Game for fun
It's all very well being told to play more with your children, but it doesn't always come naturally. While some people manage to retain a Peter Pan outlook, others find that the stress of work and earning a living zaps their energy. Either way, here are a few fun ideas to get you going.
Baking
Children love to get covered in flour and lick sticky fingers. Make some biscuit dough together. While it's 'resting' in the fridge, get the kids to choose their favourite play-dough cutouts and show them how to use icing pens. With plenty of supervision you should end up with something that everyone's happy to eat (or lick the icing off) at snack time.
Tall stories
Make up stories together, with each person being allowed one sentence. It can be as ridiculous as the children want. And you can write it down as you go and read it out afterwards. This can be a good one for the car, or when you're preparing dinner.
Novelty nosh
Have a picnic under the dining table. The novelty of seeing mum and dad sitting cross-legged under the table may well have even the fussiest eater chomping away.
Cards
Children love card games. You!|ll be amazed at how even very young kids are able to understand and enjoy a game of Snap, for instance. If all else fails, you can teach them 52 Pickup...
Remember when....
Look through family photo albums together. Kids love looking at pictures of themselves and hearing stories about events in their lives. You can make use of any photos you!|ve discarded by letting the children make them into family collages.
Pretend play
Let your children be whoever they want. Fill a box with clothes and accessories and makeup (if you dare), and ask them to play the part. You can help them find props around the house and maybe set up a stage. They might even want to put on a performance for friends.
Junior Spielberg
Make a movie or music video together. The children can come up with the story, write a script and videotape it, with you playing any of the characters they choose. They can enlist the help of other family members (including the dog).
Green fingers
If you have any outside space, get the kids to help you pot some plants. They love getting their hands dirty, and being given licence to make mud pies. If you're feeling brave, you could give them a go at pruning, too - providing they're old enough to manage.
What dads do best
Get down on your knees and give them horseback rides, rugby tackle them onto the carpet, tickle them until they beg you to stop, throw them up in the air and watch them squeal with delight. They'll blossom in confidence physically, and you'll get to spend some close time with them.
Music
In the car, the kitchen, the living room...music always livens things up for children. Get them to learn the words to music you like and belt it out in the car with you. Put on some dance music at home and prance around the living room with them. From babies upwards, they'll adore being whirled around or bumped on your hips in time to music.
