Let’s Play at Home

Below are suggested activities that young children can play at home which support a range of their developmental areas. When choosing, think about your child’s interests, your space, what you have available and what will work for you. If it doesn’t work no problem, choose another activity or another day. You can cut this out, place it on the fridge and during our time at home use it when you need a new idea. If you have older children ask them to choose and organise for their younger sibling.

READ A BOOK: Find a book to share with your child. Any book, fiction or non fiction will do the job.

EYE SPY WITH A TWIST: Encourage children to find something to eye spy beginning with the letter T ? Switch up and change the letters.

BUILD A COZY CORNER: Create a quiet cozy space for children to chill in. A long tablecloth over a small table creates space underneath for children to just get away if they need. Or use a corner in the room with a sheet over a couple of chairs. Add books if you can.

PLAY TAG OUTSIDE: If you have space in your yard, using an old sock, have one child place the sock in their waistband, the object of the game is to grab the sock and not have it taken off you.

GO FOR A WALK IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD: Each day try to find different numbers, letters or pictures on the walk.

WRITE, WRITE, WRITE: Provide any writing materials you have and different paper. Flyers, old envelopes and newspapers can all be used.

PHONE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE: Plan to call a friend or relative, talk first about what you may want to share with them or ask them. Then make the call.

HIDE AND SEEK: Play a game of hide and seek, talk about safe spaces to hide and maybe use a timer to help your child count.

MAKE A MUD KITCHEN: If you have an outdoor space, find a muddy spot in the garden, add old pots and pans, wooden spoons or sticks for mixing, old plant pots. Children can create mud pies and potions as they play.

MAKE A JOURNAL: Using an old exercise book, involve your child in capturing their time at home, this can be in pictures, writing and anything else they want to add.

PLAY CHARADES: Give your child an animal to act out. Each person has two guesses. Person who guesses goes next.

GARDENING: As spring continues encourage your child to help weed and plant, using this opportunity to discuss caring for our world.