Bringing In The Magic with Opening Fairy Doors

The children have always been full of imagination and as their mummy I've always tried to encourage and build on it. We believe in many things from Santa to the Easter Bunny and since they were very little fairies have featured in our lives. When they gave up their dummies at three the dummy fairy visited the swapped out their dummies for gifts, leaving a trail of fairy dust behind. Holly loves the Tinkerbell films and also has a fairy-themed bedroom.

Twelve Low Energy Play Ideas

In the last year I have posted quite a few play ideas on my blog for putting together fun things for your children that don't take all your time and energy. We all see perfect play set-ups, using the messiest of products and items that take up tons of storage space. However not all of us have the energy to either set up these ideas or clear them away at the end of it all. So here is a round up of some of the play ideas I've put together, as well as a few from my beloved Pinterest that have worked for me.

Low Energy Play: Learning Letters

Last year I wrote a series on low energy play - ideas for mums who don't have a lot of energy but still want to set up fun and educational play for their children. I still have trouble keeping my two entertained, although with Miss H being in school the pressure is off a little, but there are times when I know I need to be doing more. Little J is not one for sitting still much so colouring, writing and the like are pretty much out the window. I have been looking a lot for ideas on how to retain his interest but also teach him letters, particularly his name.

From The Sofa: Activities For Sick Days

It's that time of year that for many, sickness bugs are roaming unchecked through our households. We have been pretty fortunate *touches wood* that my two have escaped the worse and we've only have coughs and colds to deal with. But if you get hit with the nasties like flu, chickenpox, or worse, that sees your children sofa-bound the days can suddenly seem endless.

So I thought I'd put together a few ideas to keep the children occupied when they don't have the physical energy to play but their minds need some stimulation. As a mummy with M.E. I am becoming used to finding low energy activities for my two, so here are my best ones, just for you.

Little Tikes Cookin' Creations Kitchen Review

We have several Little Tikes products in our household - from the matching pairs puzzle game Miss H is currently obsessed with, to the Riga Swing we reviewed earlier in the year. We have always loved their products and they have lasted us for two boisterous and often heavy-handed toddlers. Little Tikes are known for their bright, fun toys, particular their Cozy Coupe, and sets that encourage role play and building imaginations.

Low Energy Play: Gloop

This month's low energy play seems like a very messy play on the outside. Stick with it though, as looks can be deceiving.

Four Easy Farm Play Ideas Featuring Fisher Price

We have recently been sent the Fisher Price Little People Fun Sounds Farm to try out and it has made a fantastic addition to our playtime. We already have the Noah's Ark Boat, Zoo Talkers and DC Batcave in the Little People range and it was great to have a new addition to our sets. I decided to set up a few farm-related plays for the week so we could really discover all about the farm and get the most out of our playtime.

Low Energy Play: Foam Rainbow

This month's low energy play comes from a pin from Fun At Home With Kids. This one seemed like it be more work than I was looking for, but actually turned out to be pretty simple. All you need is washing up liquid, a whisk (preferably electric) and food colouring.

Low Energy Play: Sticky Art

This month's low energy play post is an idea that has been all over Pinterest for quite some time and I thought it would be perfect for play for those of us who don't have the energy or time for lots of messy play.

Low Energy Playtime: Cardboard Roll Cars

Last month I began writing about some low energy play ideas I am putting together for those struggling with tiredness, starting off with foam stickers. This month we have tried a completely new idea that was so easy to set up but so much fun - cardboard roll cars!

Low Energy Playtime - Foam Stickers

Having being recently diagnosed with CFS/ME, I have found the messy playtimes we used to enjoy a huge challenge. So I have been researching play that doesn't take too much energy, but gets the children exploring different ways to play and learn.

Snow Fun Activities for Kids

So apparently the UK is due it's first snowfall of 2014 - Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes recently commented "The odds suggest a White Christmas might be making a late appearance this winter." I have to say I welcome that with mixed feelings - I love to look at the snow, particularly when it's all new and untouched first thing on a morning. It really does make even the ugliest of sites look so pretty and magical. Unfortunately, not only am I not an outdoors person, but I hate the cold! Not really great for wintery fun!

Last year daddy and Auntie Laura took to the snow whilst myself and Baby J watched from indoors, lovely and toasty. This year though, I fear I may be dragged outside to partake in the merriment. Boy do I feel like Scrooge!

So I have taken to Pinterest and sourced some great snowy fun ideas.

Nothing beats a good old snowman! Grab a hat, scarf and some stones, put in a bit of work and you've got yourself a perfect replica of the classic film. Sort of.

Snow Angels. Last year H watched as Auntie Laura created her best snow angels. Note: if you own a dog you might want to clean up before you hear the snow is coming, or this could get messy!

For something a bit different you could try ice sculptures - make lots coloured ice cubes, and as you make your sculpture pour on a little water to make it stick together. Fantastic!

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Paint in the snow with squeezy bottles! Simply fill some squeezy bottles with coloured water and let them loose!

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Make a snow volcano. Got a budding scientist on your hands? Follow this recipe to make a volcano in the snow!

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And if you really can't stand to be outside, why not make your own snowy fun inside, with these great ideas!

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*this is a featured post

The Lookout at The Lowry

Last week we were invited to attend a lovely event at the new Lookout in the Lowry Centre in Manchester. The Lookout is a new space dedicated to under 5's to give them an area to play, create and be inspired by the glorious views of the Quays. The children were shown how to make special War Horse puppets and there was an interactive storytelling session with Alex Winters from Cbeebies

Swimming With The Fishes: A Preview of Sea Life Centre Manchester

This week we had a great opportunity to have a preview of the new Sealife Centre at Manchester Trafford Centre. I love these kind of family trips so I jumped at the chance to visit.

Messy Play For Matilda Mae

As we are currently away on a little break I have not had time to write this week's messy play post, however I wanted to put together a little one to share the fun we had. Ths week's theme set by Edspire was Pink & Purple.

I put together our water table and froze some pink & purple ice cubes with some little peaks inside. I added these to the water and gave them children some cups, spoons and a sieve for fishing and off they went.

They are quite familiar with water play now, in fact it's all I can do to stop Baby J jumping in before it's all set up! Although it did also see him standing on his own for a few seconds - a proud mummy moment!

I added some pink & purple food colouring to some shaving foam and gave them paintbrushes, just to add another element to the play. Here are a few photos from our fun.

Dino Land

Over the bank holiday we took the opportunity to include Mr H in some messy play. A while ago I bought some rubber dinosaurs and have been meaning to give some small world play a try. So I brought in the Tuff Spot and set it all up.

Fallen Logs

Today we had a lovely time just enjoying the outdoors. We visited our local National Trust property, Dunham Massey and armed with a blanket and a few nibbles we set out.

H loved the freedom of being able to roam where she wanted and we saw lots of lovely nature as we ambled along, including ducks and deer.

There were lots of fallen logs that had been left in inviting piles so of course we had to have a little play amongst them - even Pops couldn't resist a climb!

We enjoyed our little picnic in the woods and Baby J enjoyed some buggy-free time. I am looking forward to the next few months when he begins to walk as he hates being strapped in and I can sense how much he would love to be running alongside his sister.

The sun only popped out behind the clouds for a minute here and there but it was relatively warm and it was great just to get outside.

Family Time

This weekend my sister and her boyfriend came to visit. After a night of a few drinks, some fresh air was just what we needed to brush the cobwebs away, so we donned our coats and shoes and head outside.

Because we often have the children plus buggies when we go for a walk, we are quite limited to where we can go, but today H walked and we put Baby J in his carrier on Mr H so we could do a bit of exploring.

It was really great as there are lots of fields near us when we manage to get off the beaten track, and it was nice and quiet.

H loved the freedom to run but I think she loved having her Auntie L to run after more. They played chase, hide and seek and piggy backs and it was lovely to watch. I'm looking forward to the future years when both children will run after each other and we can all go on these walks more often.

As my family are over the Pennine's I don't always see my sister as much as I like, so I do cherish these moments together.

 

 

Sea Creatures

I seem to have had water beads sat on my worktop for weeks now! They have so many uses and I have been reluctant to throw them away. However I think Mr H has got sick of seeing them, so as one last playtime I picked out all the water colours (which took ages!) and created a little ocean scene for H.

I added her sea creatures to the beads, along with some shaving foam for effect and away she went.

H is still at an age where she needs showing to play sometimes, so I got into it myself and we made a story where the baby seal had gone missing and mummy seal tried to find it, encountering sharks and such along the way. She thought this was great fun and once I had taken my turn she was quite happy to reenact the story herself, with different animals.

She wasn't so keen on the shaving foam at first and wanted her hands wiping, but once I showed her that it didn't matter if her hands got a little messy she seemed to forget about it and got carried away in her play.

This was a very quick playtime to set up and kept her entertained for quite a while. It was also fun for mummy to join in!

 

Today Ghostwritermummy is hosting Messy Play for Matilda Mae, so head over there and give her some love!