The UK was put into lockdown on Monday by Boris Johnson, but a host of celebrities have been offering their virtual help to keep kids entertained while everyone is urged to stay in their homes.
From audio stories to at-home PE classes, these stars are providing activities to keep kids from getting bored over the course of the next few weeks.
Joe Wicks – PE classes
Joe Wicks has appointed himself the PE teacher of the nation and is running daily virtual workouts at 9am Monday to Friday on his YouTube channel.
In order to help keep kids fit and healthy while schools are closed for the foreseeable future, the free online exercise classes are running every weekday with simplified workouts which are appropriate for children of all ages.
Bear Grylls – The Great Indoors activities
Bear Grylls might be the king of the outdoors, but he also knows a thing or two about challenges which can be done in the confines of the house, too.
Bear has teamed up with the Scouts to create 100 indoor activities to ward off boredom while kids are stuck indoors for most of the day.
The Great Indoors will be a weekly live video feed and activities include making lolly-stick catapults, origami and designing and making hot-air balloons and all activities can be done in the house or garden.
David Walliams – free audio stories
David Walliams will be providing daily free audio stories from his collection of children’s books in order to keep kids entertained.
The comedian and Britain’s Got Talent judge will share one story each day at 11am, beginning with The Terrible Triplets from his The World’s Worst Children book.
Myleene Klass – Music lessons and lullabies
As well as being a member of Hear’Say, Myleene Klass is also a classically trained musician, and she has been providing virtual music lessons for kids in lockdown.
Monday mornings at 10am is an interactive class where kids can play along with a pan and wooden spoon, Wednesdays at 6.30pm she will play a Disney-themed lullaby for babies, and Friday at 10am is Music Klass.
Children don’t need to have their own instrument to be able to participate, though there are interactive elements with items from around the house.
Carol Vorderman – The Maths Factor
Former Countdown star Carol is putting her mathematical prowess to good use and stepping in as maths teacher while children are off school.
Her online maths programme, The Maths Factor, has waived its usual £2 a week fees to provide free tuition to children of school age while the schools are closed.
Oti Mabuse – Dance classes
Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse is hosting free online dance classes for children and adults alike, to make sure people are still moving despite being in lockdown.
She and Marius Lepure have been sharing videos on her YouTube channel teaching routines to Strictly-inspired dances to help fans learn a new skill while they are at home.
The kids’ class airs at 11.30am while the adult version is at 7.30pm, so parents and their children can both enjoy learning to dance while staying in.
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