If you’re trying to prise your child away from the PlayStation or the television to spend some quality time, why not teach them a life-long skill at the same time?

Stitching and crafts are sadly no longer mandatory parts of the school curriculum, and these important skills are being lost. There will be a whole generation of adults who cannot even sew on a button or mend a hem.

Anchor, one of the world’s leading names in needlework and threads, have come up with an answer. Designed to be stitched by beginners, and perfect for both girls and boys, these My First Stitch kits are ideal for teaching basic running stitch.

The child-friendly designs of pirates and princesses are printed onto fabric, and all small hands have to do is a running stitch, following the line to complete the picture. The fabric then is stretched taut over stretched canvas and ready to mount straight onto the wall - your child’s first artwork on display.

My First Stitch kits come with all you need including printed fabric, Anchor Stranded Cotton thread and a stretched canvas to mount the design.

It’s an ideal way of parents and children working together to create something, and to keep them away from the TV!

The finished size is 20cmx20cm and the kits retail at around £9.95. For stockists information call Coats Crafts Consumer Services on 01325 394237.