Making Sandwiches The humble sandwich is a very good place to start when introducing little ones to cooking. No special ingredients are needed and there is no heat involved! Encourage your child to wash their hands before you start. Provide a couple of different fillings so that your child can choose – this will give…

Painting Outside This is a great activity for a sunny day and so easy to organise. Simply dress your little ones appropriately and give them a small beach bucket with some water in. Show them how to use a big brush (decorating ones are great) to paint just about anything! The path, the shed, the…

Shelling peas is a great thing to do with young children.  There are valuable lessons about where food comes from, it’s great for developing fine motor skills and also it’s a great activity to do while you chat. You may find a reluctant talker opens up a little when doing an easy, repetitive activity like…

Making Bath Times Fun The bath tub can be a great playground for watery adventures. Here are our suggestions for upping the fun factor at bath times! Use a bath time song to create a special bath time routine, which will make bathing easier for your child. Turn bath time into play time. Simple toys…

Try making these nutritious Breakfast Sundaes with your child for a weekend breakfast treat.  They use ingredients that you probably already have and there is no heat involved. Encourage your child to wash their hands. Gather together your ingredients: your child’s favourite cereal, a pot of yoghurt and some fresh or tinned fruit. Help your…

Eating Out Our handy tips will help make sure that you are not relegated to the kitchen and you do enjoy your meals out with small children in tow. 1) Do your research – try to find family friendly restaurants. 2) Try eating in shifts – one parent can eat whilst the other entertains. 3) Avoid…

Paper Chains You can buy packs of ready cut paper (plain, metallic or patterned) to make these paper chains.  Alternatively, cut strips of paper yourself to stick with a glue stick. Strips of 2cm by 20cm are the ideal size.   Show your child how to make the first loop and then thread the next…

Snipping Snowflake This is a great seasonal activity that practices motor skills. You can add a little early years geography by talking about weather and snowfall. Scissors are often hard for children to master but this activity gives a nice result even if the cutting is a little haphazard!   Fold a square piece of paper…

Gingerbread Reindeer These creative reindeer biscuits are cut out using standard gingerbread man cutters turned upside down!   Preheat your oven to 190oC/Gas mark 5.   Mix 350g of plain flour, 2 tsp ground ginger or mixed spice and 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda. Rub in 100g of butter then stir in 175g of soft…

My Road to School – Helping you to prepare your child for school Our pre-schoolers enjoy following “My Road to School”, our own version of the Government-supported initiative which helps prepare children in readiness for starting at school. All three and four year olds are entitled to Government-funded places, up to 15 hours during term time or the…