If you’re finding that every night of the week is packed with soccer practice, piano lessons and tutoring, consider opening up some time for free play. "Just relax and let your children play as children," says Halpern. Avoid toys that can only be played one way or come with a long list of instructions. Instead, opt for things such as building blocks, dough, crayons and paper or just kitchen utensils. "Free play is about letting children solve their own problems, as opposed to showing them what the answer is," she says.

For ages 3-5

• Unexpected toys. Grab a pile of household thing — spoons, cotton balls, toilet paper rolls — and toss them in the middle of the floor. For even more novelty, mix this grab-bag with toys that are normally kept in a different room.
• Obstacle course. In the yard or at the park, set up an example obstacle course to start. (Maybe swing once on the swing, take five hops, run in a circle, then make a little sculpture out of nearby leaves.) Then let your child set up his own course that you and others must follow.

For ages 6-9

• Act it out. Suggest your child and siblings or friends perform a play or TV show. Give them paper to make tickets, set a time you’ll able available to watch, then let them get to rehearsal. (And don’t set up a stage: they’ll figure that out themselves.)

For ages 9-11

• Create a game. Pull out all the family games and suggest you child create his own, either using all original materials, or pulling ideas and props from existing games. Suggest he write out the rules and agree to play when he’s done.