A fabulously fun and festive sensory activity for those who don’t mind things getting a little messy – it’s Edible Glitter Finger Paint! We love sensory play around here and we don’t mind a little mess! After all, who doesn’t love some squishy, squelchy, ooey, gooey play? But while we love it, we don’t do […]
Activities for Toddlers: Rocks and a Box
In this post regular contributor, Kylie Gardner of Octavia & Vicky, shares a simple invitation to play activity perfect for toddlers. When I think “what are we going to play today?” I always keep in mind the activites that my children are most interested in. That’s my early childhood training kicking in, but also just […]
Easy Dinner Recipe: Sausage & Rice Bake
This Sausage and Rice Bake is one meal that ticks ALL of the family friendly recipe boxes. Full of vegetables, super tasty, ready in next to no time and best of all, kids LOVE it. Sausage & Rice Bake Recipe Every Monday I get a sense of dread in my bones as I realize I […]
Stamp & Spell Literacy Play
This post is by regular contributor Kylie Gardner of Octavia & Vicky. While we were on holiday recently my four year old daughter, Pebble, watched her Great Nana, Nana and cousin play Scrabble. It made me think about the neglected Scrabble box sitting in our cupboard at home and how we could use the letter […]
Family Dinner: Creamy Risoni with Pumpkin & Sweet Potato
This post is by Kylie Gardner of Octavia and Vicky. This may be embarrassing to admit, but I find so much triumph and joy out in finding a family dinner which I actually enjoy eating too. I am very bored with meat and veg, can’t stand the sight of tuna mornay (my four year old […]
Homemade Ornaments: Laminated Christmas Baubles
It’s becoming a lovely tradition for Pebble and I to make Christmas decorations together. Hopefully baby Rocky can join in soon too! Over the years we’ve enjoyed making Christmas gift tags, these super easy DIY Christmas cards, a homemade Christmas wreath and Christmas wrapping paper. This year we’ve stated with these beautifully simple Christmas tree […]
Fun Literacy Activity: DIY Zoo Hunt for Kids
This post is by regular contributor Kylie Gardner of Octavia & Vicky. One sunny and crisp wintery day I took my three year old daughter ‘Pebble’ on a little day out to the zoo with friends. We had taken her to the zoo once before and it was a little overwhelming – too many things […]
Active Baby Play Activities
This post is by regular contributor Kylie Gardner of Octavia & Vicky. I have lots of fun playing actively with my three year old daughter, “Pebble”, and find it easy to think of fun things for her to do to keep active. Finding active ways to play with my three month old, “Rocky” is a […]
Our Day in Pictures: Settling Into Life With Two Children
This post is by regular contributor Kylie Gardner of Octavia and Vicky. Our days are full and busy – and that’s how we like them! Like most children, Pebble has a lot of energy to burn. She does not tolerate staying still for too long and boredom is the enemy. She will play on her […]
Embracing Pretend Play: 5 Tips for Parents Who Don’t Like to Play
I’m an early childhood teacher. I’m a mother to a three year old. And I. don’t. like. to. pretend. This is a big confession and has been a huge struggle for me, especially as a parent. I can pretend at school – I can put on a good show while telling and reading stories to […]
