Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s triumphantly-titled Victory Arena will be hosting a few conquests and disasters this weekend as visitors get the chance to play giant snakes and ladders, Battleships, custom-made twists on classic naval games and activities include facepainting.

It’s not just for kids – Tokyo Rose, a Japanese propaganda board game which proved popular during the Second World War, is a hand-drawn, risqué encounter designed by sailors on board an Australian escort sloop in 1945.

“I should probably be telling you that we are all working hard instead of playing, but I had a play of Battleships myself while they were making it,” confesses the Dockyard’s Melissa Gerbaldi. “It’s great fun.”

Runs 11am-4.30pm August 21 – 22 2010. Call 023 9272 7582 or e-mail the museum for more details.

2010 is Year of the Museum in the South-East. Discover a museum at www.culture24.org.uk/southeast and find out about the Beautiful South campaign at www.visitsoutheastengland.com.