As someone mentioned, an Alexa speaker. You mentioned a young kid and Amazon Kids has some great audio games you can play. I’ve had a blast either playing along with my kiddo or just watching him. Plus you can connect them for use as an intercom.
Occasional outings and a change of scenery might be appreciated as time goes on.
Let me preface this by saying I agree with you and this action is absolutely repugnant. But as the mother to a kindergartener, $40 is absolutely doable. That money is to cover the breakfast and lunch they are missing from school 5 days a week. Breakfast would be a bowl of cereal or oatmeal and a piece of fruit. Lunch is PB&J or chicken nuggets, fruit cup/apple sauce, something snacky like teddygrahams or chips and a glass of milk. It’s not name brand foods or varied meals, but it is survivable and depending on the kid (like mine), maybe even preferable. (My kid would be in heaven if I let him eat chicken nuggets every day.)
Sausage and peppers. Italian sausage cooked to death with bitter, mushy, green peppers and Ragu. I hate green peppers so I’m not sure this is one that can substantially be improved upon and I have not tried.
My Cuckoo is going on 5 years of at least weekly service. I love it. Perfect rice every time no matter the type of rice. I only get a crispy bottom +not burnt) if I add butter or leave the keep warm on on a half empty pot.
If this was how my cards were dealt, I would likely make it my life’s mission.
This country certainly goes all in for cruel and unusual punishment.