Mask ‘N’ Ask from Drumond Park.

I have this game saved for Christmas for my 4 year old son. He will absolutely love it. Children of a young age are obsessed about what they will ‘be when they grow up’ – I am sure you will agree??

My children ask me every night what they will ‘be’ and I always try and steer then towards ‘nice’ jobs (in my opinion!). I suggest careers like teaching, veterinarian and nursing. My suggestions are somewhat limited I know, but I believe in realism. What’s the point in suggesting a marine biologist, an astronaut, or an explorer of new worlds?

Am I a pessimist? I learnt to be care-full with my suggestions when my younger sister was choosing her college career. I had just seen Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and suggested to my sister that she should be an archaeologist! No-one could change her mind (mum and dad tried) but she studied archaeology for 4 years to degree level and came home every weekend covered in mud and her clothes were in tatters. She did however love it, working on the digs, but alas, opted for a career in insurance as Tutankhamun’s tomb had been discovered and she lost heart!

Mask ‘N’ Ask is a game where the children (and adults) wear a mask but they do not know which one they will be wearing. The object of the game is to guess who you are. Each player takes it in turns to ask a question to help them determine who they are. I think this is brilliant as a quite a few careers are covered and a few animals as well. Children will find themselves learning about jobs, who wears a uniform, a hard hat, and also about animals and the world around them. Best of all, they learn this through play – and not a computer in sight! Hurrah!!

There are 30 double sided masks in total so boredom will not set in, everyone wants to be the Princess just like Kate, or a Sailor and so on.

Oodles of fun to be had and a lot of learning too. Excellent value at £16.99.

Available from many department stores, most major toy shop chains and independents, plus the leading grocery chains and catalogue and online traders.