"Mum I'm bo-ored" - the little sentence that strikes fear into the hearts of all parents! Too grey and wet outside? Bored of jumping in puddles? Can't bear CBeebies on continuous loop? It's time to get out the craft stuff...here are our top ten products to bring some sunshine to a rainy day - no batteries required!

1. Animache. These fantastic little kits are easy for kids to get stuck into. Lightweight, papier-mache animal models are supplied with good quality paint so that children can create their own personalised animals. Interesting facts included in each recyclable box.

2. Paint, Make And Play Sets. Does what it says on the box! Paint the castle with the paints supplied then fit the boards together for your very own playset. Comes with four lovely little wooden characters for hours of imaginative play.

3. Craft Box. Full of sparkly bits and pieces to keep a whole tribe of children quiet for ages! The sturdy plastic box is packed with paper, foam shapes, stars, wiggly eyes, sparkly bits and lots more. When they have finished, chuck it all back in the box and put away for the next rainy day.

4. Needlecraft Box. Get a group of older children together (8+ is recommended) and watch them fall on this box of fabric crafts as if it were buried treasure. Everything you need for knitting, crochet, embroidery, plus 9 separate projects - with instructions. Make a stuffed dog, coin purse, felt brooch, embroidered bandana, wall hanging, sewing pouch, hair ribbon, bracelets and a scarf.

5. Colour-In Wall Mural. One of the very best ways to amuse lots of children of any age. These huge murals can be rolled up and stored away until enough rainy days have passed and it is finally finished!

6. Fairy Cakes Cook Book. Kids love cooking and you can eat the results!

7. Dinosaur Excavation Kit. Strangely addictive little kit guaranteed to keep small boys gripped. Brush and scrape away the specially designed 'clay' to reveal the dinosaur bones hidden within.

8. Air Drying Modelling Clay. Kids love to squash and shape this vibrantly coloured modelling clay into weird and wonderful shapes - it dries on exposure to air so they can keep their works of art for ages.

9. Solid Wood Games Collection. Make the most of rainy weather and sit around the table playing some of these timeless board games. Lovely wooden pieces and a sturdy storage tin make it a pleasure to play with.

10. Large Percussion Set. Encourage your children and their friends to make their own music with this great set of percussion instruments. Sorry but we don't include earplugs with this - we suggest if you can't beat them, join them. It is amazing how much fun grown-ups can have shaking a tambourine and singing at the top of your voice!


Phew! After that lot, make sure you congratulate yourself for doing such a great job entertaining the kids. And don't worry - the sun will surely come out tomorrow...fingers crossed...