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Fine motor skills is the coordination of small muscle movements, usually found in the hand and fingers. The efficiency of these muscles influences how well a child can complete tasks such as doing up a button, cutting with scissors, writing their name with pencils and more. Fortunately fine motor skills can be developed simply by completing tasks such as those I share below.

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

baby musical guitar instrument that is homemade and kids can enjoy playing. Just use a baking tin and rubber bands.

Homemade baby guitar instrument using rubber bands

March 7, 2016 by Kate

This homemade baby guitar instrument using rubber bands is lots of fun for babies, toddlers and even preschoolers! It’s so easy to make. Along with the rubber bands you just need a simple baking pan.  I always get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I see my children playing, especially when it’s with bits and […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, Fine Motor, Music, Video Tagged With: cause and effect, fine motor skills, listening, musical instrument

drop pompom for toddlers

Pom pom drop activity for toddlers

February 10, 2016 by Kate 20 Comments

This pom pom drop activity for toddlers is so simple to set up and is sure to entertain them for a long time. It’s great for helping them develop fine motor skills and an understanding of cause and effect.  You might recall this activity, which I did with Possum (aged 4) a few years ago. It’s a classic and […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor

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

Paper plate lion mane using hand prints and paper plates.

Paper plate lion mane

January 27, 2016 by Kate 16 Comments

Sponsored by Disney Junior  I know I’m not alone when I say that ‘The Lion King’ Disney movie would have to be one of my absolute favourites. I adore the characters, storyline and please don’t get me started on the music. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Due to its overwhelming success, The […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Craft, Fine Motor, Giveaway, Review, Sponsored Post

fine motor skills with washi

Simple musical shakers for kids

January 10, 2016 by Kate 2 Comments

Handmade instruments can be lots of fun to make and these simple musical shakers for kids are no exception. You only need a few materials to make them and they’ll keep your kids occupied as they decorate and play with them. It has been very hot and so we have been looking for some simple ways to entertain ourselves […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor Tagged With: homemade, music, toilet rolls, washi tape

Decorating Minnie Mouse bows with gems

Minnie Mouse threaded garland

December 19, 2015 by Kate Leave a Comment

This is a fun craft activity that preschoolers will love to make over Christmas and that has been inspired by the world famous Minnie Mouse character from the Disney Junior channel, which can be viewed over on Foxtel. It’s a threading activity that will help develop fine motor skills and improve children’s understanding of patterns.  It […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Craft, Fine Motor, Sponsored Post

Digging for pipe cleaner worms. Fun activity in pretend mud.

Digging for worms

November 4, 2015 by Kate 14 Comments

Children seem almost programmed to love digging and seeking out interesting things in the ground. I remember as a child I would love digging for worms from the garden. Whilst getting hands dirty outdoors is lots of fun, this is a cute little indoor activity that will tap into your child’s imagination and help them […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Sensory Play, Sponsored Post Tagged With: beads, patterns, pipe cleaners, rice

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

Pumpkin seeds in a jar. Delicious snack idea over Halloween.

How to roast pumpkin seeds for a crunchy snack

September 26, 2015 by Kate 1 Comment

Are you giving your children the same snacks day after day? Well, if you’re looking to offer them something a little different, and within keeping of Halloween that’s fast approaching, I encourage you to read on and learn how to roast pumpkin seeds for a crunchy snack idea.  Pumpkin would have to be one of my favourite fruits! […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Cook, Fine Motor, Halloween, Recipes Tagged With: cooking, fine motor, Halloween, recipe, sensory

How to make a gods eye craft for kids

How to make a God’s eye

September 2, 2015 by Kate 6 Comments

Here is a fun craft that some of the older children might enjoy doing. It’s called a God’s eye and it simply uses sticks and colourful yarn. Learning how to make a god’s eye is easy and you’ll soon find yourself making more than one as you can be as creative as you like with the style […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Craft, Fine Motor Tagged With: camping, colours, group activity, independent activity, sticks, yarn

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

threading beads for learning activity

Counting beads on pipe cleaners

July 25, 2015 by Kate 52 Comments

Using colourful pipe cleaners and beads you can set up a fun counting maths activity for kids. This is also really great for fine motor development and when it’s complete you can simply turn it into a busy bag that can be done at another time. Counting beads on pipe cleaners might seem simple enough, but it is […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, busy bag, Fine Motor, Numeracy Tagged With: colours, counting, fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, numbers, ordering, threading

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

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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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