Keeping the kids entertained over the festive period generally involves TV, iPads and messing around the garden, if the weather allows.
This year, why not introduce them to the wonder of traditional games that were played long before technology was around to keep boredom at bay.
1. Ha, Ho, Hee game
This is actually a pretty good game to play if you are travelling over the holidays. The first player says ‘Ha’, the next, ‘Ho’ and the next ‘Hee’ and so on. The first player to laugh is out until there is only one left in the game – they’re the winner.
2. Charades
This one is easy to play and the whole family can get involved – grown-ups can help the younger kids have a go. To play, one person must think of a movie, book, play, TV show, character or animal and act it out without saying a word. The rest of the players have to try to guess what it is – the person who wins is next to act out.
3. Blind man’s bluff
One person needs to have a scarf tied around their eyes. The rest of the players scatter until the Blind man’s bluff capture one person. They then have to try to guess who they have caught – if they get it right the person who is caught is on, if they get it wrong they have to try again.
4. Name your nursery rhyme
This one is really good to play at the dinner table – it’ll help keep kids seated for longer! Simply say a line from a popular nursery rhyme and see if they can guess the name of it. To make things a little more relevant, you can always use songs or lines from their favourite movie.
5. Blow away the paper
This game was originally played with a candle but using paper makes it much safer. To play, first make an aeroplane out of a piece of paper and place it on the table. Blindfold the person who is on and see if they can blow the little plane without being able to see it.
