Indoor

Screen Time for Kids

It’s a question often whispered amongst parents.  We don’t want to ask out loud for fear of judgment, but most of us admit to using it.  The TV.  The question is… how much is too much? I spoke on air recently about screen time.  If you missed it on the radio, you might like to listen to the podcast below: 96Five Radio Podcast Here are some of my thoughts: I’m not against television viewing. ...

Music for Children to Dance

Do your children like to dance? Mine do.  This morning we twirled and whirled in tutus together – yes, I put one on too.  My daughter asked for “dancing music” so I flicked through the CD collection until I settled on one. I didn’t choose The Wiggles, even though Dorothy rather considers herself a dino-ballerina. I didn’t choose Justine Clarke, even though she’s hands down my favourite...

One Stitch At A Time

My friends at Black Dog Books sent me a copy of One Stitch At A Time, a beginner’s guide to making soft toys.  While I am not the world’s best sewer – I have to admit that it is gorgeous.  Author, Gen West, has collaborated with Postman Pat puppet maker Laura Clempson.  Needless to say, the softies in the book are impeccably stitched!  The complete toy making kit contains everything you need to make...

Floor Train Play

Many of my friends with little boys have amazing train tables, and I’ve often been just a little envious!  We don’t have the space for one, so I’ve been on the lookout for a trundle train-tray which can be pushed under my son’s bed.  The only ones I’ve seen have been just too expensive – so the search continues.

Gallery At Home

As my mother is an artist, the kids have visited the Queensland Art Gallery many times and also enjoy creating in Nanna’s studio.  There are few blank walls in our home, but I wanted to create a gallery space to showcase the kids’ own work.  We chose an awkward spot in our stair well which is seen by everyone as they enter our house.  (It’s also awkward to photograph!!) There is space to add further...

Patisserie Play

The whole thing came about with a simple conversation.  Miss 4 shouted from the dirt kitchen “Mummy! Come and buy a cake from my bakery.”  I headed up to the nature cubby and placed my order… Mum: Mmm, those cupcakes look delicious. I’ll have two of those please, and can I have a loaf of bread? Miss 4:  Sorry, we don’t sell any bread here. Mum: Oh? I thought this was a bakery? Miss 4:...

Lions and Tigers and Tea – oh my!

There are lots of gorgeous teasets available for little girls, but ones that are gender-neutral, or suitable for boys, are quite hard to find.  I don’t want my son to think that kitchen things are just for girls!  Mr 2 loves to make “cups of coffee” for visitors (or for his Dad) and this wooden set is perfect for him. This week I helped him to take his “cup of coffee” play a step further,...

Playing With Recipes

My independent Miss 4 loves to make up her own recipes in the kitchen.  She has helped me with basic baking for most of her little life, so she has some idea of what a cake needs, and how to go about it.  Today I baked gingerbread shapes ready for Christmas, while my daughter made her own cakes from scratch. First she wrote out her recipe.  Not a bad effort!!  I try not to do too much “teaching” with her...

Playing With Pasta

We have enjoyed playing with dried pasta lately. I let the kids choose which shapes of pasta they would like when we do the groceries. Different shapes are suited to different activities, but all are great for keeping little minds and little hands busy. Here are three easy ideas to try! Pasta pictures. I put out small bowls with a handful of different pasta shapes in each.  I also put out sturdy squares of cardboard,...