Try to concentrate on moving your pen with the gear, in the direction that the gear is rolling – rather than how the design is developing. Doing this will help you get used to the motion needed to create that design.

Provide the thread and whatever sweet treats your kids are going to string onto them – they can see what tempting creations they manage to put together.I love the Crayola Color Wonder kit as well – the markers only show up on the special paper, so your kids can’t mark themselves or the car, plus it’s a fun mystery to see how the pictures turn out. Metallic markers Buy crossword puzzle books and/or print some of these puzzles at home before leaving for the road trip. With younger kids, try spying something of a particular colour rather than needing to spell the word out. Whether you’ve got action figures, Barbie dolls or your kids’ collection of toy animals or dinosaurs, kids can use their creative side and imagination to create different scenarios. Matchbox cars This Funny Face magnetic play set can also be used as a game or try this Funny Faces activity set. There are magnetic dress up options too. Create a mask

In 1981 Denys Fisher himself developed another drawing toy called Cyclex. Cyclex was based on advanced trigonometry. On the box Another one for everyone to play, to see who can remember each item as you work through the alphabet. Gel pens are always fun, but these outline markers from Super Squiggles are fabulous, with shimmery metallic shades surrounded by a bright outline – great for doodling some fancy designs. Color by number This travel spirograph is compact and there’s less chance of losing bits too. Plus you can always get kids to shade it in once they’ve finished making the outline for added entertainment value. Doodle BoardOr for a twist on the original version, this I Spy game sees everyone drawing cards and having to spot the items in your hand to win. Simon Says drawer. His son Martin, aged 4, played with it and found he could draw patterns with it. Fieldhouse then

An early appearance on Blue Peter also helped bring Spirograph to national attention and it was soon selling Keep your pen as vertical as possible when drawing, as this will help the gears to move around the ring as smoothly as possible. Scottish Highlands Postcodes (IV, HS, KA27-28, KW, PA20-49, PA60-78, PH17-26, PH30-n 44, PH49-50, ZE ) 48 Hour Dispatch

How to use Spirograph

If you can find something the whole family enjoys, that’s ideal, but otherwise get them set up with headphones so you don’t all have to listen to the same story. You can’t go wrong with an old-fashioned game of Simon Says – as long as you can actually do the challenges while securely belted in. They're based in convenient locations including supermarkets, newsagents and train stations. Plus they're often open late and on Sundays.