School holidays are usually filled with play dates, craft and a host of great live entertainment to entertain and engage our kids.

But not these holidays as we stay at home and isolate.

If you’ve been home-schooling for the last month, craft-fatigue may have already set in and you may be dreading the idea of having to come up with new ways to engage the kids.

But don’t crawl into the foetal position and let the iPads take control just yet. There are still ways you can be protected from the other pandemic that can surface during school holidays – ‘hunger-boredom’.

Here’s five alternate entertainment ideas to keep the kids occupied – whether your holidays have just kicked in, or you’re already back to ‘home’ school and running out of ideas.

1. Virtual Dance Party

Dust off the glow sticks and clear the LEGO from the mat, it’s time to hit the dance floor. Take the kids on a journey through your own musical past and remix a playlist that is sure to get them moving.

It’s high-energy fun. Show the kids your dance moves (sprinkler or shopping trolley?) and get them to invent some of their own.

Need some inspiration? Check out this great ‘Kitchen Disco’ from Sophie Ellis-Bextor

2. Family Olympics

Tokyo 2020 may be postponed but the games can still go on… from your living room.

Create a competition schedule, pick a team name or country and set out a range of challenges and a points system across a few days.

From time trials of unpacking the dishwasher, jumping routines on the trampoline, target practice with Nerf guns or the ultimate UNO finals. Anything around the home can lead to a new champion being crowned.

And don’t forget the opening ceremony and medals (a way to add a little bit of an arts and crafts element). You can also get everyone to choose their own ‘anthem’ to celebrate victory.

It’s Dad v Mum, brother v sister in the #stayathomelympics

3. Egg Hunt 2.0

Let’s face it, we overbought on the chocolate front this year. I’m sure it was a coping mechanism, a “staple” you didn’t want to miss out on.

So the upside? There’s plenty of eggs leftover and a chance to make the kids earn their daily chocolate hit.

Create a new egg hunt every day. Outside, inside, try every room in the house.

Down to your last egg? Get the kids to hide it somewhere and draw a map for you to find it.

4. Cloud Dough

I refuse to allow painting at home and glitter is banned from the craft supplies.

But I’ve been able to relax my irrational fear of mess with cloud dough.

It’s quick and easy make with just 2 simple ingredients: 1-part conditioner to 2-parts corn starch (add food colouring too if you

Choose a cheap fruit flavoured conditioner and the smell is amazing.

It moulds just like Play-Doh for hours (!?) of fun. Check it out here

5. Virtual Excursions

Ok, so if you must pick up the iPad at some stage, why not take the kids on a virtual excursion and experience another part of the world, a museum or a zoo.

There are so many live streams and virtual tours set up to transport you to some exciting places all over the world.

Check these out:

Google Virtual Tours – step inside world-class museums and tour some famous sites and landmarks.

The Great Wall of China – explore one of the most impressive ancient structures in the world.

The Louvre in Paris – visit the museum’s exhibition rooms and galleries.

The San Diego Zoo – a website just for kids where you can see what the animals are up to.

Yellowstone National Park – Go off-track and lose yourself.

Access Mars – head into space and explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover.