1. Fold the two opposite ends of a square piece of paper to make a triangle, then fold the opposite ends of the triangle to make a smaller one.2. Open the paper up and fold a corner into the centre point, repeat with the opposite corner – you should now have a square.3. Turn the ...

the bullseye. 7. Run a shell race  Ask everyone to line up shells where they think the waves will come to. The shell that moves the furthest wins the game.8.  Play beach detective  Make a list of things you might see at the beach, then have a competition to see

1. Cover the floor with newspaper, as this is a messy activity.2. Blow up a balloon; sit the end in a cup.3. Tear newspaper strips about 15cm long, dip them in papier mâché paste (one part flour, two parts water) and spread them across the balloon, covering everything except the ...

The ingredients for the best family holiday? How about five-star pampering for Mummy, peace and quiet (and a great wine list) for Daddy, fun and games for the children, adventures for all and… 5am wake-up calls. Ah yes, there is that slight downside

1. Have a cricket tournament  There’s nothing like learning to bowl a cricket ball to inspire a love of the game. So grab a bat and a ball (a softball rather than the traditional cricket ball) and set up a cricket pitch in your local park. For a fun

Book of Children’s Games by Debra Wise and Sandy Forrest, McGraw-Hill, £9.99.I’m Bored! and I’m Bored… Again! by Suzy Barratt and Polly Beard, Bloomsbury, £7.99 each.Mama’s Little Book of Tricks by Lynn Brunelle, Chronicle Books, £7.99.

), a juggler (you could use three large pom poms). If there are a group of children, each can perform their own ‘speciality trick’ before ending with a human pyramid as the grand finale.2. Skipping games  For group skipping games, two people turn a long

1. Brownsea Island, Dorset This is the famous birthplace of Scouting, and children will love the Smuggler’s Trail and there are plenty of picnic spots. Tel: 01202 707744 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk 2. Sheffield Park Garden, East

is sure to impress and pamper all the family with its slick service. Children under 18 can share their parents’ room at no extra charge. There are special children’s menus, colouring books, board games and DVDs to borrow. Babysitting services are available

1.  Pack a picnic hamper  ...with damper (recipe below), fruit and chocolates, then enjoy an afternoon in the garden with a variety of traditional games: boules, a giant snakes-and-ladders, skittles.2. Make gingerbread men  Why not try making