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Search Results for: fine motor

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 6 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 11 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

catapult diy

How to build a catapult using craft sticks

October 1, 2018 by Kate 1 Comment

It’s surprisingly very simple to learn how to build a catapult using craft sticks and a few other bits and pieces. Once you’ve made one you’ll find your child testing it out and discovering all sorts of answers to their questions.  Making a catapult has certainly been on my ‘to do list’ for a very […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Fine Motor, Science Tagged With: craft sticks, fine motor, science, STEM

coloured paper cutting exercise

Scissor cutting activity for kids

August 27, 2018 by Kate 3 Comments

This super adorable scissor cutting activity is ideal if you have a toddler or preschooler who are developing their confidence in using scissors. This simple scissor cutting activity for kids to do at home or school is quick and easy to set up and fun.  When Boo reaches for the scissors, I have to admit, […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, Uncategorized

fun play dough and sticks

2D shape activity using craft sticks and play dough

June 13, 2018 by Kate 20 Comments

Help your children learn to recognise, name and describe the properties of basic 2D shapes in this 2D shape activity using craft sticks and play dough. This simple shape activity is a great example of where education and fun are mashed together!  I have to admit, I’ve been battling a vicious head cold and so the […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, Numeracy, Playdough, Science Tagged With: craft sticks, play dough, shapes

kids cup weaving craft gift idea

Paper cup weaving craft for kids to make and gift

April 17, 2018 by Kate 15 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 4 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

hole punch paper and confetti

Contact paper hole punch art for kids

March 17, 2018 by Kate 4 Comments

If you’re looking for an activity or piece of art that is fun to create with your toddler or preschooler then give this a go. It’s contact paper hole punch art for kids! It was a huge hit at our house.  Contact paper hole punch art for kids So after looking at lots of awesome […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Fine Motor Tagged With: art, colours, fine motor, hole punch, paper

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

Decorating and adding nature to paper activity

Cut and paste nature art activity

January 14, 2018 by Kate 9 Comments

If your looking for a quick set up activity that will engage and entertain children of all ages, then get them to do this cut and paste nature art activity. It’s a wonderful way to get them outdoors, into nature and thinking creatively.   It’s holidays at the moment *ahhhh* and whilst I love the […]

Filed Under: activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Growing, Natural Materials, Outdoor Activity, Uncategorized

christmas bauble for kids to make

DIY sequinned Christmas bauble kids can make

December 11, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

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 childhood at Christmas when the girls and I open up 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

drawing and painting with chalk and water

Drawing with wet chalk

November 20, 2017 by Kate 1 Comment

When your children are starting to really lose the plot and you’re looking for a quick and simple activity then ask them to do some drawing with wet chalk! Your children will think you come up with the best ideas and you might even have time for a coffee as they play!  Don’t get me […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art, Outdoor Activity, Uncategorized Tagged With: chalk, drawing

Simple threading activity using cut straws and pipe cleaners

November 13, 2017 by Kate 7 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

Play dough play ideas and activities for kids ebook. Simple and easy recipes and play ideas play dough.

Simple Play Dough recipes and activities ebook with printables

October 27, 2017 by Kate 5 Comments

Does your child love to play with play dough? ‘Play Dough’ the ebook is packed full of simple play dough recipes, fun activities and printable play dough mats. It is available for download today!  Play Dough: simple recipes and fun play ideas ‘Play Dough’, is an ebook that will take your child’s love of play […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, ebook, Fine Motor, Parenting, Printable, Sensory Play, Video Tagged With: ebook, fine motor, play dough, sensory play

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

paint pots with cotton q-tips to use for kids to paint with

Kids painting with cotton q-tips

August 18, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

If you haven’t had your kids painting with cotton q-tips then I urge you to give this simple and creative idea a go a-sap! It is really simple to set up and you can leave your toddler or preschooler to be as expressive as they like!  Whenever my girls, Possum (aged 5.5 years) and Boo […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Fine Motor, Indoor play, Paint Tagged With: fine motor, paint, preschoolers, toddler

learning to make numbers using tin foil

Learning about numbers and number formation using tin foil

July 31, 2017 by Kate Leave a Comment

Learning about numbers and number formation using tin foil is a wonderful fun activity for kids. It’s hard to believe, but all you need is tin foil! It’s amazingly simple and lots of fun. Possum (aged 5 years) is very good at reading and we have focused quite a lot of learning letters and phonic […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Numeracy Tagged With: fine motor, maths, tin foil

simple scooping sensory bin for toddlers to play with

Simple pour and scoop sensory bin

July 18, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

Set up a simple pour and scoop sensory bin for your child. This open ended activity will have your child busy, entertained and learning for hours.  My children love the opportunity to explore different materials and experiment with ways they can be used and manipulated. A tub full of stale split peas, wheat and beans made […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for babies, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Sensory Play Tagged With: cause and effect, fine motor, gravity, scooping and pouring, self awareness, sensory bin

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 10 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

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

Ice Painting

Ice painting activity for kids

June 5, 2017 by Kate 17 Comments

This ice painting activity for kids is lots of fun and a cool and unique way to get children to paint. It’s so simple to prepare and they will love creating vibrant colours and mixing them to make new colours.  You might remember a long time ago, Possum (currently aged 5 years), did some painting with […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Fine Motor, Sensory Play, Writing Tagged With: ice, painting

DIY cutting station for home or classroom scissor skills

DIY scissor cutting station to help children learn to cut with scissors

May 17, 2017 by Kate 1 Comment

Here is a simple little DIY scissor cutting station to help children learn to cut with scissors. It’s easy to set up and will encourage your child to take time, concentrate and develop skills needed to carefully cut with scissors.  Boo (aged 2 years) just wants to cut with scissors like her big sister Possum (aged […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, Uncategorized Tagged With: scissors

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

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

basil leaves picking

How to make simple basil pesto with kids in the kitchen

February 1, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

Spread it in a sandwich, stir it through pasta or enjoy it as a dip with vegetable sticks, this simply made basil pesto is delish! I also love that it’s a cooking activity that children can really get involved in. Let me show you how to make simple basil pesto with kids in the kitchen.  […]

Filed Under: Cook, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: cooking, recipe, teacher

building construction with green objects

Green themed sensory play and discovery space for babies and toddlers

January 24, 2017 by Kate 8 Comments

Wait, you’re not going crazy, there is nothing wrong with your eyes. Here I’m sharing a green themed sensory play and discovery space for babies and toddlers. It’s super simple to set up, little ones will love it and learn lots from their time exploring the objects and playing.  Don’t ask me why, but the […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, activities for babies, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Sensory Play Tagged With: colour, sensory

crunchy sweet potato

How to bake sweet potato chips in the oven with kids

November 7, 2016 by Kate 7 Comments

Do you have a child who is a fussy eater? Well with this recipe you will never look at a sweet potato in the same way. Let me show you how to bake sweet potato chips in the oven with kids and get them to be involved and actually enjoy eating them. It’s seriously so […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Cook, Parenting, Recipes Tagged With: food recipe

Upper and lower case letters teaching tool for kids

Learn upper and lower case letters using paper plates

August 15, 2016 by Kate 1 Comment

It is actually possible for your child to learn upper and lower case letters using paper plates! Sounds strange I know, but in a few simple steps you can create a really valuable teaching tool that will help and support your child in learning more about upper and lower case letters. They will developing skills in letter […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Literacy, Writing Tagged With: letters, paper plate, teaching tool, writing

Glow in the Dark Alphabet letter Hunt

Glow in the dark letter hunt literacy activity

August 2, 2016 by Kate 14 Comments

Set up this fun glow in the dark letter hunt literacy activity because your children will really love it. It’s a unique approach to getting them to build on their knowledge of the alphabet. It challenges them to identify each letter independently and not in their usual sequence. Adding tweezers can also increase the level of difficulty and encourage […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Fine Motor, Literacy, Uncategorized Tagged With: alphabet, glow in the dark, letters, literacy, preschoolers

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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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