Here is a simple Christmas Santa beard craft that your kids, especially young preschoolers, will love to make. Using only a few basic materials, your children will love engaging in imaginary play and you’ll do doubt hear them call, “Ho, ho, ho”. Before you roll your eyes for me already getting into the swing of Christmas […]
Wooden toys children would love to receive as a gift
I recently received an email from someone asking what wooden toys children would love to receive as a gift and if there were any that I’d recommend. Wooden toys are certainly a great choice to make over plastic toys. I’m not rejecting children playing with plastic toys, all play is beneficial, but if budget allows then there are some reasons for […]
Painting with Water
Painting with water is one of those activities that kids absolutely love and can spend hours doing over and over again. It helps build their creativity and confidence to experiment and develop early writing skills. And all you need is a bit of sunshine, brush and water! I remember as a child painting with water on the […]
Playing with rainbow coloured spaghetti
Playing with rainbow coloured spaghetti is a very simple play idea that children of all ages enjoy. The cool, colourful stringy strands are almost irresistible, even to adults. By simply cooking and colouring spaghetti children are treated to a wonderful sensory experience that is hard to compare to any other and it’s amazing the different […]
Science experiment with colour changing flowers
This will have your children observing a simple science experiment with colour changing flowers! It is easy to set up and is a great lesson, especially for preschoolers. It helps children learn about how plants absorb water through its stem to nourish the head of the flower. This is such a classic science activity that your […]
How to make dancing ribbon rings
Dancing ribbon rings are beautiful when used by children. They simply hold the ring with the ribbons attached and move about with them. They promote physical exercise and ignight imagination and play. It’s so easy to learn how to make dancing ribbon rings too. You only need a couple of materials and you suddenly have a […]
Simple dream catcher craft for kids
Here is a simple dream catcher craft for kids using pieces I purchased at the discount variety retailer, The Reject Shop. This craft is easy for children as young as toddler age to make and they look absolutely beautiful when displayed. Sponsored by The Reject Shop One of the most common questions I’m asked by […]
Simple twirling ribbon wands
These beautiful and simple twirling ribbon wands are great fun for kids. Perfect way to get them moving their body and possibly incorporating a little imaginary play too! They are so easy to make but will give your children hours of fun. I was recently browsing our local haberdashery store when I came across their huge […]
Sensory writing bag
These sensory writing bags are a great alternative to giving children pen and paper. They can be used to encourage early or beginning writers to make attempts at making marks, forming letters (or numbers). They can also be used many times over. Simple, cheap and fun, these sensory writing bags will help build a child’s confidence to […]
Fizzy science experiment for kids
Here is an easy, fizzy science experiment for kids that requires only a few commonly found household ingredients. This science experiments, which uses baking soda and vinegar, teaches children about chemical reactions. As children conduct this science experiment they also develop a greater understanding of colours while building on their fine motor skills. Kids love science. Their gasps as […]
Easter carrot craft for toddlers
Have your toddler or preschooler do this simple Easter carrot craft using various orange coloured materials. A wonderful introduction to them learning how to use a glue stick and develop skills in cutting and pasting. This is the first time Possum (aged 3 years) has an understanding of Easter and the existence of the Easter […]
Easter bunny whiskers
If you’re looking for a quick and easy to make Easter craft then look no further than these adorable Easter bunny whiskers. Some children don’t like to wear full face masks and so this makes a great alternative. It’s also ridiculously cute! Don’t you just love when things are simple? It’s almost like a huge […]
Fine motor exercise using newspaper
Here is a simple and fun fine motor development exercise you can get your children to do at home or in the classroom. All you need is a single sheet of newspaper! It’s a fine motor exercise using newspaper! As a classroom teacher of ten years, I’ve come across many children who need help in […]
Cook healthy kale chips with kids
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would have heard of kale. It’s a super vegetable that boasts as being one of the healthiest available. Fortunately it’s now easy to buy and possible to cook healthy kale chips with kids that they will eat by the bowl full. Give it a go! It can […]
Valentine’s Day Doily Hearts
Simple Valentine’s Day activity that children as young as two years old can do! These Valentine’s Day doily hearts make gorgeous bunting when strung together or can be displayed individually on a window as a stunning sun catcher. These can be done any time of the year, but you might like to make it a […]
DIY Eye Spy Binoculars
I always find it very heart warming listening to Possum (aged 3 years) discover new things. When we are out and about she is constantly pointing to things she finds of interesting or not seen before. The world is such a big place with so much to learn about. We have started playing our toddler version […]
Caring for newborn with pretend play
Children love to engage in all sorts of pretend play and imitating the role of a parent is certainly one of the most enjoyed. Washing, cleaning, preparing food are all experiences they are familiar with happening to them and so it’s often fun to reverse this role and have them take on some caring responsibilities. As many […]
11 simple Poppy Crafts for Kids
Remembrance Day or ANZAC Day is a memorial day It’s a day that recognises all the members of the armed force who died in a line of duty since World War 1. The blood red poppies are a significant symbol of this day as they were the first flower to grow from the battle fields and […]
Dropper Painting for Kids
If you’re looking for an activity for your little one that is simple to set up, will have them engaged in learning about colours and developing fine motor skills then I present this fun and creative approach to painting. It’s dropper painting for kids. Possum (almost 3 years old) absolutely loved, loved, loved this painting activity. She really didn’t want […]
Sink or float experiment with nature
There seems a natural curiosity for kids to add things to water. A sink and float experiment with nature is always lots of fun and a great way to teach them about predicting and testing ideas. It’s also a delight watching their face react to the surprise of the expected and unexpected. 🙂 Whilst a sink or float experiment […]
Sticker Matching Activity
Here is a fun sticker matching activity for kids. It’s great to do with children who are beginning to recognise similarities and differences and making connections between objects and pictures. It’s wonderfully easy to set up too! Possum (almost 3 years) has quite an obsession with stickers! Are your children the same? It’s an obsession […]
Peach scented play dough
Play dough is great fun for kids, especially when you know how to make peach scented play dough. It’s so easy to make and the delicious scent will have your children playing with for a whole lot longer than you ever expected them to. The learning benefits of children playing with play dough is really quite endless. Anna […]
Homemade edible finger paint recipe
Here is a homemade edible finger paint recipe using 2 ingredients. Your children will love the silky sheen this paint leaves behind and the fact that it’s edible adds to the fun of finger painting with it. My little Possum (aged 2.5 years) loves to paint and spreading lots of colour over a blank page makes her day. This […]
Cupcake paper flowers
Cupcake paper flowers is a simple craft for kids and is great way to teach them about Spring and the many changes we can experience in a season. The Spring season would have to be one of my favourite times of the year. I just love watching the buds of growth start to appear in the garden and […]
How to fly a kite
Do you know how to fly a kite? There are a few simple steps you can do to make flying a kite with your children successful and lots of fun. We have recently enjoyed a coastal holiday on Australia’s north eastern beaches. The weather can be relied upon to be perfectly warm, however, we did experience […]
Quiet time glitter bottle
Unlike calming glitter bottles, a quiet time glitter bottle is designed for children who are just needing moments of rest and relaxation, rather than needing to reverse a feeling of anger or frustration. They are so simple to make and lovely for children to watch. The toddler years can be the time that grey hair […]
Decorating party hats
Children love to get creative using odd of bits and pieces found from around the home. Here is a simple activity in decorating party hats, which children as young as toddler age will have fun doing. Perfect and easy to set up for birthday parties or playgroup sessions. Possum (aged 2.5 years) loves to decorate […]
Glittery Goo
This glittery goo was so very easy to make and can be whipped together using only 3 ingredients. Often called ‘oobleck’, this sparkly oozy recipe is great fun for children to play with independently or as a group. This type of activity is wonderful for children of all ages to engage in and great for their sensory development. The oozy goo […]
Simple book week costume ideas
Every year since 1945, Australians have enjoyed celebrating Australian authors and their books. A nation wide book week is typically part of a preschool or primary school calendar and special events are organised to help inspire children to read and love books. One common approach schools take to celebrate national book week is to have children dress us […]
Weetbix slice kids can make
Weetbix slice kids can make I love getting into the kitchen and cooking with Possum (2.5 years) whenever I can. I admit I’m not a fancy cook, but fortunately kids are far from fussy when it comes to pouring in the flour or mixing everything into a bowl. Cooking is also a great indoor activity. Here […]