Schleich animal figures are so versatile, and are great quality. We have a few different types, and when we were sent a selection of their ocean animals, I knew that they would be perfect for a simple ocean themed sensory bin. R (4) loved playing with these animal figures, naming each one (thanks to many trips to the aquarium!) and making up stories and games with each of the ocean creatures.
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Jack’s Acrobatics: Acrobatics for Kids
With active kids, acrobatics can be just the thing to keep them occupied in a calmer, more focused way. We tried Jack’s Acrobatics, a book which contains 24 acrobatic exercises to try, with step by step instructions for the whole family. These activities can be done together with parents, or with siblings, allowing for great bonding and quality time.
Autumn and Fall Sensory Bottles
It’s that time again when a group of us Kid Blogger Network bloggers get together to share our Autumn and Fall ideas, and offer all of our readers the chance to win a huge cash prize!
I love sensory bottles, they are great for calming and relaxing kids, so I’ve collected some beautiful and easy to make sensory bottles with a fall theme. Don’t the Autumn colours look beautiful in the bottles?
Click each of the links for the full directions on how to make each one, and don’t forget to read to the end of the post to enter the giveaway.
DIY Puzzle Craft for Kids and the Ravensburger Twitter Party
My kids have always enjoyed puzzles, from the chunky wooden inset puzzles as babies, to the giant floor puzzles, then more complicated ones and even 3D puzzles. We’re taking part in the Ravensburger Twitter party tomorrow, and as one our party activities we got the kids to colour and make their own puzzles.
Making your own puzzles is a really simple idea but all of the kids loved it. With just a few supplies, you can make your own kids puzzle and then spent time making and re-making them once they’re done.
Wild Animal Story Stones
If your kids have a collection of rocks or stones collected on their travels, this is super easy idea to make with them. You can make story stones in any theme, but we chose wild animals since we’ve visited a couple of zoos lately so this is a simple way to expand on that topic at home.
This method has to be the easiest way to make story stones. Toddlers and preschoolers can get involved in the entire process, and it gives great results.
6 Fun Things to do in the Woods
We’re lucky to have so much beautiful woodland in the UK, and recently we’ve been learning about how the Woodland Trust works to preserve this woodland , to protect it for future generations. By taking our kids to the woods and teaching them the value of nature, we can all help out in our small way too.
There are so many fun activities to do in the woods. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Holding Your Own Sports Day
My kids love sports day. They love the competitive element, and the change to get active and they look forward to it throughout the summer term. But, who said sports day has to be only once a year? It’s easy to set up your own sports day at home and is a great way to get the kids to use up their energy!
Spinning Top Painting
We’re taking part in the Paint-a-thon this year where bloggers are joining together to share 101 fun and different ways to paint. We love experimenting with different painting activities, and I decided to get out a few spinning top toys and give them to the kids to use with their paint, instead of brushes.
We set out a huge piece of cardboard to cover most of our living room floor, and got to work with our fun active art session. The boys definitely enjoyed this style of painting, and I’m sure we will combine our spinning tops with paint again!
Building 2D & 3D Shapes with Craft Sticks
Over the summer holidays, I’ve joined together with a group of bloggers to bring you weekly craft and play ideas using simple supplies from around the home or garden. We’re starting with sticks (either sticks from outdoors, or craft sticks). Make sure to check out all of the other fun stick ideas linked at the end of the post, but first – here’s our simple play idea, building 2D & 3D shapes from craft sticks
Glow in the Dark Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles are so easy to make, and really relaxing for children to use as they watch the contents of the bottle float all around. We’ve made a few different types in the past, but I fancied making some glow in the dark sensory bottles with the kids. They are fun to play with in the day, but give an even cooler effect at night time! We made a couple of different glow in the dark bottles using supplies from Hawkins Bazaar, and have used these glowing supplies for a couple of other sensory play ideas too.