Marbles

Yarn Turtles Kit

Relax and focus. An excellent activity for indoors or out. This kit simply consists of wooden sticks and yarn. You can also add markers to add your own special touches. For younger children, I glue the wooden sticks together in advance. If your child’s coordination is advanced, there is no need to glue. Show yourContinue reading “Yarn Turtles Kit”

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Tea Party Dramatic Play Kit

Who wouldn’t want to explore this invitation to play? Children love aesthetics as much as we do. A play area should be clean, organized and inviting. Welcome to the tea party. Using real items instead of store bought toys instills a sense of responsibility and trust. To create this set, I purchased tea cups atContinue reading “Tea Party Dramatic Play Kit”

Wooden Letters Kit

Move on from boring spelling pages. Like I have mentioned over and over again…the best way to learn is through play. This is one of my go-to activities with a group of kindergarten children. I find that a great way to get them engaged, is to have them search for a stick with their nameContinue reading “Wooden Letters Kit”

Go Fish Game Kit

This kit was created when I was asked to design a resource that introduced children to math concepts. With pieces of felt, I stitched up some little fish and attached a paper clip to each mouth. Googly eyes were glued onto the fish and a play mat was created with a blue fabric. Rods wereContinue reading “Go Fish Game Kit”

The Calm Down Kit

Every child needs some help to regulate their emotions at some point. Whether they are over-stimulated, exhausted or just need a little time to themselves, this kit can help them find the balance they are needing. With this calm down kit, I have added a variety of items that can be soothing or comforting. TheContinue reading “The Calm Down Kit”

Winter Wonderland Small World

What is a small world? It is a style of play where an area is set up with the use of small props. These props or toys can be used in imaginative play where children can create scenarios or re-enact stories they have heard. These small worlds enhance imagination, develop motor skills and build self-esteem.Continue reading “Winter Wonderland Small World”

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The Construction Kit

Construction season is just around the corner! I just love this little kit. With a small tool box, this can easily be made in just minutes. I printed road signs and protected them with laminating sheets. (Hint: laminating paper is sold at Dollarama). Next, strips were cut from a black poster paper, and I addedContinue reading “The Construction Kit”

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Sushi Restaurant Dramatic Play Kit

I’ve always been fascinated by the dishes that regions around the world serve. Food has such a way of bringing people together, and the presentation is a wonderful way of displaying traditions or symbols. Sushi being mostly associated with the Japanese culture is a beautiful example of this. I believe it’s important for children toContinue reading “Sushi Restaurant Dramatic Play Kit”

Tropical Vacation Dramatic Play Kit

We all need a break every now and then. Especially through the long winter months. Why not pack our bags and a take trip where we can soak up the sun? This kit was so easy to put together and provides many learning opportunities for the little ones. Introduce new words on passports, tickets, andContinue reading “Tropical Vacation Dramatic Play Kit”

Water Play Kit

There’s something about water that attracts children to a play area. You can easily create this kit with items you already have in your home or childcare centre. I created this play experience as a way of teaching measurements. I included measuring cups, measuring spoons, various container of different sizes, funnels, and a baster. IContinue reading “Water Play Kit”

A Day At The Office – Dramatic Play Kit

Have you ever considered how much children look up to us? They are watching everything we do, and often imitate the adults in their life while they play. With the help of my father in-law, who was cleaning his office, I created this little kit. I can’t stress it enough … ask people to letContinue reading “A Day At The Office – Dramatic Play Kit”

Police Officer – Dramatic Play Kit

When I think back to my own childhood, one of the first dramatic play experiences that comes to mind is “Cops and Robbers.” Working in an early learning centre, I’ve noticed that children often weave this theme into many of their play scenarios. It makes me wonder what draws them to it. Perhaps it givesContinue reading “Police Officer – Dramatic Play Kit”

Camping Dramatic Play Kit

Do you ever wonder why children pretend when they play? Why do they act like another person, or act out scenarios they may have seen or heard? Pretend play, or dramatic play is a child’s way of practicing new skills and vocabulary. Play gives them the opportunity to try something they haven’t done before withoutContinue reading “Camping Dramatic Play Kit”

The Lock Kit

One of my most popular kits with school age children is “the lock kit”. This activity was created when I noticed children showing signs of anxiety over having a locker for the first time. They needed some help to learn how to use a lock. Something that seems simple to us can be stressful toContinue reading “The Lock Kit”

The 5 Senses Rock Kit

River Rock, magazines, scissors and mod podge (or white glue). It’s that simple to make this silly play activity for your child or students. Kids can learn the five senses with a hands-on experience. Simply cut out a selection of eyes, noses, mouths, ears and hands from magazines. Then mod podge or glue them ontoContinue reading “The 5 Senses Rock Kit”

The Curly Straw Kit

Colors, counting, sorting and patterns. All beginner math concepts for children. Are you looking for creative ways for your child to learn these important skills? This kit is very simple to create. All you need is a set of curly straws, and pieces of felt in several colors. Cut the pieces of felt into circlesContinue reading “The Curly Straw Kit”

Wooden Tic Tac Toe Kit

Connect to nature using natural products. This activity doesn’t only serve as a game, but also a sensory experience. Children can feel the textures while observing the natural lines and knots in the wood. This kit can be taken anywhere, and I love to bring it outside. It just feels like that’s where it shouldContinue reading “Wooden Tic Tac Toe Kit”

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The Gardener Dramatic Play Kit

One of my favorite little kits! Teach children all about plants, from seed to harvest as they pretend to grow their very own garden. They will learn about the environment and nutrition which is incredibly important to their well-being. I was inspired to create this kit after spending some time in a garden center. IContinue reading “The Gardener Dramatic Play Kit”

Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Kit

I was inspired to create an outdoor kit for an early childhood education center because they share a large outdoor playground with a school. The grounds are bare besides a play structure and a picnic table. Permanent toys and equipment can not be left out. Kits such as this one are a perfect solution. ThisContinue reading “Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Kit”

Baby Bath Time – Dramatic Play Kit

Dolls are one of the oldest toys around, while being one of the most important. Did you know that when children play with dolls, they can learn responsibility, compassion and empathy. They can develop skills that can help them take care of others around them. Dramatic or imaginary play requires children to come in andContinue reading “Baby Bath Time – Dramatic Play Kit”

Famous Structures Kit

When a child builds with blocks, it may not seem like anything important, but in reality there is an incredible amount of learning going on. Building with blocks teaches children about gravity and balance, as they have to learn to place blocks in just the right places. They learn about shapes and sizes. Vocabulary, colors,Continue reading “Famous Structures Kit”

Magnetic Letters Kit

Remember sitting on the hard kitchen floor, magnetic letters in hand, sticking them to the refrigerator door? With this little kit, your child or students can practice spelling ANYWHERE! With a mini baking sheet, and these little patterned letters, who wouldn’t want to practice making new words? I created this kit for children attending aContinue reading “Magnetic Letters Kit”

String Art Kit

Remember your parent’s or grandparent’s old string art hanging on the walls in the 70s? Did you ever imagine this trend would come back? Well I have to admit, I love this trend and I’m excited to see it’s return. I was inspired by my sister’s homemade custom art of a mason jar that representsContinue reading “String Art Kit”

The Bug Discovery Kit

What is an entomologist? This question gets the children’s attention every time. They want to learn something new and exciting. Why not expand their vocabulary while they play by using big words they’ve never heard before? I created the Bug Discovery Kit to teach my students the importance of insects. How every creature on EarthContinue reading “The Bug Discovery Kit”

Learning Through Play

I truly believe that children learn best when they are fully present in an activity and feel free to explore. When all five senses are engaged, we create stronger memories and the experience becomes more meaningful. Think back to your favorite childhood memories. Were your strongest lessons learned sitting behind a desk, or were theyContinue reading “Learning Through Play”