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paper plate craft spinners with penny

DIY coin or penny paper plate spinners

June 15, 2020 by Kate Leave a Comment

It doesn’t matter what you call them, these DIY coin or penny paper plate spinners are great fun to make with your children. When they spin, the colors mix together and make a real show. I remember making these as a child, they absolutely capture my heart. What I especially love about them is that […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft, Fine Motor, Indoor play, Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: craft, paper plate

Coffee filter butterfly craft for kids

June 9, 2020 by Kate 2 Comments

Simple and fun is this beautiful coffee filter butterfly craft for kids. They are quite easy to make and use only a few materials too, so it’s hard to stop at making one. How to make coffee filter butterflies You might remember a few years ago Possum and I made cellophane dragonflies. They were lots […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Making, Paint, Seasons, Spring Tagged With: animals, butterfly, coffee filters, fine motor skills, pipe cleaners

Weather lacing cards

June 1, 2020 by Kate 2 Comments

These themed weather lacing cards are not only gorgeous, but they help develop fine motor skills and interest. Ideal teaching tool for teachers and parents to use with their children. Weather lacing cards When I was teaching in the classroom I would always look forward to our topic investigation on ‘weather’. What is your favourite […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Autumn / Fall, Craft, Fine Motor, Outdoor Activity, Printable, Spring, Winter Tagged With: fine motor, fine motor skills, lacing cards

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

How to make rubber bouncy balls

April 20, 2020 by Kate 2 Comments

Bouncy balls are always lots of fun to play with. Here I’ll teach you the instructions my daughter taught me on how to make rubber bouncy balls. I don’t mind those days that my children feel bored. I’ve fallen in to the trap of being the in-house entertainment for my children before. It only caused […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Craft, Fine Motor, Gift Idea, Indoor play, Science

calming sensory bottles for children to use this easter as alternative to chocolate.

Calming sensory bottles with an Easter theme

March 31, 2020 by Kate 4 Comments

Easter is no doubt a time of year that children can become full of chocolate and high in energy. With that in mind, I decided to make calming sensory bottles with an Easter theme. If you’re not familiar with sensory bottles, they are so simple to make and great to add whatever fillings you like. […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Celebrate, Craft, Easter, Indoor play, Play, Sensory Play

dinosaur activities for children of all ages.

23 dinosaur activities toddlers will love

November 6, 2019 by Kate Leave a Comment

Dinosaurs roamed the earth around 232 million years ago, yet they remain so popular with children even today. Just because they are so awesome, here are 23 dinosaur activities toddlers will love. Of course, older children are sure to enjoy them too. Share with me below what your child likes about dinosaurs. If you have […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Craft, Making, Messy Play, Outdoor Activity, Play, Playdough, Sensory Play

Paper bag craft for kids #papercraft #paperbag #preschool #school #campingactivities #camping #lovetomake #diybag #kidscrafts #lovetomake #waldorf #homeschooling #playathome #papercrafting #paper #makewithpaper

How to make a woven paper bag

September 16, 2019 by Kate 4 Comments

When your children are bored and you’re looking for a fun craft activity, teach them how to make a woven paper bag. It’s quite easy! My daughters Possum (aged 7 years) and Boo (aged 4 years) love paper crafts, absolutely, love, love, love them. So when Possum said she wanted to teach me how to […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Gift Idea, Indoor play Tagged With: craft, paper

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

cutting paper hair on cardboard dolls

Cutting paper hair on cardboard dolls

February 25, 2019 by Kate 7 Comments

I’ve spotted this idea floating around Pinterest and pinned it many times as something to try with Boo (aged 4 years). Finally got to it and this cutting paper hair on cardboard dolls activity didn’t disappoint. When I was young I used to love playing hair salons with my neighbours. This reminded me of that. […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, paper craft, scissors

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

Queen's crown

Queen’s Crown craft for kids

May 9, 2018 by Kate Leave a Comment

Here is a royally gorgeous craft that your preschooler will really enjoy doing. It’s simple to set up, creative and can be used for role playing. It’s a lovely Queen’s crown craft for kids!  Queen’s Crown craft for kids Both of my girls absolutely love role playing and with the recent news of the birth […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Craft, Making, Pretend Play Tagged With: craft, loose parts, paper craft

kids cup weaving craft gift idea

Paper cup weaving craft for kids to make and gift

April 17, 2018 by Kate 8 Comments

Here is a paper cup weaving craft for kids to make and gift to a friend or keep themselves. It’s creates a decorative cup that you can store odd bits and pieces in. This craft is ideal for children of school age and you’ll find they struggle to stop at making just one.  I find […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, activities for children, Craft, Fine Motor, Gift Idea, Making, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, gift, school, yarn

cardboard tube goat craft

Billy Goats Gruff craft idea for kids

March 28, 2018 by Kate 3 Comments

“The Three Billy Goats Gruff” is a traditional Norwegian Fairy Tale that is loved by children (and adults) all over the world. As a wonderful follow up to reading the story you might be interested in the Billy Goats Gruff craft idea for kids of school aged and beyond!  As a child I was always scared […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Literacy, Pretend Play Tagged With: animal, cardboard, story

painted hearts for valentines day cards made by toddlers and preschooler #valentinesdayactivity #activityforkids #happyvalentinesday #kidspaint #paintingwithkids #lovelovelove #lovehearts #paperactivities #kidscraft

Valentine’s Day cards with painted hearts

February 4, 2018 by Kate 1 Comment

It’s hard to believe that January is behind us and we are in the thick of February already! Valentine’s Day almost passed me by, but instead the girls and I got creative and made our own Valentines Day cards with painted hearts!  So Valentine’s Day is not a big thing in our family, we don’t […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft, valentine's day Tagged With: hearts, paint, preschooler, Valentine's Day

christmas bauble for kids to make

DIY sequinned Christmas bauble kids can make

December 11, 2017 by Kate 2 Comments

* For your convenience, affiliate links are included within this post  Christmas trees are popping up everywhere and with so many gorgeous decorations. Here is a simple DIY sequinned Christmas bauble you might like to make with your child. The sparkle on the tree and last a life time.  I’m always taken back to my […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Christmas, Craft, Fine Motor, Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, fine motor, preschool

How to make paper snowflakes with kids

September 11, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

Children are fascinated with snow flakes and these square paper folded snow flakes are just beautiful and fun to make. Let me show you how to make paper snowflakes with kids. They will not stop at making just one.  I remember so clearly as a child making piles and piles of square and unique paper […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Seasons, Winter Tagged With: paper, scissors, Winter

How to make Paper Springs for fine motor development and as a fun activity to do at home, school or on camp

How to make fun paper springs

July 12, 2017 by Kate 9 Comments

When you’re wanting a quick activity for your children, who are complaining of being bored, then I have the perfect idea for you. Check out below how to make fun paper springs with your children. They look gorgeous and are wonderful for developing fine motor skills.  It’s school holidays here in Australia at the moment […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Uncategorized Tagged With: colour, fine motor, paper

stamp potato for kids to use with paint

Potato stamping and printing

May 10, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

If your child hasn’t already tried this, then get them onto potato stamping and printing. It’s very easy and makes great use of those potatoes that somehow become forgotten at the back of the pantry. The paper they stamp on can put on on display or made into gorgeous home painted wrapping paper. Gorgeous!  I’m […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Craft, Mother's Day, Paint Tagged With: paint, stamping

sticking pieces onto gift toddler for mother's day or father's day

I love you to pieces printable gift

May 2, 2017 by Kate 4 Comments

It can often be hard for little children to make a special gift for a loved one, be it a mother for Mother’s Day or a father for Father’s Day or grandparent. But this gorgeous I love you to pieces printable gift is ideal for little kids to do as an activity and handmade gift for […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for babies, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Craft, Mother's Day, Printable Tagged With: free printable, mother's day, preschooler, toddler

cupcake liner poppies craft for kids to make.

Red memorial poppy craft using a cupcake liner

April 24, 2017 by Kate 13 Comments

Here is a red memorial poppy craft using a cupcake liner and a few other basic pieces. This is a sweet little craft for kids to make in the lead up to ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day.  The red poppy has long been used as a symbol of war remembrance for ANZAC Day (April 25th) and […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Craft, Parenting Tagged With: Anzac Day, cupcake liner, Remembrance Day, toddlers

Handmade Easter Pop Up Toy for kids to craft and play with

Handmade Easter pop up toy craft for kids

March 30, 2017 by Kate 4 Comments

You’re going to adore this, it’s a handmade Easter pop up toy craft for kids. They are simple to make, your child can make them whatever characters they like and they are endless fun to play with. Perfect little craft to make in the lead up to Easter and a nice alternative to chocolate.  I […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Craft, Easter Tagged With: craft, easter, handmade, paint

drawing on cardboard

Create a play map using a cardboard box

January 30, 2017 by Kate 4 Comments

We all know that you give a child and gift and they’ll likely play with the box. So often we can get caught up in giving elaborate and expensive gifts when the open-ended(ness) of a cardboard box is what really taps into their creativity and imagination. So here is an idea, get your child to create a play map using […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Craft, Numeracy Tagged With: cardboard, imaginative play, pencils, recycle

Chinese New Year 2017 Rooster craft for kids

Chinese New Year 2017 simple rooster craft for kids

January 17, 2017 by Kate 5 Comments

Here I have a Chinese New Year 2017 simple rooster craft for kids. It’s a great paper craft that can be made in minutes and used as a gorgeous decoration for this exciting time of year.  Many of you would already know, I’m always keen to get my children involved in the excitement of various cultural events and […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Craft Tagged With: chinese new year, paper craft

Pom Pom Popper or Shooter fun using plastic cup and balloon

Pom Pom Popper using plastic cup and balloons

January 11, 2017 by Kate 16 Comments

Here is an idea your kids will absolutely love. It’s a simple pom pom popper using a plastic cup and a balloon. It’s great for those times when the kids are stuck indoors and your looking for safe entertainment for them.  You’ve no doubt seen these fabulous little poppers over on Pinterest, they are seriously […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Craft, featured, Indoor play, Outdoor Activity, Play Tagged With: all ages, balloons, plastic cups

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

pencil-topper-feature

Simple to make Halloween pencil toppers

October 24, 2016 by Kate 6 Comments

Children love Halloween and so I thought I’d share some simple to make Halloween pencil toppers. It’s a quick little craft that will suit all ages, especially toddlers. It’s a great way to encourage children to write, draw and develop their strength in holding a pencil.  Possum (aged 4.5 years) and Boo (1.5 years) are […]

Filed Under: Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft, Halloween Tagged With: craft, Halloween, preschooler, toddler

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

how to make superhero cuffs using toilet rolls and paper.

How to make Superhero cuffs using toilet roll tubes

September 13, 2016 by Kate 12 Comments

If you could have any super power, what would it be? Lots of children love superheroes, especially Batman and Superman, and so in this post I’m going to share how to make superhero cuffs using toilet roll tubes and coloured paper. This is a great activity for boys an girls and I love that children […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Craft, Making, Pretend Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: pretend play, superhero

How to make felt star wands that are easy to make and lovely to give as a gift from a child.

Star felt play wand

July 18, 2016 by Kate 11 Comments

Handmade gifts are by far the best gift to give and receive. If you’re looking for a simple craft project to do yourself or one for your older child to make then have a go at making a beautifully whimsical star felt play wand. This homemade, hand stitched star felt play wand will ignite the creativity […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Craft, featured, Gift Idea, Pretend Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: creative play, felt, gift idea, hand stitching, imaginary play, school aged, thread

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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.

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