• SHOP PRODUCTS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Laughing Kids Learn

Where learning is made fun

  • Home
  • Sensory Play
  • Art & Craft
  • Numeracy
  • Literacy
  • Science
  • Recipes
  • Video

Search Results for: fine motor

Teach children to tie their shoelace

April 27, 2015 by Kate 26 Comments

Tying our shoes is something we do as adults and often without thinking. As children get older they also need to learn how to tie their own shoelaces independently. It can be challenging. Here is a simple tool that you can make at home can help teach children to tie their shoelace and have fun […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Craft, Fine Motor, Parenting Tagged With: fine motor, how to, recycing

War medal craft for kids

Bravery medal craft for kids

April 20, 2015 by Kate 8 Comments

Simple bravery medals kids can make at home or in the classroom. This bravery medal craft for kids can be a soft and gentle introduction to their understanding of war by focusing on what it is to be brave, how it feels and how we can each show it.  Great craft activity for children of all […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft, Fine Motor Tagged With: Anzac Day

Soft and rubbery flubber

Homemade flubber recipe for kids

April 16, 2015 by Kate 64 Comments

Have a go at this simple homemade flubber recipe for kids. It’s quick to make, uses only a few common household ingredients and will have your children playing for hours. Great for sensory play and developing fine motor skills.  Making flubber has been on my list of things to make for a very long time. In fact […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Sensory Play Tagged With: recipe, sensory play

Bicarb and vinegar reacting

Fizzy science experiment for kids

April 9, 2015 by Kate 7 Comments

Here is an easy, fizzy science experiment for kids that requires only a few commonly found household ingredients. This science experiments, which uses baking soda and vinegar, teaches children about chemical reactions. As children conduct this science experiment they also develop a greater understanding of colours while building on their fine motor skills.  Kids love science. Their gasps as […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor, Science Tagged With: colours, fine motor, science

Kneading playdough using three ingredients

Fairy playdough recipe

March 5, 2015 by Kate 204 Comments

This fairy playdough recipe with 3 ingredients is so easy to make and great for fine motor development and open-ended play. We called this ‘fairy dough’ because of its unique, soft texture. Possum (aged 3 years) loves all the fabulous resources I create for my online store, but play dough is certainly one of those things […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, featured, Fine Motor, Indoor play, Playdough, Recipes, Sensory Play, Video Tagged With: 3 ingredients, fine motor, playdough

kale chips

Cook healthy kale chips with kids

February 19, 2015 by Kate 7 Comments

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would have heard of kale. It’s a super vegetable that boasts as being one of the healthiest available. Fortunately it’s now easy to buy and possible to cook healthy kale chips with kids that they will eat by the bowl full. Give it a go!  It can […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Cook, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: cooking

Yarn wrapped shapes for learning

Yarn wrapped shapes

February 4, 2015 by Kate 4 Comments

Children will develop a greater understanding of basic shapes and their features with this fun and simple wrapping activity. Yarn wrapped shapes will also help children develop their fine motor skills.  I love when learning activities are educational, simple and fun. Possum (aged 3 years) likes talking about commonly found shapes and has a developing understanding of […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor, Numeracy Tagged With: colours, maths, shapes

binoculars craft

DIY Eye Spy Binoculars

January 5, 2015 by Kate 7 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

Colour painting with droppers

Dropper Painting for Kids

October 28, 2014 by Kate

If you’re looking for an activity for your little one that is simple to set up, will have them engaged in learning about colours and developing fine motor skills then I present this fun and creative approach to painting. It’s dropper painting for kids.  Possum (almost 3 years old) absolutely loved, loved, loved this painting activity. She really didn’t want […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Fine Motor, Paint Tagged With: fine motor, indoors, learning colours, outdoors, painting

sticker matching with kids

Sticker Matching Activity

October 1, 2014 by Kate 14 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Fine Motor, Numeracy, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, matching, maths

peach scented playdough

Peach scented play dough

September 19, 2014 by Kate 4 Comments

Play dough is great fun for kids, especially when you know how to make peach scented play dough. It’s so easy to make and the delicious scent will have your children playing with for a whole lot longer than you ever expected them to.  The learning benefits of children playing with play dough is really quite endless. Anna […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Fine Motor, Playdough Tagged With: DIY, fine motor, how to, play dough, playdough, recipe

Paper cupcake flower craft for kids to make for spring

Cupcake paper flowers

September 12, 2014 by Kate 35 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Spring Tagged With: art, craft, cutting, paper, seasons, spring

decorating party hats

Decorating party hats

August 30, 2014 by Kate 1 Comment

Children love to get creative using odd of bits and pieces found from around the home.  Here is a simple activity in decorating party hats, which children as young as toddler age will have fun doing. Perfect and easy to set up for birthday parties or playgroup sessions.  Possum (aged 2.5 years) loves to decorate […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, Uncategorized Tagged With: activity, fine motor, make, play group, preschooler, toddler

DIY fine motor activity of threading straw beads

DIY threaded straw necklace

July 21, 2014 by Kate 18 Comments

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. […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Fine Motor, Gift Idea, Indoor play, Making, Party Tagged With: colours, fine motor, handmade, patterns, preschooler, random act of kindness, threading, toddler

Dragonflies

Dragonfly craft for kids

June 27, 2014 by Kate 11 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

Fairy princess no sew castle for kids

DIY no sew princess castle

June 16, 2014 by Kate 17 Comments

Possum absolutely loves all forms of pretend play and one of her absolute favourite roles is being a princess. This will always see her grabbing a fluffy dress, tiara and her pair of pink sparkly shoes that seem to refuse to stay on. I always try hard as her parent to encourage and engage in her love of […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Pretend Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: DIY, giveaway, imaginative play, play, pretend play, sponsored post

Using a variety of coloured pasta and play dough

Invitation to play with pasta and playdough

May 19, 2014 by Kate 3 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years Tagged With: invitation to play, open-ended, pasta, playdough

quick and easy play dough recipe for kids

Play Dough recipe

May 13, 2014 by Kate 23 Comments

Don’t you love when things are just simple? I have made some really fabulous play dough recipes on this blog, such as my silky and stretchy 2 ingredient play dough and one that is deliciously strawberry scented. With those aside, I thought I’d share with you the recipe I find myself using when I just want […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Playdough, Recipes Tagged With: open-ended, play dough, recipe, simple

DIY simple paper planes for kids on a windy day

DIY simple paper plane for kids

April 30, 2014 by Kate 2 Comments

We have been experiencing a few days of wild and windy weather where we live and they can sometimes keep us indoors. Determined to make the most of the wind, I decided to make a unique style of paper plane that your child could easily help make and have hours of fun playing with. What a […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Craft Tagged With: DIY, outdoor activity, paper, preschooler, school aged, toddler

Arranging zippers on sensory board for children

DIY zipper board for kids

April 29, 2014 by Kate 82 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Fine Motor, Sensory Play Tagged With: DIY, fine motor, homemade, learning, sensory play

Paper plate poppy craft for kids

Anzac Day poppy craft made from paper plates

April 24, 2014 by Kate 28 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft, Paint Tagged With: Anzac Day, australia, craft, event, paint, painting, toddler

Easter Decoration made by toddler

Easter Egg Suncatcher

April 4, 2014 by Kate 7 Comments

Easter is just around the corner and Possum and I have been having fun making this Easter egg suncatcher! It was so much fun for her to make and right now it’s hanging proudly on our window at home receiving lots of comments from visitors.  Recommended Age: 3+ years To make an Easter egg suncatcher […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Uncategorized Tagged With: colours, easter, fine motor, sensory

Patting the moon sand

Moon Sand

March 31, 2014 by Kate 30 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Making, Play, Recipes, Sensory Play, Uncategorized

Pasta Threading - a fine motor activity for toddlers

Pasta threading activity for toddlers

March 16, 2014 by Kate 45 Comments

Here is a simple fine motor activity that I think your toddler will really enjoy. It’s very easy to set up and it involves them threading pasta onto straws, with the support of some freshly made play dough. Importance of fine motor skills in toddlers Fine motor skills involves the development of the smaller muscles […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, Fine Motor, Playdough Tagged With: fine motor, toddler

How to dye corn kernels for play

How to dye corn kernels for play

February 27, 2014 by Kate 16 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor Tagged With: colour, how to

Sorting sizes - toddler activity

Sorting between big and small

February 22, 2014 by Kate 14 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, featured, Fine Motor, Uncategorized Tagged With: maths, sorting, toddler

handmade DIY string bowl craft for kids

How to make a string bowl with kids

February 15, 2014 by Kate 22 Comments

Here are the instructions on how to make a string bowl with kids. It’s a great craft activity that is great for developing fine motor skills, especially in older children. I find it really rewarding to transform simple items into something useful. My husband has almost stopped rolling his eyes at the moments his found […]

Filed Under: 5 - 10 years, Art, Art & Craft, Craft, Gift Idea, Making, Paint, Uncategorized Tagged With: children, craft, fine motor, how to, kids, make, painting

Soft and silky play dough for kids using 2 ingredients

Silky and stretchy playdough

February 11, 2014 by Kate 175 Comments

I’m very excited to share with you how to make silky and stretchy playdough. It’s wonderfully soft, much like touching a cloud, and can be super stretchy for added fun for the kids. You also only need to use 2 ingredients to make it so it’s really easy.   Possum (aged 2.2 years) loves playdough and will often request […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, featured, Fine Motor, Making, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, play dough, playdough, recipe

Invitation to play, create and learn

Invitation to Play and Create

February 7, 2014 by Kate 34 Comments

Here is an invitation for children to play and create. You can use common household items, various pieces purchased at a discount store and include some wonderful homemade play dough. Setting up an invitation to play and create for kids is a fabulous way to engage them in creative play and experimentation.   Suggested age : 6 […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor, Making, Playdough

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

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 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 © 2026 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in