippings or even a mask! Write a date on it and put it away not to be opened until then.