Whether it be a “magic potion”, “soup” or a pot of “tea”, children are so captivated by mixing things together. Here are some ideas to help you create a space where your child can play with magic mixtures.
All in fun
Extra-special artisan crackers
A great way to spend a morning, baking some simple crackers with your little one for snack boxes.
Little Outdoor Explorers
Viewing your child as an "explorer" can allow space for joyous and captivating play. Here are some ideas to help you "explore" this approach.
Celebratory Mud Cake
At First Steps in Nature we just love to create a Muddy Cake in celebration of a birthday…or just because the day is fun and the mud inspires us. But this activity is about a whole lot more than just fun, muddy play…
Rug up baby, Let’s go!
Getting yourself outside in the colder months, maybe a hot drink at the cafe, a park crawl or meeting friends.
Brick Factory
A game of endless fun, using fine and gross motor skills and heavy work, for a cycle of making, drying and smashing mud bricks.
Making Oobleck
Have you heard of oobleck? It’s a very cheap activity. Not quite a liquid, not quite a solid and a lot of fun to play with.
Festive Food can be healthy!
Christmas time is often a time for “indulging” and overeating, but festive, celebratory food can be healthy, colourful and fun too!
Kids in the Kitchen - Part Two
Some more inspiration for cooking with the young people in your life.
Nature Play Tool Kit - Outdoor Adventures Part One
It’s holiday time, you might be heading away camping or off for a day-trip. What can you pack in your bag to be sure you’re prepared for an outdoor adventure with your kids?
The Magic of Libraries - Part IV - kids
Gone are the days when libraries were places of silence and complete calm, and where children were expected to be seen and not heard.
Kids in the Kitchen - Part One
Cooking with kids. Does this make you think “giant mess” or “a whole lot of fun”? Part One is to inspire you to get prepared and bravely include your child/ren in kitchen adventures.
Getting out in the cold weather
It’s the first day of Winter where I am living. And it’s COLD outside. How do we get enough outdoor playtime when it’s cold, blustery and rainy??
The best shoes are NO shoes
Even better than taking your little one’s shoes off is never putting them on in the first place!
Back to Basics with Nature
After many years of working with children and families in Nature, it is often the most basic things that are the most memorable and fun.
Paper pizzas with the lot
Watch little fingers get busy with some pretend cooking.
Climbing Trees
There is a lot of joy to be had when climbing trees…but it may not be that simple for your family. Read on for ideas on balancing the benefits and risks of tree climbing for your child/ren.
Nests
Nests are everywhere at the moment! Here are 3 ideas to incorporate “nests” into your family play this week and beyond.
Finding your way in challenging times
An offer of hope for a challenging time.
Making a mess
Whether it be indoors or outdoors, with food, mud or paint…creating space for you and your children to make a mess can be a fun, dynamic and satisfying way to spend time…lockdown or not.