Keeping children entertained and engaged during lockdown isn't easy. But luckily there is a bunch of online resources that are not only fun but educational too! We shared some of our favourites with you below.

PE with Joe Wicks 

The Body Coach, Joe Wicks, has become the nation's PE teacher and is hosting 30 minute live workouts each day that all the family - yes that means you too - can get involved in.

The live PE sessions begin at 9:00 am sharp every weekday but if you miss it, or want a lie-in, you can find all the previous classes on YouTube. 

Maths Factor with Carol Vorderman

Former Countdown queen Carol Vorderman has made her online maths school free during the school closures giving children aged 4-11 the opportunity to build their confidence with maths.

The course covers a total of 32 topics and children progress by completing daily sessions. Each session starts with a lively video tutorial by Carol, followed by a fun warm-up and then a practice.

Drawing with Disney

Give your at-home art lesson a Disney twist and learn, from the animators themselves, how to draw some of your favourite Disney characters.

You can draw up to 42 different characters including Olaf, Genie, Simba and the main man himself Mickey Mouse. All you need is a pencil (or pen) and some paper! 

Storytime with David Walliams 

Every morning at 11:00 David Walliams will be releasing a new audio story every day for the next 3 days, completely free of charge.

The stories will be taken from his short story book The World's Worst Children and will be available for 24 hours after release, so make sure that you don't miss out!

Zoo webcams

Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, Dublin Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo and even Sandiego Zoo (yes you can watch animals all over the world) all have webcams that allow you to watch what the animals are getting up to.

Chester Zoo has more than 50 activities you can access online - on all things animals, science and conservation.

Music Klass

Former Hear'Say singer Mylene Klass has launched online music lessons to keep the nation's children entertained. 

Classes for children take place on Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 am and there is also a lullaby session on Wednesday evenings where the talented star will serenade us all by taking requests, this week's theme is Disney. 

Kids Cook with Theo

The school day might have ended but that doesn't mean the lessons have too! Chef Theo A. Michaels is hosting some kid-friendly online cooking classes live on Mondays and Wednesday at 4 pm. 

The ingredients are posted on his website in advance (though few are required) so that you can be prepared and it provides both a fun and practical way of keeping the kids entertained for an hour. 

We hope that you find this useful and that your children (and you!) have some fun with them. Either way, we’d love to hear all about it in Operation Smile.