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Written by Daniel Sherwin for his blog, Dad Solo.
When winter rolls around, it can be difficult to find good days to get the kids outside for playtime.
Extreme cold and wet conditions don’t make for the best outdoors-time, and it can be hard on everyone when kids get bored, creating stress for mom or dad and the potential for bickering and fighting.
Fortunately, if you have access to a computer, you have access to a wealth of fun and educational activities your child can take advantage of when going outside is impossible. There are tons of sites these days that offer classes, tutorials, games, and videos aimed at kids, and the best part is, many of them are learning disguised as fun, so your child will take something away from his time on the computer.
When craft time and movie time have worn out their welcome on cold, snowy days, turn to these sites to help your child make the most of the Internet.
Sneak in some school
It can be like pulling teeth to get your kids to do anything learning-related outside of school, but what if there was a way to make a subject like mathematics fun? There are several sites that can help your child learn real-world math–including design and construction–and keep them entertained at the same time. Check out this guide, which lists several online resources according to grade level.
For younger ones
Keeping younger children entertained during a long winter break can be especially hard, since their attention spans tend to be a bit shorter. One of the best ways to help them break the boredom (and learn a few things along the way) is to find a great site aimed specifically at meeting the learning needs of a toddler or preschooler. PBSKids.org is a wonderful example; chock full of games and videos, this site will leave your child wanting more.
Help them learn more about the world around them
It can be stressful to try and explain the world’s events to a child–especially if you are a single parent who’s trying to tackle everything at once–but Timeforkids.com can help. Aimed at a younger audience, this offshoot of Time Magazine informs kids about politics, sports, entertainment, and the environment in a way they can understand.
Get them involved
You can find some great tools online to help your child stay entertained and creative during the winter, such as art supplies, building blocks, and toys that encourage hands-on experiments through play. Check out this article for some examples and stock up on the items you’ll need when the kids are stuck at home this year.
Take them outside…virtually
Being stuck inside the house doesn’t mean your child can’t escape now and then. With the power of technology, it’s easier than ever to take a tour of an art museum, or to visit exotic animals at the zoo. Check out this list of websites designed to help your child explore the world with just the touch of a button.
It can be overwhelming as a parent–especially a single parent–to try and educate your kids in a positive way and keep them interested in learning. However, with a little help from the Internet, you can ensure that your child will want to broaden his horizons as much as possible.
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