Fun and games
Irene Gunning, the chief executive of the Irish Pre-School Play Association (IPPA), believes that play is not just enjoyable for children but is also an invaluable and important part of their social, intellectual and emotional development. “Play is exactly what grandparents know about. The days of hopscotch and marbles are being replaced by Xbox and DVDs. Grandparents are ideal for remembering games where play supports emotional development, resilience, imagination and sharing.”

Gunning says it’s best to give grandchildren ideas and then let them create their own versions of games where play poses problems – how does this fit in here or how does this game work? “While the children are enjoying themselves, they are also pursuing the thing that motivates them and, when the child is playing, they are developing mentally and physically in a free environment without feeling confined.”

Artistic play
There are many ways to get the ball rolling, says Dearbhail Ni Fearghail, a primary teacher who has worked in Irish camps, primary schools, pre-schools and nurseries. “If your grandchildren are artistically minded, unleash their creativity. Give them free rein to create masterpieces that are sure to hold pride of place under a fridge magnet in your kitchen.”

Kids can be as messy as they like painting on the backs of old rolls of wallpaper. Liven it up with straws to do some blow painting. They can make collages and picture frames by cutting up magazines. Ni Fearghail suggests cutting up gardening and cooking magazines as they’ll have images suitable for little ones. Tie Dye and fabric markers can personalise inexpensive T-shirts.

Take it outside
Gunning believes that outdoor play, whenever possible, is a priority, whether it is football in the park or a nature walk in the garden. Ni Fearghail agrees and says that even painting and drawing can be brought outside in good weather. You can also give the children some chalk and then the whole outdoors becomes their canvas.

Take the grandkids on scavenger hunts and nature walks; give them lists of things to collect to ensure they don’t get bored. With your collected flowers and leaves, make scrap books or 3D pictures. You can also press flowers and make potpourri or “perfume”.

Another fun activity is to bend coat hangers or floristry wire to create a circle wand. Dip it in a bowl of washing-up liquid and water to make jumbo bubbles.

Embrace tradition
Abilities such as sewing and woodwork are old skills that are being lost in today’s modern world. Go back to basics, Gunning suggests, by making fairy cakes or pizzas with the grandchildren, or teach them how to cook stew or weed the garden. “Play prepares children for the world,” she says.

There is plenty more to do than just staying at home. There are a lot of activities where your grandchildren can express their energy in a positive and educational way, from art camps to summer schools.

John Gueret, from The Ark, Europe’s first custom-built children’s cultural centre, explains that children who come to the Ark are learning in a freer environment than would usually happen in a school setting.

He says the ethos of the centre is based on learning being promoted by letting the children know there are no right or wrong ways to do things. “By doing this, you are allowing children to feel comfortable, providing them with a safe environment where they can combine having a good time with learning something new.”

So whether you are going out, playing in the garden or trapped inside by the rain, there are things to do. The mechanics of play are learning and development, and whether children are playing chasing or crocheting, they are learning life skills that will keep them in good stead for the rest of their lives. So let the children run amuck under your supervision and watch them have a great time and develop through play.