Seasonal Activities

Easter just isn’t Easter without an Easter egg hunt! Whilst Easter egg hunts are lots of fun for kids of all ages, you may need to scale it down a bit when it comes to toddlers and preschoolers so that they enjoy it just as much as the older kids. Check out these 6 tips for organising a fun Easter egg hunt.

Kids Easter activities are always lots of fun, so why not get your toddler or preschooler to create their own Easter artwork using these homemade potato stamps. Potato stamps are lots of fun and also cheap and easy to make. Toddlers and preschoolers will love getting their hands messy!

Have fun this Easter making your own marbled Easter eggs for the kids. This edible Easter activity is a take on dying hard boiled eggs, but you colour the white of the egg instead of the shell! Enjoy watching your kids faces when they discover what’s beneath the egg shell.

Make these yummy lemon pancakes for the kids on Shrove Tuesday (or any day of the year!), with a little help from Delia Smith.

This ANZAC biscuits recipe is easy to make and a traditional way to commemorate ANZAC Day or to enjoy on any other day. The first ANZAC biscuits were made by women on the home front and sent overseas to the New Zealand and Australian soldiers fighting in World War 1.

Your baby’s first Christmas is such a special time, so here are some ideas on ways you can celebrate and make it memorable for years to come.

Baking soda clay handprints are a great way to capture the size of your kids hands whilst their still young, and make Christmas decorations too. Made with ingredients you’ll have in your pantry, these handprint keepsakes are fun and easy to make.

Is your toddler or preschooler a fussy eater? It can be stressful at the best of times trying to find food that they’ll eat, but with the Christmas holidays just around the corner you may experience added pressure. However, there are some great ways to support your toddler or preschooler to help avoid some of the flash points that can dampen your Christmas cheer.

Even babies and kids who are usually good sleepers may find it difficult to get enough sleep or settle during the busy Christmas period. So here are some useful sleep tips for the Christmas holidays to help ensure your baby and kids sleep is not disrupted during this hectic time of year.

Have a go at making your own handprint Christmas wreath with the kids this year. It’s a really fun Christmas craft activity from Mud Mates and easy for toddlers and preschoolers to do with a little help from you. Why not make a new one every year and keep a record of the size of their hands and fingerprints as they grow!

No time to go to the beach? This sand and water sensory play activity is easy to set up at home and provides hours of imaginative play for young kids. Whether it’s shaping the sand into castles or splashing in the water, it offers endless opportunities for fun and learning as your kids explore these different natural textures

As we head into summer here's a quick reminder of what we need to do and what we need to teach our kids to do. We’ve all heard the phrase Slip Slop Slap and Wrap a thousand times, but it’s so important as parents and caregivers to keep kids safe in the harsh New Zealand sun whilst they're playing outside, swimming in the pool or visiting one of our many beaches.

We all love summer, but it can wreak havoc with kids sleep patterns with balmy nights and daylight streaming through their curtains. A good night’s sleep is important for all of us, so help make things more comfortable with these 5 easy tips to help them get to sleep during the warmer months.

Going to the beach this summer? A YMCA Auckland Lifeguard shares 7 lifesaving tips that could make the difference to your family’s lives this season.

Have a go at some of these fun outdoor activities with your baby or toddler to help encourage learning through play.

Water is an essential part of Kiwis identity and many under 5's grow up spending their holidays at the beach, fishing off the rocks, swimming in a pool or learning how to drive a boat. Yet according to Safekids Aotearoa, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old.

Sunglasses are not only for adults. We should teach kids from an early age about the importance of wearing sunglasses so that they develop good habits that last for life. Sunglasses maybe a fun fashion accessory, but they can also save your kids skin and help prevent eye problems as they get older by blocking out the sun's powerful ultraviolet rays (UVR).

So what’s all the fuss about swimming nappies? Are they really necessary? We take a look at why specially designed swimming nappies are needed, what features to look for and other options.

Do you have young kids who are prone to seasonal hay fever? Runny nose, itchy eyes and lots of sneezing? As we head into the warmer months seasonal hay fever will start to strike. Find out what you can do to help.

These toy sail boats are easy to make and perfect for summer time. Kids can play with them in a paddling pool or bucket of water, or even in the bath before bed. They are great as an educational tool too.

These Valentine’s Day suncatchers are an easy Valentine’s craft activity for toddlers and preschoolers to do at home. They’ll love seeing their artwork displayed on the window and the sun shining through all the colours to brighten up the room. These suncatchers also make great Valentine’s Day gifts for family and friends.

Painted feet art makes a great personal gift for kids to give to family and friends, especially on Valentine's Day. You could try framing their artwork too to make it extra special. Have a go at making your own with these easy instructions.

It may be freezing cold and blowing a gale, but there are so many good reasons why kids need to play outside during winter. Dress them up warm and let them play in the dirt, the frost and the rain. They’ll have lots of fun outside in the fresh air.