The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Nee

In many ways it is a pity that parents need to be told how to roughhouse, but this book does give some insight into reasons why it is necessary for children to have parents & other children that interact with them in this way, why at times it ends in tears & how to prevent this as far as possible. There will be times when somebody gets hurt, but that's part & parcel of life. The important part is developing an understanding that it is not a competition & younger children are allowed to win (at least some of the time.) We have always roughhoused with our children & there are plenty more ideas here to keep us going for a lot longer. The ideas are given a suitable age range & split into categories: instant roughhousing, flight, games, contact, imagination & extreme roughhousing. Many of the ideas need no equipment at all, others require items such as cushions, blankets, sticks & string. One of our favourites involves sliding down the stairs on an old cotbed mattress. If you & your children are not prepared to take some risks then this book is not for you, but then again you're probably the people that need this book the most.

Bought this not knowing what to expect. It looked like fun and it is. My son and I have really grown closer as a result of this book. He loves to grab this book and choose which game to play, his favourite is the monster which he wants to play every night! Brilliant book. Well thought out and suitable for all ages of children.

Superb book - full of brilliant ideas. Lovely easy to dip into format. Very good philosophy behind it all. So far best book of the year. And for someone who is not a natural rough houser.

Every child needs it! My 6 month baby loves a bit of roughhousing but not ready for most of these games yet.

Such a game changer for so many issues