Fun and Educational Activities You Can Do at Home

In today’s fast-paced world, continuing education at home is essential, especially for young children who spend time in childcare. While our childcare centres like The Green Elephant Rosebery offer valuable learning experiences, home activities complement and reinforce those skills. Whether it’s getting crafty and creative or exploring the backyard, every moment at home can be a learning opportunity. 

In their early years, children are like sponges, absorbing everything around them. Engaging in fun, educational kids activities at home not only strengthens cognitive skills but also fosters emotional bonds. So, let’s explore some exciting ways to keep them learning and having fun!

Get Crafty at Home

Craft is more than just a fun way to pass the time—it’s an important part of childhood development. For babies and young kids, crafting nurtures creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. For parents, it’s a great way to bond with your little ones. Plus, what better way to de-stress than getting your hands covered in paint or clay? 

Getting Crafty with Babies

Crafting with babies? Yes, it’s possible! For the littlest members of the family, crafting is more about sensory exploration than creating masterpieces. Think finger paints, soft textures, and safe materials they can touch, squeeze, or smush. Let your baby play with non-toxic, edible finger paints on a large piece of paper. They’ll love the colours and textures, and it’s a great way to introduce them to the concept of cause and effect. And those tiny handprints make adorable keepsakes!

Getting Crafty with Toddlers

Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore with their hands, so crafts are perfect for this age. Try making simple educational toys for kids like paper plate animals or collages with leaves, pasta, or fabric. This helps improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity.

Getting Crafty with Toddlers

Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore with their hands, so crafts are perfect for this age. Try making simple educational toys for kids like paper plate animals or collages with leaves, pasta, or fabric. This helps improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity.

Outdoor Education Activities

Nature offers endless opportunities for learning. Outdoor educational games for kids not only promote physical health, but also stimulate curiosity about the world around them. Whether it’s watching birds or playing in the dirt, every outdoor experience is a chance to learn something new. And just like with crafts, outdoor activities can be adapted to suit babies, toddlers, and young kids so everyone gets to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

Outdoor Activities with Babies

For babies, outdoor education is all about sensory experiences. A simple walk in the park exposes them to new sights, sounds, and smells. You can point out different types of plants, trees, and birds as you go. Bring along a blanket and let your baby feel the grass, touch leaves, or watch clouds drift by. Even a gentle breese can be a fascinating experience for a baby discovering the world for the first time.

Outdoor Activities with Toddlers

Toddlers are eager explorers, so outdoor activities are right up their alley! You can turn a simple backyard into an adventure with a scavenger hunt—ask them to find different colours, shapes, or textures in nature. Let them dig in the dirt, plant seeds, or water the garden. These activities teach them about nature while improving their fine motor skills and coordination.

Outdoor Activities with Young Kids

Older kids can engage in more structured outdoor activities that encourage learning. Nature journalling is a great way for them to observe and record what they see outside. You could also set up a bug hotel or create a DIY bird feeder together. These projects spark interest in biology and ecology while offering hands-on learning. And don’t overlook the benefits of physical activities like climbing trees, bike riding, or building forts—they’re not just fun; they boost confidence and problem-solving skills.

Cooking with Kids at Home

Cooking is a fantastic way to combine fun, learning, and delicious food! It’s an activity that engages the senses, introduces math and science concepts, and encourages creativity. Plus, it’s a skill they’ll carry with them for life. Cooking with kids can be messy, but it’s worth the effort. 

Cooking Activities with Babies

Babies might not be ready to cook, but they can certainly participate in the kitchen. Let your little one play with safe kitchen utensils like wooden spoons or plastic measuring cups while you prepare food. If they’re old enough, they can help with basic tasks like mashing a banana or sprinkling soft toppings. Cooking with babies is all about introducing them to new tastes, smells, and textures. Plus, it’s a great time for them to observe and start understanding the process of making food.

Cooking Activities with Toddlers

Toddlers are always ready to help, especially in the kitchen! Simple tasks like stirring batter, washing fruits and vegetables, or pouring ingredients into a bowl can make them feel involved. Cooking with toddlers also introduces them to basic math concepts—counting ingredients, measuring cups, and understanding portions. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to teach them about healthy eating habits from a young age.

Cooking Activities with Young Kids

Young kids can take on more responsibilities in the kitchen. They can follow simple recipes, measure ingredients, and even learn to chop (with kid-safe utensils). Cooking teaches them about sequencing, fractions, and nutrition. Get creative with fun recipes like homemade pizzas where they can pick their own toppings, or let them experiment by coming up with their own smoothie combinations. 

Reading and Storytelling at Home

Reading and storytelling ignite imagination and language skills in children of all ages. Whether you’re reading colourful board books with babies or exploring chapter books with older kids, these moments encourage creativity and connection, all while boosting their learning abilities.

Reading and Storytelling with Babies

With babies, it’s never too early to start reading. At this stage, it’s all about exposure—pointing out pictures, making sounds, and letting them explore board books on their own. Simple stories with bright, bold pictures and rhythmic language are ideal for this age. The key is consistency. Even if they don’t understand the story yet, hearing your voice helps with language development and bonding.

Reading and Storytelling with Toddlers

Toddlers love interactive stories! Choose books that allow them to participate, whether it’s turning the page, repeating a phrase, or pointing out pictures. You can also make up your own stories together or act out stories with toys or costumes.

Reading and Storytelling with Young Kids

Older kids enjoy longer, more complex stories. You can introduce chapter books, explore different genres, and encourage them to retell stories in their own words. Reading together allows them to build vocabulary and comprehension, while storytelling helps with sequencing and memory skills. This is also the perfect age to start family book clubs, where everyone gets involved in discussing the stories they’ve read.

Find More Inspiration With a Tour at The Green Elephant

If you’re looking for even more ideas for children’s educational activities, consider visiting The Green Elephant Rosebery. Our approach to early childhood education integrates creative, outdoor, and sensory activities. With a tour of our centre, you’ll see firsthand how these early learning environments are structured to nurture curiosity and creativity, and you might even pick up some tips to incorporate into your own routine.