Millions of parents have spent more time with their children than ever before over the past few months, as the COVID-19 lockdown has shut down most schools, daycares, and businesses, ensuring that most people are confined to their homes for most of the day. For those with teenagers or college-aged children, this isn't particularly too much of an issue, but for parents raising young children this is a serious stressor that prevents them from working from home. In many instances, parents are happy to spend more time with their kids but are simply unsure of how to keep them entertained day in, day out.

Here's a list of ideas to keep your kids entertained in lockdown, and what common mistakes you should avoid if you want to keep them safe during the pandemic.

There are still some safe outdoor activities

Most people are spending the bulk of their days indoors, as the continued spread of COVID-19 can only be mitigated with social distancing efforts that prevent most of us from going out whenever we feel like it. While this is great for saving lives, it's led to cabin fever for countless individuals, and parents with young children are finding it impossible to keep their little ones cooped up inside all day. Luckily, some safe outdoor activities can be relied upon to ensure you and your children get a daily dose of sunshine in a safe and enjoyable fashion.

Of all the things to do with kids right now, going camping is highly recommended. Camping over the weekend will allow you and your children alike to get some much-needed sunshine and fresh air. It's also a fantastic bonding experience that's also quite affordable, as good camping gear can usually be found at an affordable rate online or in what few local stores remain open right now. Camping keeps you physically active, will help introduce your children to the great outdoors, and is proven to be fantastic for your mental health. You can get some firewood for sale delivered and light a campfire. That last part is particularly important right now, as spending all day indoors and away from your friends can be a serious mental drain for children and adults alike.

Keeping kids entertained necessitates embarking upon creative endeavors that let them express themselves. This is difficult to do without spending money on arts and crafts, though, and often demands much of the parents' very limited time. If you're working from home, you simply may not be able to dedicate that much time with your children on a daily basis without suffering financially. You should thus review how to safely introduce your kids to the internet, as those who are at the right age can keep themselves entertained for hours online, but only if you steer them away from the dangers of the internet.

Finally, consider teaching your kids the basics of meal preparation, as this will help them contribute to the family in a cost-effective way that also ends up saving parents time. You can't have your young children boiling water or cutting things with sharp knives in many cases, but you can always have them help in the kitchen in a variety of other ways. Keep your spirits up, and soon you and your children will emerge from the lockdown with a better relationship than ever.