These days children, on average, have fewer siblings and a smaller extended family than previous generations. The traditional family set up has also changed, with more working mothers, more single-parent households an increased likelihood of extended family members living further away. Though it can sometimes be difficult, it is important to try to give children opportunities to play with the whole family including, grandparents, parents and siblings. This develops social skills; such as making friends and communicating, helps generations to learn from each other and is beneficial for the whole family.

Play is really beneficial for children when it's undirected, but children can also benefit a lot when adults take an active role in play. Children display higher levels of language and problem solving skills when they have lots of contact with adults. Importantly of course, it is not only children who benefit from play! Research shows that play is especially good for the elderly: it promotes relaxation, reduces stress and helps to maintain cognitive skills such as memory and problem solving. Furthermore, active play helps to increase muscle tone, co-ordination and reaction time. It is also the ideal setting for the family to get to bond with each other. Remember, 'make-believe' is one form of play where adults can, if they want, effortlessly influence the development of a child's social and moral values, through encouraging co-operation, honesty and learning to be a good loser as well as a good winner. It is also a great way of helping language development!

Finally, physically active play is strongly linked with reduced obesity during childhood and a reduced risk of dementia later in life. People who exercise regularly in middle age are one-third less likely to get Alzheimer's disease in their 70s than those who do not exercise.

What types of play?

• Board games - they are great for every age and ability, as they give everyone a fair chance of winning!
• Arts and crafts
• Puzzles*
• Construction sets*
• Drawing*
• Dolls and soft toys - are wonderful for creating make believe worlds
• Model toys - helps promote physical skills and co-ordination
• Musical toys - can easily be enjoyed by everyone and promotes co-ordination
• Science kits - great for everyone to learn something new and encourages attention to detail!
• Story-telling - a great way for children and adults to bond, as well as finding out more about each other e.g. what you used to do when you were the child's age.

* Encourage imagination, and a sense of achievement