• SHOP PRODUCTS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Laughing Kids Learn

Where learning is made fun

  • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
us sensory bottle with stars

USA Patriotic sensory bottle

May 6, 2020 by Kate 3 Comments

Ignite your US patriotic spirit this memorial day, the 4th of July, Presidents Day and throughout the year with a gorgeous USA patriotic sensory bottle. Using red, white and blue stars, this sensory bottle will help your kids celebrate, learn to self-regulate and calm down. I have a confession, I’m not actually American. I’m actually […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Celebrate, Craft, Fine Motor, Party, Sensory Play, Special Events Tagged With: sensory, sensory bottle, usa

Threading yarn on a paper plate activity

June 14, 2019 by Kate Leave a Comment

I love that developing fine motor skills can be as simple as threading yarn on a paper plate. This is one of those activities can came about from my oldest daughter being ‘bored’. That’s when such great creativity happens. Recommended age: 3 years + (Strict and close supervision required on all ideas shared) I love […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Making

Wet paper towel art

February 12, 2019 by Kate 9 Comments

With the weather starting to change, we decided to have a go at some wet paper towel art. Oh my gosh, it was so much fun and addictive. Both my girls, Possum (aged 7 years) and Boo (aged 4 years) could draw and colour in for days. If ever I want to engage them in […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, Art, Craft

feature image cut and paste

Simple cut and paste collage art activity for toddlers and preschoolers

April 24, 2018 by Kate 1 Comment

Try this simple cut and paste collage art activity for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s wonderfully open-ended and it helps develop basic skills in using scissors and more.    Just because an activity is simple to set up doesn’t mean it isn’t fun and educational for children. There should be no shame. These types of activities […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Fine Motor Tagged With: art, collage, loose parts, preschooler, scissors, toddler

Decorating and adding nature to paper activity

Cut and paste nature art activity

January 14, 2018 by Kate 3 Comments

If your looking for a quick set up activity that will engage and entertain children of all ages, then get them to do this cut and paste nature art activity. It’s a wonderful way to get them outdoors, into nature and thinking creatively.   It’s holidays at the moment *ahhhh* and whilst I love the […]

Filed Under: activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Growing, Natural Materials, Outdoor Activity, Uncategorized

Painting gift wrapping paper for christmas gifts

Painting Christmas gift wrapping paper

November 22, 2017 by Kate 1 Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission from any purchases made.  Christmas is a time for giving and our family loved to go to the effort of painting Christmas gift wrapping paper. It’s so simple and children as young as toddler age can do it.  I was at the store […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Christmas, Messy Play, Outdoor Activity, Paint Tagged With: Christmas, paint

drawing and painting with chalk and water

Drawing with wet chalk

November 20, 2017 by Kate Leave a Comment

When your children are starting to really lose the plot and you’re looking for a quick and simple activity then ask them to do some drawing with wet chalk! Your children will think you come up with the best ideas and you might even have time for a coffee as they play!  Don’t get me […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art, Outdoor Activity, Uncategorized Tagged With: chalk, drawing

painting together using ball box and paint

Kids painting together using a ball and a box

October 5, 2017 by Kate 2 Comments

When you’re looking for an activity that children can to together then look no further than this creative idea. It’s simply getting kids painting together using a ball and a box. The task requires a team effort, communication and coordination.   It’s almost every week that our family visit the local fruit and vegetable grocer and […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Messy Play, Paint, Video Tagged With: outdoors, paint

Painting on foil is lots of fun for kids

Painting on Tin Foil

October 1, 2017 by Kate 4 Comments

Giving your child the opportunity to try painting on foil can be a great alternative to offering them standard white paper. Children learn very quickly that paint on foil responds quite differently to what they are used to and that the foil medium is very fragile.  I’m all for setting up creative stations for my […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Fine Motor, Indoor play, Making

paint pots with cotton q-tips to use for kids to paint with

Kids painting with cotton q-tips

August 18, 2017 by Kate 2 Comments

If you haven’t had your kids painting with cotton q-tips then I urge you to give this simple and creative idea a go a-sap! It is really simple to set up and you can leave your toddler or preschooler to be as expressive as they like!  Whenever my girls, Possum (aged 5.5 years) and Boo […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Fine Motor, Indoor play, Paint Tagged With: fine motor, paint, preschoolers, toddler

Grace with picture for Drawsome

Your child’s artwork printed on a tee

July 28, 2017 by Kate 2 Comments

If you’re looking for a unique gift idea for your child to give someone they love, consider getting your child’s artwork printed on a tee. This is possible with Drawsome Gifts, a fabulous Australian company that I love and know you will too! Don’t forget to take advantage of the great discount at the end of […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Father's Day, Gift Idea, Sponsored Post Tagged With: Father's Day, gift, sponsored

Ice Painting

Ice painting activity for kids

June 5, 2017 by Kate 13 Comments

This ice painting activity for kids is lots of fun and a cool and unique way to get children to paint. It’s so simple to prepare and they will love creating vibrant colours and mixing them to make new colours.  You might remember a long time ago, Possum (currently aged 5 years), did some painting with […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Fine Motor, Sensory Play, Writing Tagged With: ice, painting

photo-collage-2016-52weeksofplay

#52weeksofplay weekly photo challenge 2017

December 1, 2016 by Kate 4 Comments

Wow. Never in my dreams did I expect to get such a huge response to the 2016 #52weeksofplay Instagram photo challenge. We have seen close to 2000 photographs tagged with #52weeksofplay.  Click here to Join In – 2017 I’m SO excited to reveal the new list that will begin 1st January, 2017! I have to be […]

Filed Under: #52weeksofplay, Art, Art & Craft, Cook, Craft, Fine Motor, Halloween, Literacy, Making, Messy Play, Parenting

Juggling balls using balloons and rice

How to make juggling balls using rice and balloons

October 18, 2016 by Kate 10 Comments

Do you know how to make juggling balls using rice and balloons? It’s so very easy for children to make and juggling is a great skill to learn as it develops physical co-ordination, concentration and eye tracking. These juggling balls are cheap and simple to make, which makes them also great to sell at preschool […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art, Art & Craft, Craft, featured, Gift Idea, Outdoor Activity, Video Tagged With: balloons, gift idea

Easter salt dough ornaments

Salt dough Easter ornaments kids can make and paint

March 16, 2016 by Kate 8 Comments

Salt dough is so fabulous because, if you’re using my recipe, it only requires 3 simple ingredients to make and sets rock hard in the oven. We made some wonderful salt dough Easter ornaments that kids can make and paint themselves and hang on display for the whole family to enjoy. They would make great […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art, Celebrate, Easter, Paint Tagged With: decoration, ornament, salt dough

Simple face painting design of a lion

February 2, 2016 by Kate 9 Comments

Here is a simple face painting design of a lion that your kids are sure to love. You only need a few basic colours and this design only takes a few minutes to do, so it will suit those children who struggle to sit still for long periods of time.  Possum (aged 4 years) absolutely […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Pretend Play

Collecting leaves from nature walk

Large scale leaf art activity

June 29, 2015 by Kate 4 Comments

Children love making art on a large scale and so here is a large scale leaf art activity that is simple to set up and engaging for children. Going on a nature hunt and finding a variety of leaves, adding them to a sticky surface or large piece of paper is lots of fun for kids and […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Art & Craft Tagged With: autumn or fall, colours, comparing, large scale, nature, outdoors, seasons, shapes, sizes

Colour painting with droppers

Dropper Painting for Kids

October 28, 2014 by Kate 16 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Fine Motor, Paint Tagged With: fine motor, indoors, learning colours, outdoors, painting

finger painting with edible and shiny 2 ingredient paint

Homemade edible finger paint recipe

September 15, 2014 by Kate 14 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Messy Play, Paint, Uncategorized Tagged With: activity, art, colours, fine motor, homemade, paint, painting, recipe, sensory

handmade wrapping paper with cardboard shape stamps

Cardboard shape stamps

July 30, 2014 by Kate 11 Comments

    We always have lots of painting activities on our ‘to do’ list and I was pleased to finally get around to doing this one, cardboard shape stamps. It’s not a new activity, in fact Mama, Papa, Bubba inspired me with this post, but it was one I knew little Possum (2.5 years) would have […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft Tagged With: colours, indoors, outdoors, paint, painting, recycling, shapes

Dragonflies

Dragonfly craft for kids

June 27, 2014 by Kate 9 Comments

There is something so wonderful about dragonflies, something magical and interesting. Possum (2.5 years) was interested to learn more about them when we came across a poster, which illustrated a dragonfly, amongst other things. So to tap into her curiosity I decided to make a simple dragonfly craft for kids, which also turned in to […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Play Tagged With: craft, fine motor, making, painting, preschool, pretend play

Sorting Colours Activity from 3-5 ebook

Three to Five: Playful Preschool ebook

May 18, 2014 by Kate 18 Comments

  It is with great excitement and a lot of anticipation that I announce the launch of this outstanding preschool activity book. If you had a child who is aged around 3 – 5 then this downloadable resource book for you. Covering a wide variety of learning areas, such as math, language, science, art and play, […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, Art, Craft, ebook, Numeracy, Play Tagged With: activities, ebook, preschooler, printables

Bath Paints using 2 ingredients

Bath Paints using 2 ingredients

March 7, 2014 by Kate 35 Comments

Children love painting, especially on the smooth surfaces found in a bathroom. With this in mind I present to you a fabulous recipe for bath paints using only 2 ingredients. It’s quite amazing to me that I’ve not yet shared an activity that is for the bath! Well the time has come for me to […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Paint, Recipes Tagged With: creating, paint, recipe

Homemade puzzles using paper plates

Homemade puzzles for toddlers using paper plates

February 17, 2014 by Kate 20 Comments

Here are some terrific homemade puzzles for toddlers using paper plates! They are so easy to make and their level of difficulty can be easily adjusted to suit the individual needs of the child. Possum (aged 2.2 years) has shown a keen interest lately in learning about colours. Maybe it’s a toddler thing. Whilst she […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Making, Paint, Uncategorized Tagged With: colours, DIY, homemade, matching, puzzles, shapes, sorting

handmade DIY string bowl craft for kids

How to make a string bowl with kids

February 15, 2014 by Kate 22 Comments

Here are the instructions on how to make a string bowl with kids. It’s a great craft activity that is great for developing fine motor skills, especially in older children. I find it really rewarding to transform simple items into something useful. My husband has almost stopped rolling his eyes at the moments his found […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Craft, Gift Idea, Making, Paint, Uncategorized Tagged With: children, craft, fine motor, how to, kids, make, painting

Toddler activity decorating fans for Chinese New Year.

Decorating Fans for Chinese New Year

January 23, 2014 by Kate 7 Comments

Craft activity for kids in decorating fans for Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is an important Chinese holiday the begins on January 31st and runs over many days. I’m sad to say that I’ve never experienced the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, although it is on my list of things to do. Splashes of […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Celebrate, Paint, Uncategorized Tagged With: 2014, art, chinese new year, fans

Clapping Sticks

Aboriginal Clapping Sticks

January 13, 2014 by Kate 19 Comments

There is so much about Australia that I love, however, I have always been interested in the beautiful art of our indigenous Australians . With this in mind I thought it might be fun for Possum and I to make our own version of the traditional musical instruments called clapping sticks.    Suggested Age: 2 years + You will […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Fine Motor Tagged With: music, painting, play, sticks

Milk Carton Christmas Ornaments

December 3, 2013 by Kate 2 Comments

  There is a real air of excitement around this coming Christmas Day. Possum will have turned 2 years old and its already becoming very clear to us that she is quickly working out what all the fuss is about.     She loved helping her daddy bring our Christmas tree to life (yes, it’s fake) […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Christmas

Share It Saturday – 20 ways to entertain children this weekend

September 6, 2013 by Kate 5 Comments

Here is a collection of 20 activities children can do on a weekend!  Because sometimes the weekends can feel long for children and parents never like hearing ‘I’m bored‘.  ART ACTIVITIES Painted Stick Instruments – TwodalooDot Painting – Danya Banya Salad Spinner  Art – Mama to 5 Blessings Nature Collage – P is for Preschooler […]

Filed Under: Art, Craft, Share It Saturday

Painting with Bubble Wands

September 2, 2013 by Kate 21 Comments

Painting with children is lots of fun and especially when it’s done with bubble wands!  Such a unique and fun learning experience for children and the creative markings look great!      Possum’s current obsession at the moment is with bubbles. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles! We usually make our own bubble solution. I love how she […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Paint

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »
Welcome
Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
Read my about page to find out more.

facebookpinteresttwitterinstagramgoogle plusyoutube

Search

Find More Great Ideas Here:

sesnory play
art and craft
nummeracy
literacy
Science
recipes
videos

Join the Tribe!

Subscribe



Find Activities by Age

  • 0 – 12 months
  • 1 – 3 years
  • 3 – 5 years
  • 5 – 10 years

Find Activities by Celebration

  • Christmas
  • SHOP PRODUCTS

Privacy Policy

  • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

Find posts by month

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in