How often do you actually play with your kids? Like really play with them, not just set stuff up and leave them to play while you go off and do your own stuff.  For me i like to set aside an hour or so everyday where i actually play with them, which then in turn means they often let me do things on my own and play by themselves for a while. It’s a simple concept but people are busy, time is precious and before we know it they’ll be 17 and telling us things we probably don’t want to hear. Now for some of you who work full time, maybe an hour a week is all you’ve got to give them but let me tell you one solid hour playing with them is equivalent to a whole day of them playing next to you (while you get on with other stuff.) Family Hour is about one hour you can dedicate to doing, playing, or making something together and nothing else.

Get down with your kids and play. You know it makes sense.

So how about some perfume making to start? Or aftershave…

YOU WILL NEED:

A JAM JAR WITH LID

A STICK

A JUG WITH A LITTLE WATER

SOME SMELLY FLOWERS/PETALS…ROSES ARE IDEAL

TO DECORATE:

A COUPLE OF WHITE STICKY LABELS

COLOURING PENCILS/PENS

1. Search around the garden and pick some petals.

2. Add them to your jam jar

3.Once you’ve added all the petals and leaves they want, pour in a little water.

4. Mix with your stick or a spoon

5. Add the lid then shake and leave the petals to infuse some smell!

(cheat: if it doesn’t smell at all you can always spritz a bit of your own perfume or aftershave and make it authentic!)

6. Now get your sticky labels and make the packaging look pretty!

7. Stick them on and voila. You have some pretend perfume!

Photography by moi.

Please note: This is a pretend perfume to delight your children in the world of make believe. You are a responsiblte adult. If your children are super allergic to plant things or they get hives from rose water then think again! Just saying!