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Adorable paper bag jellyfish with rainbow-colored tentacles, a hit for kids' crafting on Pinterest.

How to make a simple paper bag jelly fish

April 17, 2024 by Kate Leave a Comment

Jelly fish are absolutely fascinating creatures of the ocean and they can ignite a barrage of great questions for your toddler or preschooler about their unusual features. With this in mind I’m sharing with you the instructions on a fun and engaging craft activity that teaches you how to make a simple paper bag jellyfish. […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Craft, Fine Motor, Making, Uncategorized Tagged With: craft, fine motor, preschooler, toddler

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 45 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

feature image cut and paste

Simple cut and paste collage art activity for toddlers and preschoolers

April 24, 2018 by Kate 2 Comments

Try this simple cut and paste collage art activity for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s wonderfully open-ended and it helps develop basic skills in using scissors and more.    Just because an activity is simple to set up doesn’t mean it isn’t fun and educational for children. There should be no shame. These types of activities […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art, Fine Motor Tagged With: art, collage, loose parts, preschooler, scissors, toddler

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 9 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

painted hearts for valentines day cards made by toddlers and preschooler #valentinesdayactivity #activityforkids #happyvalentinesday #kidspaint #paintingwithkids #lovelovelove #lovehearts #paperactivities #kidscraft

Valentine’s Day cards with painted hearts

February 4, 2018 by Kate 2 Comments

It’s hard to believe that January is behind us and we are in the thick of February already! Valentine’s Day almost passed me by, but instead the girls and I got creative and made our own Valentines Day cards with painted hearts!  So Valentine’s Day is not a big thing in our family, we don’t […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft, valentine's day Tagged With: hearts, paint, preschooler, Valentine's Day

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

simple cooking activity for kids making no cook biscuits

Simple crazy face biscuits kids can decorate

November 9, 2017 by Kate 3 Comments

If you’re looking for a simple cooking activity to do with the kids then don’t forget this golden idea. Try these simple crazy face biscuits kids can decorate, and even better, eat soon afterwards.  My girls really love to get into the kitchen and make something they can eat without having to wait for it to […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Cook, Recipes Tagged With: birthday, cooking, preschooler, toddler

nature scavenger hunt for kids to use outdoors

Toddler nature scavenger hunt with a free illustrated printable

October 16, 2017 by Kate 7 Comments

It’s important for children to get outdoors and enjoy their environment. With this in mind, I have for you a wonderful toddler nature scavenger hunt with a free illustrated printable. It’s illustrated so that little ones can complete the scavenger hunt independently and work on reading illustrations.  We love getting outdoors during any weather, Boo […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Natural Materials, Outdoor Activity, Printable Tagged With: nature, outdoors, preschooler, printable, toddler

Simple paper bag doll craft for kids

July 4, 2017 by Kate 1 Comment

When you’re looking for a craft that your children can do and it doesn’t need many materials, don’t go past this sweet idea. It’s a simple paper bag doll craft for kids to do either at home, on school camp or just as a cute craft to make in the classroom.  I’ve been feeling very […]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: craft, doll. DIY, masking tape, paper bag, pipe cleaner, preschooler, toddler

sticking toys down with sticky tape

Taped toys fine motor activity for toddlers and preschoolers

May 18, 2017 by Kate 12 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

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

pencil-topper-feature

Simple to make Halloween pencil toppers

October 24, 2016 by Kate 6 Comments

Children love Halloween and so I thought I’d share some simple to make Halloween pencil toppers. It’s a quick little craft that will suit all ages, especially toddlers. It’s a great way to encourage children to write, draw and develop their strength in holding a pencil.  Possum (aged 4.5 years) and Boo (1.5 years) are […]

Filed Under: Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft, Halloween Tagged With: craft, Halloween, preschooler, toddler

Colour and shape matching activity

Simple DIY shape puzzle for babies and toddlers

August 22, 2016 by Kate 28 Comments

This is seriously cool. It’s a simple DIY shape puzzle for babies and toddlers. It is so easy to make and little ones will play with it over and over again! It focuses their attention on matching basic shapes and the properties or characteristics of that shape. As they experiment, they are also build their skills […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, activities for babies, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Numeracy Tagged With: baby, colour, DIY, matching, preschooler, puzzle, shape, toddler

Science changing flowers absorbing water

Science experiment with colour changing flowers

September 7, 2015 by Kate 29 Comments

This will have your children observing a simple science experiment with colour changing flowers! It is easy to set up and is a great lesson, especially for preschoolers. It helps children learn about how plants absorb water through its stem to nourish the head of the flower.  This is such a classic science activity that your […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Science, Spring Tagged With: colours, observational skills, predicting, preschooler, recording information, science, spring

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

Pressing paint to learn symmetry with kids

Squishy painting for kids that teaches symmetry

July 20, 2015 by Kate 6 Comments

Children love to ooze and squish things and so this type of painting is perfect for them, no matter what their age. It teaches them about basic symmetry and colour, while encouraging them to look at their paintings in detail.  So I give you a squishy painting for kids that teaches symmetry.  With a giggle I’m warning you […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years Tagged With: activity, colours, paint, painting, paper, preschooler, shapes, toddlers

using shoe laces on this lacing board simply made at home

Simple homemade lacing board

July 4, 2015 by Kate 5 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, activities for children, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor Tagged With: 2 materials, colours, concentration, creativity, design, experimentation, fine motor, hand/eye coordination, homemade, preschooler, toddlers, trial error, weaving

Paper Plate Birds

Paper Plate Birds

January 28, 2015 by Kate 3 Comments

There really is so much to love about the humble paper plate. They are easy to get and can be used in such a wide variety of craft activities. I’d seen paper plate birds floating around the internet, in fact Jackie from Happy Hooligans made these adorable ones, which inspired me to give them a go […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years Tagged With: painting, paper, paper plates, preschooler, toddler

DIY Calming and quiet time glitter bottle

Quiet time glitter bottle

September 2, 2014 by Kate 3 Comments

Unlike calming glitter bottles, a quiet time glitter bottle is designed for children who are just needing moments of rest and relaxation, rather than needing to reverse a feeling of anger or frustration. They are so simple to make and lovely for children to watch.   The toddler years can be the time that grey hair […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Indoor play Tagged With: preschooler, quiet activity, sensory, toddlers

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

mixing and changing colours in this magic milk science experiment for kids

Magic Milk Science Experiment

August 3, 2014 by Kate 81 Comments

Here is a magic milk science experiment that your children will want to do again and again! Read on to learn how to do the magic milk science experiment and why it happens.  This particular science activity is lots of fun and a great introduction to those children who haven’t had much experience in observing […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Science Tagged With: colour, indoors, preschooler, science, 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

Simple velcro chain activity that children will love

Fine motor velcro chains for kids

May 27, 2014 by Kate 4 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Fine Motor, Making, Play, Sensory Play Tagged With: colours, fine motor, preschooler, toddler

Sorting Colours Activity from 3-5 ebook

Three to Five: Playful Preschool ebook

May 18, 2014 by Kate 18 Comments

  It is with great excitement and a lot of anticipation that I announce the launch of this outstanding preschool activity book. If you had a child who is aged around 3 – 5 then this downloadable resource book for you. Covering a wide variety of learning areas, such as math, language, science, art and play, […]

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, Art, Craft, ebook, Numeracy, Play Tagged With: activities, ebook, preschooler, printables

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

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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