Fun and learning for frugal February
If you’re trying to think about your spending, you might have opted to cut back as you go into the second month of the year. All the activity ideas in your app use things you’re likely to have at home or just outside the front door – so check out your child’s personalised activities as well.
Our first idea needs nothing other than you, your child and a bit of time!
Chatting, telling stories and singing with your child is a brilliant way to support their development.
Your baby will love a face-to-face chat. As your child gets older, they will still enjoy a chat and also might like playing with words, for example making up rhymes or changing the words of a favourite song.
If you can, make time for talk when there are no other distractions.
Recycled fun
Have a look at your recycling and see if there is anything your child can play with before you put it in the bin.
Boxes, tubes. Tubs and paper can give your child a chance to explore different textures, place them on top and inside each other.
Simply give your child a selection and give them time to play.
If your child is starting to use scissors or show an interest in drawing, then give them scissors and crayons and let them enjoy drawing and cutting.
Check anything you give your child to play with is safe for them.
Kitchen cupboard games
Little cook
What you need
Pans
Wooden spoon
Toys or objects such as, blocks
What to do
Put the pans, spoons and objects on a table that your child can reach.
Show them how to put objects in the pan.
Chat about what they could be making.
Play together for as long as your child is interested.
For babies
If your baby isn’t pretending in their play yet, give them time to play with the pans and spoons.
They will learn about the objects by playing with them.
Chat about what they’re doing and they will learn the words to describe the objects.
Cushions, blankets and chairs
What you need
Cushions
Blankets or sheets
Chairs, boxes or tables
What to do
You can use the things you have at home to make a cosy den for a chat, or to build an obstacle course for your child.
Drape a sheet over two chairs to make a den for your child.
Or use a large box to make one.
Obstacle course
Clear some space.
Use some objects to give your child things to crawl under, step onto or walk around.
You could place a sheet on the floor and encourage your child to crawl under it or use chairs to make a tunnel.
Use sheets or blankets to give your baby some different textures to feel during tummy time.
Always supervise your child when they are practising new skills.
Our play kits
We have a new play kit on the app later this week, but if you missed our others you can find them here: