We all know how terrible it can be if you’ve had a bad night’s sleep. You’re groggy, more irritable, and it can be hard to focus. New parents know all about the torture of limited shut-eye, but sometimes this issue can carry on well past the infant stage.

From investigating the curious culprit of a seriously stinky smell to figuring out who stole an antique violin, we’ve got mysteries that will keep your kids on their toes. While they’re entrenched in each entertaining case, your mini gumshoes will also be learning skills like deductive reasoning, profiling and more! These handpicked episodes will spark your little sleuth’s curiosity and foster their creative problem solving skills. We hope you enjoy these awesome whodunits!

f you’ve ever seen your kiddo crumple up a piece of home-work because they didn’t get an answer exactly right, or if they’re too nervous to do something in case they don’t nail it, they might be struggling with perfectionism. It can be worrying to see your kids be self-critical or scared of making mistakes, but the good news is, they can learn to be more flexible and resilient when things go wrong. Appreciating the benefit of mistakes and being willing to try new things is a crucial part of leading a healthy life.

Experiencing the impact of the pandemic has made it clear how much kindness can do wonders in times of crisis, and how it can bring everyone closer together. Kindness can be taught, and having positive role models is the first step. We’ve hand-selected four episodes to help your kids focus on what really matters, and learn to value the heart-warming feeling of being kind to others.

Dealing with the impact of a global pandemic has caused strain for everyone in a variety of ways. Most of us are tackling upended routines, some are facing financial uncertainty, and many people are coping with the painful loss of loved ones. As parents, it can be tough to maintain a sense of calm during this ‘new normal’, so it’s unsurprising that many kids may be struggling with feeling unsettled. With everything that’s going on, our kids may need extra reassurance that things will eventually get better.

When we make an effort to understand others, we strengthen our relationships and improve the bond we have with our community. When we empathize with others, we try to see a situation from their perspective and imagine what we’d feel if we were them. This is such a crucial part of human communication, and can help to remove negativity from our daily experiences. Especially in times like these, empathy can change lives for the better. And the good news is, humans aren’t born with a fixed amount of empathy. It’s a teachable skill we can nurture and grow! We spoke to Miranda McKearney of Empathy Lab to learn 5 ways to develop empathy in kids.

Even with zoos and aquariums closed, and access to outside nature fairly limited, your kids can still learn about a variety of exciting animals. These awesome videos and games are the pick of the litter! Your little explorers will enjoy investigating different habitats around the world and getting to know creatures big and small. From real-life nature footage to animated hip-hop rap tunes, we’ve got something for every animal lover.

If you’re struggling to get your kids interested in maths, we’ve got the solution. Kids will be inspired by the magic of maths, from finding out the most powerful number in the universe, to learning how to find the height of something tall like a tree or a basketball net, without using a ladder! If learning how to intercept a secret message by decrypting an ancient cipher box sounds cool, your kids are in for a treat with these mathemagical activities!

With lockdown lifted slightly, we’re able to get out and about more regularly, which is great! But many parents will still be tackling teaching kids at home whilst juggling work. If you can’t or don’t have time to get outside and garden, don’t worry – there are plenty of projects you can do at home with your little growers. We spoke to landscape designer Natasha Hopkinson and landscape architect Lesley Perez to get tips on how to bring gardening indoors. Here are 5 awesome projects you can do with your kids, and the best part is – they definitely count as lessons in ecology and life sciences!

At this point in lockdown, many of us are feeling the strain of emotional exhaustion. We may be struggling with feelings of powerlessness and uncertainty, and the disruption to our normal routines and being cooped up inside may at times feel overwhelming. As parents, this situation may make us feel like commanding killjoys as we constantly tell our kids to wash their hands, forbid them from touching anything outside, and insist they don’t enjoy the playground or see their friends. Such drastic life changes may also worsen or trigger anxieties kids were already struggling with, which may add to parents’ concerns about their children’s wellbeing.

It can be tough for parents to know how much about the pandemic to share with their kids. While it may be tempting to shield little ones from distressing news about the coronavirus, it’s essential that we give them the information they need to be safe. Experts note that having a clear understanding of what’s going on can help kids feel less anxious. Here are 3 lovely e-books that will soothe nervous kids and help them understand current events without feeling overwhelmed.

Adjusting to our new normal in lockdown has meant a huge shift in our usual online routines. With kids’ education existing almost entirely online, and in-person playdates replaced by virtual ones, families are now spending the majority of their time on devices. Busy parents are finding it increasingly difficult to monitor their kids’ activity online, especially when juggling work of their own. With kids on tech so much during lockdown, online safety is more important now than ever before. We spoke to Kate Jones of ChildNet International to learn the best ways to keep kids safe online.

A very important part of education includes social and emotional learning, and these skills are crucial for children to become successful both academically and socially. Leading by example is a great way to encourage emotional intelligence, which is why we hand-selected the following shows. These characters role model behaviours that you’ll want your kids to reflect. In addition to teaching through your own actions as parents, these 5 series provide extra nourishment for your kids’ hearts and minds. Plus, we have one super fun activity to help kids recognise feelings in an active and creative way.

No more football practice. Dance class is cancelled. The gym is closed. Without regular routines to let off steam, your whole family may be feeling pent up. Only getting out of the house once a day is probably not enough to burn off your kids’ energy, and it may be impacting their behaviour. It’s important to get moving and stay active regularly, for everyone’s well being. If you’re wondering how to do that when you’re stuck at home, we’ve got you covered. Here are five fun ideas on how to stay fit indoors and actually enjoy it!

Extra time at home means more time to play! We’re all about finding the silver linings in this situation, and we’ve got some fun ideas on how you can bond with your kiddos during lock down. Get ready to go head-to-head with your mini masterminds and try out these challenging games that will remind you of your own childhood. We’ve also got an awesome show that teaches your little ones all about science through easy-to-do crafts that are sure to be a hit with even the toughest kid critics… After all, what kid doesn’t want to make edible poop?

We’ve been in lockdown for several weeks, and you’re probably no stranger to family tension by now. If you’re feeling less than chilled, you’ll be relieved to know that there are effective ways to manage meltdowns (for both you and your kids). Following on from our recent blog post on brain function, we spoke with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Hazel Harrison, who shared useful strategies on how to stay calm, even during a crisis.

As parents, we’re all tackling the pressures of lockdown, and our kids are certainly feeling increased tensions too. Trying to handle big emotions can be tough for kids, but understanding the science behind our behaviour can help. Knowledge is power, and an awareness of what’s going on inside our bodies can give kids a sense of autonomy.

Lockdown. A word that wasn’t on our communal radar until recently, but has turned our world upside down. The days may feel really long when you’re stuck at home, but there’s a silver lining. This could be a great opportunity to bond with your kids! We’ve got three awesome crafts that the whole family can enjoy, and we promise none of them involve glitter (because the only way to get rid of that stuff is to actually move house, which isn’t happening any time soon).

The thrill of adventure is bursting through every minute of this week’s home learning guide. We’ve got three amazing shows and one challenging game that’ll have your kids on the edge of their seats as they go along for the ride! From racing around the wilderness to battling villains and discovering treasure, the surprises are nonstop and the learning is as exciting as the adventures!