Here is a list of some simple ideas that create learning experiences as well as some wonderful play ideas too! Additionally, we’ve included toy suggestions that are affordable, sustainable, and designed to support your child’s development while being durable enough to be reused or passed down.
Gardens provide endless opportunities to learn and discover. They are great for showing children how plants need care and how to respect nature while watching plants grow.
Toddlers love to get involved and will feel proud to help plant seeds and water them. Plus, gardening tools are great for developing strong hands and motor skills.
For older children, gardening helps to develop and understand early science and maths concepts – for example, things like helping to pot and water plants teaches little ones about volume and measurement.
Gardening is a great way to build responsibility and extend thoughts beyond self, plus little ones will feel very proud watching their garden grow!
Children absolutely love to help out in the kitchen! So why not get together and bake some Christmas treats to give to your family and friends this Christmas.
Not only does cooking provide some wonderful bonding opportunities, but it is also great for developing fine motor skills and helps to build language skills by talking and describing what you are doing, e.g. mixing, measuring, kneading, pouring, which helps build understanding and vocabulary.
It also gives toddlers and young children a chance to develop independence as well as social and emotional skills through doing tasks themselves.
Special days offer great opportunities to help create a sense of belonging that’s crucial to healthy social and emotional development. Celebrations like Christmas, or other traditions your culture may observe, is a perfect time to start this. By introducing your own unique family traditions, you are creating lifelong memories.
Singing encourages language development and Christmas carols are a fun way to engage with your baby while fostering these skills.
Pre-primary aged children love to show they remember what happened at special times. Getting them involved in the planning for a celebration also helps develop thinking and reasoning skills, and the wonderful feeling of being ‘helpful’, which once again develops your child’s self-esteem and confidence.
Seasonal celebrations, such as Christmas, help children mark the passage of time. Saying “Christmas day is in four more sleeps” or using an Advent Calendar, can help build the anticipation and learn more about time.
A nature explorer kit provides tools for kids to discover the outdoors, including magnifying glasses and bug catchers. Encourage your child to explore nature, observe bugs, and examine plants. This develops curiosity, scientific thinking, and fine motor skills. Kits are durable and can be reused across seasons, making them a sustainable gift. Click here to learn more about nature play.
A DIY storybook lets children create their own stories with drawings and writing. Work together to design pages and add illustrations, helping your child express creativity. This supports language development, imagination, and fine motor skills. The book can be added to over the years, creating a lasting, eco-friendly keepsake.
Homemade playdough is a fun and tactile gift that allows kids to shape and mould. Make your own playdough together and use it for endless creative play. This activity enhances fine motor skills and creativity while providing a sensory experience. It’s affordable, reusable, and can be made with eco-friendly ingredients. Click here for our easy no-cook playdough recipe.
A coupon book of experiences offers vouchers for activities like building a fort, park visits or movie nights. Create personalised coupons and enjoy quality time with your child, exploring new activities. This builds social skills, emotional bonding, and creates lasting memories. The experience-based gift is sustainable, requiring no physical resources.
Wooden blocks are a classic, open-ended toy that lets children build and create. Encourage your child to stack, sort, and construct various designs with these versatile blocks. This promotes problem-solving, spatial awareness, and fine motor development. Made from sustainable wood, they’re durable and long-lasting for future generations. Click here to learn more about block play.
Toys like play silks and stacking rings inspire imaginative play and exploration. Let your child use these simple toys to create their own stories and structures. This fosters creativity, cognitive skills, and fine motor coordination. Open-ended toys grow with your child and are often made from sustainable materials.
Books provide a great way to expand your child’s vocabulary, understanding, and empathy. Read together, discuss the stories, and encourage your child to ask questions. Books support language development, emotional growth, and imagination. They’re reusable, shareable, and can last for generations. Click here to learn more about sharing books.
Introduce your child to musical instruments like tambourines or xylophones to explore sound. Play together, encouraging rhythm and sound exploration. This boosts auditory development, motor skills, and concentration. Instruments made from durable materials ensure they’re eco-friendly and long-lasting. Click here to learn more about making music.
Wooden puzzles help children improve problem-solving and spatial skills. Work with your child to complete the puzzle and sort pieces by shape or colour. Puzzles enhance cognitive skills, patience, and fine motor abilities. Wooden versions are durable and sustainable, providing a lasting gift. Click here to learn more about puzzle play.
Art supplies like crayons, paints, and paper encourage creative expression. Set up an art station where your child can experiment with different materials and techniques. Art promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and self-expression. The supplies are reusable, making them a sustainable and eco-friendly option. Click here to learn more about mark making.
Playgroup WA has been supporting, servicing and establishing playgroups throughout Western Australia since 1972.
