The Holiday Survival Kit
School is on holiday, but learning does not have to stop. You do not need expensive classes or a timetable packed from morning till night. Pick just one new skill this holiday. Thirty minutes a day is enough. We have gathered free and low-cost resources that work for families in Nigeria and around the world.
Each resource is tagged:
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Languages
Learning even a little of a new language builds memory, confidence and curiosity. All four of these are completely free.
Duolingo
Free, App and Browser, no sign-up required to try
The world's most popular free language app. Short, game-like lessons in 40+ languages including Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Yoruba and more. Works on any smartphone. Download once and use offline.
Loecsen
Free, Browser, no sign-up
Learn essential phrases in 40+ languages using audio flashcards. Completely free, no account needed. Great for total beginners who want to pick up everyday expressions fast.
Language Transfer
Free, Audio podcast and App
A completely free audio course that teaches you to think in a new language rather than just memorise words. Brilliant for Spanish, French, Arabic, Swahili and more. Works with low data. Download episodes and listen anywhere.
Storybooks Nigeria
Free, Browser, africanstorybook.org
Free illustrated children's stories with text and audio in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. Perfect for early readers and for preserving home languages. Works on mobile data.
Reading
Twenty minutes of reading every day during the holidays makes a measurable difference by September. These are all free.
Oxford Owl
Free, Browser, home.oxfordowl.co.uk
Oxford University Press's free ebook library for children aged 3 to 11. Hundreds of levelled reading books with audio support. Fully free, no subscription needed. Good on most mobile connections.
Storyline Online
Free, Video, storylineonline.net
Famous actors and celebrities read aloud from beloved children's picture books. Free to watch, no account needed. Pairs beautifully with a physical copy of the book if you have one.
Worldreader
Free, App and Browser, low data
A free ebook library built specifically for African families and low-data mobile use. Thousands of titles including books by African authors, in English and local languages. Download books for offline reading.
Geography
Knowing where you are in the world, and where other people are, is a skill that opens up everything else. No worksheets required.
The Google Maps Family Challenge
- →Find your house on the map. Then zoom out until you can see your entire city.
- →Locate a grandparent's house and work out the fastest walking route.
- →Find Lagos and Abuja. Which is further north? How many hours by road?
- →Plan a route to your nearest market or supermarket, step by step.
- →Switch to satellite view and find something surprising near your home.
🏡 No data needed once the map has loaded. Works on any smartphone with Google Maps installed.
Where in the World Card Game
- →Write the names of 20 countries on paper. Take turns placing them on a rough map sketch.
- →Name the capital city: Nigeria, Abuja. Ghana, Accra. France, Paris.
- →Point to a country on the map and describe it in three clues. Others guess.
- →Name five countries that border Nigeria. No looking it up.
- →For older children: match currencies to countries. Which country uses the Naira? The Cedi? The Pound?
🏡 Zero cost. Zero internet. Just paper, a pen and this list.
Money Skills
Schools do not teach this well enough, but you can. No apps, no purchases, no internet. Just real conversations, real coins and real life.
The N1,000 Shopping Challenge
Give your child N1,000 (or whatever feels right) and a shopping list of five items. They plan the route, compare prices, handle the money and come home with change. Real life, real maths.
💡 Debrief afterwards: Did they have enough? What would they do differently?
The Savings Jar System
Three jars or envelopes: Spend, Save, Give. Any money they receive (chores, gifts, pocket money) gets split between the three. Even a small amount teaches the habit. Label them together.
💡 After four weeks, count the Save jar together. What could they buy? Could they double it?
Read a Real Receipt
Take a supermarket receipt and go through it together. Which item cost the most? Which was the cheapest? What was the total? Could you have spent less? What would you cut first?
💡 For older children: calculate the percentage of the total spent on food vs. cleaning vs. drinks.
Make a Family Budget Together
Sit with your child and list your household's regular spending categories: food, transport, school fees, electricity. You don't have to share the actual amounts. Teach them that money has a plan.
💡 Ask: If our income dropped by half this month, what would we cut first? Their answers will surprise you.
Price Comparison Walk
Before your next market trip, pick three items (rice, tomatoes, soap) and check prices at two or three different stalls or shops. Record the prices and find the best deal.
💡 This is a life skill many adults never learned. Make it a habit, not a one-off.
The 30-Day Savings Goal
Help your child pick something small they want. Work out how many days of saving it will take. Make a simple chart on the wall: one square per day, colour it in when they save. Patience, discipline, reward.
💡 The goal doesn't have to be expensive. A favourite snack is enough to build the habit.
Nigerian History
Children who know their own history stand taller. These resources bring Nigerian and African stories to life in ways that textbooks never quite manage.
General Knowledge
Curious children become confident adults. These resources cover science, culture, nature, history and everyday brilliance, most of them completely free.
National Geographic Kids
Free, Browser, kids.nationalgeographic.com
Explore animals, science, history, geography and nature through stunning photos and videos. Articles are written for children and cover topics from space to the deep ocean. No account needed.
SciShow Kids
Free, YouTube, scishow kids
Short, fast-paced science videos that answer the questions children actually ask: why is the sky blue, how do bees make honey, what is gravity? Each video is under 5 minutes and brilliantly made.
FreeSchool
Free, YouTube, @freeschool
A huge library of educational videos covering history, science, nature, geography and more. Calm, clear narration and great visuals. A genuinely excellent free alternative to paid subscription learning apps.
TED-Ed
Free, Browser and YouTube, ed.ted.com
Beautifully animated short lessons on every subject imaginable: philosophy, history, biology, maths, language. Each lesson comes with a quiz and discussion questions. Ideal for curious children aged 10 and above.
Ubongo Kids
Free, YouTube, Pan-African STEM cartoon
A Pan-African animated series teaching STEM concepts through storytelling and song. Characters face real problems and solve them using maths, science and teamwork. One of the best African-made children's education channels available.
Akili and Me
Free, YouTube, early literacy ages 3 to 6
An early literacy and numeracy animated series designed for East and West African children aged 3 to 6. Songs, stories and games teach letters, numbers, shapes and colours in a joyful, culturally familiar setting.
SoKidzTV
Free, YouTube, songs in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa
Fun songs and videos that teach children words and phrases in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. A wonderful way to expose your children to Nigerian languages in a format they will enjoy without any formal teaching.
uLesson
Free tier available, App, Nigerian curriculum
A Nigerian edtech platform aligned to the Nigerian curriculum. Covers primary and secondary school subjects. Free tier available. Videos and lessons are WAEC, JAMB and NECO aligned. Works well on mobile data.
MySchool.ng
Free, Browser, CBT past-questions practice
A free platform for practising Computer Based Test past questions for WAEC, JAMB, NECO and common entrance exams. No subscription needed for the core question bank. Excellent exam preparation for older children.
Creativity
Drawing, making, composing and writing are not hobbies. They are how children process the world. None of these cost a thing.
Art for Kids Hub
Free, YouTube, @ArtforKidsHub
Step-by-step drawing tutorials for children of all ages. A father and his kids draw together in every video, making it feel warm and accessible. Covers everything from cartoon characters to animals and seasonal art.
Red Ted Art
Free, Browser, redtedart.com
Simple, creative craft projects using everyday materials you already have at home: paper, toilet rolls, old magazines, glue. Clear step-by-step instructions with photos. A brilliant rainy-day resource.
Chrome Music Lab
Free, Browser, no account needed
A free collection of musical experiments that run in any browser. Children can compose melodies, explore rhythm, see what sound looks like and play with harmonics. Beautifully simple and endlessly fascinating.
Pobble 365
Free, Browser, pobble365.com
A new creative writing prompt every single day of the year, presented as a thought-provoking photograph with questions to spark ideas. Perfect for children aged 6 to 14 who want to practise writing without a blank page.
Science
Science is not a school subject. It is a way of looking at the world. These two resources make it hands-on, visual and completely free.
NASA Space Place
Free, Browser, spaceplace.nasa.gov
NASA's official learning site for children. Games, articles and activities about space, Earth, the solar system and technology. Content is written for children and is genuinely accurate and up to date. No account needed.
Science Sparks
Free, Browser, sciencesparks.co.uk
Hundreds of simple science experiments children can do at home using everyday items: vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, food colouring and string. Each experiment explains the science in plain language. Perfect for ages 4 to 12.
Coding
Every child alive today will work alongside technology. These platforms teach coding through games and projects, not dry theory. All are free to start.
Scratch
Free, Browser, scratch.mit.edu
The world's most widely used coding platform for children. Drag-and-drop blocks let children build games, animations and interactive stories without typing. Created by MIT. Works in any browser, no download needed.
Code.org / Hour of Code
Free, Browser, code.org
Guided coding tutorials for complete beginners. The Hour of Code takes under an hour and teaches the basics of programming through puzzles, Minecraft-themed challenges and Frozen-themed games. Works on any device.
Blockly Games
Free, Browser, blockly.games
A series of educational games that teach programming concepts step by step. No experience needed. Children move from simple block puzzles to writing real JavaScript by the end of the series. Offline-friendly once loaded.
Tynker
Free tier, Browser and App, tynker.com
A structured coding curriculum for children aged 5 to 18. Covers Scratch-style blocks, Python and JavaScript. The free tier includes a solid number of lessons. Used in thousands of schools worldwide.
Khan Academy
Free, Browser, khanacademy.org
Free computer programming courses covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript and SQL. Lessons are structured, self-paced and include instant feedback. Works on any browser. One of the most trusted free learning platforms in the world.
Maths
Strong number sense is one of the highest-value skills you can build in a child during the holidays. These platforms make practice feel like play.
Topmarks
Free, Browser, topmarks.co.uk
A well-organised collection of free maths games and activities for children aged 3 to 14. Covers number bonds, times tables, fractions, mental maths and more. Filter by age and topic. Works on tablets and desktops.
Khan Academy
Free, Browser, khanacademy.org
Complete free maths courses from counting and addition all the way to calculus and statistics. Children can work at their own pace. Every lesson has videos, practice exercises and hints. Trusted by millions of families worldwide.
Khan Academy Kids
Free App, search on App Store or Google Play
The early years version of Khan Academy. Designed for children aged 2 to 8. Covers early maths, reading, social skills and creative play through games and animated characters. Completely free with no ads.
Speaking
The ability to speak clearly, confidently and persuasively will open more doors for your child than almost any academic qualification. Start now.
TED-Ed
Free, Browser and YouTube, ed.ted.com
Watch how the world's best communicators structure and deliver ideas. Use TED-Ed videos as models for your child to study: how do they open? How do they keep attention? What makes the ending memorable?
The Saturday Speech Challenge
Every Saturday, your child prepares and delivers a 3-minute speech to the family on any topic they choose. A favourite animal, why they deserve more screen time, what they would do if they were president. The topic does not matter. The habit does.
- →Give encouraging feedback only for the first month. Build confidence before you build technique.
- →Record it on your phone and play it back. Children are often surprised by how good they sound.
- →Gradually introduce a timer and the rule that they must fill the full three minutes.
- →After two months, introduce questions from the audience.
Life Skills, by Age
The holidays are the perfect time to build independence. These are not chores. They are transferable skills that will serve your child for the rest of their life.
Age 5 to 7
- ✓Make their own bed every morning
- ✓Fold and put away their own clothes
- ✓Learn both parents' phone numbers by heart
- ✓Wash fruit before eating it
- ✓Set and clear the table
- ✓Tidy their own room without being asked
Age 8 to 10
- ✓Sweep and mop a room properly
- ✓Cook a simple breakfast (eggs, toast, oats)
- ✓Wash and stack dishes
- ✓Budget their own pocket money across a month
- ✓Write a shopping list from a meal plan
- ✓Send a polite message or make a phone call on behalf of the family
Age 11 and above
- ✓Iron clothes safely without supervision
- ✓Use public transport to a familiar destination responsibly
- ✓Perform basic first aid (cuts, burns, choking)
- ✓Open a savings account with a parent and understand how it works
- ✓Cook a full meal for the family once a week
- ✓Read and understand a simple bill or receipt
Physical Skills
A fit body supports a sharp mind. Pick one physical challenge this holiday and commit to it. No gym membership needed.
Learn to swim at least 25 metres without stopping
Learn to ride a bicycle confidently
Try at least one martial art or self-defence class
Skip rope to 50 consecutive jumps
Play football for 30 minutes without stopping
Learn a traditional Nigerian dance or any dance style
Run 1 kilometre without walking
Follow a 10-minute stretching or yoga routine daily for two weeks
Loved the Kit? Take it with you.
Get the full printable Holiday Survival Kit as a PDF — free. Perfect for the fridge, the car, or screen-free afternoons.
📎 Note: iMumZone is not affiliated with or paid by any of the resources listed here. All links are shared freely because we genuinely believe they are helpful. Always supervise young children when using the internet and review any website before your child uses it unsupervised. Resources marked 🏡 work fully offline once the device is set up.
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