Play along with the theme song If you have a musical instrument handy, see if the children can play along as their favourite programme begins. Or, for a more involved activity, get them to make an instrument from items they spot on screen to join in at the end. For example, if Bella is planting seeds in 'The Tweenies', fill a plastic tub with sunflower seeds to rattle as the credits roll.
What happens next?
Videotape their favourite show, then pause it at a crucial moment as they watch the recorded version. Ask the children what they think will happen next. How will Bob the Builder rescue Spud from the tree? Where will Blue Cow go in 'Storymakers' today? When they've made their guess, press the play button and let them see if they were right (perhaps with a prize on offer).
TV trivia When the TV's not on, test children's memories with a quick quiz. What colour is Tinky Winky? Who does Bear sing the Goodbye Song with each night in the Big Blue House? How does Lucy meet her friends each night at 64 Zoo Lane? Make the quiz as informal and fun as possible, and you could even show the scores by writing numbers in a spiral bound notebook and flipping the page for each correct answer.
Voice-overs Everyone has a favourite programme on video or DVD that they watch over and over again, so try turning down the volume and getting the children to add the characters' voices instead. They could even record them on a cassette player and run the sound back to see if it matches up. Or they could fill in their own cheeky dialogue!
Tommy Donbavand's website www.wobblebottom.comhas been revamped with new features. Check it out for more fun activities and to order his books Quick Fixes for Bored Kids, Boredom Busters and Quick Fixes for Kids' Parties, published by How To Books.
