Activity of the Week-Postcard world and country maps

Inspired completely by my cousin in the states I thought id share a new idea for parents/nannies to do at home with the little ones.

My cousin started by getting a map of the America and asking relatives and friends to send postcards from the different states.  When they received the postcards they would stick them on and learn about the state/place together.  Just to add my second cousin is three years old and sounds very intelligent wanting to learn about the world already.  My cousin has extended this into different countries.  I have a postcard from oxford to send just currently abit useless for sending it.

Such a fab idea so really wanted to share it.

Photo credit-My cousins photo

Activity of the week-Lino Printing

I spent a gorgeous hen weekend in Chletenham and one of our activities was Lino Printing. My best friends friend Liz runs creative workshops which may I say I found fantastic and as a an art teacher as well often does this with children as well.

I think this type of activity would be suitable for older children as when making your stencil you have to use sharp tools and can be fiddly so not one for very small ones and it requires a lot of patience.
I am not arty in the slightest but was surprised how much I enjoyed myself and got to walk away with  a tote bag with my design on which is already very useful!!

 Photo credit-Liz Jeal

Website link-http://www.lizjeal.co.uk/

To find local lino printing workshops use google or where to buy materials etc

Here is the finished product below

Activity of the week-Getting prepared for Fathers Day Ideas

Me and my Daddy on my wedding day in Oct 2010

Cannot believe its now June and Fathers Day is now almost upon us.  For this weeks Activity of the week I thought we could discuss some Fathers Day ideas to do with your little people.
Dads as a rule I think are harder to buy for, well mine is particularly since I've been an adult. Luckily I don't have to discuss that with all of you so feel much more comfortable thinking of ideas for children and what can be bought or done for them on Sunday 19th June.


1.  Create a Photo Collage-  I have done this on Truprint for my Dad the last couple of years with a selection of family photos from the last year.  There is also a range of photo gifts you can create so follow the link and have a look.
http://www.truprint.co.uk/personalised-gifts/fathers-day

2. Not on the High Streets website have some fab ideas for personalised gifts here is the link http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/fathers-day?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Father's%20Day

3.  Make them breakfast in bed after a lie in!!

4.Make him a hamper with all his favourites in such as foods,beer, coffee it can be done on the cheap you don't have to spend lots of money. Get the children involved by making a list and decorating the hamper.

5. Get crafty and do the custom print hand or foot for the front of the card.  Priceless and free.

6.  I may be in danger of repeating myself from my mothers day post but just give the children some card and let them get creative.

7. Film night with Dad let him chose the film providing its suitable of course.

8. Help around the house

9. Make him  a cake

What are you doing May bank holiday weekend /half term?

May bank holiday/ half term are nearly upon us again. Seriously the year is whizzing by so quickly it's almost June already.

What are you upto with your little ones this holiday? here's a few ideas to what you can do.

1. Check out my reviews blog for a day out I have built up a few now including Harry Potter studio tour, monkey world, Edinburgh castle, Edinburgh zoo, Fairytale Farm.
2. Make Pizza for a picnic http://nannybicester.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/simple-pizza-to-make-with-children.html
3. Do some gardening by doing some planting, build a den, generally having some fun outdoors!
4. Set up a football tournament with some friends and get prepared for Euro 2016!!
5. Visit Hinksey outdoor pool if your in Oxfordshire.  If the weather is nice its great to take a picnic and a swim and generally lounge around in the sun.

Check out link for my Pinterest for May half term- https://uk.pinterest.com/nbicester/may-half-term-ideas/

Further ideas link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/May-bank-holiday-events-around-Britain/

Have a great week whatever your doing.

Activity of the week- Storybags

Baskets of Discovery.co.uk

After the success of my treasure baskets blog post I have been wondering how to follow up.  Thanks to all who viewed or shared my blog.

This week I am going to talk about how you can make story time more interesting and exciting by creating a storybag.  Unfortunately I do not have the resources in my house to create one myself so I will talk about how you can make one yourself or if funds allow what's available to buy.

Storybags to buy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Little-Pigs-Drawstring-Teaching/dp/B00LFUAGNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462956957&sr=8-1&keywords=story+bags

Amazon is great as you can buy themed bags and at the bottom of the page they will match up with items to put in them.  Follow the link above to have a look!!

Another great website I have come across is http://www.basketsofdiscovery.co.uk/story-baskets/ .  They also do some fantastic music baskets and treasure baskets.

How to make your own

Many years ago when working in nurseries a colleague of mine made a lovely storybag on the theme of the book "Walking through the Jungle" by Julie Lacome. She had made a beautiful felt bag but as not much of a sewer myself as I know many of you will be the same way here are my tips below on how to improvise.

1. Choose a story, perhaps a favourite of the child.
2. Find a cheap canvas bag and use parts of fabric/paint to decorate in theme of your chosen story. Why not involve your child in the process?
3. Use puppets/small cuddly items for example animals that are in the story, items in the story.  If the book was about in the woods you could put items in that you may find in the woods.  If the book was "The hungry caterpillar" you could put fruits in or plastic fruits that the caterpillar eats.
4. That's it!! Now when telling the story use the props from your storybag with the child to help identify with the story.

Did you find this blog useful? Have you made a storybag before? Have you seen one being used? Did your child enjoy it?