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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

Simple slime recipe with foam balls

May 18, 2020 by Kate 7 Comments

Here is a fun and simple slime recipe with foam balls. Your children will love the texture and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make! Slime has certainly been very popular with children over the last few years, although I’m not sure their parents would agree. Haha The truth is, however, that slime […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, Indoor play, Making, Messy Play, Playdough, Recipes, Sensory Play Tagged With: messy play, recipe, sensory, slime

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

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

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

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

Threading activity for toddlers using cardboard beads

Threading activity for toddlers using large cardboard beads

February 17, 2017 by Kate 12 Comments

For some children, threading can be an incredibly difficult task. Small beads and undeveloped fine motor skills can make it incredibly challenging and cause them a lot of frustration. Instead, you might like to consider this threading activity for toddlers using large cardboard beads!  Boo (aged 2 years) loves all kinds of threading activities and […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Fine Motor, Making Tagged With: cardboard, paper, preschool, threading, toddler

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

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

chocolate bird nests for kids to make over Easter or for a party

Chocolate bird nests your kids can make at home

June 16, 2016 by Kate 3 Comments

Brace yourselves because here are some delicious chocolate bird nests your kids can make at home! They are so easy to make and you only need 3 ingredients. Perfect to prepare for kids birthday parties, to enjoy over Easter or to simply have as a sweet treat, this is one recipe you should keep aside and […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, Cook, Making, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: 3 ingredients, cooking, recipe

collection of chinese fortune cookies for chinese new year

Chinese fortune cookies with notes of encouragement for kids

February 6, 2016 by Kate 5 Comments

Using cupcake liners you can make these adorable Chinese Fortune Cookies with notes of encouragement for kids. They are fun to make and children will love being inspired by the little messages inside that warm the heart. I’ve included free printable notes you can cut out and use with prewritten or space for you to […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Fine Motor, Making Tagged With: chinese new year, fine motor, pretend play, social skills

One little christmas craft of a tree using a cupcake patty pan.

Little Christmas tree craft made from a cupcake liner

December 21, 2015 by Kate Leave a Comment

Here is an adorable little Christmas tree craft made from a cupcake liner and a few other bits and pieces. Gorgeous on a Christmas card or on display, it’s perfect for preschoolers and beyond to make with quite a bit of independence. This craft also helps develop skills in them following step by step instructions and […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Christmas, Craft, Making Tagged With: Christmas, craft, cupcake liners, cutting and pasting, preschoolers

delicious simple bread recipe

Simple, no yeast bread recipe for kids to make

October 5, 2015 by Kate 9 Comments

Who doesn’t love the taste of warm homemade bread? Well this is a simple, no yeast bread recipe for kids to make easily and have fun moulding the dough into funny and creative characters. This bread recipe is delicious when served with jam and butter and makes a great afternoon snack.  As you’ve seen from […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Cook, Fine Motor, Making Tagged With: cooking

How to make a prince or princess pipe cleaner crown that children will love wearing.

How to make a pipe cleaner crown

September 30, 2015 by Kate 5 Comments

Here is the simple instructions on how to make a pipe cleaner crown. They are so lovely and whimsical, your child is sure to love making and wearing one of these. They are also a lovely costume accessory for when your child is in the mood for some imaginative play.  A teacher friend of mine recently […]

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

Paper plate Crown

Paper plate crowns

May 29, 2015 by Kate 7 Comments

Children of all ages will have fun making simple paper plate crowns or hats. They are easy to make and a great way for children to get creative and possibly get into some imaginative play using them. So let me show you how to make them.  A few days ago I received a message on my […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Making, Play Tagged With: craft, imaginative play, paper plates

Gorgeous and simple fairy garden

How to make a fairy garden

May 7, 2015 by Kate 20 Comments

Children love fairy gardens, they are magical and great for imaginative play. Surprisingly to some, they are actually really very easy to make and don’t have to cost a fortune. They can vary in sizes, shapes and look however your child dreams. Here I share with you how to make a fairy garden for your […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Making, Outdoor Activity, Play Tagged With: imaginative play, outdoors

Easter bunny craft using paper plates

Easter bunny paper plate craft

March 24, 2015 by Kate 31 Comments

Children will love making simple Easter bunny craft using paper plates. Using very few materials, they can be made into masks and used in imaginary play or displayed in a way that will create some Easter cheer.  How adorable is this Easter bunny paper plate craft! It’s so easy for children to make and can […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Easter, Making, Pretend Play, Special Events Tagged With: craft, easter, painting, pretend play. paper plates

making wrist bands

DIY duct tape bracelets

February 16, 2015 by Kate 14 Comments

Children love to make jewellery and these DIY duct tape bracelets are fun and easy. With the many different varieties of colourful tape available these days, the possibilities are endless.  Possum (aged 3 years) has started to really love jewellery. Bracelets, necklaces, rings are all the rage for her at the moment and she became very […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Making

Chrsitmas angel for toddlers to make craft

Christmas angel using a paper roll

December 14, 2014 by Kate Leave a Comment

When Christmas arrives it’s always ridiculously chaotic and busy. It is for this reason that I find myself choose fun activities that aren’t going to add extra stress with lots of different materials, mess or be something that takes days to complete.   This adorable little Christmas angel using a paper roll is one such activity […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Christmas, Making, Paint, Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, craft, paper rolls, toilet rolls

Simple Book Week Costumes for kids to wear to school

Simple book week costume ideas

August 17, 2014 by Kate 3 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Making, Parenting Tagged With: pretend play

How to make sherbet. Simple recipe that is also a great science activity for kids

How to make sherbet

July 24, 2014 by Kate 87 Comments

Learn how delicious science can be! This post shares with you how to make sherbet that’s fizzy on your tongue, delicious and creates wonderful chemical reaction that will amaze.  Kids love science and this is one activity that also provides a sensory taste sensation that some might really enjoy. Here is a basic recipe in how […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Making, Party, Recipes, Science, Sensory Play Tagged With: making, recipe, science

DIY fine motor activity of threading straw beads

DIY threaded straw necklace

July 21, 2014 by Kate 12 Comments

Possum (2.5 years) is very much into making things at the moment, especially things that can be worn. The weather has been very cold lately and so we have found ourselves indoors and getting creative what whatever we have on hand. For a bit of fun I thought we could make a threaded straw necklace. […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Fine Motor, Gift Idea, Indoor play, Making, Party Tagged With: colours, fine motor, handmade, patterns, preschooler, random act of kindness, threading, toddler

Simple velcro chain activity that children will love

Fine motor velcro chains for kids

May 27, 2014 by Kate 4 Comments

This has been an activity that has been swimming around in my head for awhile, fine motor velcro chains for kids. Such a simple idea that is great for building hand strength, fine motor skills and confidence with basic dressing requirements for toddlers and preschoolers. Recommended Age: 2.5/3 years + To be honest, my challenge and what has […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor, Making, Play, Sensory Play Tagged With: colours, fine motor, preschooler, toddler

Easter Activities for Kids

Easter activities for kids 2014

April 14, 2014 by Kate 2 Comments

I have looked all over the internet with a fine tooth comb to bring you a wonderful collection of Easter activities for kids 2014. My focus was to find activities that you could do with your children at home that would be fun, flexible and use materials commonly found at this time of year. Wishing […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Making, Uncategorized Tagged With: easter

Patting the moon sand

Moon Sand

March 31, 2014 by Kate 29 Comments

Brace yourselves because this is an awesome activity that your kids will love to play with. It’s called moon sand and it’s wonderful for sensory learning. What I also love is that it is super quick to make, you can even get the kids involved. Recommended age – 3 years + (always provide active supervision during play) Moon […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Making, Play, Recipes, Sensory Play, Uncategorized

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

Soft and silky play dough for kids using 2 ingredients

Silky and stretchy playdough

February 11, 2014 by Kate 173 Comments

I’m very excited to share with you how to make silky and stretchy playdough. It’s wonderfully soft, much like touching a cloud, and can be super stretchy for added fun for the kids. You also only need to use 2 ingredients to make it so it’s really easy.   Possum (aged 2.2 years) loves playdough and will often request […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, featured, Fine Motor, Making, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, play dough, playdough, recipe

Invitation to play, create and learn

Invitation to Play and Create

February 7, 2014 by Kate 34 Comments

Here is an invitation for children to play and create. You can use common household items, various pieces purchased at a discount store and include some wonderful homemade play dough. Setting up an invitation to play and create for kids is a fabulous way to engage them in creative play and experimentation.   Suggested age : 6 […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor, Making, Playdough

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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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