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Real snow sensory bin
If you get some snow outside and done playing out in the fresh air, but the kids are still excited you can bring some in the house. Get a scoop or a dust pan and put some snow in a box. Add their favourite toys or some of the arctic plastic animals. Get them to…
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Salt play-dough
I made this batch at a party with the help of a few children and it proved to be good fun, but a bit too messy. What you need: 1 part salt; 2 parts flour; 1 part warm water; a few drops of liquid colours (link below) or food colouring. At least this is the…
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Cardboard washing machine
Simple upcycle idea for some pretend play. What you need: A cardboard box; Some markers; A cutter/scissors; A laminating sheet or plastic pouch; Some glue; An empty bottle of detergent; Pegs & washing line/string. Make two circles with a couple of plates, one bigger than the other. Cut to make a door and stick the…
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Rainbow foam
A very simple recipe for a fabulous sensory play. What you need: Dishwasher soap; Water; Liquid paints (or food colouring); Mixer & a big bowl; Random kitchen utensils; A plastic storage box. Mix dishwasher soap with water to make foam. Transfer the foam as it forms to the tray and keep mixing till you get…
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Worms & bugs sensory bin
Play idea involving very realistic worms made of pasta and soil made of coffee grounds. What I used: Boiled spaghetti; Coffee grounds; Bag of plastic bugs (link below); Wood chips; Stones; Plants; Scoops; A transparent storage box. Create a small world using the above materials. Save what you can and reuse. Always make a habit…
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Puppet theatre station
From the series of “what to do with an empty box”. What you need; A big empty box; Cutter; Two small pieces of fabric; Some string. Take the big box and carve a large window. If they are big enough get them to help (use scissors instead). Add the two pieces of fabric to form…
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Sensory bottles
Mess free and safe activity for any age. Babies will love the noise and colours and older children will use them in pretend play. What you need: 500 ml plastic bottles; buttons; pasta; sugar puffs; feathers; water with glitter or paints; coloured sand; pom poms; anything else you find handy and makes noise or looks…
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Juice carton house
Here is what to do with an empty carton of juice – a small house. What you need: an empty box of juice; paints; scissors and some tape. Make some doors and windows for the house and a larger hole at the back for play space. You can also separate the levels with the carved…
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Fishing with magnets
This play idea reminds me of my brother. We used to play this game together a lot. It must be the easiest game to set up ever and it’s great fun. What you need: a big magnet taped to a string on a stick; coins (1 penny & 2 pence will do); a bowl or…
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Ice cream parlour
I don’t think I’ve seen a child who does not love ice cream so here is a play idea which can’t go wrong. What I used: Shaving cream; Plastic ice cream cones (or you can use real ones); Cupcake moulds; Ice cream scoop and spoons; Bowls and other kitchen utensils; Piping bag; Liquid water colours…