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Laughing Kids Learn

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Weather lacing cards

June 1, 2020 by Kate 2 Comments

These themed weather lacing cards are not only gorgeous, but they help develop fine motor skills and interest. Ideal teaching tool for teachers and parents to use with their children. Weather lacing cards When I was teaching in the classroom I would always look forward to our topic investigation on ‘weather’. What is your favourite […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Autumn / Fall, Craft, Fine Motor, Outdoor Activity, Printable, Spring, Winter Tagged With: fine motor, fine motor skills, lacing cards

Fine motor ribbon and whisk activity

October 31, 2019 by Kate Leave a Comment

When you’re trying to get dinner on the table and you’re needing a quick and easy activity, have your child try this fine motor ribbon and whisk activity. You know me, I love when play ideas for kids is simple and not fancy. Give kids a set of pots and pans and they’re entertained for […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, activities for babies, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor Tagged With: fine motor, indoors

Octi the plush octopus toy for developing find motor skills and more.

My plush zip, grip and buckle toy for fine motor skills and development

October 25, 2019 by Kate Leave a Comment

My friends, I’m shaking with excitement. After many, many months I’m thrilled to introduce you to Octi the octopus! He is my plush zip, grip and buckle toy for developing fine motor skills. You guys, I’ve always dreamed of selling my own unique toy, which I’ve designed myself and feel crazy, super proud of. I […]

Filed Under: #12monthsofplay, #52weeksofplay, 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for babies, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, busy bag, Christmas, Fine Motor, Gift Idea, Indoor play, Parenting, Sensory Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: Amazon, baby, fine motor, preschool, toddler

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

cutting paper hair on cardboard dolls

Cutting paper hair on cardboard dolls

February 25, 2019 by Kate 7 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

cardboard and straws for fine motor development and fun for kids

Fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes

May 4, 2018 by Kate 21 Comments

You know me, I thought I’d share with you a fun and educational activity that is also great for recycling some of the everyday things you might already have in your home. This is a simple, fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes.  Fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes Ever […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, busy bag, Fine Motor, Indoor play Tagged With: cardboard, fine motor, preschooler, recycling, straws, threading, toddler

kids cup weaving craft gift idea

Paper cup weaving craft for kids to make and gift

April 17, 2018 by Kate 8 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

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

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

christmas bauble for kids to make

DIY sequinned Christmas bauble kids can make

December 11, 2017 by Kate 2 Comments

* For your convenience, affiliate links are included within this post  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 […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Christmas, Craft, Fine Motor, Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, fine motor, preschool

sensory play Christmas contact paper activity for kids

Toddler Christmas activity using sticky contact paper

December 3, 2017 by Kate 2 Comments

I love Christmas for many reasons, but one big reason is because it’s something that the whole family can enjoy and get  involved in. The Christmas crafts and activities are a highlight for our family. This toddler Christmas activity using sticky contact paper was one we enjoyed doing yesterday.  Toddler Christmas activity using sticky contact […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Christmas, Sensory Play Tagged With: Christmas, contact paper, fine motor, sensory

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

fine motor egg carton activity for kids

Simple fine motor and colour sorting activity using an egg carton

October 18, 2017 by Kate 4 Comments

If you’re like me and prefer to make your own homemade toys and learning tools, try this simple fine motor and colour sorting activity using an egg carton. It took only minutes to make and it was great entertainment for my toddler. My children, Possum (aged 5.5 years) and Boo (2.5 years) absolutely love playing […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Indoor play Tagged With: fine motor, pompoms

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

Kids painting with cotton q-tips

August 18, 2017 by Kate 2 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 9 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

threading material for fine motor skills with kids

Weaving on wire activity for fine motor development

June 27, 2017 by Kate Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for something different, here is a simple weaving on wire activity for fine motor development. It’s easy to set up in a home or classroom and the kids will spend a long time threading and weaving materials through it.  With Boo (aged 2.5 years) rocketing through her toddler years, I’m conscious that she […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Fine Motor Tagged With: fine motor, material, threading, weaving

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

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 mixture with rice

Fine Motor Pom Pom Pick Up Activity for Kids

March 10, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

I’m so excited to share with you a fine motor pom pom pick up activity for kids. It’s set up is easy and the task in collecting the pom poms using tweezers and transferring them is often achievable for even as young as toddler age.  Boo (aged 2 years) loves a challenge and this simple […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor, Sensory Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: fine motor, pom poms, rice, sensory, tweezers

Fine Motor Sticker Activity for kids

Kids playing and learning with stickers for fun and fine motor development

February 6, 2017 by Kate 1 Comment

I have to be honest, I love my kids playing and learning with stickers for fun and fine motor development. Children are like magnets to stickers and it’s wonderful to see their creativity and skills grow as they play.  Some of you might be aware of the #52weeksofplay Instagram photo challenge I’m running. Click here if […]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: colours, fine motor, preschool, toddler

Free printable number cards for learning with kids. Great for helping them to count, recognise numbers, 1 to 1 correspondence and more

Peg the dot number counting cards with free printable

June 13, 2016 by Kate 83 Comments

Here is my much anticipated peg the dot number counting cards! Yes, I’m giving you a super cool freebie that will have your child enjoying the experience of learning to count numbers 0 – 10, identifying and ordering numbers 0 – 10, identify colours, improve their ability in matching and developing 1 to 1 correspondence.  As a thank you to […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, busy bag, Fine Motor, Giveaway, Numeracy, Printable Tagged With: counting, fine motor, free printable, numberacy

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

Simple sewing shapes using paper plates and yarn

Learn about shapes using paper plates and yarn

April 2, 2016 by Kate 25 Comments

This is a super fun preschool activity that will help your children learn about shapes using paper plates and yarn. You can add a bit of painting to the activity if you want to too! It basically rolls everything that a preschooler loves. This activity has been on my ‘to do’ list for a long time and Possum […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers Tagged With: colours, fine motor, painting, paper plates, shapes, threading

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

Clean Mud recipe for kids play

Clean Mud recipe

October 23, 2015 by Kate 7 Comments

This 3 ingredient clean mud recipe is lots of fun for kids to make and play with. Soft and mouldable, it is the perfect alternative if you have a child who struggles to touch outdoor dirt and mud. Also great for children who have sensitive skin as the ingredients are not damaging. It’s just great fun […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers Tagged With: fine motor, indoors, outdoors, sensory play

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

Sequined cd spinners. craft for toddlers or preschoolers

Sequined CD spinner

September 14, 2015 by Kate Leave a Comment

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 […]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: colours, fine motor, recyled materials

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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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