Arts, Crafts & Activity Ideas
5 Christmas creations for Kiwi kids
5 Christmas craft ideas with a Kiwi twist that will keep little hands busy.
5 non-scary ways to celebrate Halloween
For a ghost and ghoul free Halloween try these 5 ideas that promise fun for everyone.
Brain-building activities for under fives
10 brain building activities to try with your child that will support their interest in STEM and help them make a successful transition to big school. These ideas were supplied by VROOM, a global program of the Bezos Family Foundation.
Introducing New Zealand’s first Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador
Meet our first Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador, children’s author Ben Brown and how he hopes to inspire and motivate a generation of young readers.
Introducing collage to under fives
Learn how young children benefit from collage making and how to undertake this fun, cost effective and highly sensory craft activity at home.
How educators teach science to young children
Learn how early educators support children in early childhood services with their STEM skills, what best practice looks like and how to nurture a love of STEM at home.
Free video library for early learning centres
A new arrangement with ETV offers early learning services access to a free online library of videos, which may support children in early education settings.
Guilt-free TV: 10 enriching shows for under-fives
With many parents feeling guilty about excessive screen time, this article offers 10 TV choices for children, which are age appropriate and educational.
5 Cosy craft ideas for dreary days
5 interesting and educational craft ideas to try when the autumn weather makes it too wet to go outside.
6 magical ways to celebrate Easter Sunday
Six ideas for making the Easter weekend truly magical for your preschooler, for learning new skills and for making the long weekend special for everyone.
2 new picture books that challenge gender stereotypes
Children’s book author Susann Hoffmann explains the inspiration her new books for preschoolers which challenge gender stereotypes as well as her favourite books for promoting diversity and inclusion in the early years.
9 clever cardboard toys to make
Nine imaginative preschooler-friendly craft ideas which use cardboard as the main component along with step by step instructions for trying at home.
The benefits of water play and bucketloads of activities to try
With the warmer weather upon us, now is a great time to try some interesting, fun and STEM filled water-play ideas with your children.
It’s Guinness World Records Day – How to celebrate
Today Wednesday 18 November is World Guinness Record Day and to celebrate we have three ideas to try with your family along with suggestions for breaking your own records at home.
A new Reading Ambassador role and expert recommendations for children’s books
In this interview with Kate De Goldi from the Te Puna Foundation learn about NZ’s Reading Ambassador and her top book recommendations for preschoolers.
6 Halloween craft ideas to build fine motor skills
6 Halloween-themed craft ideas, that are fun and will boost your child’s small motor skills and concentration.
6 ways to keep young children busy (and happy) indoors
6 ideas for keeping your child happy, busy and entertained when you are indoors and the 6 protective factors parents can employ to scaffold children during stressful times.
Goodbye glitter, hello new world of shiny eco-sparkles
Why banning glitter is so important and a variety of alternatives for early education services.
5 virtual excursions for the school holidays
Our borders are closed but that doesn’t mean you can’t do a bit of global exploration. This article offers 5 exciting, fun and educational virtual excursions to try.
Hands-on fun with messy play bingo
A range of messy play and sensory activities that will stimulate your child’s senses and imagination. Work through the ideas to win messy play bingo.
8 ways to make Dad smile this Father’s Day
9 simple, kid-friendly activity and craft activities to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday 6 September and make all the dads feel loved on their special day.
Make the most of International Friendship Day
Suggestions for recognising the UN’s International Friendship Day and ideas for supporting children to develop healthy and sustainable friendships with their peers.
Indoor scavenger hunts for toddlers and preschoolers
Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep little bodies busy indoors and little minds happy over the cooler months of winter. This article offers a load of different ideas for children of all ages and interests.
Matariki: Celebrating the joy of Maori New Year
5 educational and fun ways to celebrate Matariki, the Maori New Year, with the children in your early education service.
9 play-based science activities that STEM skills
8 easy STEM ideas to try at home to boost learning through play based exploration and discovery.
How to keep the kitchen clean when cooking with young kids
Strategies for keeping your kitchen clean and safe when cooking with preschoolers.
The benefits of pretend play
Pretend play can turn a boring day at home into an exciting adventure. Learn how to take your child on a pretend camping trip.
5 ways to help your child cope with stress
5 ways parents can help children manage their stress along with simple activity ideas that can be easily implemented.
Why is ‘dialogic reading’ so helpful for under fives?
Dialogic reading is an approach to early literacy which encourages children to be active participants when sharing a book with their parents.
Kindness is contagious: Create a caring culture
Six ideas for educators to support children to develop and practice acts of kindness and compassion.
How fewer toys leads to higher quality play
Raise Early Years director, Mandy Richardson describes how decluttering your child’s toy box to include a few simple open-ended play objects leads to higher quality and more sustained play.
How music-making benefits children
The developmental benefits of making music at home and simple cost effective ideas for boosting musical experiences.
Inspiring play ideas for young children
Inspirational play ideas to ensure your child receives the full benefits of play based learning, even at home.
The magic of dance in early childhood
Dancing is a great activity, and whether your child is free styling to The Wiggles or learning ballet like Prince George, this kind of movement has many benefits.
20 children's books starring dads
Father's Day is just around the corner, put 1 September in your diary, and this is a great time for dads and children to cuddle up and share a story.
5 fun science experiments for preschoolers
5 easy, but exciting, science experiments to try at home with your children.
6 memorable ways to celebrate Mother's Day
Mother's Day is this week Sunday 12 May and whether you're looking for inspiration or dropping some hints, there are lots of great ways to celebrate the occasion.
Egg-cellent Easter activities for toddlers and preschoolers
The Easter long weekend is a great chance to play, create and cook up a storm with your little one. To get cracking, here are five fun things to do at home.