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 […]
Search Results for: toddlers
Wooden toys children would love to receive as a gift
I recently received an email from someone asking what wooden toys children would love to receive as a gift and if there were any that I’d recommend. Wooden toys are certainly a great choice to make over plastic toys. I’m not rejecting children playing with plastic toys, all play is beneficial, but if budget allows then there are some reasons for […]
Painting with Water
Painting with water is one of those activities that kids absolutely love and can spend hours doing over and over again. It helps build their creativity and confidence to experiment and develop early writing skills. And all you need is a bit of sunshine, brush and water! I remember as a child painting with water on the […]
Playing with rainbow coloured spaghetti
Playing with rainbow coloured spaghetti is a very simple play idea that children of all ages enjoy. The cool, colourful stringy strands are almost irresistible, even to adults. By simply cooking and colouring spaghetti children are treated to a wonderful sensory experience that is hard to compare to any other and it’s amazing the different […]
How to roast pumpkin seeds for a crunchy snack
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! […]
Sequined CD spinner
These beautiful sequinned CD spinners is such a wonderful and simple craft for toddlers or preschoolers to make. Your child will only need a few bits to make them and once finished, they absolutely glimmer in the sunlight and spin when hung from wire. Are CDs still used these days? It’s hard to keep […]
Paper plate bee craft activity
Inspired by ‘Bee Movie’ on Netflix, we did a simple craft activity that uses a paper plate to make a bee! Aside from it being ridiculously adorable, the process in making this bee has toddlers and preschoolers cutting, tracing, tearing and sticking various pieces in order for it all to come together. A real fine motor […]
Simple homemade lacing board
I’m so excited to share with you my simple homemade lacing board for kids. It’s so easy to make you only need a few things that you’ll have around the house. When your child plays with this simple lacing board they will develop fine motor skills while building an understanding of basic sewing skills. This simple lacing board […]
Simple dream catcher craft for kids
Here is a simple dream catcher craft for kids using pieces I purchased at the discount variety retailer, The Reject Shop. This craft is easy for children as young as toddler age to make and they look absolutely beautiful when displayed. Sponsored by The Reject Shop One of the most common questions I’m asked by […]
Valentine’s Day Doily Hearts
Simple Valentine’s Day activity that children as young as two years old can do! These Valentine’s Day doily hearts make gorgeous bunting when strung together or can be displayed individually on a window as a stunning sun catcher. These can be done any time of the year, but you might like to make it a […]
Number matching activity for kids
Simple to make number matching activity that toddlers and preschoolers can do at home or in the classroom. Great for developing number recognition and matching skills. Possum (aged 3 years) has shown a wonderful curiosity for numbers for quite awhile now. She recognises them when we are out and about and regularly asks us to write […]
Christmas angel using a paper roll
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 […]
Sticker Matching Activity
Here is a fun sticker matching activity for kids. It’s great to do with children who are beginning to recognise similarities and differences and making connections between objects and pictures. It’s wonderfully easy to set up too! Possum (almost 3 years) has quite an obsession with stickers! Are your children the same? It’s an obsession […]
Cupcake paper flowers
Cupcake paper flowers is a simple craft for kids and is great way to teach them about Spring and the many changes we can experience in a season. The Spring season would have to be one of my favourite times of the year. I just love watching the buds of growth start to appear in the garden and […]
Cardboard shape stamps
We always have lots of painting activities on our ‘to do’ list and I was pleased to finally get around to doing this one, cardboard shape stamps. It’s not a new activity, in fact Mama, Papa, Bubba inspired me with this post, but it was one I knew little Possum (2.5 years) would have […]
DIY threaded straw necklace
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. […]
Coloured Counting Tubes
It is absolutely true to say that before learning to count a child needs to understand ‘one to one correspondence‘, which is having the skills to be able to match an object with a number or object. Keep in mind that children may not master this skill until well after 5 years of age. Little Possum (aged 2.5 […]
DIY magnets using puzzle pieces
Take Possum (2.5 years) to someones house and if there are magnets on a fridge she is there like lightening. She loves them so much, as I’m sure many toddlers of her age do. Given this, I thought that I should try and make some for her to play with at home. This puzzle above is […]
Dragonfly craft for kids
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 […]
Learning colours with chalk and water
Does your child have a favourite colour? Possum (2.5 years) absolutely loves talking about colours and engaging in any activity that involves chalk. We have done a number of colour activities to help develop her understanding of all the different colours (see below) and also made chalk, drawn with it using a rake and even […]
How to grow lettuce indoors with kids
You might remember that I recently shared how to grow a carrot top. It was such a success I couldn’t just stop there. I decided to give a lettuce stalk a go. Honestly, I can’t tell you how easy this was to grow. It seriously started to show signs of renewed life after the second or […]
Fine motor velcro chains for kids
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 […]
Invitation to play with pasta and playdough
It has been over the last week or so that I brought you two instructional posts on how to colour pasta (the quick and easy way) and another where I shared my go-to playdough recipe. For a bit of fun I decided to combine both of these and create a wonderful invitation to play with […]
DIY zipper board for kids
I love making my own toys. My DIY Tugging Box and Sensory Board for Babies would have to be two of my most popular posts on Laughing Kids Learn. Don’t forget to check them out at the end of this post. Possum (aged 2.5 years) has very much entered the stage of independence and wanting to do […]
Anzac Day poppy craft made from paper plates
Anzac Day, on the 25th April, is an important day of national remembrance and marks the anniversary of Australia and New Zealands involvement in their first military action during the First World War. It is this day that evokes a sense of patriotism and heroism, as well as providing us an opportunity to step back from daily […]
Moon Sand
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 […]
How to dye corn kernels for play
Sensory learn is such an important part of play for children. Providing them with opportunities to explore sand, water and rice are great ways to help them develop their senses. How about corn kernels! Here are instructions on how to dye corn kernels for play. Using corn kernels for play Corn kernels are great for […]
Guess the Objects covered in Tin Foil
Children love simple guessing games and so here is a quick and easy one for you to play with your toddler. All they are required to do is guess the object covered in tin foil. Object Permanence It’s quite incredible what children learn from objects that are out of their direct view. You may have heard me […]
Sorting between big and small
Toddlers love being given simple little roles of responsibility and it gives them a great sense of achievement when they complete a given task. That is why I thought I’d tap into that and have Possum (2.2 years) engage in a simple activity that would have her sorting between big and small objects. Great activity to […]
Zero to Two: The Book of Play
It’s with great excitement that I announce the launch of Zero to Two: Book of Play. This ebook is a fabulous downloadable resource for all those who have babies and toddlers and are looking to engage them in fun play-based learning activities. Zero to Two: Book of Play The first few years of a child’s […]