Inside play can be exciting, imaginative and even energetic at times. Being mindful that the grown-ups don’t want to spend hours clearing up, here are our recommendations for some indoor toys that will keep the kids entertained in a positive way without leaving the rest of the family with a headache!

Very young children have short attention spans and need a variety of activities to keep them occupied. However, too much choice at once can be overwhelming, so keep the options limited. Even young children have moods and it's good bear this in mind when choosing activities - make sure there's planety of opportunity for active play, but quiet play just before bedtime can be very rewarding too.

Limiting screen time for this age group can be difficult, but by having a selection of other engaging toys to play with, children can be encouraged to play freely. Building dens and playing with small world toys can spark children's imagination and keep them occupied for hours.

Despite appearances of children growing up too quickly, kids are still inclined to play long past the age of 8 - but this needs encouragment and the provision of things that aren't seen as babyish. Board games involving strategy or quick responses can be great for family time or playing with friends. Don't forget to nurture their imaginations too.