Activity ideas & tools

Playing with newborns

Suitable for 0-3 months Play is important for overall newborn development, learning, wellbeing and bonding. Playing with your newborn is about interacting with your baby. Newborn play ideas include smiling at your baby, blowing raspberries and having tummy time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8hwOs4cGtw&feature=youtu.be

Rough-and-tumble play: tips for dads

This short video is about rough-and-tumble play like chasing and wrestling. As well as being good exercise, rough play helps children learn how strong they are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O_xb6HOGns&feature=youtu.be

Free time to play: why it’s important for children

This short video is about playtime and play spaces for children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt_h6a1SjZg&feature=youtu.be

Low cost play ideas

Children’s play doesn’t have to cost a lot. Watch this video for ideas for open-ended materials that are great for children of all ages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36QJxLdssDU&feature=youtu.be

Playing outside in all weather

This short video talks about why it’s important for children to be outside in all weather.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE3EAQo7Z6Q&feature=youtu.be

How boredom helps children’s play and development

Boredom is fantastic for children’s play. This short video talks about how boredom helps child development.

Outdoor play

Outdoor play is good for your child’s physical health, development and self-confidence. It’s great fun too!

Emotions and play: Toddlers

Along with empathy and pride, children start feeling frustrated when they reach the toddler years. In fact, frustration is an emotion you’ll probably see a lot of at this age.

Thinking and play: preschoolers

Play is the natural way young children learn. Even when it looks like preschoolers are just playing, their brains are hard at work putting together vital knowledge about the world.

Homemade toys

Young children don’t need special or expensive toys for learning and development. In fact, with a little imagination, you can turn ordinary things around the house into homemade toys and free activities for kids.

Physical activity for young children

Physical activity can start very early in life as part of everyday play. When you’re choosing activities for young children, focus on fun and play.

Child development: the first five years

In the first five years of life, your child’s brain develops more and faster than at any other time in his life. And in those early years, your child’s main way of learning and developing is through play.