How to keep cooped up children busy without spending money amid the COVID-19 outbreak

Family finances should take a front seat right now and parents have no shortage of ways to entertain their children for little or no money. Here is a few things parents should consider.

• Cracks appear in our perfect lives
• Future-proof your home loan

Parents are facing fresh financial challenges from millions of children staying at home and looking for things to do.

Households across Australia are either on school holidays or remote schooling, and while some families have saved money by cancelling trips, others are dealing with reduced income and a need to keep young minds and bodies active.

Budgeting and finance specialists say there are plenty of free or cheap options for parents willing to think creatively.

Rise High Financial Solutions director Marissa Schulze said most children today were used to having sports and other activities after school.

Marissa Schulze says parents should make sure they have suspended payments on all children’s activities put on hold during the COVID-19 outbreak. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“Make sure you have suspended payments on all activities the kids are no longer doing,” she said.

“Be prepared not all expenses will go down.

“More time at home for the family might result in higher usage of water, gas and electricity, internet and you may see a spike in your bills so it’s important to save where you can in anticipation of these bills.”

CULTURE FIX

Museums, zoos and other public spaces are closed but Ms Schulze said there were many free resources online to inspire curiosity.

“Many museums have free online tours including The Louvre, The Vatican, British Museum, London, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and NASA,” she said.

“CodeCamp is offering free online coding resources teaching children how to build their own computer games – visit www.codecampworld.com.”

MOVIE TIME

Some entertainment streaming services have been generous.

For example, Foxtel is offering free movies until June 30 for its sports subscribers.

Research group Canstar Blue says many streaming services – including Disney+, Kayo and Apple TV+ – offer free trials to customers, but warns Netflix recently ditched its free one-month trial in Australia.

OLD-SCHOOL GAMING

MyBudget director Tammy Barton said parents could bring out old board games which had been pushed to the back of cupboards.

Think about Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly and Scrabble, she said.

My Budget’s Tammy Barton says getting outside is the best activity. Picture: Dean Martin

“I’ve recently taught Ellie, our five-year-old daughter, how to play Uno and she is now hooked,” she said.

“It’s also a great way to get her comfortable with her numbers and colours.”

FAMILY FITNESS

Ms Barton said keeping kids inside all day was not good for their – or their parents’ – physical and mental health.

“Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is the best activity going around and it’s free,” she said.

PLAYTIME

Arts and crafts were fun and often free, Ms Barton said, as was baking and pretend play.

“Building castles and fortresses out of sheets and furniture is great fun,” she said.

All members of a family should try to keep in contact with their social networks through regular video chats or even weekend virtual dinners or drinks.

Ms Schulze suggested organising Zoom catch-ups with extended family and friends “so they still feel connected”.

Originally published as How to keep cooped up children busy without spending money amid the COVID-19 outbreak