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Toys Books Play

Have a read of our Hot Topics articles all about toys, books and play ideas for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
 
  • Make your own homemade kids paints, dough, slime and toys for them to play with.
  • Have a look at the book reviews and tips on reading and writing.
  • Discover some of the benefits of playing, songs and music.
  • Find the fun and benefits of water play, messy play and sensory play ... and more!
Easy beezies

Easy beezies

Follow these easy steps on how to make an awesome bee to pop up in a flower pot or hang from the ceiling using an old mustard bottle, some electrical tape and a few other bits and bobs lying around the house!
Encouraging your preschooler to read & write

Encouraging your preschooler to read & write

Why is it that some children enjoy writing and drawing and for others it’s a struggle to get them to even pick up a pencil? Children are unique and each has individual ways in which they learn. There are many different learning styles and many children lean towards one, while also being a combination of others.
Indoor activities for toddlers

Indoor activities for toddlers

Here are some fun indoor activities for toddlers that you can do to encourage learning through play. As a parent or caregiver, let your inhibitions go, be silly, forget the mess and play with your toddler.
Getting creative with your under fives

Getting creative with your under fives

As the weather gets cooler, now is a great time to get into arts and crafts with your kids. It’s not just fun, they’re learning too. Whether you enjoy getting messy and trying new things with your kids or have never explored art activities at home before, there will be something here for you.
Kids flower art activity

Kids flower art activity

Kids will have fun making their own garden fairies, especially over summer when plants are in full bloom. Teach them the names of the flowers that you use, discuss the different shades of colour and how plants grow.
How to make fairy flowers

How to make fairy flowers

Kids will love being creative and making their own Fairy Flowers with different materials. Teach them about the seasons and how plants grow, and help them to understand and appreciate nature.
Painted feet art

Painted feet art

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.
Kids indoor & outdoor party games

Kids indoor & outdoor party games

All kids love playing party games! So here are some tips and suggestions on fun-packed indoor and outdoor games which are sure to be a big hit.
Make your own ice world

Make your own ice world

Make your own ice world and watch as it starts to melt and change as the ice warms up. A great water play and sensory play activity for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy over summer.
Glove bagpipes

Glove bagpipes

Such fun! Kids will love these glove bagpipes. Teach them to play different notes and make up a band with their friends. They’ll learn about music and rhythm, perseverance, concentration and hand-eye co-ordination skills.
Make your own autumn tree decorations

Make your own autumn tree decorations

Hunting and foraging is a great fun autumn activity. The kids will love being outside and collecting all sorts of treasures. It also helps teach them about seasonal changes and to enjoy the different types of nature that surrounds them.
15 Fun winter activities

15 Fun winter activities

Just because it’s cold and wet outside, doesn’t mean kids can’t have fun during winter. Here are 15 fun winter activities that will keep your toddler and preschooler entertained during the colder months.
Make your own ball bath

Make your own ball bath

It may be cold and wet outside, but the kids can still have fun inside with this fun ball bath idea. No water required!
Make your own bread paints

Make your own bread paints

Make your own bread paints and brighten up breakfast, lunch or snack time for your toddler or preschooler, by painting their bread in different colours and designs. Making bread paints is cheap and easy for even young kids to do too. Even fussy eaters won't be able to resist!
Make your own bubble mixture

Make your own bubble mixture

Homemade bubbles are lots of fun! They are also very easy and cheap to make with this bubble mixture recipe. Blowing bubbles will get your toddler or preschooler outside, popping and chasing the bubbles as they run around.
Make your own bubble wrap runway

Make your own bubble wrap runway

So easy to do at home and guaranteed hours of fun. The kids will love running, crawling, sliding and skidding up and down their own bubble wrap runway.
Make your own Christmas slime

Make your own Christmas slime

Follow this easy recipe and turn ordinary slime into festive Christmas slime for kids to play with in the lead up to the big day.
Make your own erupting snow

Make your own erupting snow

Erupting snow is a simple sensory and messy play activity you can make at home. It's easy to set up using basic household ingredients and will keep your kids entertained for ages. The snow is soft and powdery and even feels cool to the touch. It’s just like playing with real snow, but without the frostbite!
Make your own foam dough

Make your own foam dough

Foam dough is easy to make and lots of fun for the kids. All you need are just 3 ingredients! Check out this easy recipe.
Make your own glitter glue

Make your own glitter glue

Have a go at this very easy recipe for glitter glue! Perfect for adding sparkle to all sorts of kids crafts, paintings and creations.
Make your own glue sponge

Make your own glue sponge

Have a go at making your own glue sponge for the kids to use. Homemade glue sponges are super cheap to make and really easy to put together at home. They also last a surprisingly long time and stop you from having sticky glue everywhere! Glue sponges are great to use for your kids arts and crafts projects and can be sealed up ready for use next time.
7 Tips on learning to share

7 Tips on learning to share

Learning to share is all part of growing up, although it doesn't always come naturally with young children. Follow these tips on helping your toddler and pre-schooler learn to share and to develop friendships along the way.
Make your own paper stickers

Make your own paper stickers

Make your own paper stickers with the kids with these easy instructions. Homemade paper stickers are a cheap and fun craft activity that toddlers and preschoolers will love doing.
Painting with potato stamps

Painting with potato stamps

A tried and tested classic! Painting with potato stamps is lots of fun and cheap and easy to do at home. Toddlers and preschoolers will love getting their hands messy and creating some great pieces of art.

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