Life under lockdown means youngsters are bound to lose out on weeks of schooling.

While parents do their best to juggle education, entertainment and working from home, it's worth remembering that you have life skills you can teach them that they'd never be taught in a classroom.

Here's our list of life skills to learn under lockdown:

1) Cookery. OK so there's still some form of home economics or whatever they call it these days on the national curriculum. But one lesson a week for a few years in senior school is not going to make you a gourmet chef. If you can get the ingredients, use this time inside to teach your offspring to cook and bake at the right level for their age. It could pay off for you in future. Think breakfast in bed on a Sunday or tea cooked for you when you get home from work. Life under lockdown provides a great opportunity to hone those cooking skills and collectively whip up a tasty family meal. For young children, weighing ingredients and following a recipe can also help develop their numeracy skills. We all deserve a treat or two in uncertain times, so now could be the time to channel your inner Masterchef.

2) Household chores. Have you ever heard a friend moan that their other half never helps around the house? That they wouldn't know how to boil an egg or where the washing machine was? There may be an element of laziness or disinterest, but many have always relied on their mum or another carer to wait on them, do their laundry and cook their dinner. Stop trying to juggle everything yourself and pass the odd chore onto your little ones or set up a family rota for things like laying the table, doing the washing up or tidying their bedroom. Someone will thank you for it one day.

3) DIY. You know those maddening people who can upcycle an old piece of charity shop furniture so it looks stunning, knock up a cabinet or fix any problem that arises around the house in a matter of moments? Most of them were taught by their parents. Start small and get your kids involved in any tasks you are currently undertaking while at home. I'm thinking putting shelves up or finally getting round to building that IKEA furniture that's been sat around for months. I've even heard of one parent who has created a cabinet for one child's new Lego creations.

4) Car maintenance. Pumping up a tyre. Checking the oil. Examining seat belts. Doing your own simple car maintenance checks can not only stop you breaking down, but keep you safe on the road. Empower your youngsters with this ability even if they're a way off passing their test just yet. It's a chance to stand on your drive in the fresh air for half an hour if nothing else.

5) Ride a bike. A surprisingly large number of children are not able to ride a bike. While it's not an essential life skill, cycling is great for fitness, balance and enjoying the great outdoors. So use your lockdown wisely, get those stabilisers off and give your child freedom (eventually.)