Kate Hodges - On a Starry Night

Fun Things to Make and Do From Dusk Until Dawn

Kate Hodges

Night time is the right time for having fun! Coming inside when the sun goes down or firing up the tablets as soon as the curtains are drawn always seems a tremendous waste of precious mucking-about time. Playing out after the sun is down (or before it has risen) is exciting; it focuses senses and sharpens sensations. In the dark youll hear more, feel more, even, um, smell more. Games are more thrilling, crafts take on different dimensions, and creative play becomes more alive.

Dare to throw off restrictions for night-time play. Youll find ideas here to suit wintry evenings indoors, balmy summer nights camping, fireside parties on the beach, or dark autumnal afternoons. And the great news is that all of them can be adapted to your location and the season who says you cant sit round a bonfire in winter or make a horror house in spring? Ive included things do that will work whether you live in a city, a town, or in the country. Some will be all-night odysseys, others can be done and dusted in the gap after tea-time and before bed.

All of the activities have been tested by real-life children my twins Arthur and Dusty and their friends, as well as a gang of kids from the adventure playground where Jeff, who took the stunning photographs, works, plus the sparky kids at Greenwichs Christchurch School, in their beautiful community garden. Some ideas will suit older children, some are perfect for toddlers and many are scalable according to age; we tried to include activities that work for families of all shapes and sizes, and of all physical capabilities. This book is designed to be read and used by everyone, from grandparents to the smallest children pick it up, have a flick, and youre sure to come across something that appeals.

Of course, there will always be a time for sitting cosied up in front of the TV, but I do hope this book will inspire you to be creative with your evenings as a family.

Some activities require nothing more than a warm jumper and enthusiasm, but others need more preparation. During the making of the book, I found it really useful to pack a rucksack full of essentials that could be used across activities, as well as a stock of extra fun bits and bobs. This meant we could get ready quickly and easily whenever the mood took us and head straight outside for fun. Heres what we packed:

Really Useful

A good-quality focusable torch

Red cellophane (for covering the torch to preserve night vision)

UV (blacklight) torch (find one online)

Head torch

Matches or fire-lighter

Battery-powered fairy lights

Warm jumpers

Sturdy boots or shoes

Fluorescent paints or powders (theres a recipe for home-made glowing paint shown )

Small, stand-up work light

Small plastic groundsheet or old plastic bags (for sitting on)

Rug or blanket

Water bottle

Sweets

Not Essential But Fun

Binoculars

Fluorescent make-up

Laser pointer

Glow vitamins (see )

Fog machine

Electroluminescent wire and battery pack

Outside After Dark

Back Garden Cinema

Watching a film outside brings an extra dimension to movie-going. It's sociable, fun, and, with a little preparation, incredibly cosy

Autumn is a great time for movie nights the evenings get darker a little earlier than in high summer, but its still warm enough to sit outdoors.

For a scaled-down option, gather round a laptop or tablet.

The Projector

A really good, bright projector (we recommend something over 3000 lumens) can be expensive. But think creatively: perhaps a few families could pool together to buy one, you could find one second-hand, or you may be able to borrow one from your nearest Library of Things or community group.

Youll need to hook up your projector to a DVD player, TV or laptop in order to stream your movie or watch your DVD.

A speaker wireless or hard wired will ensure your sound is crisp and loud enough to hear. Most importantly, practise setting everything up beforehand.

The Screen

You can buy specially made screens, and they do a tip-top job, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. Paint a wall white or hang a sheet from a washing line.

The Seats

Youll need something soft and waterproof. Basic seating could be outdoor chairs, a bench made from bricks and a plank, camping chairs, or a groundsheet with cushions scattered on it. Or, for the ultimate in luxury, sun loungers.

Why not inflate beach toys and rings for super-cool, kitsch seating?

Create different heights and options for kids and adults. Bring out your softest blankets, pillows and duvets for maximum cosiness.