Homes

Save some toys that your child hasn’t played with for a while, add whatever toys are passed down from cousins and so on, and bring them out when your child is sick in bed. It’s surprising how interesting they can become.

Some large stores sell children’s gift-wrapping papers with pictures on them, and the sheets have never been folded or creased. Framed, they make lovely pictures for a child’s room at a fraction of the cost of wall posters.

Getting a toddler to eat meals can be tricky, so next time yours refuses to eat, put a glove puppet on your hand and let the puppet feed the child.

Remove glue from school clothes by soaking garments overnight in brown vinegar. Follow with a light scrub, then machine-wash as usual.

To help young children recognise their schoolbags in a group, put a photograph of them inside of the clear plastic label.

Plastic trellis makes an effective cover for a sandpit. It discourages cats and other inquisitive animals, yet is light enough for children to remove by themselves.

Have the “birthday child” do colourful paintings on some small brown paper bags and use them as lolly bags at the child’s party. Fold the bags over at the top and stick down with bright stickers or stars.

Use a large bulldog clip to hold your child’s school paintings together and hang them behind the bedroom door. Put new paintings on top and, when the wad gets too thick, remove some of the paintings from the back.

Mulberry stains on children’s clothes or skin can be removed by rubbing the stained areas with unripe mulberries. This must be done before stained clothing is washed.

Personalise hand-me-down clothes by adding new buttons or appliques to the garment. It’s even better if children select their own new trimmings.