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These easy science experiments are perfect for preschool aged children. Many of them would be great for older children too, so they could be enjoyed together as a family activity.

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Easy Science Experiments for Preschoolers

#1. Ice and Salt Experiment

Image: Learning & Exploring Through Play

I think I enjoyed this fascinating salt and ice experiment just as much as Little N (toddler)! As you observe the salt melting craters into the ice, that’s where the colouring seeps through and creates beautiful coloured tunnels.

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#2. Colour Mixing on Coffee Filters

Image: Messy Little Monster

Using primary colours (red, yellow and blue) and coffee filters, why not explore the different secondary colours you can create? Kids can see for themselves all the different shades of colours that can be made by mixing 2 (or more) colours together.

It is fascinating to watch as the paint spreads and is absorbed by the the coffee filters. Messy Little Monster uses jumbo eye droppers to make this simple colour mixing activity that works on fine motor skills.

#3. Make Glow in the Dark Bubbles

Make your very own glow in the dark bubbles for hours of outdoor fun!

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#4. Pop, Rock Balloons

Image: A Little Pinch of Perfect

This is a great idea from A Little Pinch of Perfect for pop rock balloons.

As the Pop Rocks and the soda make little bubbles, when they pop, the air inside the bubbles fills the balloon right in front of your very eyes!

#5. Create Fizzy Lemonade

Image: Learn with Play at Home

What a fun idea! Why not let your preschool create their very own edible science experiment? This fizzing lemonade experiment from Learn With Play at Home is the perfect little experiment before meal time.

#6. Simple Colour Mixing Science

Image: My Mundane and Miraculous Life

Simple? Fun? Educational? – Check!

Sometimes the most simple set-ups are enjoyed the most. Most preschoolers LOVE water play, and this easy colour mixing science experiment from My Mundane and Miraculous Life is sure to be popular. Simply add some food colouring and away they go, creating lots of different colours!

#7. Little Scientist Space

Image: Epic Childhood

Perhaps you want to create a space that offers lots of experimenting and imaginative play? Epic Childhood has some great ideas for little scientists in this post, where they share their set-up.

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#8. Colourful Milk Experiment

Image: Crafts by Amanda

This colourful milk experiment from Crafts by Amanda is fascinating, and all it requires is milk, food colouring and dish soap. There is a great video to go along with it too, as well as explanations around the science behind the fun!

#9. Walking Water

Image: Parenting Chaos

This colour-mixing activity is pretty awesome! A beautiful rainbow experiment, creating colours through walking water from Parenting Chaos. Using some simple tools your little ones will look on in amazement as new colours are created before their very eyes!

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#10. Water Bottle Fountain

Image: Learn with Play at Home

Add a twist to your water play and create your very own fountain! This water bottle fountain experiment from Learn with Play at Home allows children to see that air takes up room and is always present even though we can’t see it.

#11. Oil and Water Discover Bottles

Image: Play Trains

Children of this age love transferring, filling and emptying containers. By adding a couple of simple ingredients you can extend their play by allowing them to explore changes that take place when you combine oil and water. Get the instructions over at Play Trains.

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#12. Rainbow Eruptions

Image: Learn Play Imagine

How beautiful do these rainbow eruptions  from Learn Play Imagine look? Using 2 simple ingredients you too could be enjoying rainbow eruptions with your little ones!

#13. Fireworks in a Jar

Image: I Can Teach My Child

Is your little one fascinated with colours and fireworks? Then this fireworks in a jar project from I Can Teach My Child is for you! The great thing about this experiment is you will most likely have all the ingredients you need at home already.

#14. Colouring Flowers/Vegetables

After looking into this activity I was blown away by the different variations of this experiment and I just have to share a handful of them with you here. Here is a collection of my favourites:

• Colouring Wild Carrot – Fireflies and Mudpies
• Colouring Roses – Hello, Wonderful
• How Does a Plant Drink? – SFI (Science Foundation Ireland)
• Dye one flower two colours! – Homegrown Friends

#15. Soap Clouds

Image: Our Best Bites

Soap clouds, like these ones from Our Best Bites, smell divine! They are also great for sensory play and your children can stand and watch the ‘cloud’ forming too. Get the details at Our Best Bites.

#16. Rainbow Paper

Image: The Science Kiddo

Look how effective this rainbow paper is – and it only takes 5 minutes to create! The project and instructions can be found at The Science Kiddo.

#17. Sink or Float

Image: The Joys of Boys

This couldn’t be easier – a container of water and a hunt around the home for items, is all that’s needed.

Enjoy this Sink or Float experiment from The Joys of Boys and take it in turns to predict if you think an item will sink or float. A great way to teach mathematical concepts too!

#18. Cress Heads

This cress heads experiment will teach children about what plants need to grow. The great thing about cress is that it grows pretty quickly too!

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Stop by Learning and Exploring Through Play for lots more ideas for activities for little learners.

The post 18 Easy Science Experiments Perfect for Preschoolers appeared first on MyKidsTime.

Money Saving Tips: How to Feed Your Family for Less

With a few careful tweaks to your shopping and cooking habits, you can definitely cut the cost of feeding the family.

From planning to going shopping on your own, try these tips to help.

#1. Planning Meals

Always plan out the meals you want before writing out your shopping list and don’t just think about ingredients for one meal. If you’re going to have to buy a bag of potatoes this week to make mash for your Sunday dinner, how about throwing a few into a curry as well?

Consider what’s in the cupboards and keep them well organised so it’s easy to see what you’ve already got. Aim not to waste a single item – consider everything you throw away as money going into the dustbin.

You may find this Stocktaking Sheet handy to help you know what food you have before you go shopping. And download a free Meal Planning Sheet here.

#2. Make a List (and Stick to It!)

When you’ve mapped out your meals for the week it’s vital that you write a list and stick to this in the shop.

If you want to be a super-saver then don’t put any luxuries on it. Instead, set a target spend, buy everything off the list and then if you’re under that figure allow yourself a treat.

I used to shop without a list but once I started sticking to a list, the food spend definitely went down.

#3. Beware of Offers

Don’t get sucked into ‘too good to be true’ offers – it’s only a bargain if you really need it and are going to use it.

Equally, if something you buy weekly goes on offer then stock up and save for future weeks.

Use store loyalty points and coupons wisely.

#4. Compare Prices

The best way to know if you’re getting a good price is to read the unit price on the shelf ticket label, to ensure you are really getting the best offer. Sometimes what looks like a bargain is actually more expensive.

Compare prices between brands, some may be on offer and worth taking this week to save money.

Alternatively, before you head out to shop, check supermarkets to see who is offering the best deal on the things you buy regularly.

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#5. Downshift on Brands

Try dropping down a price bracket from the brand you currently buy or go with store own brand.

If you can’t tell the difference in quality, stick to the cheaper item and enjoy the ongoing savings.

#6. Batch Cooking

You’ll save time and money by cooking meals in advance and storing them up.

You can make enough for several sittings in one go – making a more cost effective use of ingredients. Things like bolognese sauce, stews, casseroles, soups all double or triple up easily.

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Shake up your menu with our FREE 14-day Dinner Plan and try some of our favourite family meals! All recipes are included, as well as a full shopping list of ingredients.

Download!

#7. Embrace Vegetables and Cheaper Cuts of Meat

Buying meat for a family can be expensive. For at least one meal a week try replacing meat with vegetables. Here are some meat-free recipes to try.

Consider investing in a slow cooker – as well as saving you time in your busy day, it will also save you money as you can buy cheaper cuts of meat. Here are Slow Cooker Recipes the family will love.

#8. Limit Takeaways and Eating Out

Avoid eating out or ordering takeaways unless it’s a special occasion – consider how much more a restaurant meal is than what you can rustle up at home.

Try some new recipes out for tasty cost-conscious special meal ideas so that you don’t feel you’re missing out. Why not get the kids involved in cooking dinner for the family too?

#9. Lone Ranger

Go shopping on your own to remain fully focussed. It’s nice to have help but having more members of your family along for the ride will increase the chance that one of them will stray from the script and pile cost onto the bill.

Your children will prefer not to be dragged around the shop anyway. Go after you’ve eaten too. Those tummy rumbles will only encourage you to spend more.

#10. Your Freezer is Your Friend

The freezer is your friend. Use it wisely to ensure you get more from your meals and ingredients, and to store up that batch cooking. It also helps you avoid food waste so pop any leftovers into the freezer for a future meal.

Label everything and rotate containers regularly to make sure you don’t forget what you have in there.

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The post 10 Top Money Saving Tips on How to Feed Your Family for Less appeared first on MyKidsTime.

Super Fun Sand Play Ideas

Sand is so versatile – you can sift it, dig in it, pour it, enjoy the feel of it, build with it, and even make art with it! This versatility means that it appeals to toddlers, preschoolers and even bigger kids who enjoy getting hands-on for some sensory fun.

#1. Sand Drawings Outside

Drawing with sand is so much fun! Like Buggy and Buddy, using clear squeeze bottles and a variety of coloured sand, use the great outdoors for your canvas!

#2. Sand Dough Sensory Play

Using three simple ingredients, Little Bins For Little Hands show us how you can create some sensory sand dough to explore at home! It feels soft to touch and doesn’t leave a heavy residue on the hands. It also sweeps up easily, which is a bonus.

#3. Creating Sand Castles that will Last

Sand castles are great fun to make. Want to create one that will last? Meaningful Mama gives us the low down on creating your very own sand castle sculpture.

#4. Indoor Beach

Do you want to give your child sensory activities to explore, but are held back as they still put things in their mouths? How about an edible indoor beach, courtesy of Mama Papa Bubba?

#5. Sand Art Bottles

Aren’t these gorgeous? Recycle some old bottles or containers and create a fantastic keepsake. Art Bar used food colouring to dye sand in a variety of colours.

#6. Sand Foam

Using only two ingredients, this is an interesting sensory activity by Little Bins For Little Hands, that is very simple to create. Whether you are creating a play set up for imaginative play or mark making, sand foam is sure to go down a treat!

#7. Train Tracks in the Sand

Is your child crazy about trains? You could take inspiration from Play Trains by gathering sticks together and take a trip down to the beach. Create your very own train tracks in the sand, or even extend this idea to create your very own sand city!

#8. Preschool Dinosaur Dig

Calling all archaeologists! Uncover the dinosaur bones and see if you can identify the creatures, in this activity by Fireflies and Mud Pies.

#9. Sand Paint

We love painting activities and have done many different techniques over on our blog. I love the idea of adding textures, and sand would be a great choice and great fun for finger painting! Homegrown Friends have also been busy sand painting.

#10. Sandy Oobleck

Buggy and Buddy share the recipe to create a fun Sandy Oobleck to explore. They show us in their ooey-gooey dinosaur world.

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#11. Microwave Puffy Paint

This Puffy Paint by Simple Fun For Kids is an interesting media to paint with. I love that children can help create this paint from scratch! You can offer a range of materials to transfer the paint onto the canvas. Whether you choose to use spoons, hands or squeezy plastic bottles you will create some fun puffy textured art work!

#12. Scented Sand Paint

This is a super cool painting activity that not only stimulates sight and touch, it also stimulates smell! Using tin foil for their canvas, Learn Play Imagine created some colourful, sandy artwork. Mix roughly a cup of flour with a packet of Kool Aid (or a couple teaspoons of powder if you buy in bulk) with a little water. Add water slowly to get the desired consistency then add play sand and mix well.

#13. Sand Play and Social Skills

Preschool Powol Packets show how a a very simple invitation to play ended up being a very successful play session. They created quick sand, a fabulous combination of science and sensory fun!

#14. Montessori Inspired Habitats

A set of three Montessori inspired habitats from Mamas Happy Hive. From the Arctic to the Forest to Africa, here are three amazing sand set ups you should really check out!

#15. Contact Paper and Sand Craft

Have you used contact paper for crafts? It is particularly great for children who are aged 2 years and under. Since it’s already sticky, there’s no need to use glue! Red Ted Art gets creative and makes some beautiful ‘under the sea’ themed cards.

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#16. Kinetic Sand

Have you ever heard of Kinetic Sand? You can mould it and create structures. Squeeze it in your hands and it hardens, but as soon as you release it ‘melts’. It has the properties of wet sand, however it is not wet. Eating Richly shows you how to make your own homemade version.

#17. Sand Play Dough with Small Loose Parts

Oh the absolute beauty of this activity! A no-cook playdough, from Mama Papa Bubba, that resembles a sandy beach and lots of accessories for creating patterns and mark making. From sea shells, to glass nuggets, to sea glass this activity is delightful and well worth taking a look at!

#18. Lizard Sand Play

Dry bed creeks are found all across Australia. They are essential for directing water from rain during the wet season. Here is a small world dry creek play set up for Lizards, we did at Learning and Exploring Through Play.

#19. Rainbow Sand Slime

Slime is an interesting, therapeutic, calming sensory media that in this activity has a twist. Adding rainbow coloured sand, like Learn Play Imagine, and a new texture was born! Simple Fun For Kids have also enjoyed some super stretchy sandy slime.

#20. Sensory Play Using a Sand Tray

A different, interesting way to mark make from Buggy and Buddy. Not only can you use a sand tray like this for free play drawing, you can also use it to practice letter and number formation and spellings.

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#21. Ocean Sensory Bin

Using simple ingredients, Fun Learning for Kids designed this fantastic ocean sensory bin which gives lots of opportunity for creative play.

#22. Sandcastle Playdough Kits

If you enjoy making gifts that little ones will love, then these sandcastle playdough kits by Mama Papa Bubba are adorable! A cute token for some hands on creativity.

#23. Erupting Sand Foam Dough

In this erupting sand foam dough play activity, Learn Play Imagine shows us how to use inexpensive household ingredients to fill your morning with amazing sensory play.

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The post 23 Sensational Sand Play Ideas Your Kids will Love appeared first on MyKidsTime.

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Creative Ideas for Water Play

1. Snowflake Soup

Image: Learning and Exporing Through Play

If you are looking for a fun activity indoors, why not create a themed sensory ‘soup’, like this snowflake soup from Learning and Exploring Through Play?

You can create endless ‘soups’, whether you choose to link it to a time of year, a celebration, or your child’s interest – they are a fun hands-on learning experience. Examples include a winter themed sensory soup or a Valentine’s sensory soup.

2. Exploring Mirror Reflections in Water

Image: My Nearest and Dearest

An interesting investigation no matter what time of year, whether you use the mirrors to look at your own reflections or add your toys or some nature items. This activity from My Nearest and Dearest makes a fun science activity for even the youngest of children.

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3. Portable, Waterproof DIY Light Box

Image: Play Trains

I have seen these IKEA storage boxes a few times and always considered them great containers, particularly for Arts and Crafts. I love the twist on this activity from Play-Trains, using them as portable light boxes that can be used in water! This would be such great fun in the bath or exploring water in the dark.

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4. Night Sky Sensory Bag

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

Have you got round to creating sensory bags yet? If you have a child who doesn’t like getting their hands messy these bags can be a stepping stone to sensory play. Under supervision they are also great for babies.

We have made several now, including this night sky sensory bag, and a Frozen-inspired bag, a heart themed one, playdough and straws and a Spring-themed sensory bag using a range of different fillers.

5. Investigating Water with Toddlers

Image: Learn With Play at Home

Here is a fun water sensory activity from Learn With Play at Home, that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. I love how the little one is encouraged to learn about the different concepts, from pouring to transferring, to catching spills and squeezing sponges, this really is water play at it’s best!

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6. Sink or Float?

Image: Laughing Kids Learn

Whether you are going on a nature walk or simply enjoying fun in the garden, round up some items from bricks to flowers and leaves to rocks, then set up a water experiment station like Laughing Kids Learn. Will the items sink or float? Make your predictions and then ‘splash’ to find out what happens.

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7. Calm Down Sensory Jars

Image: The Train Driver’s Wife

The idea of calm down sensory jars is you shake the bottle and your child watches the glitter/sequins swirling around. It’s during this time the bottle acts as a distraction, a cool down time. Once the contents have settled, cool down time is over.

An interesting behaviour strategy, especially for younger children. Why not add some small toys they like, to help engage them such as LEGO bricks, plastic characters, etc? The Train Driver’s Wife used a whole rainbow, which looks fantastic!

8. Sensory Bottles

Like all sensory play, sensory bottles are a really useful tool for promoting a sense of wonder and encouraging children to use their senses to explore and discover. They can also help with the development of fine motor skills when children are involved in making the bottles, and language and social skills when shared.

They also make a great craft activity and are simple to make. The best bit is that the overall purpose of a sensory bottle is entirely open to your child to determine. They can explore textures, colours and contents by shaking, rolling and up-ending the bottle. Or, alternatively, use it to calm down and as a meditation tool. How cool is that?!

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9. Tide Pools

Image: Buggy and Buddy

Tide pools are a fun way to teach children about the high tides and low tides. We have all had fun exploring rock pools when we visit the beach and we often find various sea life that are trapped in these pools until the tide rises again.

During this fun visual science experiment from Buggy and Buddy, children are able to see what happens to the sea life and the consequences of the high and low tides. Once the experiment is over you are left with a sea life sensory bin to explore.

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10. Tornado Tubes

Image: Mama Smiles

Explore the force of a vortex with tornado tubes, in this fun visual experiment from Mama Smiles for children of all ages from toddlers up.

I love the ‘spin’ on this activity and how they added glitter to make the ‘tornado’ stand out more.

11. Homemade Water Wall

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

If you are looking to create a fun addition to your outdoor spaces, a water wall will give you just that. We created this in the spring (without using any nails or screws either!), and it was played with all summer long.

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12. Pond Hunt

Image: Joys of the Journey (on Buggy and Buddy)

We’re going on a Pond Hunt! Children love making things, so they will no doubt love creating their own instruments to use down at the pond like they did during this activity from Joys on the Journey. This is a day they wont be forgetting any time soon I bet!

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13. Water Play for Baby

Image: Pink Oatmeal

This very simple set up from Pink Oatmeal for baby water play uses supplies from around the home to create a fun sensory activity for tummy time.

14. Year-Round Ice Fun

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

We have fun with ice all year long! We create ice sculptures, mark make, count ice blocks and we even hide items within ice.

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15. Water Fountain Fun

Image: Learn With Play at Home

What fun this homemade water fountain is! Children will really enjoy experimenting with water and watching as it rushes out of the straw!

Learn With Play at Home gives lots of ideas about how to extend and simplify this activity according to your child’s age and ability.

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16. Fishing for Numbers

Image: Buggy and Buddy

Is your child currently learning number recognition? Or are they working on addition, subtraction, multiplication or division? Whatever their current learning goals, this fishing for numbers activity from Buggy and Buddy allows opportunity to explore all of these mathematical concepts. It’s a fun homemade game that provides active learning.

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17. DIY Water Table

Image: Adventures in a Box

Here Adventures in a Box shares exactly how you can create your very own water table for lots of at-home sensory play.

18. Pond Sensory Sink

Image: My Nearest and Dearest

Outdoor water play is just the best in the warm weather, however here is a great alternative if the weather is not so warm outside! A themed sensory sink, in this case a pond sensory sink from My Nearest and Dearest.

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19. Sponges

Image: One Time Through

These ideas from One Time Through for sponge water play couldn’t be easier or more fun! Toddlers and preschoolers just love dunking their sponges into the water and squeezing them out, watching the water make marks on the floor or splosh back into a bucket.

If you have older children, why not get creative and make your own sponge pirate ships?

20. Water Beads

Image: Danya Banya

Have you explored water beads? They start out as tiny hard dark beads, and then absorb water to become translucent marble-sized balls. You can play with them in water, or on their own. They are wet, and yet solid. They are slippery and squishy and feel absolutely amazing to touch.

They are such a fun sensory activity, and Danya Banya gives some great ideas on how to play.

21. Sort a Rainbow

Image: A Little Pinch of Perfect

Is your child busy learning their colours? Do they enjoy sorting? This rainbow sorting water bead activity from A Little Pinch of Perfect is another great hands-on activity that also develops fine motor skills and hand eye co-ordination.

22. Mess-Free Painting

Image: Danya Banya

Painting with water is great mark-making fun and the canvas’ outdoors are endless. Get dipping the paintbrushes and get creative!

Not only can you use paintbrushes, but you could also have a go at using stamps like How Wee Learn did, using letter stamps.

23. Bottle Cap Fine Motor Play

Image: Fantastic Fun and Learning

Are you looking for a low prep activity that is sure to be a boredom buster? Fantastic Fun and Learning’s idea for bottle cap play is a great one and helps to develop fine motor skills!

24. Bubble Bar

Image: Nothing if Not Intentional at Nate and Rachael

Who doesn’t totally love fun with bubbles? Nothing if Not Intentional shares with us lots of bubble fun they have been having including an impressive ‘bubble snake’.

25. Sensory Magnet Water Play

Image: And Next Comes L

Looking for a bright and beautiful polka dot water play activity? Why not look at exploring some magnets in water using magnetic wands? This fun sensory bin from And Next Comes L explores cause and effect.

26. Marble Run Water Play

Image: Inner Child Fun

I just love all the photographs in this post from Inner Child Fun – the colours are so vibrant! Marble runs are not only great with marbles and water beads, they are also great for water play!

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27. Walking Water

Image: Parenting Chaos

This activity from Parenting Chaos is pretty awesome! A beautiful rainbow experiment, creating colours through walking water. Using some simple tools your little ones will look on in amazement as new colours are created before their very eyes!

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The post 27 Cool, Creative and Fun Ideas for Water Play appeared first on MyKidsTime.

Nursery Rhyme Activities: Incy Wincy Spider

Act Out Incy Wincy Craft

Make lyrics come to life on a blustery Autumn day indoors! This act out Incy Wincy Craft from CrafTea Classes uses some toilet paper tubes and paint, and is fun for toddlers to make and then act out.

Incy Wincy Handprint Keepsake

This Incy Wincy Handprint Keepsake from Learning and Exploring Through Play is perfect messy paint fun that requires just paper, black paint and googly eyes.

Itsy Bitsy Spider Story Box

Isn’t this Spider Story Box we found on Pinterest idea so cute? Make your spider from an egg carton and pipe cleaners then decorate a box for fun story time that can be reused over and again.

Egg Box Incy Wincy Spider

Enjoy making Incy Wincy, rain and a drainpipe with this egg box spider craft project from Messy Little Monster.

Playdough Incy Wincy Spider

Learn how to make your own playdough, and then transform it into this fun playdough spider from Crafty Kids at Home.

Nursery Rhyme Activities: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Star Wands

Make these cute star wands, then sing Twinkle Twinkle – you’ll find all the instructions over at Learning and Exploring Through Play.

Keep your wands for playing wizards, fairies, witches and more!

Star Lantern

This star lantern idea from Teach Me Mommy is so cute, and a fun star craft to make with your young kids and sing “Twinkle, twinkle, little star”.

When your lantern is complete, add a battery-operated tea light candle to see it glow!

Sensory Star Oobleck

Learn how to make your own frozen oobleck with this sensory star oobleck activity from Learning and Exploring Through Play – it is easy to do and super fun!

Rhyming Stars

This idea for rhyming stars from Fun-A-Day is such a simple but fun idea. This Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star activity uses free printable rhyming cards to engage children in a fun spin-off of a favourite nursery rhyme.

Star Busy Bag

Try this star sensory bag activity from Learning and Exploring Through Play – perfect for some mess-free, sensory fun.

Star Box

Looking for simple sensory play for infants and toddlers? This easy sensory star box from Where Imagination Grows is an activity that your kids will love!

Based off the idea of creating a mini planetarium, all you need is a large box, some string lights and a scissors/knife to create holes. You could attempt to make the constellations, or just do a random pattern of holes before poking a light through each hole. And there you have it, an instant sensory activity to lie under and enjoy.

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Nursery Rhyme Activities: Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Old MacDonald Story Stones

Aren’t these Old MacDonald Story Stones from Messy Little Monster adorable?

Print off the free printable farm animals, stick them to stones and use them to help toddlers and preschoolers choose which animal to sing about in the nursery rhyme or to help them make up simple farmyard stories.

Wooden Peg Farm Animals

I love this idea from Danya Banya for wooden peg farm animal toys, super cute and great for telling the story of all the animals on the farm. Plus, all this peg squeezing involves quite a lot of finger and hand strength for little ones, so this doubles as a fun fine motor strengthening exercise at the same time.

Animal Spoon Puppets

Teach Me Mommy’s great idea for farmyard animal spoon puppets is not only fun to make and engaging to play with, but is also a very portable activity to bring on road trips.

Farm Animal Wind Socks

These farm animal windsocks (including a pig, sheep, chicken and cow) are perfect for practicing cutting and gluing skills – and they turn out adorable!

Fingerprint Sheep Painting

Crafty Morning’s idea to make some fingerprint sheep is a really basic craft that any child can do! All you need is some coloured craft paper for the background, black paper for the head and legs, white paint and googly eyes.

Sensory Tuff Tray

This Sensory Tuff Tray from Adventures of AdamPlay is amazing! Toddlers will love it!

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Nursery Rhyme Activities: Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty Collage

Texture and creativity come into play with this fun Humpty Dumpty collage idea from Here Come the Girls that uses broken egg shells to bring Humpty to life.

Humpty Dumpty Egg Decorating

This project from Red Ted Art for Humpty Dumpty Egg Decorating is perfect for preschoolers and, by using real eggs with children, it is a great way to teach them about handling things with care.

Humpty Dumpty 3D Craft

I love this 3D Humpty Dumpty Craft project from Teach me Mommy, it really brings Humpty to life!

Humpty Dumpty Weeble

Humpty wobbles but he won’t fall down! Make your own Humpty Dumpty Weeble with instructions from Messy Little Monster.

Humpty Dumpty Egg Weebles are a quick and fun accompaniment to the nursery rhyme ‘Humpty Dumpty’. Will you be able to knock your Humpty Dumpty weeble off his wall or will he stand back up again?

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Nursery Rhyme Activities: Hickory Dickory Dock

Number Matching Clock Game

What a great idea from Best Toys for Toddlers for this Number Matching Clock Game.

Hickory Dickory Dock is a great little rhyme that helps little ones to learn their numbers and time in an easy and fun way. Clothespins are used here to reinforce fine motor skills, match numbers, colours and learn to tell time.

Mouse Stick Puppets

These mouse puppets from Craft Ideas are so cute, you can make them simply from pipe cleaners.

Learning the Time

This Hickory, Dickory Dock felt learning clock from Crafty Kids at Home will help teach your preschooler how to tell the time.

Candy Cane Mice

Make these adorable Candy Cane Mice, instructions on the Martha Stewart website.

Hickory Dickory Dock Rock Clock

This Rock Clock idea from Danya Banya is so simple but effective.

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We all know – and love – Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is one of the bestselling children’s books of all time. You can transform story time with 12 more Eric Carle books you’ll enjoy reading together!

The post 32 Fun Nursery Rhyme Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers appeared first on MyKidsTime.

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The Autumnal sights, sounds, smells and nature finds offer lots of inspiration. From painting and creating to exploring and discovering – we love these fun Autumn activities which are suitable for even the youngest of children.

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Quick and Easy Autumn Activities

Go On an Autumn Walk

An Autumn walk is great way to see and explore what this great season has to offer. It also provides a great opportunity for learning, fun and exercise, so wrap up warm and get outdoors.

1. Get your carrier bags/baskets and venture outdoors (no matter what the weather), to see what beautiful changes this season has to offer.
2. Collect Autumn leaves, twigs, conkers, acorns, pine cones (these will come in useful for some of the activities mentioned below too).
3. Encourage your little ones to explore freely, to touch, to smell, to see.
4. Point out any interesting things along your way – spider webs covered in dew, mushrooms, squirrels foraging for food, droplets sitting on the nature bed
5. Take some photos to look at when you return home.

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Make Autumn Playdough

Homemade playdough is great for developing fine motor skills – it is easy and fun to make in your own home too at very little cost and with ingredients you will have on hand.

Offer a range of Autumn themes and coloured media that your little one can freely add to the dough, to alter the texture and appearance. Examples include conkers, twigs, pasta etc.

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Read an Autumn Story

The Percy the Park Keeper series by Nick Butterworth is a well loved set, and After the Storm in particular is great for Autumn!

The story includes animals such as squirrels, hedgehogs, moles and badgers. The weather is on the turn, trees are blowing down in the blustery winds, leaves are dancing around on the pavements – it’s a busy time for Percy.

Who knows – you may even see similar things happening on your Autumn walks? You could also take a trip to the library to see what other Autumn-related books you can find.

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Try Some Conker Marble Painting

The shiny, brown conkers you have collected are great for offering an alternative to marble painting.

Dip them in paint in a selection of fabulous Autumn colours and then roll them around, creating patterns as they go – there you have conker marble painting!

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Make a Leaf Collage

This is a fun activity to let the children stick what they have collected on their Autumn walks onto paper, and turn them into art. For your Autumn leaf sticking, all you need are glue and paper – and then get creative!

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Make Leaf Prints

Leaf prints are a great way to continue to enjoy the Autumn leaves.

1. Dip your leaves/leaf sponges in ‘Autumn Coloured’ Paint, like green, brown, yellow, red and orange.
2. Watch as the colours mix together.
3. As well as making some lovely pictures, you can cut out the leaves, and use as Autumn decorations around your home!

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Make Autumn Decorations

Get creative at making some nature features and Autumn decorations for your home, using objects you have collected on your Autumn walks.

1. Gather some twigs, conkers and pine cones along with some Autumn Decorations from the shops.
2. Use some of the conkers and pine cones to hold the twigs in place.
3. You can also decorate with your cut-out leaf prints
4. Finish off with fairy lights, for extra sparkle!

Play Conker Toss

Everybody loves a game of conker toss, and this also makes a fun Halloween game.

1. Select a range of containers, place them at different distances and see how many conkers you can successful throw into the containers.
2. Label your containers up (the smaller ones and the ones furthest away give a higher number) and take it in turns to toss your conkers and see who can get the highest score.

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The post 8 Fun and Easy Autumn Activities for Preschoolers appeared first on MyKidsTime.

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If you are looking for painting ideas to inspire and prompt your kids, you’ve come to the right place! We have heaps of ideas that are easy to tackle.

Easy Painting Ideas For Kids

#1. Ice Painting

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this painting technique really is for the little ones. If your child enjoys getting their hands messy, this is definitely one to try! Learn with Play at Home and Messy Little Monster have also been busy enjoying Ice Painting!

#2. Nature Paintbrushes

Image: Messy Little Monster

These set of Nature Paintbrushes are definitely the most beautiful and inspiring set of Nature brushes I have ever seen! I love how you can combine this activity with a Nature Walk and collect the bits you need together too! Oh and check out Danya Banyas Painting with (and on) Sticks too!

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#3. Bottle Top Art

Image: A Little Pinch of Perfect

This is a process art that I have never considered doing before. How effective is the outcome!! Definitely adding this to our to-do list!

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#4. Squirty Foam Paint

Image: Learn with Play at Home

Now this kind of painting is right up my street. With some simple ingredients and a bit of recycling it’s pretty easy to try out too!

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#5. Watercolour Glue Resist Art

Image: Artsy Momma

This is a great art technique that children of all ages will enjoy. Using watercolours and glue to make shapes and outlines. You’ll find the instructions on Artsy Momma.

#6. Rainbow Sidewalk Paint

Image: Learn Play Imagine

Want to take art outdoors? How about making some of your own outdoor paint? I love the bottles they use in this activity too! You could also have a go at painting with it on paper like Mama Papa Bubba shows us.

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#7. Shaving Foam Painting

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

We really love how this turned out! Little N asks to do this activity often.

This activity (along with 150+ more activities) features in a great book we co-authored, that is jam packed full of Learning through Play activities for kids! Find out more about our book here.

Look how Mom Inspired Life enjoyed shaving foam painting on their windows!

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#8. Painted Toast

Image: Messy Little Monster

Looking to spice up breakfast time and start the day on a creative note? How about some colourful, painted toast to eat? Messy Little Monster has the details.

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#9. DIY Bath Paints

Image: The Realistic Mama

Do you enjoy making bath time fun for your little ones? Try making some homemade bath paint (instructions on The Realistic Mama) and giving them the opportunity to get creative while they are in the tub.

#10. Fingerprinted Season Keepsake

Image: Rhythms of Play

Not only does this look very effective, it’s a keepsake and provides a cute decoration that you can hang up on you wall all year round! Rhythms of Play have a lovely project to create this seasonal tree art with fingerprints and thumbprints.

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#11. Spiderweb Art

Image: Learn with Play at Home

This is a lovely painting activity from Learn With Play At Home? You could even make your own Handprint Spiders to cut out and add to your colourful webs!

#12. Spin Art

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

Spin art painting is a firm favourite of mine. I remember doing it as a child! It always goes down well with the children, and adults just can’t resist having a go too!

#13. Squirt Gun Painting

Image: Mama Papa Bubba

Definitely one for outdoors, let the kids loose with paint bottles they can squirt at a big piece of paper!

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#14. Printing with Foam Blocks

Image: Rhythms of Play

Is your child a fan of building with blocks in the construction area but not so keen to paint? Why not combine the two and use the blocks to print?!

#15. Mess-Free Painting

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

Some children are reluctant to get paint on their fingers, while other children continue putting anything and everything into their mouths. Sometimes you only have a quick couple of minutes to do an activity – this mess-free painting activity is great for these moments!

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#16. Painting on Salt

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

Not only a fun canvas to paint on, there is also some great science behind this technique!

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# 17. Nebulae Art

Image: Mosswood Connections

What a delightful way to capture your child’s interests through art. If you have a child who is interested in space, have them try Nebulae Art, it’s a lovely, calming, painting technique.

#18. Painting on Foil

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

This is purely about the process, but Painting on Foil is also a delightful painting technique with the hands and fingertips! If you have a child who is reluctant to get their hands dirty, use a paintbrush or Q-Tips.

#19. Coffee Filter Painting

Image: Messy Little Monster

Colour mixing with coffee filters is a fun painting process, find the instructions on Messy Little Monster. Children can observe the different colours they create by mixing 2 or more colours together.

#20. Spice Painting

Image: Mama Papa Bubba

A great painting activity to engage the senses! From textures, to scents, to the colours, spice painting with DIY paints is a fun idea from Mama Papa Bubba.

#21. Painting with Playdough Tools

Image: Learning and Exploring Through Play

Playdough tools make a great variety of patterns and imprints in Playdough and that’s no different in paint too! Try this fun painting with playdough tools.

22. Homemade Paint Recipes

Image: Learn Play Imagine

To finish off our collection of painting activities and techniques for kids, here is an amazing collection of paint recipes to work your way through!

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The post Fun Guaranteed with these 22 Easy Painting Ideas for Kids appeared first on MyKidsTime.

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You know the scenario – give a child a toy and they will have more fun playing with the box! A cardboard box can give endless fun so here are cardboard box craft ideas your child might enjoy.

Cardboard Box Craft Ideas for Kids

#1. A Castle, Perfect for your Prince/Princess

Image courtesy of Learning & Exploring Through Play

We set about creating a big sensory castle for Little N, over at Learning & Exploring Through Play. She helped all the way and really enjoyed painting it. She enjoyed putting her Princess dress on and going in and out of the different rooms we create. Children love dens so this was perfect for that! We added a basket full of sensory items to explore too!

#2. Cardboard Rocket

Image courtesy of Lemon Lime Adventures

And in 5..4..3..2..1.. we have BLAST OFF! Have a child who is intrigued with space? Make them their very own rocket ship, like this one from Lemon Lime Adventures!

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#3. DIY Building Blocks

Image courtesy of Sunny Day Family

We used to use large plastic building bricks when I worked in Nursery. They were very popular and there wasn’t many days where they wasn’t played with outdoors. Although they are great, they are very pricey too so why not look at creating your very own, like Sunny Day Family?

#4. A Cardboard Box Puppet Theatre

Image courtesy of Ofthehearth.com

This really is a must for all children to create at some point in their childhood – we like this idea from Of The Hearth! Not only can you enjoy creating this together, you can go on to entertain one another with your very own shows. For some extra fun, add technology in with it, and take some photos and videos of the shows you make.

#5. Cardboard Garage

Image courtesy of In The Playroom

Is your child crazy about cars? Using a cardboard box, get together and make a cardboard garage for small world play, like In The Playroom. You can get some lovely wooden garages, but the beauty of making a cardboard one is:

• It’s free.
• It can be personalised how you wish.
• When you have finished you can throw it in the recycle bin and create another one at a later date if you wish.

#6. Cardboard Box Play Tunnels

Image courtesy of Inspiration Laboratories

Simple. Free. Fun. This great idea by Inspiration Laboratories is put together in a matter of seconds and “Ta Daaa” you have a fun set up that will entertain your children for hours! Hosting a play date? Sorted!

#7. Table-Top Small World Castle

Image courtesy of Snotty Noses

If you would prefer to create something a little smaller than the castle above, you could always create a table-top cardboard castle for some small world play instead. This is a super cute idea from Snotty Noses and doesn’t take up too much room. Great to use indoor or outdoor!

#8. Painting in a Box

Image courtesy of Simple Fun for Kids

Why not use your boxes as a canvas for creating, like Simple Fun for Kids? Whether you choose to offer an option to paint, or draw with crayons and felts, this will be a hit with children, of all ages!

#9. Cardboard Box Pirate Ship

Image courtesy of Molly Moo

Let your favourite dolls or figure characters take to the seas in a cardboard pirate ship. Sail far and wide and see what treasure you can find on your way. This cardboard box pirate ship by Molly Moo is definitely worth checking out – she promises it only takes an hour to make!

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#10. Cardboard Caravan

Image courtesy of Fun Crafts Kids

This is such a fabulous idea from Fun Crafts Kids and the attention to detail brings this caravan to life even more!

#11. Make A Robot

Image courtesy of Crafts by Amanda

Amanda shows us how to turn some recycled cans, a cereal box and cardboard tubes into a fun Cardboard Box Robot!

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#12. Create an Underwater Scene

Image courtesy of Learn With Play At Home

This underwater set-up by Learn with Play At Home is really effective and I love how you can use this idea for any theme you may be focusing on, or to fit your child’s interests!

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#13. Ball Drop

Image courtesy of Pink Oatmeal

This is a great idea from Pink Oatmeal for Toddlers in particular, as they enjoy repetition and experimenting. Through this game they are experiencing cause and effect as well as working on their hand eye coordination.

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#14. Dragon Hobby Horse

Image courtesy of Kids Craft Room

A delightful creation from Kids Craft Room for pretend play. Just think of all the wonderful stories you could introduce and act out using this Dragon as a prop!

#15. Fairy Wings

Image courtesy of Red Ted Art

I must make this idea from Red Ted Art for my little one as I just know she will adore them! Fairy wings using empty cereal boxes?! I just love how you can add your own decorations and lots and lots of glitter!

#16. Cardboard Community

Image courtesy of Mamas Happy Hive

The perfect mobile activity to enjoy indoors and outdoors. Does your little one enjoy playing with cars and trucks? Why not create buildings, like this from Mamas Happy Hive, where they can associate where each of their vehicles go?

#17. Cardboard Box Airplane

Image courtesy of Bloglovin.com

Isn’t this cardboard box airplane adorable? You’ll find all the instructions on Bloglovin. All you need is a cardboard box, sharpie pen, tape and scissors! Up up and away!

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The post 17 Cute Cardboard Box Craft Ideas for Kids That Will Amuse Them appeared first on MyKidsTime.

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Getting outdoors during Spring with your preschooler can be lots of fun, there are usually flowers and baby animals to spot, and puddles to jump in! Here are some fun spring activities for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy.

Spring Activities For Preschoolers

#1. Learn Spring Songs And Rhymes

Image courtesy of Lets Play Music

Lets Play Music have a lovely collection of 8 songs suitable for preschool children. Songs and rhymes about bunnies, lambs and chicks always go down well with young children.

There are also songs perfect for circle time, counting and incorporating puppets, and is sure to have something for everyone.

#2. Create Colourful Tissue Paper Butterflies

Image courtesy of In The Playroom

This Tissue Paper Butterfly craft from In The Playroom is a great follow on activity from reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar and learning about the changes that take place in the life cycle of a caterpillar.

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#3. Create & Decorate an Easter Tree

Image courtesy of Red Ted Art

Whether you decide to buy an Easter Egg tree to go on to decorate or begin from scratch this activity from Red Ted Art is great for the whole family.

Why not all wrap up warm, put the wellies on and venture out to collect some twigs to create your very own Easter/Spring decoration. Paint your twigs white, bind them together and set about having a craft day with lots of materials free to access.

#4. Create a Spring Collage

Image courtesy of Artsy Craftsy Mom

Artsy Craftsy Mom got busy with lots of different materials to create an interesting Spring Collage. Leave your preschooler to get creative and make their very own collages that they can give to family and friends.

#5. Yarn Wrapped Tulips

Image courtesy of School Time Snippets

These Yarn wrapped Tulips, from School Time Snippets is not only great for developing fine motor skills, but also for learning about Spring Time flowers. They look adorable in little vases!

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#6. Spring Sensory Bottle

Image courtesy of Kids Craft Room

A sensory bottle is a beautiful way to explore the seasons. Here Kids Craft Room share how to create your very own Spring Sensory Bottle, which would be great for developing children’s exploration and enjoyment of the wonder of this time of year.

#7. Create a Spring/Easter Themed Sensory Box

Image courtesy of Learning and Exploring Through Play

We love sensory boxes over on our blog, Learning and Exploring Through Play. They are wonderful for hands on learning and exploring. Children can explore textures, learn about cause and effect whilst getting lost in their imagination.

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#8. Spring Garden Play Dough

Image courtesy of Picklebums

When it’s raining and too cold to venture outdoors bring the outside in and create with play dough. Picklebums have a range of play dough mats to bring your creations to life.

#9. Create Spring Time Bouquets

Image courtesy of Moms and Crafters

I love activities that involve going out and exploring so this Moms and Crafters project to create spring time bouquets is a perfect all rounder.

Go on a nature walk with your preschoolers and collect weeds, grasses, sticks, leaves etc. and create a Spring time bouquet. They use flower arranging foam but you could also use homemade play dough as your base.

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#10. Fine Motor Activity – What is Hiding in the Grass?

Image courtesy of School time snippets

If you are looking for a fun activity to help develop your child’s fine motor skills, then this project from School time snippets could be the activity for you!

Using paper cut into strips for grass, supervise your preschooler cutting the ‘grass’ back to reveal what is hiding underneath? You could hide Spring related photos/pictures or photographs of family and friends.

#11. Process Art Project, Painting with Bugs

Image courtesy of Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

This very simple painting activity from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails explores the different marks different insects make, and is a fun process art project.

#12. Nature Art

Image courtesy of Danya Banya

Danya Banya share a gorgeous activity using Nature as a canvas, where a collection of nature is transformed with beautiful colors. What a wonderful idea! You could even go on to use the painted nature items to create a Nature Mobile.

#13. Caterpillar Pom Poms

Image courtesy of Artsy Craftsy Mom

Artsy Craftsy Mom show us how to make Caterpillar pom poms. Not only are these visually attractive and tactile, that would make great additions to small world play!

#14. Springtime Seed Hunting

Image courtesy of One Time Through

One Time Through went collecting and storing the seeds they collected to explore later. They even went on to develop the activity by planting some of the seeds they collected! This is another great activity for getting your preschooler outdoors and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer.

#15. Imaginative Small World Play

Image courtesy of Picklebums

Picklebums set up a simple yet very effective imaginative small world using bugs, ponds and nature. Very inspiring!

You May Also Enjoy 8 Fun Autumn Activities for Preschoolers.

Over to you now. Any other suggestions for spring activities for preschoolers? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 15 Fun Spring Activities For Preschoolers appeared first on MyKidsTime.

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Make sure to check out your local library and find out what classes and events that they run throughout the year. Your local library branch is a wonderful – and free! – resource for families.

Some branches run parent and toddler groups, storytelling sessions, arts and crafts classes, and so on. Not to mention the fact that there is free computer access for library members and the option to borrow books, music, DVDs and more.

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Kids Will Love These Libraries in Laois

Portlaoise Library

Dunamaise House, Lyster Square, Portlaoise. Tel: (057) 862 2333

Opening hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 10-5pm
• Wednesday: 10-7.30pm
• Thursday: 10-7.30pm
• Friday: 10-5pm
• Saturday: 10-4pm
• Sunday: Closed

Abbeyleix Library

Main Street, Abbeyleix. Tel: 057 873 0020

Opening hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 9.30am-1.30pm and 2.30-5pm
• Wednesday: 9.30am-1.30pm and 2.30-5pm
• Thursday: 9.30am-1.30pm and 2.30-7.30pm
• Friday: 9.30am-1.30pm and 2.30-5pm
• Saturday: 10am-2pm
• Sunday: Closed

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Mountmellick Library

O’Moore Street, Mountmellick. Tel: (057) 864 4572 or (057) 864 4588

Opening hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 10am-1pm and 2-7.30pm
• Wednesday: 10am-1pm and 2-5.30pm
• Thursday: 10am-1pm and 2-5.30pm
• Friday: 10am-1pm and 2-5pm
• Saturday: 10am-2pm
• Sunday: Closed

Stradbally Library

Court Square, Stradbally. Tel: (057) 864 1673

Opening hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 1-5pm and 5.30-8pm
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 1-5pm and 5.30-8pm
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: 10am-1pm
• Sunday: Closed

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Portarlington Library

Main Street, Portarlington. Tel: (057) 864 3751

Opening hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 10am-1.30pm and 2.30-5.30pm
• Wednesday: 10am-1.30pm and 2.30-7.30pm
• Thursday: 10am-1.30pm and 2.30-5.30pm
• Friday: 10am-1.30pm and 2.30-5pm
• Saturday: 10am-1pm
• Sunday: Closed

Durrow Library

Chapel Street, Durrow. Tel: (057) 873 6090

Opening hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 1.30-5pm and 6-8pm
• Wednesday: 10am-1pm and 2-6pm
• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: 11am-1pm
• Sunday: Closed

You can find more details about libraries in Laois here, including details about what’s on, latest events, online ordering, mobile libraries and more. Please note, opening times and details are subject to change.

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Have you visited any of these libraries in Laois with the kids? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!

The post Visit These Local Libraries in Laois For FREE Family Fun appeared first on MyKidsTime.