An astronaut, a doctor, an artist… Ask your child what he wants to be when he grows up and he’ll probably have some big ideas. But the sad reality is that many children across the world will never grow up to realise their dreams. According

1. Do a circus routine  Encourage your child to practise being a clown (for costumes, use ping-pong balls for a big red nose, colourful oversize clothing, some funny glasses and a big hat), an acrobat (who does cartwheels, somersaults and handstands

-ass audio adventurists” The Go! Team, and The Leisure Society. For the kids A range of free musical, artistic and energetic pursuits, including seaside fun on an artificial beach, junk modelling and badge-making and, for the musically minded, ukelele

), the optimum ratio is eight times as much sand as you have water. There's even a mathematical formula for it: OW = 0.125 x S. Not that the average child needs to worry too much about ratios, but more serious sandcastle makers undoubtedly do. Indeed

, Usborne Publishing, £6.99.Cooking With Kids by Linda Collister, Ryland Peters & Small, £10.49.Crafting With Kids by Catherine Woram,  Ryland Peters & Small, £14.99. Creative Child by Dorothy Einon, Hamlyn, £14.99.Creepy Creatures by Julie Sharp,  GMC Books

to be what only they can imagine. As I captured each child’s image, I was fascinated by the way each of them took such great pride in wearing their costumes and acting out their character’s role." Marie's book Hallowe'en: Portraits Of Fear And Fantasy

each child pack a bag – tell them not to tell you, but to choose a specific destination (the snow, the beach, a safari etc), then they can pack their bags with all the appropriate gear. When all the bags are packed, arrive at ‘the airport’ (aka your

characters from your child’s favourite storybooks? Then tell gingerbread man stories.3.  Animal restaurants  Ever heard of the Fresh Fly Café? You would if you were a frog. How about the Thoroughly Scared Mouse Brasserie? It would be your eatery of choice

1. DJ and disco Give your child the run of the CDs for the day and have her put together a playlist for a disco. Ask her to make decorations and name the event, then set a time when she will play DJ (with Dad’s help) while you take to the dance

the reasons why trees change colour then try a different tree-inspired art activity each day. Time: 10.30am–4pm. Cost: free after admission (£9 adult, £4 child, under-fives go free). Ages: 4+. Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt2. Visit Hever Castle in Kent