At the risk of sounding positively ancient, I’m going to start that speech that begins. “Kids these days – I don’t know! Back when I was a child, we didn’t have any of those new-fangled (fill in the blank). Instead, we…” You’ve probably heard it before or said it yourself. But fun for kids of all ages doesn’t have to come in a box and cost close on a day’s wages to buy.

We all know the benefits of exercise and active play for children (and adults) and how kids need to get of their behinds and go play tag instead of fiddling around with computer games.

I’ve got more than a suspicion that computer games are the default option in many homes because (a) they don’t make any mess and they’re easy to tidy up afterwards, (b) children can do them at home where they’re safer from unpleasant people. However, if you have a corridor, a back yard or even just a driveway, children can find plenty of active fun. Even if it’s messy.

And some of the newer computer games are merely expensive let’s-see-who’s-fool-enough-to-pay-for-this gadgets. The worst offenders in this department are the “SingStar” and “Guitar Hero” types of games. As if kids can’t play rock stars using a hairbrush, a mirror and a cheap CD player, or play air-guitar in the time honoured way… or else use a tennis racket as a stand-in guitar or even get creative with bits of wood and string to make a toy guitar.

Some of this DIY fun also uses recycled or reused material, which helps cut down on waste, rather than creating new waste with all that packaging.

Paper darts – a great use for old bits of A4 paper or paper of any size. The most popular game involves making stunt planes that loop the loop, closely followed by “Which plane flies the furthest?” Other games with paper darts involve precision: knock over a target (an empty plastic bottle or aerosol can works well) or try to land the dart right way up on the “airport” (a coffee table or a similar marked out space).

Skipping – This can result in a few grazes and bruises, but builds strong bones and is terrific for fitness. It’s not for girls only, although it has traditionally been considered a girls’ game.

You don’t need a fancy skipping rope – any rope will do, as long as it’s the right length. Knot the ends and/or seal them off by melting them together in a candle-flame to prevent fraying. Children can skip solo, trying fancy steps (double-turn, backwards, criss-cross, The Skier and The Bell were some I remember) or getting to 100 without tripping. You can also skip in groups with a long rope. If your children don’t know the traditional rhymes for skipping in groups, it’s time to lose a bit of adult dignity and start chanting:

Cinderella, dressed in yellow
Went upstairs to kiss a fellow.
On the way, her knickers busted.
How many people were disgusted? 5…10…15…20…

Hopscotch: all you need is chalk, a stone and some concrete. Drawing on the pavement with chalk isn’t graffiti – it will wash off the next time it rains.
Fights: No, not fist fights! Pillows, grass, snowballs (if you’re lucky), crumpled up paper or water. A minimum of two people needed. The more the merrier, and there’s no age limits. A great stress-beater for adults.

Tin can stilts: Two tin cans and two long bits of tough string required, plus a way of making holes in the top of the cans (nails don’t work very well – the can opener is better).