Play with water

You will need: • A large bowl or tub • Equipment for pouring, scooping, filling, tipping etc • Water (cold or warm) • An area where spillage is okay This activity needs close supervision You can: • Set up the area with water and equipment • Let...

Colours, patterns and shapes

You will need: Eyes to see what is all around you You can: • Look for colours, patterns and shapes all around you Point these out to your child and encourage your child to do this with you • Find colours, patterns and shapes • Around the home...

Visit a park or beach

You will need: To know where your local parks and/or closest beaches are You can: At the park • Move in space • Play with shadows • Watch leaves in the wind • Fly a kite • Collect leaves in autumn • Smell different smells around the park • Touch...

Take a train or bus ride

You will need: • Some money for the fare • A timetable • To know your local railway station and/or bus stop Take a ride and while you do: • Let your child hand over the ticket or pay the money • Let your child choose a seat (if possible) • Enjoy...

Pull apart an old machine or toy

You will need: • A machine, or toy that can be taken apart • Tools and space (with a drop cloth or newspaper in case of mess). You may need a set of alum keys • To ensure that you do not need to put the machine or toy back together You can: •...

A discovery walk

You will need: • Walking shoes • A container or bag to put your collected items in • Water to drink if you are going a distance You can: • Go on a walk with your child and: • Look • Touch • Smell • Wonder • Discover • Listen • Enjoy finding...

Care for a pet

You will need: • A pet • A bed, cage or home for your pet • A food and drink container • Pet food You can: • Give your child some responsibility for caring for a pet, such as making sure it has food and water • Let your child help with the pet’s...

Paint a picture

You will need: • Paper • Paint • Brushes • Container of water to clean brushes • Newspaper • Old clothes You can: Set up the equipment on a table, floor, fence or outside on the ground and let your child create. You can also: • Use other...

Create a collage

  You will need: • Scraps of fabric, paper, magazine pictures, old cards, bottle tops • Natural materials such as leaves, wool, shells, flowers (e.g. lavender or rosemary), dried herbs and spices • Some paste or glue • Large pieces of paper...