Activities to Create Cherished Memories:
Our Father's Day Mini Kit includes three fantastic activities that are sure to ignite your youngster's creativity and make Father's Day unforgettable.
Laughter is the best gift, and with our Dad Joke Tool Kit, your little ones can prepare a collection of hilarious jokes that will have dads, grandpas, and uncles rolling with laughter. Get ready for some rib-tickling moments as the whole family joins in on the fun!
Let your child's artistic talents shine with the "You Dino-Mite Canvas" activity. With step-by-step instructions, they can create a masterpiece that shows just how much they appreciate the special men in their lives. It's a heartwarming gift that will be cherished for years to come.
Give your family memories a unique touch with our "Abstract Art Scrabble Frame" activity. This personalized craft allows your little ones to spell out heartfelt messages for their dads, grandpas, or uncles using scrabble tiles, turning a simple frame into a meaningful piece of art.
Safety First: Your child's safety is our top priority. We've ensured that our Mini Kit comes with clear guidelines and safety warnings. Remember, adult supervision is essential at all times, especially when dealing with small parts. We want crafting time to be a delightful experience for the whole family!
Special Offer: To make this Father's Day even more delightful, we are offering a special promotion. Purchase our Father's Day Mini Kit along with any of our other exciting themed kits simultaneously, and get the Mini Kit for the reduced price of $21.95 instead of the regular $26.95. Simply select the Mini Kit + Preschool Kit or Toddler Kit, and then choose the additional theme in the drop-down box during checkout. The $5.00 discount will be automatically applied to your purchase, giving you even more reasons to celebrate!
Conclusion:
This Father's Day, let's create treasured memories with our Father's Day Mini Kit. Whether it's giggling over dad jokes, expressing love through art, or adding a touch of personalisation, our Mini Kit is the perfect way to celebrate the amazing dads in our lives. Embrace the joy of creativity and show your appreciation with this limited edition gift. Order now, and make this Father's Day a truly memorable one for the special men in your life.
]]>Our Mini Kits come with three egg-citing crafts to create for Easter, and they are the perfect size for little hands. These kits are great for parents, grandparents, or anyone who wants to give a small, thoughtful gift this Easter.
For those who want to go all out, we have our Easter Kits, which have five activities and include scissors, three paints, glue, a paint pallet, a paintbrush, and all the craft materials your little ones will need to get creative. This is our largest kit ever, and we're so excited to offer it to our customers.
One of the best things about our Easter Kits is that they make a perfect gift for grandparents to give to their grandchildren. With all the materials included, grandparents can spend quality time with their little ones creating something special for Easter. It's a wonderful way to bond with your grandchildren and create lasting memories.
But don't just take our word for it - here's what some of our customers have said about our Easter Kits:
"I got the Easter Kit for my granddaughter, and we had so much fun creating the crafts together. The kit came with everything we needed, and the instructions were easy to follow. We'll definitely be getting more kits in the future!"
"We gave the Mini Kit as an Easter gift to our niece, and she loved it! It was the perfect size for her, and she was so proud of the crafts she made. We'll definitely be buying more kits for her in the future."
At Hand In Hand Activity Kits, we believe that spending quality time with your little ones is priceless. Our Easter Kits are a fun and educational way to do just that, and we're confident that you and your children will love them as much as we do. So why not add one of our kits to your Easter celebration this year and create some precious memories with your little ones?
Order your Hand In Hand Activity Kit today and let the Easter fun begin!
]]>With these benefits in mind, why not try creating some handmade crafts this Valentine's Day with your preschoolers? Whether it's making paper hearts, painting love notes, or decorating a special box for storing all of your Valentine's, there are countless ways to create meaningful and fun memories with your little ones. So, get your crafting supplies ready and spend some quality time with the little loves in your life this Valentine's Day. Happy crafting
]]>Why do we let it affect as in such a negative way?
I imagine there’s a whole stack of answers to this question and no I’m not immune to this type of parental stress or teacher overwhelm but that’s what makes me question it even more…
From my experience, the main reason we tend to try and gain control over the chaos and become overwhelmed is really based on what other people might think if we don’t… parents worry about being judged by other parents, random strangers out in public and family members…however an uncomfortable reality is that those that are judging… will do it anyway!
People that get involved in other people’s business, that pass judgement or make you feel inadequate are just that way inclined and honestly it wouldn’t matter what you did, they’d judge! What if we refocused our energy into what is actually best for our kids? Isn’t it their happiness and development that we should be concerned with anyway?
Parenting styles have been the source of focus lately with the popular T.V show ‘parental guidance’ and I know what I seem to be referring to here would be considered very “free range” which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. While I definitely relate a lot to this parenting style – I don’t think anyone fits into any ‘one’ parenting box, we’re all a bit of a mix and I’m definitely not completely free range either.
I’m also not talking about letting kids do what ever they like. I’m not referring to chaos that involves nastiness, aggression, physically hurting anyone, bullying or anything of this kind…. What I’m talking about here is simply embracing the natural curiosity of children and allowing them to explore their environment with the type of natural excitement and energy that is so often squashed in our controlling, adult-centred systems.
Kids are born with this zest for experiencing the world around them. They want to jump in all the puddles, feel the rain, make mud-pies and make BIG messes! This is the type of chaos that can be quite triggering for parents and teachers, and it makes sense. Despite worrying about what people might think as discussed above… adults are also busy! We automatically think about the cleaning up that comes after this experience or the extra effort it might be to just allow the crazy to occur.
Here’s what happens when we let go and embrace the chaos…
In our culture of standardisation, we are losing the magic of creativity and individuality that is so imperative in helping children discover who they are and what they’re great at. Often if they’re not great at literacy and maths – they’re made to feel inadequate and will often lose the spark that keeps them motivated to engage in the creative pursuits that make them genuinely happy.
There are many misconceptions about creativity, some people think that creative teaching means a lack of discipline in education. Others see creative ability as the gift of a few, rather than of the many or only associate it with the arts. However creativity is possible in all areas of human activity and all young people and adults have creative capacities. Developing these capacities involves a balance between teaching skills and knowledge, and promoting the freedom to innovate, and take risks. Ken Robinson National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education 1999.
RESEARCH IS FORMALIZED CURIOSITY. IT IS POKING AND PRYING WITH A PURPOSE. Zora Neale Hurston
When we allow kids the space and freedom to explore with natural curiosity, we are allowing them their greatest learning tool. We know ourselves that when we have genuine interest in something and are able to explore uninhibited – we learn more than in formal settings. That’s what play is to children – learning about their world with uninhibited curiosity. When they jump in the puddle, watch it turn to mud and have the cause and effect of splashing – they’re learning basic scientific principles. When we try to control their play or deny them the freedom to make mess and be loud – we’re denying them some of the deepest and most significant learning of their lives.
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It’s not our job to teach kids to be quiet and obedient, and in fact (this might be an unpopular opinion), this kind of teaching can be extremely harmful. I know the common consensus is that children should be taught to “do as they’re told” and the even more ‘old school’ opinion is that sometimes children should be “seen and not heard”. I’m just not a fan of this way of thinking, I think it’s imperative to teach our kids to make noise, think & speak up for themselves and be able to say no to adults!
If we’re teaching our kids blind obedience, it’s harder for them to say no to “tricky” adults, which could lead to some pretty dangerous interactions. Every time a child is made to believe that an adult’s happiness or calm is dependant on their behaviour – they’re being moulded to believe they’re in charge of other people’s happiness. This means they might struggle to say no, become people pleasers or find themselves in toxic relationships.
As adults we need to practice what we preach and understand that we can control how we respond and react, and maybe there’s a deeper reason we react so negatively when our children are loud, chaotic, messy or when they tell us “no”…. maybe it is rooted in how we were responded to as kids. Whatever the reason, I think it’s important to analyse and reflect on how we react, and learn to respond instead with insight and acknowledgement of our children’s development, happiness, curiosity and creativity so that they can take these treasures with them into adulthood, for “what is an adult scientist but a kid that never lost their curiosity?” Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Super strict, control centred households and classrooms might “look” good and you might get a little thrill when people comment on how quiet and well-behaved your kids are… but what about each thrill you’re denying them, each moment of pure curiosity that could led to organic learning or just pure joy – or both! Every time you insist they walk around the puddle instead of jumping right in, they’re denied a little bit of magic.
Embrace the wild, for it’s in the weird & wild – you will delight in their wonderful.
Thanks for reading, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
]]>In my decade + experience in the education system I have had the pleasure of teaching in our Early Childhood Sector as well as Primary and Secondary. The Early Years system is, in my opinion, well ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding human development and what constitutes success.
In general, Early Years settings promote and encourage play based learning and a fundamental sense of belonging to a positive community while this type of learning is essentially lost when they enter formal primary schooling (usually!).
The Early Years Learning Framework defines play-based learning as ‘a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations’.
One of our many featured businesses that inspire this type of learning is Hand in Hand activity kits. The exciting kits are thematically planned with ALL craft materials, tools and activity guides included for your convenience and delivered to your door!
Play-based learning provides opportunities for children to actively and creatively engage with people and with their environment. When engaging in play, children may be organising, building, making, pretending, exploring, imagining, investigating, interacting, problem solving and making sense of their worlds. It promotes the healthy development of some of the most critical components of childhood and can also provide the building blocks of pre-literacy and numeracy skills.
Children learn through playing, it is their ultimate superpower. They are learning some of the most important skills that promote social, physical and cognitive development.
Play-based learning fascinates children because of their natural affinity with experimentation and engaging in activities that reflect their individuality as they attempt to make sense of the world around them. For play-based learning to be most effective, Early Child Educators create an engaging environment that encourages the child to participate by ensuring they feel like they belong and their skills/interests are represented.
play-based learning involves activities that are self-directed, unstructured, explorative, Fun and process-oriented.
Studies show that play based learning promotes pre-literacy and language development. During the first 5 years, a child’s vocabulary grows exponentially and play encourages conversations to occur organically. It’s not only playing with their peers that promotes these skills, but playing alone can help establish language development as well (thank goodness for the lockdown/pandemic babies!!!)
Children will often talk to themselves while playing or recite the play/describe what the toys are doing etc., even recounting multiple sides of a conversation.
When playing with peers or siblings, children participate in different forms of communication including storytelling, negotiation, problem solving, turn-taking, casual conversation, taking on “roles” and many other important developmental building blocks. Educators and other adults can encourage language development through play by inciting conversation, asking questions, introducing new words and ensuring children feel safe and welcome to participate organically with the experiences at hand.
Play-based learning is crucial in developing a child’s emotional intelligence – such as the ability to develop and maintain friendships, show empathy and all the social skills children need to navigate the years ahead of them. Psychologists encourage play as a stress relief and as a healthy way for children to work through their emotions.
Quiet/calm play can also allow a child space and freedom to process information and regulate emotions.
At Triangle Genius – we have a diverse range of wonderful businesses that all encourage creative learning, as well as celebrate the individual strengths of each child and the magic within them.
Play is pivotal in helping children process scenarios in their lives, this is why self-directed play is so important. It’s critical that adults don’t interrupt or intervene too much so as to not lose the magic of their wonderous imagination; a stick is an amazing sword, fairy wand, fishing rod or spoon. In that moment of play they are a firefighter, mum, dad, baby, fairy, unicorn, truck driver ….and interrupting this creativity or trying to steer the play really takes away from the amazing value of the experience. This helps them grow into creative, resilient and socially aware adults who are able to adapt with flexibility to the world around them.
During play, children take the lead – adults are not telling them what to do or how to do it, they are making decisions for themselves.
Being able to learn in this way, with independence and control helps a child develop a positive attitude toward learning. In play, there is no pressure on the “product”, the process is much more important, they can have fun and learn along the way.
Play-based learning helps children develop both fine and gross motor skills. Play such as throwing, climbing, running, balancing, skipping and jumping develop gross motor skills.
Fine motor skills are developed through play such as drawing, craft, beading, gluing, cutting, painting, creating and constructing.
RUTH SWAILES has made well-known, the X-rays of a child’s hand at 7 years old next to the x-ray of a child under five’s hand that shows the physical difference of children at these ages. While the bone structure is remarkedly different, the younger child also has a lot of cartilage that will eventually become bone at around 6-8 years.
While Early Childhood settings are remarkable in their efforts to encourage natural, play based learning that is age appropriate and child-directed – we know as parents, the pressure that is placed on very young children. Very young children are often asked if they know their alphabet, if they can read, if they can write their name… and the list goes on.
Sometimes the pressure comes from other parents who might “brag” about how amazing their children are and while you know logically that your following your child’s lead and allowing them to develop in an organic way – these words can sometimes eat away at us and lead to us placing that pressure back onto our children and trying to get them to engage in activities that they’re not yet ready for, such as perfect handwriting.
Looking at these pictures it’s clear that, developmentally, younger children are usually just not ready for formal handwriting – it’s something they will gain better control over when they’re physically able to – with the right gentle guidance, not pressure before they’re ready.
Children learn, through playing, the “pre-skills” to handwriting that encourage their fine-motor skills. These activities include scrunching paper, picking up small objects with fingers or tweezers, playing with play-doh, squeezing, beading, using scissors, craft and everyday activities.
Play-based learning is generally associated with preschool children, but new research provides a model for playful learning at primary school and beyond.
The Australian Council for Educational Research and the LEGO Foundation have investigated the role and impact of learning through play in the primary school classroom.
Learning through Play at School explores eight different approaches to teaching and learning, or ‘integrated pedagogies’, commonly used in primary school education:
The report describes how these approaches are related to learning through play, and how they can hugely effect learning outcomes across a range of subjects and impact cognitive, social, emotional, creative and physical skills.
It is important to recognise that children today are growing up in a world where their future profession may not even exist. The world is changing so rapidly that it’s impossible to imagine the types of lives and careers we’re setting students up for. It is therefore crucial that we are teaching children how to learn, how to love learning and encouraging them to pursue their own interests and skill sets (their Triangle Genius’), as well as their own ideas about what success looks like for them.
It’s the skills, rather than the content that is most important – and it’s within beautifully open-ended, unstructured play that this learning occurs. Play based learning for all children, not just our preschoolers is encouraging complex thinking skills, resilience, divergent thinking, problem solving, communication, conflict resolution, social skills and emotional intelligence. While a lot of this crucial development occurs within the first five years, children never stop reaping the benefits of play.
Art is a great way to keep your children occupied, but it is also enormously beneficial for their development as well. There are many known benefits that come directly from engaging in these kinds of experimental activities, with creative children known to have better fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
In some cases, they’re typically better at expressing themselves and being social, while these endeavors also enhance their self-esteem and decision-making skills – not to mention their ability to apply problem-solving and innovative thinking.
You can encourage your child to dive into the wonderful world of arts with these kid’s activity packs, delivered right across Australia. These craft kits are suitable for toddlers from as early as 18 months of age. The entire range which has been curated with young children up to six years old in mind give them the perfect start to their early education while also engaging them in craft activities that are fun for the whole family to be involved in.
The learning and fun that occur while exploring these wonderous packs is immeasurable. My son has been enjoying his dino pack that was sent to him by his Uncles for him to explore during lockdown and he LOVES it! He learned the vocabulary word “Paleontologist”, as well as the names of many different dinosaurs.
He has been enjoying craft, cutting, gluing, drawing, using tweezers, exploring outside to find treasures that he used to build a nest, engaging with stories, engaging in conversation, painting, sensory play and even playing alphabet bingo with his “dino eggs”. He loves everything about these activity kits and is learning without even knowing it – he’s just having a great time.
There’s themes to match every child’s interests and kids have the opportunity to interpret and explore the materials and activities in anyway they wish. The conversations are spontaneous, the instructions include pictures so kids can really go on their own creative journey without relying on someone telling them what they need to do if that’s how they wish to engage.
Once he made the dino puppet, this toy has taken pride of place in many imaginative games between him and his siblings, as well as many solo games while he explores all these new vocabulary words and info. about dinosaurs.
PURE MAGIC!
Check out this amazing and inspiring business and all of their creative kits.
We would love for you to join the conversation on our blog – and join our community over at facebook and instagram to stay in the loop of all things Triangle Genius.
Ashlei
]]>Setting up a designated play centre or station for your child gives them somewhere special to keep their supplies and toys, while also encouraging a sense of routine. It’s somewhere that will excite them to keep coming back again and again.
First you’ll need to find the perfect place in the house to set up. Ideally this is somewhere like a living area or bedroom corner with a desk or table that’s easy to clean, in case of any messes. It’s also good to keep this away from a high-traffic area to allow them to focus.
Then, you’ll want to gather all the supplies, tools and toys your munchkin will need. You can group things together to keep them organised – with their drawing supplies, paper, glue, stickers, blocks and puzzles, etc in different boxes or drawers so they can be easily found.
Arts and crafts are a great way to keep your kids busy, while also sparking their minds and imaginations. The benefits of this for a child’s development are huge, as not only does it encourage problem solving and decision-making, but it also grows their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Having their own private station will also encourage their independence and self-reliance to play and work out problems on their own. This is an important character-building skill that can only help them further in life. It also builds their self-esteem by inviting them to take pride and ownership of their own work.
You can also encourage their overall growth and physical development by setting up designated spaces for keeping active. To get them moving, you might set up a play mat where they can stretch out, dance, skip, jump, practice yoga or spread out their toys.
Having a collection of things on hand will keep things varied, interesting and balanced. This way, your little superstar will never be short of things to do, and will be kept captivated for hours!
At Hand in Hand we have a range of craft and activity kits designed to keep kids busy. For us, it’s all about creating quality time together and nurturing their development. Each kit is themed and includes all the craft materials, activity guides and tools you need to get started.
Our kits are suitable for toddlers from as early as 18 months, right through to the little Prep students. If you’re not sure what to pick, we have a handy guide to help you decide which kit will best suit your child.
If you have any further questions about our range, give us a call on 0450 615 247 or get in touch by email at hello@handinhandactivitykits.com.au.
]]>Like us, naturally kids are very excited to see everyone again, as society returns and maintains a typical routine again. As we settle into ‘COVID-normal’ and restrictions ease, we can all start to enjoy the things that we missed in 2020, including birthday parties.
After social distancing for so long, it can be hard to know what’s okay and what’s not. So what are some of the safety precautions you need to take when throwing a birthday party with COVID-19 restrictions still in place?
There are certain steps we can take to keep each other safe and healthy at your child’s celebration.
Children under the age of 12 in Australia do not need to wear a face mask. Any adults present will need to wear one, though – so it’s important to be mindful of how children might react.
Here are a few other ways we can protect each other:
It’s also important to remember that normal to not everyone will feel comfortable with attending social gatherings just yet – and that’s okay. Everyone will emerge at their own pace when they’re ready.
There are all sorts of things you can do to celebrate your child’s birthday. No matter how you decide to enjoy the occasion, there are fun activities to keep everyone happy. Whether you celebrate in-person or virtually, here are a few ideas:
Backyard picnics
As outdoor gatherings are far safer than gathering indoors, why not have a picnic in your own backyard?
A games day
Keep everyone entertained with fun outdoor games like hide n’ seek or maybe even a treasure hunt.
Get some popcorn ready and settle in. Whether it’s taking the kids to your local outdoor drive-in, setting up a projector in the backyard or having a virtual movie day, watching your kids’ favourite flicks is always fun.
While we may have COVID restrictions still in place, this doesn’t have to limit the fun. However you choose to celebrate, you can still make your child’s birthday something really memorable and special.
We care about your little people and their happiness. We also have a huge range of activity kits to help keep them busy, including our Australian animals for kids. We also have a helpful page to help you choose which item to pick.
If you have any further questions about our range, give us a call on 0450 615 247 or get in touch by email at hello@handinhandactivitykits.com.au
]]>...so with that in mind, keep reading Mummas because I am sharing our top 3 tips that will see you creating an Easter PLAY session that is pretty, practical and AMAZING!!
Let the celebration begin!!
We love using the daily PLAY planner because it has us cultivating more of what matters most to us while embracing motherhood, household duties and other commitments. Schedule in ‘SIT WITH ME’ time for the Easter PLAY session day and work backwards...jotting down your ideas and what tasks need to be done on a particular day so that you can clear the schedule on the Easter PLAY session day. Whether your day be an elaborate or easy one...break the tasks into bite size chunks and plot them on each day. Be sure to tick them off as you achieve them...because this always feels good and will serve as a great motivator in moving forward.
Grab you and your little learners an Easter Mini Kit from Hand in Hand Activity Kits. It includes three Easter learning experiences and comes with all of the resources needed to complete each one in its entirety. Plan whether you will do one, two or all three activities in the session and schedule them accordingly throughout the day. And hang those creations up in your home!
What we love about these kits - the focus on skills development, the quality of the resources and the opportunity it provides us to connect with our little ones with minimal time to set up. It is something we can get stuck into right away...therefore making it an ideal resource for busy Mummas.
This is a simple step but one that is quite often forgotten or one that is taken without Mumma in it with their little ones. So this tip is to serve as your daily reminder to jump into the pics, embrace the messiness or unpreparedness for the photo...because the goal is to look back at these snapshots and celebrate...celebrate the legacy of PLAY that you have built within your little learners. It is the moments that melt your heart.
It wouldn’t be a true celebratePLAY guest blog if we didn’t leave you with a little something extra in taking ACTION….
BONUS TIP - observe, wait and listen to your little ones during this Easter PLAY session because you discover other ways to extend the PLAY and learning for weeks, perhaps, months to come.
Tag us at @handinhandactivitykits and @celebrate_play sharing your snapshots of the day. We can’t wait to cheer you on from the sidelines!
Love this blog...let us know in the comments. We love hearing from y’all...it seriously makes us do a happy dance!
Erin is a Mum of two little learners, wife, Early Childhood and Primary School teacher as well as the bizMum behind celebratePLAY. She lives a busy and play filled life in Sydney. Her greatest passions are organisation, gift-giving, helping others and lifelong learning.
You can find her:
Website - www.celebrateplay.com.au
FB – www.facebook.com/groups/celebrateplay
Insta – www.instagram.com/celebrate_play
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There are proven, negative consequences of spending too much time staring at a screen - especially in terms of your eyes. In the short-term, too much exposure puts strain on your eyes and can dry them out, but over many years, it can also damage your retinas.
Once a child reaches teenage years, the long-term issues become more pronounced. According to government research, extended screen time correlates with reduced physical activity resulting in a range of health concerns – from obesity and posture issues, through to sleep problems. Mental issues are also not uncommon during teenage years and can include social isolation, mood swings, poor concentration and more psychological issues that can become habits that extend into adult life.
Not all screens are equal. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, few parents would take issue with their teenager sitting in front of multiple Zoom classes and meetings followed by even more screen time researching and studying. In some cases, these modes of communication also allow friends and family to unite. But too much of a good thing is sometimes a bad thing – e.g. too much exposure to video games or consuming content that is of no real educational or social value. In fact, a report by Common Sense Media said that when balancing out screen time, it was important not to weigh all of the different types equally.
"All screen use is not equal, especially at a time when other avenues of connection and learning are shut off," author of the report and senior director of research at Common Sense Media Michael Robb said.
The standard two hours a day should no longer be considered gospel, but rather a level of balance between digital and physical worlds should be a priority.
As per the Common Sense Media report, hard and fast "hours per day" plans are not as effective in the modern world, especially when we use technology like this for learning and communication. However, there are some guidelines you can apply, especially for younger children:
From the age of six onwards, it becomes a balancing act rather than applying strict hours of use. Consider applying rules like no gadgets during family meals, learning to implement parental controls to lock devices during certain hours and prevent access to certain content. Of course, always try to encourage as much playtime and recreational activity as possible and try to inspire young minds with fun educational activities like our collection of Hand in Hand kits.
]]>In the modern-day, however, there are lots of shiny toys, technologies and gadgets that attract the eyes of the young and young at heart. While these seem like obvious gifts, don't forget some of the old-school staples that make the perfect present as well – like books.
There are many reasons why books make such a great present for kids. They are a fantastic gift for the child that has everything. It is also a way to boost their education, as research has shown that kids who have never been given a book as a present are more likely to be below the reading level for their age.
Depending on their age, novels as a present also present a bonding experience because parents can read with them at night, giving plenty of added bonuses – like better sleep and a widened vocabulary.
Beyond all this, books reduce the amount of time they spend indulging in screens, opening their eyes to new worlds and gaining a new sense of perception for life. We truly believe that these advantages are something that screens just can’t replicate (well, to an extent).
It is hard to go past some of the great Australian classics like Wombat Stew, which is a true icon and continues to engage new generations year after year. This iconic picture book has everything, from mesmerising images to true Australiana themes and a sing-song story that is great fun for grown-ups and kids alike.
Our Australian Animal theme kit pairs perfectly with the book Wombat Stew, where the after reading fun continues to crafts. Crafts related to a book opens discussion about the story and extends you child s comprehension.
Australian-made Bluey has become a smash hit with young ones as well and there would hardly be a preschooler or younger child that hasn't heard of the adventures of this Blue Heeler and his family.
For primary school students, Diary of a Wimpy Kid continues to be a popular choice after already selling 250 million books worldwide. Diary of a Wimpy Kid 15: The Deep End is available now, along with spin-off book Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney.
And for the teenagers in the family, Jennifer Niven's range of books taps into the big issues and themes that matter to children going through big changes during this stage of life, including first loves and heartaches, finishing school and heading into the real world.
There are numerous other options available, leaving you spoiled with choice, but those listed above make for the perfect belated Christmas present or New Year gift for any child.
]]>Educating kids around the complexities of COVID-19 is tricky, but it’s important to understand that obsessing about the virus only further spreads anxiety – especially in kids where these contexts aren’t well-understood.
As 2021 kicks into gear, instead of letting ourselves become infected by fear, let's take constructive action to keep ourselves and our families safe while COVID-19 still lingers. Let's take responsibility for our emotional reactions as well.
It’s never too late to help your child understand the risks and precautions around COVID-19, as well as personal hygiene. The truth is that life is always full of uncertainty and risk, and the ‘new normal’ is here to stay.
As parents, it's even more crucial that we manage our own fear responses. Children are very sensitive to our emotions, so it's our responsibility as grownups to communicate to our kids that we can, and will, keep them safe.
Discussing the global pandemic with your child doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it may seem. Here are a few tips to help you kick the conversation off:
Remember that while we’re also feeling the burden of the unknowns as adults, kids are feeling that tenfold. There’s a lot of uncertainty going on in the world right now – be your children’s sense of clarity and security when they need it most.
]]>This year, we’re helping you get ahead with some gift-giving inspiration for your kids. Don’t let the next birthday or seasonal event sneak up on you; take these nifty ideas and put them into action the next time you hit the shopping centre.
You’ll thank yourself later, and your toddlers will be well and truly happy – we promise!
First and Foremost – Hand In Hand Activity Kits
You can encourage your child to dive into the wonderful world of arts with Hand In Hand Activity Kits. These kids’ craft kits are suitable for toddlers from as early as 18 months of age and give them a reason to get creative (and away from screens, too).
Our goodies have been curated with young children up to six-years-old in mind. Give your kids the perfect start to their early education while also engaging them in things that are fun for the whole family to be involved in.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Kitchen
Little chefs can cook up lots of exciting role-play scenarios with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Kitchen. With two sides to choose from – a refrigerator and an oven they can open and close – there are a working light switch and a variety of songs, sounds, tunes, and phrases (in English and Spanish!). Your toddler will be busy as can be with this pretend playset!
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
This ride-on toy is an absolute classic. Toddlers love the coupe’s elegant design and easy manoeuvrability. Perfect indoors or out, the Cozy Coupe encourages active play, imagination, and the development of large motor skills.
Mega Bloks
Think LEGO but bigger. This crowd-favourite has been a long-standing tradition for toddler and child-appropriate gifts. Offering the ability for little ones to experiment and build away at their heart’s content, there’s plenty for children to do with these simple blocks. Best of all, their larger design makes them easy to grip and means they aren’t a choking hazard.
Just One You Personalised Cookie Monster Set
If your child (or the lucky little one the gift is for) is a big fan of Sesame Street, then this one’s a definite winner. This set includes a book with their name on it and a cuddly toy of Cookie Monster himself.
Need more inspiration? Browse the Hand In Hand Activity Kits range for easy, hassle-free gift options for toddlers and kids alike. We also have a helpful page to help you decide which product to pick.
]]>Erin is a Mum of two little learners, wife, Early Childhood and Primary School teacher aswell as the bizMum behind celebratePLAY. She lives a busy and play filled life in Sydney. Her greatest passions are organisation, gift-giving, helping others and lifelong learning.
You can find her:
Website - www.celebrateplay.com.au
FB – www.facebook.com/groups/celebrateplay
Insta – www.instagram.com/celebrate_play
]]>This season has us, deep in lunchbox meal prep, unpacking school bags, washing and ironing uniforms, buying school supplies, aiming for earlier nights with earlier wake ups, juggling little ones that are not quite yet at school, homework and the resumption of extracurricular activities…phew…the juggle is real. And the weeks of PLAY we recently embraced feel like a distant memory. Do you feel this too, my friends?
With all of this in mind, we are sharing four of our best tips that are sure to have you nurturing the flow of PLAY during the “Back to School’ season. Grab a notepad and paper to jot down your thoughts as your read this…allowing you to take action as soon as you can.
How this works for us – It is a series of five tasks to be completed before moving onto the next part of the rhythm/routine. We started with one task until it became a daily habit and gradually increased it to the five tasks until they all became daily habits. There are five tasks in the morning (am) and another five in the afternoon (pm). These 5 tasks can be anything that you see fit and working for your family eg, self-care, mindfulness, pack away belongings. The tasks can be different or the same for individuals, both adults and children, can be done with independence or help. With less time spent in transition and/or insisting on certain tasks to be completed, this is a system that will help establish a smoother ‘Back to School’ routine and indirectly the play rhythm. Pairing the daily 5 tasks with a visual timetable is also a fabulous addition to nurturing the flow of PLAY in the home and following a new routines.
‘Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible’.
Saint Francis of Assisi
As with all our celebratePLAY blogs we love leaving you with a set of actionable steps to help you get started right away.
Come and share with us which strategy resonates with you the most – 1,2,3 or 4. Which of these could you start straight away knowing it is likely to work for you and your family? Pop your thoughts below.
BIO
Erin is a Mum of two little learners, wife, Early Childhood and Primary School teacher aswell as the bizMum behind celebratePLAY. She lives a busy and play filled life in Sydney. Her greatest passions are organisation, gift-giving, helping others and lifelong learning.
You can find her:
Website - www.celebrateplay.com.au
FB – www.facebook.com/groups/celebrateplay
Insta – www.instagram.com/celebrate_play
Along with this we are embracing the last few weeks of the school holidays and the extra opportunities available to connect with our little ones.
Perhaps CONNECTION is your 2021 Word of the Year or it is the essence of what you are keen to achieve this year with your family. Whichever it may be…here are our Top 4 ways to boost daily connection with your early learners… ways that you can embrace and start with straight away.
Yet we are hardwired for play and exploration as well as for joining with one another.
Tina Payne Brsyon and Daniel Siegal
‘Read with Me’ Time works similarly to ‘Sit with Me’ time and links to creating a daily rhythm – our previous two tips. It is a designated time each day (not necessarily bound by time) to read with your learners, either together or individually, to read a book or more. Did you know the Hand in Hand Activity Kits provide an option to add a related picture book to the themed box? This is handy as it allows for integrated learning and builds upon your little learners’ prior knowledge which is a valuable teaching strategy that fosters skills in early learning.
‘Design is a plan for arranging elements in a way that best accomplishes a particular purpose’
Charles Eames
It wouldn’t be a celebratePLAY blog if we didn’t leave you with a set of actionable steps to help you get started right away.
Remember, writing things down, helps to make it happen. It is also a great keepsake to look back on in years to come.
Now, I know that the Hand in Hand community has a wealth of knowledge and experience with play and using themed activity kits, so if you have an idea, hand hint, experience to share on how these kits work for you, please drop them in the comments below. We can learn so much from those around us and it is always nice to inspire a fellow PLAYmate.
BIO
Erin is a Mum of two little learners, wife, Early Childhood and Primary School teacher aswell as the bizMum behind celebratePLAY. She lives a busy and play filled life in Sydney. Her greatest passions are organisation, gift-giving, helping others and lifelong learning.
You can find her:
Website - www.celebrateplay.com.au
FB – www.facebook.com/groups/celebrateplay
Insta – www.instagram.com/celebrate_play
]]>The development of children at this age is so important as they prepare to make the step into school and curriculum-based learning. All of our educational activities for preschoolers are designed to be as fun as they are experimental, available across a wide range of themes.
Gift vouchers and subscription options are available as well for the perfect present for your friends and family. All of our educational activities for preschoolers can be purchased through Afterpay over four easy instalments. If you are struggling to decide, why not take a look at our Surprise Kits, for a sense of mystery straight to your doorstep – perfect for boys and girls.
]]>Some of the bestselling arts and crafts kits on the modern market include the likes of lovable animals, vibrant and colourful collections and plenty of educational pieces. Combined, all of this creates a hugely beneficial ability for children of all ages to occupy their curious minds, and apply those ever-critical skills of problem-solving, decision-making and imaginative thinking.
Better yet, a majority of products also allow you to find the perfect solution for certain ages, ensuring the designs are well-suited to their skill level and abilities. But when there’s so much choice on offer, where do you start with finding ideal, age-appropriate kits that will keep your little ones busy (especially on those rainy Sundays)?
A part of the wonderful world of learning is the ability to explore all the aspects of life around us. Dedicated to our native wonders, we believe Australian animal craft ideas for kids are a great way to get started in this journey, ultimately creating super-fun, rewarding projects and learning about the flora and fauna of the country at the same time.
Some options in our range are formed around this notion, embracing the Aussie spirit in a plethora of much-loved, recognisable animals, such as:
For the children preparing to head into the exciting world of kindergarten and school, we have a kit that’s specially designed to assist with developmental benefits. Explore native fauna in ensembles such as:
Tip: This kit also comes with the K is For activity, which helps children learn about their letters as well as improve their teamwork, fine motor and collaboration skills through roleplaying. We also recommend the iconic Australian book Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan, if you’re looking for a timeless Australian animal classic.
Remember that arts and crafts are a beneficial part of learning and experimentation; playtime should always be about embracing curiosity and sparking invention and helping your kids apply these skills furthers their ability to explore confidently and express themselves. As Willy Wonka once said:
All of our art and craft kits for boys and girls can be purchased through Afterpay, so you can access a range of activities for all of your children and pay over four simple instalments.
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