• SHOP PRODUCTS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Laughing Kids Learn

Where learning is made fun

  • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
How to weave paper craft

How to make paper weaving placemats

January 29, 2014 by Kate 33 Comments

I have such great memories of weaving paper placemats when I was young at school. Making them again for this blog post reminded me how fabulous they are as an indoor activity and how few materials it requires. It is also great for developing fine motor skills and creativity. Age – 3+ (This activity is open to […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Fine Motor, Making, Party, Uncategorized Tagged With: activity, children, craft, fine motor, kids, paper, party, placemats, threading, weaving

Decorating shoes

December 5, 2013 by Kate 1 Comment

You may remember that a little while ago we made some glow in the dark shoes. They were super popular with those who follow the blog, and so I thought I’d share a type of shoe decorating that the little ones would love just as much!   I love gift giving and here is a […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor, Gift Idea, Making

Tinsel Playdough

November 21, 2013 by Kate 2 Comments

I love the shiny sparkle that comes with Christmas tinsel. It only seemed like a great idea to add it to some lovely white playdough and have Possum enjoy it as a great sensory experience. Give tinsel playdough a try.   I just love the gorgeous, colourful stands of shiny tinsel that gets used at […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Christmas, Making, Playdough Tagged With: Christmas, play dough, recipe

DIY Homemade Multicoloured Chalk

September 29, 2013 by Kate 48 Comments

You won’t believe how easy it is to DIY homemade multicoloured chalk.     You may remember that I’d previously demonstrated how to make chalk powder and chalky paint for sensory play. I’m quite a fan of the dusty pieces that make learning fun.    To be honest, chalk is actually very easy to make. My artistic mother […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Making, Recipes Tagged With: drawing, recipe, writing

D.I.Y Toys using old cards

June 20, 2013 by Kate 29 Comments

      If you’re a parent I’m sure to can raise your hand to admit that at one time or another you’ve purchased a fancy new toy only to find they are more interested in playing with the box. Doh!     So in typical Laughing Kids Learn style I decided to make a […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Making, Play

DIY Heat Bags

June 11, 2013 by Kate 13 Comments

Personalised heat bags make such a great gift to give to any loved one. I made them a few years ago with a grade 2/3 class for father’s day and the feedback was incredibly positive. I even had a few of the children’s dads write me little ‘thank you’ notes! The good news is that […]

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

DIY Woolly Monsters for Imaginative Play

May 16, 2013 by Kate 7 Comments

Just have a look at these cute woolly monsters!  I think they are just so adorable and a great little creature that would be fun for children to use during creative or imaginative play.  School aged children would be able to make many of these in one sitting, possibly a whole family of woolly monsters! Imaginative […]

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

Mothers Day love rock gifts kids can make

Mother’s Day love rocks gift idea

April 30, 2013 by Kate 3 Comments

 What does a child give their mother on Mother’s Day who means the world to them? Love rocks! They are simple to make, can be personalised and used in a variety of ways. They are a unique type gift that will last a lifetime.    I love Mother’s Day for so many reasons. I love it […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Gift Idea, Making, Natural Materials, Paint Tagged With: gift idea, mother's day

Grippy Socks

April 29, 2013 by Kate Leave a Comment

This is a great idea for when children are stuck inside or looking to give a parent or grandparent a unique gift. They are personally designed socks that grip to the floor!  They are simple to make and will no doubt be treasured. LETS MAKE GRIPPY SOCKS!!!  I stretched a plain sock over an empty […]

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

Red Ted Art: Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids

April 19, 2013 by Kate 1 Comment

Maggy Woodley is the craft guru behind the well known blog, ‘Red Ted Art’.You can visit her blog here. It is very exciting to announce that she has recently released her very own book called Red Ted Art : Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids’.  I was fortunate to get my hands on a copy I […]

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

DIY Gold Mine Cake

April 15, 2013 by Kate 3 Comments

My husband recently turned 30 years of age and we decided to have a party to celebrate!  I couldn’t resist a cake challenge. He has often spoken about the thrill he would get as a young boy when it came time for him to select a themed cake from the Australian classic Woman’s Weekly Birthday […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Celebrate, Making, Party

DIY Strawberry Scented Play dough

April 10, 2013 by Kate 7 Comments

Once you’ve tried this gorgeous DIY strawberry scented play dough, you’ll make it again and again!      As a child I always loved things that smelt great. Strawberry was a favourite, I remember. Now, there are lots of great scented play dough recipes on the Internet but I decided to share with you my fabulous recipe. […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Making, Play, Playdough, Recipes, Sensory Play Tagged With: fine motor, play dough, recipe

Easter Puzzles for kids

March 15, 2013 by Kate 2 Comments

Easter is fast approaching and so I thought I’d share a great learning activity that your kids will enjoy. Here are simple easter puzzles for kids. They are fun and educational.     To make Easter puzzles you will need  Pre-cut easter foam shapes Scissors If you’re unable to purchase them you can simply cut an egg […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Making Tagged With: easter, maths, puzzles

The Disappearing Act

March 5, 2013 by Kate 51 Comments

Here is a fun way of playing with your baby and it is much like peek-a-boo, which they all know and love. I like to call it the disappearing act as they see an object appear and disappear in a container. It taps into developing their understanding of object permanence, so the object hasn’t actually […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, Making, Play Tagged With: babies, baby

Soapy Sludge

February 28, 2013 by Kate 30 Comments

    Many children over the age of about 2 or 3 years old would love this activity because playing with soapy sludge gives them a great sensory experience. I also love that it requires very few ingredients and it’s easy to whip together.        RECIPE 2 cups LUX Pure Soap Flakes 1-2 cup hot […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Making, Play, Recipes, Sensory Play

Potato Stamps

February 14, 2013 by Kate Leave a Comment

If you have never done potato stamping I encourage you to do it today!    You will need – Large potatoes Knife Paper Paint Plate   {For responsible adults only} Using the knife, slice off one side of the potato. Ever so carefully mark out your shape (1 cm deep). Slice around it to reveal your […]

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

Felt Heart

February 12, 2013 by Kate 15 Comments

I have to be honest, my mother bought me a sewing machine and I haven’t even used it.  (Sorry mum!) The fact is that I’m not a machine sewer. Unlike my mother and possibly generations before me, I just don’t have that skill to know what to do and how not to snap a needle. […]

Filed Under: Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Making

Valentines Day Frame

February 3, 2013 by Kate 12 Comments

Valentines Day is fast approaching and so I felt it was timely to share an idea with you all.  This beautiful Valentines Day frame would make a beautiful gift from a child to a loved one.  The great news is that it is incredibly easy to do.  To make this frame you will need –  […]

Filed Under: Art, Art & Craft, Craft, Making

Wind Pipe Instrument

January 14, 2013 by Kate 27 Comments

Children love to play instruments and there are many you can make at home.  This is a simple wind pipe that children can make in just a few minutes.  With the straws we had there was an opportunity to discuss patterns and order.  Simply lay out a line of sticky take with the sticky part […]

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

Foot Prints

January 6, 2013 by Kate 20 Comments

Time pass too quickly and I’m holding on to every moment for as long as I can.   This Christmas I decided to give family members a gift that would allow them to look back and remember how small Possum was when they received the gift. What better way than with foot prints.  You will […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, Art, Art & Craft, Making

2012 Highlights

December 29, 2012 by Kate 1 Comment

As the year comes to a close I start to reflect on all the great activities and ideas that I’ve been able to post to you in 2012. It was tough to whittle it down to a select few.  What has been a favourite for you?  Colouring Rice http://laughingkidslearn.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/colouring-rice.html Milk Bottle http://laughingkidslearn.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/milk-bottle-rackets.html Cold Spaghetti http://laughingkidslearn.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/cold-spaghetti.html […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Celebrate, Cook, Making, Play

Reindeer Food

December 21, 2012 by Kate 1 Comment

It is so wonderful to watch children enjoying the magic of Christmas.   Here is a simple little recipe to make reindeer food using only two ingredients! Of course it’s an incredibly special mixture that will tempt even the fussiest of reindeers. 😉 Recipe 1 cup of Rolled Oats Sprinkle of glitter I love that […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Christmas, Making

Birthday Cake

December 16, 2012 by Kate 6 Comments

Since pink was a running theme for the day I decided to make shades of the colour and hoped it would be effective when cut on the day. It was either going to make me sink or swim. Fortunately it was a massive hit and I’m glad I did it.  I basically baked three cakes. […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, Cook, Making, Recipes

Cookie Jar – gift

December 8, 2012 by Kate Leave a Comment

Christmas is a time for giving and so we find ourselves battling the shopping centers looking for the perfect gift. Well look no further because here is a unique gift that you put together with your children. They are sure to be a hit with whoever you give them to. My friends loved them. Simply […]

Filed Under: Art & Craft, Craft, Making

DIY Christmas Stocking

December 6, 2012 by Kate Leave a Comment

It has always been a tradition in my family that we each have our own Christmas stocking that is placed out for Santa to fill with all sorts of treasures on Christmas Day. It is this Christmas that I’m considering this as Possum’s FIRST Christmas, the previous one was a complete blur from her being […]

Filed Under: Making

Edible Finger Paint

November 15, 2012 by Kate 37 Comments

I love being creative and I especially love when I can get my little Possum creative too. This type of paint is wonderful because it’s non-toxic, unlike those that claim to be but still include weird numbers in the ingredients.  So let’s make our own EDIBLE FINGER PAINT!!!!! ____________________ Making your own finger paint can […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, Art, Art & Craft, Cook, Making, Play, Recipes, Sensory Play

Remembrance Day

November 11, 2012 by Kate Leave a Comment

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month has a special significance in the post-war years. The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front and it became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war.  LEST WE FORGET I always feel it is my duty, simple […]

Filed Under: Celebrate, Making

Contacted Leaves

November 1, 2012 by Kate 7 Comments

This is a great activity that promotes discussion and develops observation skills.  Select some leaves from your garden or the local park. Carefully place each leaf on the sticky surface of clear contact.  Place another layer of clear contact over the leaves and trim the edges.  Smooth out any bubbles or creases.  Hang for display and […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, Art, Art & Craft, Making, Play

Disgusting Halloween Treat

October 24, 2012 by Kate Leave a Comment

Now this is a treat that adults are sure to think is disgusting but kids will LOVE!  It is easy to make and will have everyone in this Halloween spirit.  Purchase some eyeball candies from Big W ($2), some red jelly and small plastic cups.  You might like to have just one big container instead.  […]

Filed Under: Celebrate, Making, Recipes

Halloween Mummies

October 18, 2012 by Kate 1 Comment

Here is fun and yummy Halloween treat for the special people in your lives. They are quite simple to make and look very impressive. _______ Begin by breaking apart Oreo biscuits and eating one or two. Place a store bought candy stick into the icing and use some melted chocolate as glue to attach the […]

Filed Under: Celebrate, Making, Recipes

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 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