The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

Weekly Wanderings – Easy activities for home day care and parents

by 18 Comments

It's that time again when I share some of the favourite activities from our family day care week before a new one begins.

These activities and invitations to  play are just a glimpse into our week, I hope that perhaps you find some ideas for your own planning or just to enjoy with your own child!

They are all easy, budget friendly and easily adapted for a multi age group. Let's take a wander shall we?

As usual we enjoyed lots of play outside. The twins even embraced planking…no, not really, apparently they were waiting for the doctor…as you do! Amazing the things these DIY planks and trestles have been used for lately.
There was lots of messy sensory play and cooking with our moon dough. The kids absolutely loved this activity and it was so easy to put together. I'll be sharing the recipe and some more details in a blog post later in the week!
Some days we had green moon dough and other days we had red…but there was always lots of cooking action no matter the colour. All our pots and pans and cooking bits and pieces come from the op (thrift) shop.
We've been challenging our fine motor skills lately and also talking about big and small so this eye dropper and turkey baster painting provided opportunities to incorporate both skills.

I just used a little edicol dye and water to make some bright colours, put out  the basters and eye droppers and a little paper towel and then let the fun begin.

We talked about colours, colour mixing and patterns as well as the big basters and small eyedroppers and how much liquid each could hold.

They can be tricky to use for little hands but I find with a little modelling and support they soon work it out.

I was treated to a little child led play as an outdoor cafe was set up in the imagination circle…and the sand cakes served there were very special!
Activities and ideas for home day care - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
There was lots of play with loose parts and the bus needed some traffic cones to help it park.
A little hay left out on the mat with a box of small loose parts became a place to bury treasures of pebbles and gems…and koalas!
Playdough was very popular this week but I made it a little too crumbly unfortunately so we took it outside to make some sculptures with a few special bits and pieces.
There was a moment of awe with the discovery of imprints left in the dough by some objects.
There was much excitement when we received a parcel and found some wonderful wood biscuits and farmyard log fences from the lovely Magical Play Moments.
We had to set them up for the animals straight away.
I love watching the creation of small worlds  and also  the fact that you just need a few quality resources to make a simple invitation or prompt to play.
The 3 and 4 year olds kept very busy with this one!
Another favourite fine motor activity is a little marble play. Placing marbles on a suction cup bath mat can be quite the challenge and a great group activity as they race to fill all the holes together.

We also used the marbles with the playdough to make some very clever little creations! The children really loved this activity and it kept them engaged for quite a while.

Please note that on the day I did this activity I did not have any children under 2 in care. Marbles can be a choking hazard so I would always recommend close supervision with any activity using marbles.

To renew  interest in the wooden blocks I placed our large whiteboard on a low table and it became their special building space.It is amazing how presenting this old favourite in a new way encouraged  problem solving, imagination and manipulative skills.
Patterns were made, towers were built and colours and shapes named, that whiteboard made a huge difference to how they played with the blocks.
The children have also been helping me create some fairy gardens in our 2 old wheelbarrows.
One has lots of lovely Spring flowers planted in it with a little house (just a birdhouse from Bunnings…I use it everywhere!) with a bit of a Christmas theme. I just love the red pebbles don't you?!
As the flowers grow a little taller there will be more hiding spaces for little hands to play with magical friends……
Christmas themed fairy garden by Mummy Musings and Mayhem

Our other old wheelbarrow (Can you believe we moved all the sand for the sandpit in these two ancient things?) now houses a sensory fairy garden with lots of beautifully fragrant herbs.

There is a very special red path to follow and little friends hiding along the way.

sensory Fairy garden fun from Mummy Musings and Mayhem

As little hands play and brush against the herbs it invites conversation and wonder into the day.

I have these wheelbarrows placed near my front entrance so that those children who are a little anxious or upset as they enter care have an opportunity to enter the world of imagination and safe spaces instead!

sensory Fairy garden fun from Mummy Musings and Mayhem

 

What fun are you planning for the week ahead?

 

Comments

  3. Bekka Joy says

    So many wonderful wonderful ideas! I too hope you do this every week!
    We have a small busy bag that contains a small suction toy and marbles – it’s FABULOUS! And Miss Daisy will happily do it over and over and over again! This size would blow her mind! 🙂 x

    Reply

  9. Penny says

    Oh Jode you always make me laugh. There’s six awesome posts in this one post alone. Will you ever be short of ideas you brilliant thing?

    Reply

  14. Kate Lloyd says

    The children in your care must have the best fun at your place. You’d be so terrific and the activities are sensational. I bet you’re in high demand.

    Reply

  17. Coombe Mill says

    What a selection of fantastic outdoor activities. I love the cafe and fairy garden and can see how the children have fun learning through their play. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.

    Reply

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