Learning through Play

The home of easy to set up play ideas! Browse a range of activities that are simple to create and often use the stuff you already have lying around your house! These activities are all created with communication development in mind, so be sure to join in with your little one and foster some conversation.

On the Blog...

2 Ingredient Cloud Dough

2 Ingredient Cloud Dough

This can be whipped up in 5 minutes and it makes for hours of play. Add some tools from your kitchen like whisks and forks and your zaziplays wooden knife...
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Ice Breaker

Ice Breaker

Here’s your cue to freeze your toys and hand your toddler a mallet. August LOVED this activity and it kept him occupied for ages being an “Ice archeologist”. We explored...
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3 Step Recipe for a Super Fun Play Tray

3 Step Recipe for a Super Fun Play Tray

Don't over think it.There are some amazing ideas out there for fun, educational play tray set ups but MANNN they can make you feel inferior.Most of us don't have the...
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Water Beads Sensory Play

Water Beads Sensory Play

Sensory play is such a great wind-down before bedtime. I cracked these out at 6.30pm for my toddler and we enjoyed them for a solid 45 minutes before the bedtime...
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Make Cleaning Fun!

Make Cleaning Fun!

Just like children are more likely to learn language around things they're interested in, they're also more likely to do tasks if their interests are woven into the narrative.Sometimes tidying...
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Quick Play Idea for a Hot Day

Quick Play Idea for a Hot Day

Some super quick and easy play for you today. It’s great to explore ice on a hot day but honestly - this was a few weeks ago when it was...
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End of the Day Sensory Play

End of the Day Sensory Play

Quick sensory bin set up whilst I cooked tea tonight. My toddler was tired from Preschool and was a bit dis regulated - sensory play is always helpful for calming...
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Palaeontologist Play

Palaeontologist Play

Quick play idea for you. You don’t have to be a top artist to draw something your kid is into in chalk! Doesn’t have to be bones - try cars...
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Sensory Tray: Lentils and Rice

Sensory Tray: Lentils and Rice

.It was almost an emergency because the toddlers were getting bored and reckless! I found half a bag of rice and some lentils and dumped them in the tray with...
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Painting Rocks

Painting Rocks

If you don't have this in your area then start it! Find some rocks and paint them then hide them in public places. People of all ages (but mostly kids!)...
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Sink Slime

Sink Slime

Its super fun and easy to clean up. If you’re wary of messy play, try setting your little one up in the sink. Sinks are often in easy to clean...
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Valentine's Day Heart Art 💌

Valentine's Day Heart Art 💌

How we made a sparkly heart-art-canvas You will need crepe paper and a canvas Cut a square of each colour Fold in half and cut out half a heart shape...
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Making Potions: Playtime Hack

Making Potions: Playtime Hack

Making potions together is so much fun. Especially if you read 'Room on the Broom'.Find a big tub or bowl to be your cauldron and explore the garden to find...
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DIY Chalk Paint

DIY Chalk Paint

Thank me tomorrow- this is the easiest summer activity and it’s so fun! Plus it’s taste safe for little hands. Easy to clean messy-play is always a winner. Tag us...
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Minimal Effort Messy Play

Minimal Effort Messy Play

When toys get boring - you have to get creative. Instagram is full of glossy images of the perfect play set ups for kids but in reality - they don't...
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Pouring Practice

Pouring Practice

I sometimes think mums feel overwhelmed about doing activities with their kids when insta accounts show perfectly colourful wooden play set ups with posh resources and autumnal lighting 😂 Reality...
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Outdoor Painting

Outdoor Painting

Our simple play activity yesterday was some painting. I didn't want to have to worry about a big clean up so we got some warm gears on and headed outdoors....
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Texture Transfer

Texture Transfer

For those of you who've wondered why there's been birdseed all over my carpet - here you go. I set up this dry sensory play experience for August and gave...
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Sensory Play: Backyard Beach

Sensory Play: Backyard Beach

We FaceTimed August’s grandparents and they were lying on the beach on Waiheke island. Through my jealousy that they are on holiday and I’m not, I had an idea! We...
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Exploring Colours: Red Bath

Exploring Colours: Red Bath

Bath time is a great time to explore colours. I had some beetroot juice left over from our summer soup activity so I added it to August's bath for something...
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