The NES Arnold 'Out of School' catalogue offers everything from activity gyms and hockey kits to giant chess sets and darts. The Mega 4 In Line is a giant version of a game children will already be familiar with and it can be used in or out of doors. The Mega 4 is mounted on tough plastic supports and is ideal for two players, or could form part of a team effort. It measures 134 x 57 x 108 cm and is priced 99.95.
The Reel of Sport, also from NES Arnold, is a multi-purpose item made from toughened plastic and covered in reinforced nylon. The reel breaks down easily into pieces for storage and can be wiped clean. Some of the uses which came into force during company testing, apart from rolling around inside the reel, were using it as a mini ballpool, playden and a target to kick balls through. The reel measures 96 (d) x 48 (w) cm and is priced 79.95.
Telephone 0870 6000 192
Trampolining is an excellent way for children to let off steam and get some exercise without straining their joints or muscles. A large trampoline, new to the Tridias catalogue, has a 14 gauge galvanised steel frame which slots together without the need for any bolts. The mat is designed to be weatherproof and clips around the edges on to springs. The trampoline measures 90 (h) x 305 (l) x 188 (w) cm and comes with a lifetime guarantee (even if kept permanently outside), priced 299.
Telephone 0870 6000 192
One on One
Children who prefer more structured games will enjoy the opportunity of becoming involved in 'club tournaments' which you can organise in an impromptu, low key way. Darts can help hand/eye co-ordination, improve mental maths and, more importantly, provide plenty of innocent fun. It's easy to organise group play, with mixed age teams of six year olds and upwards or allow children to run the games themselves, providing you play with safety darts. This Safety Darts set from Letterbox includes six rubber tipped darts and a full sized moulded plastic board which measures 42 cm in diameter, priced Pounds 14.99.
Telephone 0870 600 7878.
Early Learning Centre stocks a variation on darts with a similar board that children have to fire balls at using a sling, to see who can score highest. The set comes with three balls, sling and board, and is suitable for five year olds and upwards, priced 6. Football tables are also available and new to ELC is the Stars Snooker/Pool table (pictured above right). This comes with snooker and pool balls, two triangles, pool cues, chalk, score board and game rules. The table measures 78 (d) x 110 (w) x 75 (d) cm and is priced 45.
Telephone 08705 352 353
Table tennis is a must for after-school clubs, not least because it helps children acquire skills for other games. New to the Tridias catalogue is the weather resistant table (above). It has a steel frame which will not warp and which folds down to the size of a bicycle (1.64 m). It has a melamine surface and large castor wheels with locking brakes and comes with a net, two senior and two junior bats, six balls and a weather cover. Priced 499.
Telephone 0870 240 2104
Children who are less confident about playing football or other traditional games can still be encouraged to enjoy themselves while gaining hand/eye co-ordination skills with games like Feed the Frog. This golf-type game is new to Dawson & Son and can be used with a wide range of ages and abilities by altering the distance from which you play. The box measures 27(w) x 43(l) x 17(h) cm and comes with two 55 cm clubs and two balls, priced Pounds 29.99.
Telephone 08700 367 869.
If you want to introduce something a bit different to the slightly older children in your group look out for the Spordas Dual Safer Swords set in NES Arnold's Out of School catalogue. Each sword has a non-slip grip and an internal rod which allows the tip to flex safely. The blade, which is 62 (l) x 4 (w) cm, is made from soft foam rubber, priced 11.95 per pair.
Telephone 0870 6000 192
Also from NES Arnold's Out of School catalogue, and good for children who want to make a bit of noise without the rough and tumble, is a table football set, designed for indoor use and two players, who have to shoot the puck or ball into their opponent's goals, which can help develop hand/eye co-ordination while having fun. The board measures 1300 x 500 mm and comes with two strikers, two pucks, three balls and a set of rules, priced 99.99.
Telephone as above
Organised quiet
Providing some quiet games is just as important as encouraging physical activity, especially if some of the children need to spend some time on homework before they leave, or have exhausted themselves running around. The award-winning Pintoy Games range from the RNIB is made from sustainable rubberwood and designed for visually impaired children. Snakes and Ladders is priced 14.81; Chinese Checkers,16.45; Solitaire, 11.28 and Chess, which folds into its own storage box, 17.63.
Telephone 0845 7023153.
Obviously, quiet games need to be organised well away from larger, physical activities but you still need to provide plenty of space and, if possible, several smaller tables are better than one large one. Little Tikes Easy Store Junior Play Table is suitable for younger children and can be used in or out of doors. The table measures 75 x 64 x 47 cm, is suitable for four little ones and folds flat when not in use, priced 34.99.
Telephone 0800 521 558
