In this computer driven age, many children find their entertainment through electronic games. These can be small hand held units, consoles that plug into a television or games that are played on a computer or through the internet.

Whilst some of these games such as the Leapster Explorer range of toys can offer specific educational goals and experiences and certainly can help improve the computer and technology skills of the younger generation, there is a real danger that more traditional skills are being lost.

Three main areas of concern spring to mind, those of mental dexterity, physical dexterity and the general desire to play outdoors. Even though many parents may feel playing outside has inherent dangers and requires a higher degree of parental supervision the dangers of playing online are potentially greater. Worse still is the fact that parents may not understand the dangers sufficiently to combat online threats and can be lulled into a false sense of security that their child is safe, because they are inside in front of a computer.

Has the time therefore come to reintroduce children to the joys of more traditional toys, games and activities? If you believe this is the case you will probably be surprised at how easily children take to making entertainment for themselves, with less technological intervention.

When your youngster discovers that there is a whole world waiting for them to discover in a pile of sand or earth or that they can create anything from monsters, aliens or farm yard animals from cardboard tubes and sticky tape you will be encouraging not only hand eye coordination skills but developing imaginary play techniques and helping to encourage creativity. Whilst messy and requiring a level of adult supervision, craft activities like painting, drawing and cutting and sticking can be as diverting as any other play activity and provide a level of satisfaction and achievement for children.

Simple games that can be played with a pen and piece of paper, such as battleships, tic-tac-toe (or noughts and crosses) and hangman can entertain as well as encourage interaction on a human level and can be made as easy or difficult as required to your child’s level of understanding.

Other classic board games such as snakes and ladders or chess for older children will help develop mental and numerical skills as well as developing a sense of fair play and the ability to both win and loose games with a good grace.

Traditional games need not be boring and in many cases provide more enjoyment because of the engagement required by both children and adults.