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How to enjoy the Easter break in lockdown


By Features Reporter

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Keeping children occupied during the Easter holidays is difficult enough and that's with a plethora of egg hunts and family fun days – not to mention access to leisure facilities, playgrounds and soft play centres.

Parents now face an even bigger challenge thanks to the Covid-19 lockdown but there is help at hand thanks to modern technology. Here are five online options to beat the boredom.

Online story time will help break the boredom
Online story time will help break the boredom

Story time

If you search live story time in Facebook or in Google you will find people stuck at home with little ones that have started to stream live videos of themselves reading classic children's book and modern day favourites such as Judith Kerr's The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Julia Donaldson's Room on the Broom.

Big name authors are also getting in on the act, such as David Walliams who recently announced he will be releasing a free audio story from his The World's Worst Children series, every day for 30 days. To access them, go to www.worldofdavidwalliams.com

No need to miss out on the latest family movies
No need to miss out on the latest family movies

Family films

The cinemas may be closed but Universal Studios has announced it will be releasing new movies that were destined for the theatres online through popular on-demand services such as Amazon and Sky instead. This includes Dreamworks Trolls World Tour, which will be available on demand from April 6.

Meanwhile, Disney+ is offering a free seven-day trial, which includes access to Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars films as well as Walt's classic catalogue of family favourites. Go to www.disneyplus.com for details.

Keep them active with online dance and fitness classes
Keep them active with online dance and fitness classes

Active fun

Youngsters may not be able to enjoy bouncy castles at Easter fun days or clambering through ball pits at the local soft play centre at the moment, but that doesn't mean they can't have some active fun.

Search local gym providers and dance workshops on social media as many of them have started live online routines geared towards getting your little ones moving. Big names in dance and fitness are also taking part.

For example, BBC's Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse is streaming free daily dance classes for kids while Joe Wicks, known as the Body Coach, is broadcasting live PE sessions for children – although adults can take part too!

Enjoy family day outs from your sofa
Enjoy family day outs from your sofa

Day trips

Family days out may be out of the question due to the lockdown but only in the physically sense. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology it is possible to enjoy a trip to the zoo or museum from the comfort of your sofa.

For example, you can see what the pandas are up to at Edinburgh Zoo (www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams) or go for a virtual walk around the ruins of Urquhart Castle at www.doorsopendays.org.uk

The world is your oyster at artsandculture.google.com, where you can take tours of internationally renowned museums such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York, or enjoy street views of famous landmarks such as the Taj Mahal. You can even explore the surface of Mars at accessmars.withgoogle.com!

Join the rainbow movement
Join the rainbow movement

Follow the rainbow

Children all across the UK are taking part in #RainbowTrail – a social media movement that involves putting handmade pictures of rainbows in their window at home to cheer people up during this time of isolation. It is a way of reminding everyone that the rain won't last forever and the sun will shine again.

I'm sure your little one will love to have their artwork on display to the neighbours. It's also great for older children who are more aware of what is going on at the moment, to have something positive they can do for the community while staying safe indoors.


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