It can be a challenge to come up with new, exciting activities to keep the kids busy in their free time. While there’s no shortage of computer games and television shows, sometimes the digital world isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when it comes to spending quality family time together. Here are a few fun ways to pass the time at home.

Most kids love to show their artistic side, and what better way to do that than to hold a mini craft workshop with them? These days, the sky’s the limit when it comes to art supplies, so there’s no shortage of activities to try out. Maybe there’s a special event coming up that you could make cards for – or how about making bracelets or necklaces for your kids to show to their friends? Older children might also like to work with clay or paint to produce a special keepsake.

Role play is always a great way to get your kids’ imaginations running wild. You could turn the sofa into a pirate ship, or the dining table into a secret spy cave. Why not have them draw up some menus and play cafés out of the kitchen? 

Remember how great it felt when you were a kid and the adults in your life came to play a game with you? Playing games as a family is a fantastic way to bond. Board games are as popular as ever, with game makers constantly striving to come up with something new. A classic game of Monopoly can now include a 3D jail, or an electronic banking system, while Jenga has taken on a new twist with the dawn of Angry Birds Star Wars. Challenge your kids to knock out Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers to earn points.

Finally, for a new game with a unique twist to it, why not try Doggie Doo? The Doggie Doo Game is a fun and often hilarious game in which the players have to scoop the dog’s poop! Players squeeze the dog’s lead and a plasticine poo emerges at the other end. The first player to collect three poops is the winner. This game is a great way to teach kids about the responsibility of owning a pet and cleaning up after them, and goes to show how much fun there is to be had in trying something new. Definitely one that will have you all rolling around in fits of laughter!

This guest post is brought to you by Tesco Direct.  All opinions are my own.