J.K. Rowling has launched a brand-new online Harry Potter universe

Talk about great timing!

If you are starting to reach the end of your sanity – and your ability to stay cooped up at home – know that J.K. Rowling has just come to our collective rescue. The author took to Twitter this week to announce a brand-new Harry Potter online universe called Harry Potter at Home, and honestly, can you even think of a more perfect timing for such a thing?!

Parents, teachers and carers working to keep children amused and interested while we’re on lockdown might need a bit of magic, so I’m delighted to launch https://t.co/cPg0dZpexB pic.twitter.com/i0ZjTplVoU

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1, 2020

The site is described as:

"A free online collection of child-friendly activities, videos, puzzles, illustrations, quizzes, creative ideas, articles and much more, that will help you bring the magic of the wizarding world into your home at this difficult time. "The Harry Potter At Home hub aims to help inspire you, your family, your friends, and especially children all around the world to read for pleasure and enjoy the stories, as well as bring some magic-infused joy and entertainment to all the family. But the hub is also a place for those of you who have loved Harry Potter for decades: a place for you to feel the warmth of the fire in the Gryffindor common room or a much-needed hug from Mrs. Weasley.” "I don't know about you, but I have some Harry Potter obsessed kids in my house who will be very excited to hear about this. "So take a minute to put on the virtual sorting hat, learn how to draw a Niffer, look up some spells, do a HP-themed word search . . . the site promises hours of fun for any HP fan".

While it does say child-friendly, everyone knows that Harry Potter is for both young and old as the Hogwarts tales transcend time. Whether you want to share it with your kids/nieces/nephews or just enjoy it as the Harry obsessed fan you are, it's sure to prove a welcome distraction. And if you are feeling a little stressed and frightened these days – I think we all are – take a moment to remember Dumbledore’s sage advice: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”