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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

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

Fun mini pumpkin and elastic band activity

October 24, 2019 by Kate Leave a Comment

Honestly, how can you go past mini pumpkins and vibrant elastic bands? Haha. Well here for you I share a fun mini pumpkin and elastic band activity that we really enjoyed doing. I’d recently purchase some mini pumpkins from my local green grocer, unsure what I would do with them. Fortunately I received lots of […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Halloween, Indoor play, Play Tagged With: fine motor, Halloween

sand slime kids fingers for sensory play

2 ingredient sand slime

September 9, 2018 by Kate 7 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I love pretty much any play recipe that only has 2 ingredients. Brace yourselves my friends because I’m coming at you with 2 ingredient sand slime, or 2 ingredient sand foam for those who want to get technical. It’s all sorts of awesome.  Boo and I had our usual […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, Outdoor Activity, Play, Recipes, Sensory Play Tagged With: 2 ingredients, recipe, sensory, slime

Spiky ball or spikey ball with loom bands and great for fine motor skills #finemotorskills #finemotor #playideas #funtoplay #lovetoplay #spikeyball #loombands #

Fine motor activity using a spiky ball and loom bands

February 13, 2018 by Kate 8 Comments

I was close to throwing them out when I found a brilliant new use for all the loom bands around my house. Setting up this fine motor activity using a spiky ball and loom bands was a huge hit with my girls and great for fine motor development.  Has the loom band craze hit your house? Possum […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Fine Motor, Play Tagged With: fine motor, preschooler

kids making wombat stew

Fun making Wombat Stew with your kids

January 28, 2018 by Kate 3 Comments

Have you ever had fun making Wombat Stew with your kids? The girls and I love reading the Australian classic children’s picture story book. It makes us laugh, learn and fortunately no wombats are harmed at any point in the book.  I love Australia Day. It happens once a year and I look forward to […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Literacy, Outdoor Activity, Play, Pretend Play, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: books, literacy, outdoor, pretend

Simple threading activity using cut straws and pipe cleaners

November 13, 2017 by Kate 5 Comments

When you’re looking for something quiet and productive for your children then you might want to try this simple threading activity using cut straws and pipe cleaners.    The concept is simple, children use their hands to thread various lengths of cut up plastic straws onto pipe cleaners.  That’s it. It might sound so incredibly […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, busy bag, Fine Motor, Indoor play, Play Tagged With: busy bag, indoor activity, pipe cleaner, preschooler, straws, threading, toddler

using straws in DIY homemade toy

Push and pull homemade toy box for children

June 13, 2017 by Kate 7 Comments

Here is a super simple push and pull homemade toy box you can make for children to play with. Using only a few materials that you’d find around your home or classroom, you can make this toy and it will be one that your child will have fun playing with and learn from many times over.  A […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Play Tagged With: box, fine motor, homemade, push and pull

Making LEGO Duplo Ring Toss game for kids

LEGO Duplo Ring Toss game for kids

May 27, 2017 by Kate 1 Comment

If you’re like me you have lots of LEGO Duplo around the house. Here is a fun little LEGO Duplo Ring Toss game for kids that they can set up themselves and play and score points.   Despite my girls being 2 and 5 years of age, they still love their LEGO Duplo. Many times […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, Indoor play, Numeracy, Play Tagged With: coutning, LEGO, pipe cleaners

sticking toys down with sticky tape

Taped toys fine motor activity for toddlers and preschoolers

May 18, 2017 by Kate 9 Comments

If you’re looking for a simple and fun play idea then look no further than this taped toys fine motor activity for toddlers and preschoolers. As you can see, it’s easy to set up and will have your child working those fine motor skills in no time at all!  Taped toys fine motor activity for […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, activities for babies, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: baby, fine motor, preschooler, tape, toddler

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

old rose petals for sensory play and use in fairy mud

Fairy Mud for outdoor and sensory play

September 23, 2016 by Kate 9 Comments

Your child will love to be independent while making this natural fairy mud using what is found in nature and from around their own garden. Children can become leaders of their own play and develop important skills as this is perfect fairy mud for outdoor and sensory play.  Fairies are so very popular in our house. We repeatedly […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Messy Play, Play, Sensory Play, Spring Tagged With: fairy, mud, natural, outdoor, sensory

friendship fairies

How to make a small world mobile fairy garden for indoor and outdoor use

June 20, 2016 by Kate 89 Comments

Sometimes the weather changes and changes often, in which case I thought I’d show you how to make a small world mobile fairy garden for indoor and outdoor use. Children just love fairy gardens because there are no rules to constructing them, they ignite creativity and are so great for imaginative play. Fairy gardens are also wonderfully open-ended […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Outdoor Activity, Play, Sensory Play, Sponsored Post

Pom pom challenge using a straw and tape

April 26, 2016 by Kate 5 Comments

If you ever need a quick and simple activity to keep the kids busy, set up a pom pom challenge using a straw and tape. It’s great fun for kids of all ages and something children can do independently or as a group.  Don’t you just love those activities that keep the kids entertained for ages? […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, Fine Motor, Indoor play, Play Tagged With: fine motor, games, indoors, simple set up

sensory oil bag for baby play

Simple sensory bag using glitter and baby oil

April 10, 2016 by Kate 14 Comments

Children learn so much from using their senses and so offering them a sensory bag, which acts like a big blob of water, is a great way for them to learn how to track movement with their eyes and develop a greater understanding of texture. This simple sensory bag using glitter and baby oil is also […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, activities for babies, activities for preschoolers, Play, Sensory Play

Baby looking inside discovery box

Baby play idea using a tissue discovery box

August 27, 2015 by Kate 2 Comments

Very simple baby play activity that turns a simple tissue box into a learning discovery box. Your baby will be occupied and have great fun playing and pulling out and exploring all the wonderful treasures that have been hidden inside. It’s a game that they can play over and over again!  Poor Possum (aged 3 […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, activities for babies, busy bag, Play, Sensory Play Tagged With: baby play, discovery, sensory, texture

How to make beautiful rainbow dancing rings with ribbons are lots of fun for kids to play with.

How to make dancing ribbon rings

August 17, 2015 by Kate 18 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Craft, Gift Idea, Outdoor Activity, Play Tagged With: colours, exercise, gross motor skills, imagination

Nuts, bolts and washers are fun for kids to play with. Great for developing fine motor skills too.

Playing with nuts, bolts and washers

July 29, 2015 by Kate 5 Comments

Your children will love playing with nuts, bolts and washers. Sure they aren’t something you’d first think to offer your child to play with but they really are fun and great for developing fine motor skills and other important mathematical concepts.  One of Possum’s (aged 3.5 years) favourite places to visit is our local hardware […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, activities for children, busy bag, Fine Motor, Numeracy, Play Tagged With: activity, fine motor, maths, preschooler

Baby playing with sensory balls on tray

Sensory baby play activity using a muffin tin

July 13, 2015 by Kate 6 Comments

I know this isn’t a knew idea by any stretch, but it’s so fabulous and babies just absolutely love it. So here is a fun sensory baby play activity using a muffin tin. It is so easy to set up and will have your baby playing and exploring for a long time. Of course this […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, activities for babies, Fine Motor, Play, Sensory Play Tagged With: babies, baby, explore, fine motor, laying down, learning, siblings, sitting up, tummy time

pretty twirling ribbon wands

Simple twirling ribbon wands

June 11, 2015 by Kate 2 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Craft, Outdoor Activity, Play, Pretend Play

Baby play cover image

Baby play sensory activity using tin foil

June 3, 2015 by Kate 5 Comments

From the moment they are born babies begin a learning journey. This is a simple and fun baby play sensory activity using tin foil, which will help them develop awareness and build strength in large muscle groups. Obviously this activity requires strict supervision.  Little Boo is growing every day and I’m finding that she is […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, activities for babies, Play, Sensory Play Tagged With: baby play, cause and effect, gross motor, listening, listening skills, muscle strength, tummy time

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

binoculars craft

DIY Eye Spy Binoculars

January 5, 2015 by Kate 4 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor, Play, Pretend Play Tagged With: art and craft, DIY, indoor activity, outdoor activity, paper craft

dressing baby doll pretend play

Caring for newborn with pretend play

November 13, 2014 by Kate 8 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Play, Pretend Play, Sponsored Post Tagged With: parenting, sponsored post

how to fly a kite tutorial for a windy day

How to fly a kite

September 7, 2014 by Kate 5 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Outdoor Activity, Play, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: how to, outdoor activity

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

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

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

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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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