Keeping the grandkids happy and occupied can sometimes tax even the most creative mind.  Here are a number of activities you might like to think about.  They're easy to do and cheap to fund and should keep them happy for hours.  If you have any ideas we can pass on to other grandparents use our CONTACT US form to share it with us and we'll share it with our readers.

AUTUMN LEAF COLLAGE

You will need:
Autumn leaves - Paper - Glue - Pens - Decorations of choice
Instructions:
Press your leaves for a couple of days by slipping them between sheets of newspaper under a heavy book.
Arrange your leaves on paper and glue in place, and add any further decoration you like with pens, crayons or pencils. You could also use glitter or even stickers to make your autumn collage special and original.

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LEAF PEOPLE

Here's a fun project for those interesting leaves and twigs that you've collected on an autumn walk!
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You will need:  Dried leaves - Paper - Pens - Glue

Lay out your leaves until they look like a person. When you are happy glue them to your paper and draw on a face if you like!

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HIGH TEA AT HOME

MAKE A MARSHMALLOW CATAPULT

Catapults are awesome fun. They fling things through the air, which is always a hit. Add in marshmallows, and you're pretty much guaranteed happy kids. This marshmallow catapult is easy and fun to make, even more fun to play with, and kids won't even realise they're learning about physics along the way.

You will need:   6 bamboo skewers - I packet large marshmallows - 1 rubber band - 1 plastic spoon - Some sticky tape

• 1: Create a triangle with the skewers. Join the ends with one of the large marshmallows to design a large triangle.

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• 2:  Add a pyramid to your triangle. With the triangle laying on a flat surface, build a pyramid above the triangle. Place a skewer in each corner and bring them together  at the top, secured with another marshmallow

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• 3:  Create your catapult launcher. Tape the plastic spoon handle to the end of another skewer. Wrap the tape around the spoon several times to secure tightly (this spoon will see a lot of action).

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• 4:  Place the thin rubber band around the top marshmallow. Lay the rubber band over the marshmallow that has topped the pyramid. Allow the band to just lay there.

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• 5:  Slide spoon skewer through the rubber band so that it is being supported by the rubber band. Pierce the end of it on the marshmallow at the base.

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• 6:  Use marshmallows as your “launching rocks.” You can also use other small sweets or items -anything that will fit inside the spoon. Hold the base as you pull the spoon back gently against the tension of the band.

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You can keep score to see who catches the most marshmallows in his or her mouth or see who can catch from the farthest distance or any number of other fun challenges.

HAVE AN ORIGAMI AFTERNOON

Did you know that origami comes from the Japanese words "Oru" meaning to fold and "Gami" meaning paper/

You will need:
A computer
Squares of coloured paper
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Origami can be mastered from a young age.  All you need is a little patience and if you can teach your grandchildren that skill it will benefit them for life.  origami-instructions.com has projects of various levels of difficulty and will provide hours of fun.  Children will get a real sense of achievement when they complete a project.  They may need a little help at first but as they go along they will improve their tenacity and fine-motor skills.