How to conker parenting

The original playground craze that returns every autumn – even though most schools have now banned it. Collecting and playing with shiny, swinging conkers is a fun way to spend an afternoon – even if it comes with the occasional sibling scuffle.

How to try it:

• Hunt for the biggest, shiniest conkers under a local horse chestnut tree.
• Sort your collection and pick a few favourites.
• Parent step: drill a hole through the middle of each chosen conker.
• Thread a strong string or shoelace through the hole and knot it securely.

Reminder of the rules:

• Decide who goes first.
• One player dangles their conker still while the other swings to try and break it.
• Alternate turns after each swing.
• Keep going until one breaks – the winner is the one that survives.

Beware: favourites will break, and this can be emotional (for both parents and children), so have a few back-ups ready.