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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

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

feature image cut and paste

Simple cut and paste collage art activity for toddlers and preschoolers

April 24, 2018 by Kate 1 Comment

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

Simple threading activity using cut straws and pipe cleaners

November 13, 2017 by Kate 5 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

Netflix tv shows for toddlers

Netflix kids shows to download to make travel with kids easier

November 2, 2017 by Kate 4 Comments

Please note that Netflix is constantly updating their program, so some of the following suggestions may not be available.  We all know that travel with kids can be difficult and involve lots of planning. One thing I never forget to do is find some great Netflix kids shows to download to make travel with kids […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Netflix, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: Netflix, toddler

nature scavenger hunt for kids to use outdoors

Toddler nature scavenger hunt with a free illustrated printable

October 16, 2017 by Kate 6 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

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

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 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

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

car tracks from paint

Painting with toy cars and truck wheels

April 5, 2017 by Kate 6 Comments

Painting with toy cars and truck wheels has been on my list of activities to do with my kids for a long time. Fortunately, it’s a wonderfully easy painting activity to set up and is great fun for kids to have a go at. Check out the awesome tyre marks made from that paint!  You […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, Paint Tagged With: cars, paint, preschool, toddler

playing with sensory easter eggs

Simple Easter egg sensory shakers for kids

March 21, 2017 by Kate 5 Comments

My children love Easter and it’s always a fun time to incorporate that within out home play experience. These simple Easter egg sensory shakers for kids are lots of fun as you can add whatever filling you like.  Boo (aged 2 years) is just beginning to understand the excitement that comes with Easter. We are […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years, activities for babies, activities for toddlers, Easter, Sensory Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: baby, easter, sensory, 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

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

Sensory bottles for Christmas play

Christmas sensory bottle for babies and toddlers

December 6, 2016 by Kate 16 Comments

Here are some adorable Christmas sensory bottle for babies and toddlers. They are super easy to make and will captivate and delight your little one. Sensory bottles are great for developing visual and audial senses, which is how we learn about the world around us.  Christmas is such an exciting time of year and it’s […]

Filed Under: Christmas, Sensory Play, Uncategorized Tagged With: baby, Christmas, sensory, 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 27 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

How to make a simple Christmas craft using paper plate as a Santa beard

Simple Christmas Santa Beard craft

November 7, 2015 by Kate 13 Comments

Here is a simple Christmas Santa beard craft that your kids, especially young preschoolers, will love to make. Using only a few basic materials, your children will love engaging in imaginary play and you’ll do doubt hear them call, “Ho, ho, ho”.  Before you roll your eyes for me already getting into the swing of Christmas […]

Filed Under: 1 - 3 years, 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Art & Craft, Christmas, Giveaway, Pretend Play Tagged With: area, Christmas, competition, cotton balls, craft, fractions, giveaway, paper plate, preschool, toddler

Last minute Halloween ghost crafts

October 26, 2015 by Kate Leave a Comment

Here is a collection of great last minute Halloween ghost crafts that your kids are sure to enjoy. They are great for children as young as toddler age to do and don’t require a whole lot in setting up or instructing.  Like you, I completely understand how life can get busy and these celebrations come around so […]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: celebrations, Halloween, simple to set up, toddler

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

decorating party hats

Decorating party hats

August 30, 2014 by Kate Leave a 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 72 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 12 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

DIY simple paper planes for kids on a windy day

DIY simple paper plane for kids

April 30, 2014 by Kate 1 Comment

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

Paper plate poppy craft for kids

Anzac Day poppy craft made from paper plates

April 24, 2014 by Kate 25 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

Pasta Threading - a fine motor activity for toddlers

Pasta threading activity for toddlers

March 16, 2014 by Kate 47 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

Guess the objects covered in tin foil

Guess the Objects covered in Tin Foil

February 24, 2014 by Kate 10 Comments

 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 […]

Filed Under: 0 - 12 months, 1 - 3 years Tagged With: maths, shape, toddler

Sorting sizes - toddler activity

Sorting between big and small

February 22, 2014 by Kate 13 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

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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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