For those kids who love finger knitting!
The video linked here is great for starting off, and it took about 15 minutes for kids and adults alike to master the first steps.
http://youtu.be/eqca00LdmAc
Types of play engaged: manipulative, creative
Suggested further activities: crochet bows, scarves, handkerchiefs, doll clothes, friendship bracelets, different materials
My Time, Our Place Outcomes: 1,4,5
A great sensory experience!
Mix brown paint with cinnamon and ginger for added sensory fun.
Types of play engaged: sensory, manipulative, creative
Suggested further activities: foot print Christmas trees, handprint sleigh and reindeer, handprint santas, toe caterpillars, finger painting, gingerbread playdough
My Time, Our Place Outcomes: 1,4,5
Peppermint scented christmas playdough, including green and candy cane varieties!
Recipe:
2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup of cooking salt
1 tablespoon of cream of tartar
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Red/green food colouring
2 teaspoons of peppermint essence
1.5 cups of boiling water
Method:
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a jug, mix wet ingredients together. Pour into dry ingredients and mix until combined with a wooden spoon.
Cool for 5 minutes.
Knead with hands for 2 minutes then wrap in clingwrap until needed.
Types of play engaged: sensory, manipulative, creative, constructive, dramatic/imaginative
Suggested further activities: gingerbread dough – brown dough with cinnamon and ginger, peppermint soaps with moulds, snow dough (desiccated coconut, baking soda and water)
My Time, Our Place Outcomes: 1,4,5
Use kinder surprise eggs for more than the chocolate and enclosed toy! They are perfect for making despicable me minions.
The images depict a very basic one (this is meant for kids to do after all, not us!)
All you need is a black permanent marker, a keyring attachment, a minion overall template and a kinder surprise egg. Use googly eyes for the best result!
Types of play engaged: creative, dramatic/imaginative
Suggested further activities: playdough minions, watching despicable me (and 2), making more characters, using kinder surprise eggs to make other things i.e. musical instruments
My Time, Our Place Outcomes: 1,4,5
These candles are great for appropriate risk-taking, mother’s day crafts, valentine’s day crafts and are appropriate for both boys and girls!
We bought some super cheap candle-making supplies at http://www.aussiecandlesupplies.com.au/ like scents, wicks and the tea light candle holders, and then went to the local dollar store to buy some long table candles.
We melted these candles down in a saucepan after breaking them into smaller chunks (the wick can be pulled out like a string in most long candles) and then mixed in the scents. The mixture was then transferred to a pouring jug and the kids took it in turns to put a wick in the tea light holder and pour the mixture over it to hold it in place.
Suggested further activities: candle molds, soap making, candle creatures, colouring of candles
Types of play engaged: creative, sensory, manipulative
My Time, Our Place Outcomes: 1,3,4,5
A playdough that is malleable, smells great and is tasty to eat!
Recipe:
1 cup plain flour
2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
1 packet of jelly crystals
3/4 cup of boiling water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl and the wet ingredients in a separate cup/jug/bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon. Let cool for 5 minutes then knead with your hands, adding more flour if necessary.
Types of play engaged: sensory, manipulative, creative, constructive, dramatic/imaginative
Suggested further activities: playdough dessert shop, different scents and colours
My Time, Our Place Outcomes: 1,4,5
No salt? No cream of tartar? These options are for when you’re missing the typical ingredients and the kids are so into it that you can’t say no!
Marshmallow dough – marshmallows and icing sugar
Air dry clay – cornflour and PVA glue
Jelly dough – replace the salt with jelly crystals
Bake-able dough – yeast, plain flour, salt, water, sugar
Bake-able dough 2 – cream cheese, sugar, flour
Moulding chocolate – chocolate, glucose syrup
Learning to be a kid 