1) Know your wife (or husband) and cause your own little tribe to multiply (Genesis 1:28).
2) Wait nine-and-a-half months.
3) Immediately, you will be presented with the inability to sleep at night and the need to spend the early hours reading, rocking, singing and bouncing

The key step comes at this point; in the selection of reading matter employed. A tiny baby does not understand Spot the Dog any more than Exodus. At this stage, the little one is focused upon the rhythm of your voice and the interesting sounds coming from your mouth. Even for the older child (note I am not a child psychologist) I cannot see why Egypt being cursed with plagues would be any less enthralling than a mouse leading a monster around the forest.

Selecting an easy to read translation is probably going to be beneficial here; something like the ESV is probably a good bet. To reduce the light required to read; read from a laptop. Now, you achieve three things: your little one drifts off to sleep before you feel bored waiting, you get to put in some time reading the Bible, and perhaps subconsciously and over a few years, your child will learn something of life-and-death significance.

For a change or when the baby seems a little slow to settle, why not try singing Psalms? In my experience they work just as well as a lullaby; in fact with a bit of a stretch you can even fit them to the tune of a lullaby.

Toddler skittles
Save up empty pop bottles, the 1.5l ones are best. You need ten. Wash them well and add a cup of water to each. Close the lid tightly and use as skittles. A standard toddler play football or similar works well to knock them down.

This works well with the over-two group however younger children who are able to throw are able to enjoy a closer-range version!

Bubbles
Don’t forget that bubbles are great fun! Just get out a bubble kit and start blowing. If you don’t have a set, just take any wire (pipe cleaner, coat hanger, electrical core…) bend a ring in the end and dip it in a mix of baby-shampoo and water. Try not to sue washing up liquid with very small children as it may get in their eyes! Older children can be invited to join the bubble-blowing fun.

Pass the Parcel
A classic evergreen game! Put a sweet or small gift between all the layers, to keep the fun and excitement up. Smaller children will need some assistance with opening the parcel but they seem to understand the concept well and enjoy it. Find some lively music to make it all more exciting!