For many of us growing up, autumn and conkers went together like fish and chips.
But the art of playing with conkers seems to be a bit of a dying game, now youngsters only have to reach for the latest tablet or smartphone to occupy
So what else should we do with them?
Keep spiders away
Conkers release a chemical that spiders seem to hate so a few strategically placed bowls should do the trick this autumn
...and moths too
Keep some conkers in your wardrobe to stop moths from nibbling away at them their brown skins contains a substance called triterpenoid saponin that wards off the pests
Some experimentation
If you throw conkers into a bonfire, they'll explode due to a build-up of steam. If you pierce them, the steam is released more easily.
Make a friendship bracelet
You can decorate and string them together to offer to friends, although they may need some chopping up first
Make a good luck charm
Wearing a conker on a necklace is said to bring good luck to the wearer.
Make them a feature to brighten up the home
You can fill a tall glass with them and leave them on a windowsill or dinner table for an instant autumn feel.
Use them to paint
Place a piece of paper inside a tray, dip the conker in paint and roll it around the tray for an interesting paint effect.
Conker and spoon race
An autumn take on the good old egg and spoon race will get children outside even as the weather starts to get a bit colder!
Play boules
Mark your boules with acrylic paint, go outside and set up some boundary lines and get bowling. They don't roll straight, which adds to the fun
