It’s raining outside the kids are under your feet, the days are dragging. Time to  pull out these activities for something new.

Activities for infants

Here’s smiling at you- join your baby in front of a mirror to make faces

Surprise box-fill a empty tissue box with scarves ribbons, fabric bits or even paper with different textures and allow your baby to remove. They love to put in and out (always supervise for safety).

Get Musical -dig into the kitchen cupboards and pull out the pots & pans ; arm Jnr with a wooden spoon. Sit back and enjoy a wonderful but noisy concert.

Activities for Toddlers

Get outside- rug up play puddle jumps great for the afternoon to shake off the sillies and head straight to a warm bath

Playdough- use just made nice warm dough your toddlers will love helping measure out the ingredients (they don’t have to be precise)

Build a cubby- drape the table with a blanket or sheet fill with pillow or cushions and have story & snack time inside.

Activities for preschoolers

Fashion fun- find the old shoes, scarves, handbags & hats from the cupboard then have a grand parade.

Sensory clay - pop on dads old t-shirt, spread out a old shower curtain under the table add a little water; get busy (can replace with sand or finger paint).

Play shops/ cafes- set up child sized pretend food/ real food, pretend Cash register allow them to serve you, pretend to have baby cinos, coffee & cakes.

Activities out & about

Educational fun-head to the museum to play in their special children’s area.

Shop til you drop- shopping centres provide great undercover play areas with a chance for that much needed espresso

Get wetter- head to the indoor pool for some wet fun.

Playdough recipe

1 cup plain flour

½ cup salt

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup water with food coloring added

1 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional but it makes the playdough smell nice!)

Put all the ingredients into a large saucepan & mix, then stir over a medium heat until the dough forms into a ball. Allow to cool until luke warm

Store in an airtight container (a Ziploc bag with the air pressed out is good).

Living in Australia we consider swimming lessons a vital part of our child’s education. As an Austswim qualified teacher I encourage all parents to ensure their child learns water safety and basic swimming skills.

What age should my child start?

Infant swimming lessons are available from 3 months in an appropriately heated pool

Most programs start from 6-12months this is the age recommended by Austswim

You can begin water familiarisation at home from any age.

Why am I paying for games and songs, when I want my baby to learn to swim?

Infants Swimming lessons are all about water familiarisation, having fun in the water and learning water safety. During a lesson instructor use songs, games & repetition to gain trust while offering a fun learning environment.

Stroke development normally starts around the age of 2-6 yrs depending developmental readiness  & water confidence of each child.

What can I do while my name is on the waiting list?

You can start water familiarisation & teaching water safety at home.

Water familiarisation ideas

Ensure you infant is happy and settled

Use the bath, shower, baby bath, bucket or paddling pool.

Ideas for babies

Drip small amounts of water on the infant’s body from you fingers-give them verbal warning counting down is a good idea. When infant is comfortable with small amounts move to whole body then face.

Allow your baby to splash in water, give cups or containers for pouring games or balls to push around.

Ideas for Toddlers

Toys, toys, toys toddlers love to play in water spending time just playing can help water familiarisation and ease the transition from home to pool.

Play water falls use a bucket or watering can and allow our child to pour water on mummy or daddy, then take turns you can start with their arms, shoulders, then neck moving onto head only when the child is ready.

Toddlers love to blow candles. Make your fingers into candles, sing happy birthday and allow them to “blow” your candles out. Slowly lower your fingers into the water after each round until they are blowing them out on top of then, under water ( this may take time).

Take your toddler to visit the pool bring some water toys from home and have a play.

Water Safety

Demonstrate safe exits and entries to the water.

Always supervise children around water.

Remove toys, balls etc from the pool/ bath/ water play area after use so a child is not tempted to return for them.

Set rules for water play ie no bathers no entering the water.

Remember: Never leave a child unattended around water Small children can drown in millimetres of water.

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The infants answer to Jimmy Choo’s has arrived!

Before baby it’s all about mummy’s shoes. Who by, how many, how high and how much. Oh, how our lives have changed.  Now it’s flat shoes, practical outfits and nappy bags. Thank goodness Skeanies have proved you can combine comfort and function with style.

My baby Gus celebrated Autumn by turning one and commencing to walk. After a month of slipping & sliding around the house in socks & cold feet, I bought Gus some shoes to help with traction- if only he would keep them on. It was time for a new idea.

When his new Skeanies arrived in the mail I was excited to try the shoes because they looked great, but also curious to see if he would keep them on for longer than 5 minutes. As a distraction we slipped them on him & headed straight outside into the winter sunshine. One shoe fell off in the excitement and Gus picked it up, brought it to me and then sat waiting with foot outstretched (now that’s a first).  Ah.. the answer to my prayers - style and comfort that HE wanted to wear.

Gus loves his Skeanie leather boots, But why these shoes? If you look inside & feel they have a soft fluffy layer with protective leather skin. What a change from the unlined shoes we were forcing him to wear (ok so they didn’t stay on long enough to class it as wearing).

It’s great to know his little feet are snug and warm while being well supported on any terrain. They are great for indoors - they don’t scratch my timber floor, while making it easier for him to get a grip. I also love the fact Skeanies are made from soft natural leather as he has a tendency to suck on things.

Now Gus brings me his shoes when we are getting ready to go out & waits to put them on- now that’s a vote with his feet.

No longer do I worry about Gus losing a shoe when we are out, but I will be keeping a wary eye on my sister “the family fashionista”, she thinks they are so stylish & easy coordinate with outfits, that she wants them for her little boy.

Be warned Aunty L we are watching you

Fin, our three and a half year old has been spending time in hospital after emergency appendix removal, busy resting and recovering ie “four days of DVD’s & sleeping”. Heaven if you are an adult, but the normally very active Fin is ready for a change. Enter a handy pack of Preschool Bright and Beyond Idea Cards plus one fun loving Aunty.

Aunty L arrived for a visit and Fin quickly spied the card packet in her hand. “Presents” he shouts and cant wait to open the cards- something new to do. They are quickly unwrapped and all 52 cards spread out across the bed while he “reads” the pictures. Aunty L picked out one of the best for games easily converted for being in bed- Paper Soccer.

Less than five minutes later, armed with straws and a paper ball, they were ready for the first annual air soccer game. “Phhshhhh” “Phssss” “I win, I win” with Aunty L and Fin playing for keeps, the ward echoed with sounds of laughter. Fin was keen to play all afternoon.

After the winner was declared Fin gave the cards a big thumbs up, then moved on to start another activity card. Some games take a little preparation but most are no mess, no fuss, no specialised equipment which was great for this hospital location but would also work well for travel, holidays, visits at grandmas or rainy indoor days.

We will be packing these activity cards for our international tour this year as there are many great ideas to keep Fin occupied on the long flight and visits to all the relatives.

The only question is do we do one a day for 52 days or one a week to stretch them out for the whole year?

When Master 3 turned one we were inundated by piles plastic toys which he outgrew within 6 months, this birthday I was determined to make change.

After considerable internet time (all explained to hubby as valuable research) the prize was within my sights an Angel at My Table Teepee. Master 3 who loves to help with the online shopping  chose the colour and had helped complete the order. He has been keenly waiting to help unwrap it I hoped it would it live up to his high expectations.  the time had come the great unveiling Master 1 was assisted with the unwrapping by Master 3.

I was very happy there was not a plastic bag in sight, the teepee parts were all stored in a handy matching cloth bag with a outer cardboard box creating minimal waste. My sleep deprived assembly skills were put to the test; with the photographic assembly chart it was less than 15 minutes and ready for play.  Master 1 has been busy climbing in out in out in out in and playing peekaboo he loves the little bell best and cant wait to grow taller so he can reach it properly. Master 3 into imaginative play has so far used it for indoor picnics, a hideaway, camping, truck parking, bear cave.

After removing the children Grandma (my mum) and I climbed inside together (all in the interests of research I promise) we were impressed by the space and are contemplating using it for an adults retreat. I love the fact its timeless, durable will stand up to my two boys and all the mates. We look forward to using it for years to come as its such a classic design  without being made of plastics.  My only regret is not buying master 3 one earlier & the fact my couch cushions now have a new home. For now teepee will be spending the winter in the toy room but come spring we cant wait to give it a go outdoors. If you come round to visit this winter and cant find me, try knocking on the teepee I might just be hiding inside with a quiet cup of tea & a good book.

Master 3 and I love to spend days out exploring around Melbourne it’s a great excuse to abandon the chores and make time for fun.  Recently we stumbled upon the new Melbourne playgrounds website http://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/ and set off to explore one of their top picks. Ray Bastin Park in Narre Warren. With picnic packed, children strapped in  & car loaded count down commenced *5* 4* 3* 2 *1 Blast OFF we were on our way to the moon.

Ray Bastin Park is a space themed park with plenty for the budding astronaut to do. Master 3 spend time driving the moon buggy, launching space ships from the control tower, talking to space monsters, climbing the rocket, checking the planets though the telescope, plenty to keep him busy for a whole afternoon. The best feature of this website is the handy map with park details on the tabs, just a perfect way to select a new park, meet up with a old girlfriend and her kids for that all important coffee & chat (without having to finish the housework).

I’m ready to stand up and admit i have a pram addiction; it began with the arrival of Master 1 when “unfortunately’ the only pram I could fit in my car was the Bugaboo Chamelon.  July 08 - it was time for a UK trip, and along came the Maclaren Quest stroller superseding the wonky 3 wheel Quick smart stroller . April 2009 - master 2 arrived & Mountain Buggy twin was added to our inventory. Sep 2009 saw a nephew and my sister’s new Bugaboo arrive. Bliss.

After 3 years of daily use beach outings, international/domestic travel & shopping, the pram
of choice: The Bugaboo Cameleon. It’s easy to steer, fits down most shop aisles and fits a wheely board for the run away toddler. The only draw back is fading from salt water, & no way to strap the toddler down.After testing the new model- with its new and improved bits: red brake, easy to switch handle, new colours and faster on off buttons  I’m off to sell the rest of the prams and convince hubby it’s time to “upgrade the Bugaboo wheely travel bag ”. It shouldn’t take much as his favourite is  the Bugaboo. Here is my grandma GG as the kids know her. Ninety Five years old here and says the Bugaboo is the best pram she has ever pushed.

Meet Jayleen, one of our new resident Road Testers.  Jayleen is Mum to Aengus and Finbarr and from Melbourne’s Bayside.  Welcome aboard Jayleen ! We look forward to reading Jayleen’s Road Tests and also her Guest Blogs.