Bath time for bigger ones

The hairdo challenge - an old favourite around the office here and especially good if you have 2 children in the bath at the same time. Wet their hair and with a good dollop of shampoo (preferably Halos n Horns of course), lather it into their hair. Then set them loose to create the best, craziest hair doo. Award the winner a prize and make sure you have your camera ready ....... this is always a good photo to embarrass them when they're 18.

If it's sunny and warm outside, why not take a portable bath tub into the shade and do bath time in the fresh air. Ask your little one to tell you all the different things he can see and hear; trees, birds, clouds, butterflies.

"Sounds 'n' splashes" - fill the bath with loads of toys and household items that make a noise - wooden spoons, beakers, cups, mixing bowls are all perfect. Then show your little one how each "instrument" makes a different noise and encourage them to make the same noise ie boom boom, splish splish. When they get the hang of it, try naming each "instrument" as they tap it and then encourage your little one to put names to the objects.

 "Fishing Fun" - put a plastic bowl in the bath and let it float around. Then put a selection of plastic toys and objects in the water. Give your little one a plastic sieve and challenge them to fish the toys out of the water and into the bowl. This game is great played with 2 little ones and you can award points to whoever collects the most toys.

Make your own sponge letters and numbers with big pieces of coloured foam (you'll find them in art and craft shops). Take them with you at bath time and your child can practice the alphabet and numbers and start to put some words together...who said learning wasn't fun?!

Play "Bath-spy" - it's I-spy in the bath for little ones! Put lots of toys in the bath and play this favourite family guessing game, it's bound to keep them occupied for a while!

Get everyone involved and excited about bath time by making your own plastic boats. Find some empty ice-cream tubs, salad pots or anything else light enough to float. Then set about painting or colouring them in (use waterproof paints if you don't want the colours running in the bath!). Lollipop sticks and paper triangles make brilliant sails and you can even hold a launch ceremony to name the boats at bath time.

Toy races - ideal if you have 2 in the tub at the same time. Buy a few wind-up plastic toys (from any good toy shop) and race them up and down the bath. Be sure to agree what the prizes are before you start!