Our three grandchildren (aged 6, 5 and 3) are coming to stay for a few days. We intend to spend most of the time at home, in our garden, and would like some suggestions of what to do with them.

Although your first instinct might be to stay at home, a trip out is invaluable with kids of this age. A simple outing, even if it’s only down the road, will give a structure to their day – and you some space to breathe. I’d plan at least one daily excursion, be it to a local school fête, the nearest swings or to coo over and stroke any baby animals in the neighbourhood.

– If you’re set on an afternoon in the garden, however, I recommend getting crafty. Cut-Outs is always a success. You will need a large roll of old wallpaper or lining paper, some paints and brushes, and any interesting bits and bobs that can be glued down. Get each child to lie on the paper while you draw round their outline, then help them decorate their paper selves with button eyes, pasta lips, string hair, colourful clothes, etc. Once everything has dried, cut out each figure and hang up in the hallway to scare off unwelcome visitors.

– Progress to glorious mess with Body Painting. Peel off all or most of their clothes, then get them to experiment with what they look like with one blue hand, one red hand, purple toes, orange knees, green spotted legs and a black hairy chin. Use non-toxic water-based paints and have a bucket of water and old towel handy for washing off any mistakes and cleaning up at the end.

For more ideas for family fun, e-mail polly@thetimes.co.uk

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