Families told to have ‘old fashioned fun’

children’s Minister Aileen Campbell is urging parents to have some “good old fashioned fun” with their youngsters during the holidays.

The Scottish Government’s Play Talk Read campaign encourages mums and dads to revisit games and pastimes from their own childhood.

Ms Campbell said: “Christmas time can leave parents feeling worried they have to splash out on lots of expensive toys. It’s important for mums and dads to know it’s the simple things that have a big impact such as playing with their kids more, or just spending time talking or reading with them. All of which costs nothing and can bring huge benefits for family life and a child’s positive development.

“The holiday season is an opportunity to have fun together as a family and revisit some of the old classic games such as hopscotch, skipping or head, shoulders, knees and toes.”