For many of us, life feels like one huge juggling act - and with homeschooling on hold for half-term, we've pulled together some fun activities to keep the little ones occupied and give you a well-deserved break.

Become a pen pal

Revive the art of letter writing by encouraging your kids to write to their friends and relatives. Not only is it a lovely way to keep in touch during lockdown, but they can also practise their handwriting and spelling. You could pop them through the letterboxes of local friends and family on your daily walk, or post further afield. Lolsurpise.com have launched their BFF Pen Pal campaign to help combat feelings of separation during the pandemic, and you can download free postcard templates via their website. They also share activity content, which can be found on Facebook or Pinterest via #BBsBoredomBusters, to help you get through each day.

Go wild!

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has put together a host of resources to help keep kids entertained in lockdown. From activity sheets to tutorials and even wildlife yoga, check it all out here. You can also tune into YouTube channel WildlifeWatchUK, where you’ll find a new video every Wednesday at 10am covering topics like how to plant vegetables or become a garden scientist.

Start a disco!

Dancing is still fun, even if it’s just around the living room. Help your kids set up a virtual disco with their mates by taking it in turns to create a playlist with music they already own, then set a time for the party and have it on in the background while on a video call. Just remember to mute the other callers so they can hear the music and watch everyone throw some shapes.

Make Play-doh

Save money by making your own playdough. Knead together 8tbsp plain flour, 2tbsp salt and 60ml of warm water, plus 1tbsp of vegetable oil and two drops of food colouring. Store in zip-lock bags for up to three months.

Try modelling

Model maker Jim Parkyn, creator of Plasticine favourites such as Shaun The Sheep and Morph, runs tutorials on how to make your own characters – including a tiger and a tortoise – on his YouTube channel. Older kids with an artistic streak will love having a go themselves. Type Jim Parkyn into YouTube for more.

Take a virtual trip

While day trips are cancelled, older kids can still enjoy exploring some of the top attractions in the UK thanks to virtual tours. You can look around Buckingham Palace and take a peek around the Natural History Museum. You can even enjoy the stunning landscape of the Lake District thanks to webcams set up in certain beauty spots.

Get them moving

It’s not just Joe Wicks smashing those PE classes for kids. Andy’s Wild Workouts on YouTube and BBC iPlayer will take your little ones on an adventure as he travels the world to far-flung places and learns to move like the animals he meets on safari. Similarly, Cosmic Kids Yoga makes yoga fun with animated instructors and lively themes. Budding ballerinas will also love The Ballet Coach classes on YouTube. Instructor Sarah Du-Feu offers ballet classes regardless of age or experience and she regularly live streams, too. And of course, Joe Wicks is limbering up live three times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, at 9am), and even gets dressed up in novelty costumes on Fridays to encourage kids to get moving.

Create an obstacle course challenge

This activity is guaranteed to relieve the tedium. Create DIY circuits in your living room using toys as activity stations – older kids can enjoy things like skipping with a rope on the spot, while little ones can crawl through tunnels, jump on the spot and build a tall tower from toy bricks. Time their efforts and see if they can beat their own score. You could even make your own obstacle course using string, criss -crossed from one wall to another, leaving small gaps for the kids to climb through.

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Be mindful

Girlguiding has released a series of resources to help children feel calmer and more resilient. The activities – from mindfulness and meditation to positive thinking – are available here.

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Help teens take on a new skill

For bored older kids, these fun courses will spark their imagination and keep them occupied while their social life is on hold

Build a website

Code Academy offers free online classes, perfect for those wanting to learn basic computer programming skills or start a blog. Visit Codeacademy.com.

Start a podcast

Podcast.co has a downloadable guide to producing your own podcast. If your teen decides to record and distribute their podcast, they’ll need an account (£23/ month) but the guides are free.

Master the guitar

This free, four-week course from Berklee College of Music uses basic theory to help your teen learn to play an acoustic or electrical guitar. Find out more here.

Learn to bake

For those with an interest in baking, pastry chef Maria Mayerhofer has a host of tutorials for cakes, pastry and bread on her Instagram page @bakewithmaria and her YouTube channel.

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