FROM A TIMELESS classic heirloom toy to the latest fad that catches a child's imagination and becomes a playground hit, from a beloved fairytale given a new modern twist to all the latest hi-tech apps and video games, children are born to play

dressed head to toe in pink. The ‘Pink Dreams’ experience includes a manicure, pedicure and massage with bubble gum glitter body cream – girly heaven! In the Azulitos Play House, children can play in a room designed by Fisher-Price and get active on the My

and lots of snacks,4 Stop regularly Take your time and pause to play a game of pooh sticks, climb trees, scramble over stiles and play hide-and-seek in the bushes.5 Choose your route Keep your children interested by picking routes with winding paths, hills

with your child?"Encourage her to express her feelings verbally," advises child psychologist Dr Richard Woolfson. "Urge your child to think about the emotions of others, to manage her anger, and to try and maintain an emotional balance."For a playful apraoch

that sense, parents have the fun part, because they get to read all those lovely stories to their child."Reading together, playing auditory games (such as rhyming), spotting letters on road signs and talking about pictures you see in newspapers, or magazines

Ickworth House, SuffolkWith a spectacular Rotunda at its heart, the stunning Ickworth House stately home hotel is set amid 1,800 acres of parkland and lush gardens - with an open invitation for children to try a spot of tree-climbing, play croquet

-ordered. Children relish the delights of The Den, an Ofsted-registered crèche where they can make shell necklaces and whizz around on Diddicars. Older children head to the Blue Room to play on Wiis, video games or table football and there’s even a posh movie room

their post-prandial sleep. Then they're guaranteed an hour of marble-run fun without a 15·month-old's 'help'.• Split up. Get one adult to play games with a couple of children; another to do colouring and another to sit and have a cuddle.• Go out. Cooped up