Imaginative play has wonderful benefits for children’s development. Experts find that children who engage in pretending are more creative, perform better in school, and develop a strong problem-solving approach to learning. In this dinosaur themed activity, most of the fun comes from using our imagination to build the world of dinosaurs. You can use anything... Read more »
Mother’s Day. I can almost hear the blood draining from Father’s faces around the globe as they scramble to get something together ‘from’ the kids because it’s been forgotten. Fear not men and women of the world, we have you covered! While Mother’s Day is one of the highest grossing holidays for people buying flowers,... Read more »
Did you know that you can make it rain in your own kitchen? Here’s what you need: Plate Refrigerator Water Kettle First, put the plate in the refrigerator overnight. It needs to be nice and cold for this activity. With an adult’s help, fill the kettle with water and turn it on. When it starts... Read more »
By Lorraine Akemann, marketing and outreach, Khan Academy Kids One of my favorite parts of early parenting was storytime at the local library. As a mother of two—now teenage—daughters, some of my fondest memories involve spending time reading to them from the library’s bountiful selection of children’s books. I’m happy to report that although my... Read more »
Oh Arrrr me hearties! Today we have a fantastically sensory based treasure chest for your little pirates. Using items you have lying around the house, in your dress up boxes or toy cupboards, anything that could be used to fill up your very own personalized chest of loot for your children! Simply gather them together... Read more »
Hurray for magnets! Magnets can seem like magic to little ones, and are wonderful learning tools. Go around your house with your little one and find things that are magnetic. Use your magnet wand to test the objects and gather them together to use in this art activity! The magnets will create an interesting design... Read more »
Ahoy! Welcome to pirate month you landlubbers! We will soon make pirate me hearties out of the lot of yer! Pirates aren’t so bad laddies. Why I bet you’d love what we love to do. Any guesses? Ai! When we’re not looting other ships we be treasure hunting! But to get on our way we... Read more »
This craft may look like your favourite whimsical sugary treat, but don’t try a bite! These clay donuts are fun and easy to make, and when you’re done you can decorate your fridge with them. Donuts come in so many different varieties; we’ve made some traditional flavours as well as some very unusual ones. Can... Read more »
These super fun dinosaur scratch cards are so much fun to make and play with! Get the instructions and your own printable skeletons here.
How I Got Started Getting into storytime yoga was a fairly easy transition for me, as I wanted to be able to teach classes that I was also able to bring my toddler to. I am very lucky to teach yoga in a massage therapy clinic whose owner is very supportive of offering activities for... Read more »
A few months ago I wrote about Circle Time, a great way to keep a group of kids entertained and/or focused. I gave you three Circle Time games to try the next time you find yourself with a group of kids and now I have three more to share! Counting Circle This game is great... Read more »
Sometimes the moon looks like a circle, sometimes it looks like a crescent, and sometimes you can’t see it at all. What’s going on? The moon never actually changes shape: it’s always a sphere, like a ball or an orange. But it looks different at different times because of the relationship between the moon, the... Read more »
Cast your mind back, back to the time you learned things that left you wide-eyed and awestruck. When you were learning about the Earth you live in for the first time. You were probably a lot smaller then you are now, likely less tired(?!), but with a fresh young brain that soaked up information like... Read more »
The definition of a Blanket Fort: A den constructed indoors, made of sheets, blankets, cushions, pillows, clothes pegs, elastic bands and fairy lights. Though specifically made for children, all ages welcome. This space becomes a place for whispers or shouts, quiet time or raucous time, watching films or playing, getting cuddly and cozy or… fort... Read more »
STEM Engineering with Spaghetti and Marshmallow Structures! STEM Learning, what is it and why do you need to know about it? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Teachers, professionals and any educators of children are working together to create hands-on, cross-curricular, inter-disciplinary learning. They are encouraging communities to recognize the deep value of... Read more »
Each year, we bring out the Christmas boxes from the basement, garage or storage locker. We set up the tree, and unveil our Christmas decorations for another year. As we open the box and see the ornaments year after year, we are reminded that these boxes are filled not only with things but with memories.... Read more »
Today we will be learning about Henri Matisse’s Cut-Outs and using his work as a tool to practise your child’s Fine Motor Skills and creativity. We will do this by creating our own Matisse Cut-Out masterpiece. Got older kids that want to join in? No problem! This activity caters for a range of ages. Henri... Read more »
Introducing The Spreadable Joy Series The Spreadable Joy Advent Calendar Christmas. Warm coats, toasted chestnuts, fires, lights, baubles, cinnamon sticks, sugar cookies, mince pies, mulled cider, eggnog and presents. Lots and lots of presents. Children these days can easily miss the true meaning of the festive season. Whether you do the nativity or not, the season can get... Read more »
Who doesn’t love a good bubble bath? For little ones, bubbles may be the highlight of bath time, or the reason to get into the bath in the first place! For them, bath time isn’t always about getting clean, but about having fun in the water. And why not? These days, with a great variety... Read more »
Crayons are fun all the time! Imagine being able to take them into the bath, how fun would bathtime be!? Parents not to worry! Even though we would love to keep all of our children’s masterpieces we know that’s just not always possible. This play time will be super easy to clean up: a quick wipe down... Read more »
What you’ll need: Black Face Paint Orange Face Paint Red Face Paint Black Eyeliner Pencil Large Brush or Makeup Sponge Small Brush Setting Powder Powder Brush STEP ONE Using the black eyeliner pencil draw the outline of Mr. Monkey’s face. STEP TWO Using a small brush and the orange paint make short lines around the... Read more »
Milk and juice are liquids: they flow, and they don’t hold their shape. Wood and rocks are solids: they hold their shape, and they don’t flow. But slime is different. When you pour it, it flows like a liquid. But when you squeeze it or slap it, it feels like a solid. All the stuff... Read more »
What you’ll need: Blue Face Paint Green Face Paint Yellow Face Paint Black Face Paint White Face Paint Red Face Paint Orange Face Paint Black eyeliner pencil Medium Brush Small Brush Powder Brush Setting Powder STEP ONE Outline your monster’s mouth using the black eyeliner pencil. Create a large half circle over your child’s mouth... Read more »
Welcome to the Edible Construction Sensory Bin! Today we will be exploring what construction people do through the medium of sensory play! I am yet to meet a child that does not love a tractor, digger, dump truck, bulldozer, fire engine, police car or garbage truck or really any vehicle that is big and has... Read more »