·        Have a space in your home where your child can sit and draw. Have crayons or chalk available for toddlers; pencils, felt pens, oil pastels and paints for older children. To save on paper, you can use paper that has already been used on one side, or buy plain recycled paper.

·        Encourage your child to read books by providing a comfortable spot for sitting, and a selection of age-appropriate books on hand. Pre-schoolers will “read” a book by looking at the pictures and remembering or making up the story. Cloth and vinyl books are great for toddlers and babies, as they can be washed and are virtually indestructible.

·        Send your children outside to play. Make sure the yard is safe for them, that they have sunscreen on, and then allow free play. Older children can take some responsibility for younger siblings. A ball is a good starting point for lots of games. Water play is fun on a warm day, with a trough or buckets of water.

·        Jigsaw puzzles are great if your child is not too tired. If he/she chooses one that has a lot of pieces and the child can’t finish it in one sitting, leave it in a place where it can be worked on again at another time. Doing a puzzle on a board will mean you can move it if necessary.

·        Children love to dress up and play make-believe games. Have a selection of unused clothes and accessories (from a clean out of your wardrobe or from an op. shop) within reach for your child and let the imagination take over. Role-playing is great for children alone or with friends.

·        Invite a friend over to play. Once the children are happily playing you can spend some time doing what you want to do or just relaxing. Checking in occasionally with the children to ask if they need a drink or something to eat is all you need to do.