Harry the hedgehog

Autumn is a brilliant time of year for craft ideas for children as its such a colourful season.  Here is a really simple idea that can be used time and time again.  

Go for a walk to collect leaves in different sizes, shapes and colours.  Draw a hedgehog outline for your child to fill with leaves that can be glued to make the hedgehog spiky.  Simple and effective.

Here is one I have made using the leaves I purchased from the works.  You don't have to name yours but i thought he looked really cute and decided to call him Harry.

Cute pine cone crafts for children

I have just come across these really cute pine cone crafts for children from 'Two kids and a coupon'.
http://twokidsandacoupon.com/2016/08/cute-pine-cone-crafts-for-kids.html

Pine cones are a great resource because you don't have to buy them.  Just pick them up when you go for a walk in the woods.  If your looking for some really cute ideas then pop on over to find out more.

'Autumn is here' song sheet

This is a really good song sheet that you can print off and use with your Autumn tray.  To make it last longer you can laminate it too.  Pop on over to http://www.topmarks.co.uk/autumn/autumn-printables to print it off and fins other songs and activities too.

Autumn discovery tray

I needed to put together an Autumn discovery tray really quickly for an activity.  I always have a selection of trays I keep including cat litter trays that I purchase as they have a deeper edge for the children to explore further while keeping the contents together.

I printed the picture cards off  a while ago from Sparklebox and use them time and time again for different activities.  Ideally you would add real leaves that you can find with the children but I have to say that I love these that I found in the works for children to sort into colours or use to make pictures with.

I added some conkers from the nearby trees where I live that have them in abundance, a large pine cone that a friend gave me (you can find lots of these too at this time of the year when you go out for walks in the woods etc) and a squirrel and hedgehog finger puppet.  

There are so many other items that you could add including some acorns, apples as its harvest time and maybe a pumpkin too.  

Have fun putting yours together.  There are so many opportunities with this to develop early language skills, early number skills and to have fun together including leaf rubbings.

  

Autumn activities

I have just come across the most amazing site for lots of fantastic Autumn crafts and ideas for developing early language and number skills through play.  It's called Tishylishy http://tishylishy.co.uk/autumn

I particularly love these ideas.  Pop on over to find many more!

Twinkle, twinkle little star activities

A popular well loved rhyme that i use time and time again.  Here is a selection of activities that can be used:

olour of the starts to the paperA good old tried and tested popular activity....potato printing.  Loving the contrast of the stars on the paper from http://besttoys4toddlers.com/twinkle-twinkle-little-star-potato-stamp-art-toddlers/

How about this special glittery playdough with star cutters from http://homegrownfriends.com/home/twinkle-twinkle-little-star-playdough/

For star related crafts pop on over to http://www.powerfulmothering.com/10-star-crafts-for-kids/.  You will find a great selection.

Fancy making some salt dough stars?  Then pop on over to http://intheplayroom.co.uk/2014/07/05/star-crafts-activities/ to find the recipe.

There's nothing better that watching a calming sensory bottle.  This is a great 'Twinkle' one from http://totallytots.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/nursery-rhymes-twinkle-twinkle-little.html

Incy Wincy Spider activities

Incy Wincy spider is one of my favourite action songs to use with the families I work with.  There are son many activities that you can do with your child that link to this well known rhyme.  Here are just a few:

Pop on over to http://www.spelloutloud.com where you can print out these pictures.  You can cut them out, add to card and laminate them, tape them to some lolly sticks to use as props to sing with.  You could also add some magnetic strip which you can buy in the poundshop to the back of them with some glue, add a flat kitchen baking tray that the magnet strip will stick to and you have a song board to use.

This is a fantastic idea.  Pop some children's sand into a tray or washing up bowl.  Add some pieces of pipe used by plumbers / builders (you can buy bits and pieces of these quite cheaply or ask family and friends if they have any left over pieces from jobs that you can clean and use).

Next you need to add some plastic spiders.  You can buy these in packs for children's party bags etc.

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I am loving this Incy spider story box from One Perfect Day.  Click on the link to find out more. http://oneperfectdayblog.net/2013/05/10/itsy-bitsy-spider-activites-incy-wincy/

Threading webs using punched paper plates and string is great for developing children's fine motor skills.  This is a great idea from Kidz activities http://kidzactivities.net/the-very-busy-spider-craft/
Don't forget to check out the local library too for the story of the 'Very busy spider'.

Make some paper plate spiders ready for Holloween decorations.  Great idea over at http://iheartcraftythings.com/paper-plate-spiders.html

But one of my all time favourites is this from http://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/spider-oobleck-science-fine-motor-skills-sensory-play/

Spiders in gloop.  Make some gloop using cornflour and water, add googly eyes and spiders and some robust tweezers.......and off you go.  Loving it!