ENTERTAIN your kids for free

Tour a virtual museum Whether it’s art or mathematics your child loves, there’s bound to be a virtual museum that piques their interest. For aspiring Van Goghs, send them on an online tour of the Tate Kids museum; for lovers of the written word, head over to roalddahl.com for creative activities and stories read by well-known celebrities; or for wannabe astronauts, do some virtual sightseeing around the NASA Glenn Research Center – they might even spot a rocket or two!

Walk through nature For exercise and stimulation for the senses, it doesn’t get much better than this. Turn your walk around your local park into a treasure hunt and get your child to write down how many types of flora and fauna they see.

Try out a science experiment Science isn’t just restricted to the equipment kids can only use in school. In fact, the CBeebies website has a whole host of easy experiments for young children to try, from parachute-making to creating fizzy lava lamps. Plus, they use items you already have in your home.

Bake to your heart’s content This one requires a little adult supervision to keep the kitchen in check, but it’s a great way to introduce children to some simple recipes. Start with easy-make pizzas or bake a dozen delicious cupcakes.