Screen time and schedules: Parents share exactly how they're keeping their kids occupied at home.

If you’re a parent or the carer of children, our thoughts are with you.

Why? Because amid COVID-19 isolation news, schools closing in some states, and now school holidays, you are the ones faced with a new normal that involves entertaining kids in isolation all day, every day. Or the even more difficult task of entertaining said kids while also working from home.

WATCH: All your COVID-19 questions, answered. Post continues after video.

It’s a daunting idea – just thinking about it makes you laugh and cry and want to stay under the doona until it’s all over.

Thankfully, we’re here to help with great ideas. Well, we’re here to surface other people’s great ideas.

Like former Cosmopolitan Beauty Director and Cosmo Bride Editor, Alexis Teasdale, who has made a series of epic kids activity sheets you can download and print off for free from her Lady Startup website, The Festive Co. Not only do they look bloody cute, but they will keep kids entertained indoors and outdoors for hours.

 

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So guys, I’ve whipped up some kids activity sheets online cos HOLY SHEETS I may need to entertain the kiddos for longer than expected and I’m guessing you might too. I’ve added them to the FREEBIES section and I’m going to keep them coming. We’ve got this ????????

A post shared by COPY ★ CREATIVE ★ EVENT DESIGN (@thefestiveco) on Mar 18, 2020 at 2:55pm PDT

 

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Hey pals, everyone doing ok? I added a new printable to @thefestiveco so you can make lucky dip activity jars for the kids at home. Hope it helps keep the little people busy enough that you can make a coffee and send that email. Or watch an ep of CHEER. *link in profile* #wereallinthistogether #thefestiveco #jerrysmattalk #iswhatineedrightnow

A post shared by Alexis Teasdale (@alexisteasdale) on Mar 23, 2020 at 3:54pm PDT

 

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So I know how epic it’s going to be for a lot of families who are working from home with kids there too. School holidays are coming for who knows how long and with self isolating in the mix, we need to get clever to keep little minds busy and big minds calm. I’ve added some activity sheets to @thefestiveco site like this one (and an indoor version) with lots more to come. Let’s share ideas, share the love and share the load, even if it’s not IRL. Thinking of everyone right now ???? #thefestiveco #lexgetcrafty

A post shared by Alexis Teasdale (@alexisteasdale) on Mar 17, 2020 at 11:45pm PDT

Then, there’s the at-home school schedules that will give you a laugh. Mamamia’s Head of Content and podcast host Holly Wainwright posted her family’s first efforts of home schooling, dubbed ‘crap home school’, on Instagram.

Another mum shared her version on Facebook, which includes tasks like 'PE - run outside to put the rubbish and recycles out' and 'Science - how Fairy Liquid removes grease from pans'.

Comedian Dave Hughes also shared some of his family's education and fitness schedules, which have been drawn up by his eight-year-old daughter.

 

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8yo Sadie has already locked in her home schooling timetable. #lockdown

A post shared by Dave Hughes (@dhughesy) on Mar 21, 2020 at 11:27pm PDT

 

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8yo Sadie will have us prison fit real quick. #lockdown

A post shared by Dave Hughes (@dhughesy) on Mar 22, 2020 at 1:35am PDT

Now, onto more ideas parents are using to keep their kids occupied at home. From at-home 'school schedules' and board games, to YouTube and play dough, these should get you started.

1. "In our house, it's all about Netflix, board games, reading, making the kids walk on the treadmill, watching old DVD’s and lots of popcorn!"

2. "Teach them the card games you grew up with back when kids were much more regularly bored."

3. "If you're short on time and still want to maintain some sort of fitness routine, you can get your kids to do your workout with you. Or pop on a YouTube yoga video for them to try."

4. "Try to set up a schedule of some kind. There are some online you could tweak or make your own one to suit your family. It could help to have it on a whiteboard so the kids (depending on how old they are) can take some responsibility and see what they'll be doing that day."

Here's a few we've found online, including a more realistic one from writer Laura Jackel.

 

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In the interest of seeing so many creative and colourful ‘COVID-19 homeschool kids schedules’, for as and when schools close, I thought I’d do up my own colourful but somewhat more realistic version. You are welcome. ✨Stock up on the gin and chocolate now ya’ll, fuck knows we are going to need it ... ???????????????????????????????????????????? #godspeed #halp #motherhoodunplugged #parentingtruths #loveinthetimeofcovid19

A post shared by LAURA JACKEL (@lauracjackel) on Mar 15, 2020 at 6:52pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Daina R. (@stickynotesandglitter) on Mar 13, 2020 at 6:07pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Lindsay (@ohheyela) on Mar 13, 2020 at 9:37pm PDT

5. "If they're old enough, let them make TikTok videos by learning all the different TikTok dances."

6. "My current plan is - each day, I have five things I 'need' my kid to do: make something (cooking/craft/puzzles), draw something, read a book, play outside (playground or in front of building with scooter) and do his reading program. It’s tricky, and we do stretch out the TV time more than we used to, but this is helpful to give me a break."

7. "Open an at-home beauty salon with face masks, massages, nail polish, etc."

8. "Get your kids to make short films and/or dance routines. I remember spending hours and hours doing this as a kid."

9. "Listen to lots of podcasts and audio books."

Mamamia's That's Incredible podcast is great for entertaining kids, and you can do the activities afterwards too. Get it in your ears below. Post continues after audio.

10. "Heaps of worksheets out like crosswords, find-a-word and spot the difference."

11. "I involve them in as many cooking and cleaning activities as possible. My kids are toddlers, so this stuff is still fun for them."

12. "Here's some games I've come up with: bubble bath with a drop of food colouring, bubble bath where they can “wash” their plastic animals (extra points for being sanitary), musical statues, ring toss game and pin the tail on the donkey."

13. "Today we’ve had breakfast, gone for a bike ride dressed as a bee, and made hand stamps. I’m shattered and it’s only 10:30am. Crying sounds like a relaxing option right now."

14. "Follow Instagram accounts for inspiration of what the heck to do - @play_at_home_mummy and @busy toddler are good ones."

 

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A post shared by E M M A • Baby Play + Beyond (@play_at_home_mummy) on Mar 11, 2020 at 7:53pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Susie Allison | Busy Toddler (@busytoddler) on Mar 12, 2020 at 1:40pm PDT

15. "There are so many great YouTube videos for kids - some entertaining and some educational."

16. "Get them to clean the house top to bottom. There are also plenty of leaves to be raked up, kids."

17. "Stock up on all the craft supplies you can - feathers, cardboard, glue, play dough, textas. Everything."

18. "Make a cubby house or pillow fort out of sheets or couch cushions early in the day - that should provide a few hours of entertainment."

19. "Make a list of every single toy you have, then write each one on a piece of paper and do a 'toy of the day' lottery draw."

20. "Write a book together - they'll need to come up with a story, write it out and draw pictures to go along with it. An added bonus, you'll have something to keep to remember the lock down by."

21. "Do all the puzzles. Build all the Lego. Play all the board games."

22. "If they are old enough, get a big scoreboard and turn it into a day/week long competition with things like Uno, Mario Kart, board games and reading. Could even put chores on there too."

To all the parents out there. We see you. We are with you. Godspeed.

And please, share your ideas for how to keep kids entertained during COVID-19 below. Pictures, videos, words - we want all the inspiration we can get!

Feature image: Instagram - @alexisteasdale and @wainwrightholly.