Half term, love it (cue children in fancy dress racing out the school gates) or hate it (on the other side of the proverbial fence parents await the stampede) the next two weeks will require various activities to ensure that screen time is kept to a minimum.

So what about teaching them some of our childhood classics. Not only do they not cost money, but can be played outdoors with their friends.

Poohsticks

What you need

• Two or more players.
• Twigs.
• Bridge with moving water below.

What to do

1. Stand on the bridge, check which way the water is flowing to ensure that when you throw your stick it will get carried under the bridge.
2. On the count of three all players should throw their sticks into the water.
3. The players stick that floats fastest down the stream wins.

Top tip
Choose a spot on the bridge over the fastest moving water.

Conkers

What you need

• One or more conkers that are not cracked and feel hard.
• Two players.

What to do (adult supervision required)

1. Make your conker strong by baking it in the oven for a few minutes or soaking it in vinegar.
2. Make a hole through your conker with a sharp utensil and thread a piece of string  and tie a knot on one end so the concur does not slip out.
3. The aim of the game is to try and crack your opponents conker first!

Top tip
Test your conker by putting it in a bowl of water. If it sinks to the bottom, it’s perfect for your game.

Build a den

What you need

• Twigs, fallen tree branches, dead leaves.
• One or more helpers to help build.

What to do

1. Gather some strong branches from the ground and locate a tree to build against. Set the branches against the tree in a wig-wam like structure. Once the frame work is in place collect twigs and small branches to build the walls of your den and fill the gaps with mud and leaves to make it extra secure.
2. Once built, your den can be used for all sorts of games or as a secret hideout.

Top tip
You can build your den indoors using sofa cushions, boxes and blankets.

Duck duck goose

What you need

• 5 or more players.

What to do

1. All players sit on a circle, apart from the person who is ‘it’ starts the game. ‘It’ goes round the circle tapping each person on the head saying ‘duck, duck, duck’ until ‘it’  decides who will be goose.
2. Goose must chase 'it' around the group and try to tag it before him/her takes the empty spot in the circle. If unsuccessful goose becomes it and so the game continues.

Top tip
Make sure everyone gets a chance to be it and goose.