Arts, Crafts & Activity Ideas
Last Minute Christmas Cards for Kids to Create
Christmas cards are the ultimate way of giving a nod to family and friends at Christmas but instead of a regular, commercially produced card, give the gift of a hand-crafted card this Christmas.
Last Minute Christmas Card Ideas - Reindeer Prints
Create the ultimate Reindeer Print Cards for your whole family with you child's hand and foot prints on display.
Last Minute Christmas Card Ideas - Fringed Frontages
Christmas cards make perfect gifts from kids to family members young and old. Create craft cards with the children this Christmas.
Three Last Minute Christmas Card Ideas - Fingerprint String of Lights
Dip your digits to create the coolest lights in town! Get creative with colour and go nuts in your local craft store - we've used generic water-based paints but you can go all out and check out ranges of glow in the dark or fluorescent paints. The more creative and crafty, the cooler the card!
Countdown to Christmas Advent-ure calendar
For parents, the Christmas Countdown seems to roll around all too quickly but for children, the year is seemingly endless! Bring the countdown to Christmas back to a wholesome moment with the kids and give them the gift of time each day - even if it's for a moment, this December.
Make your own Playdough
Playdough is the ultimate sensory activity that has stood the test of time. Make your own playdough for the kids to enjoy all holidays.
10 bloomin' cute craft ideas to jump into this spring | Careforkids.com.au
There is nothing like a bit of art and craft to shake off the winter blues. Brighten up those little faces with these craft ideas to work those fine motor skills.
Top 10 timeless books for preschoolers | CareforKids.com.au
We've listed ten timeless books for preschoolers that are read over and over again around the country with some wonderful reviews from some tough critics - young children!
5 easy (and cheap!) Book Week dress up ideas | Careforkids.com.au
Coming up with a costume idea can bring a sense of dread. Here are our top 5 Book Week costume ideas that will ensure your little one is a hit at their Book Week activities.
Making Kahk pastries to celebrate Eid-al-fitr
It’s important for children of all cultures and backgrounds to gain an understanding of differing cultures. That’s why, we think it would be great fun to bake the traditional pastry Kahk, to celebrate the end of Ramadan!
Rick Stein recipes to try at home
Rick Stein shares two delicious recipes from his gorgeous new recipe book Rick Stein at Home.
5 non-scary ways to celebrate Halloween
For a ghost and ghoul free Halloween try these 5 ideas that promise fun for everyone.
Small world play at early learning services
All about a small world play, an opportunity for children to explore their world in miniature.
Springtime activities for your family
It’s now officially spring, and this change of season opens up opportunities to play, craft, cook and relax with your child. Here are 5 feel-good ideas that will put a spring in your family’s step.
Brain-building activities for under fives
A range of fun, developmentally appropriate activities for your under-five year old.
7 Father’s Day gifts, made with love
7 creative ideas for presents that dads, stepdads and grandads will treasure.
Educational cooking experiences at child care
Learn how children at Guardian Childcare benefit from preparing and cooking meals as part of their daily routine.
10 fun (and easy) birthday cakes to make
10 awesome, inspiring, easy and delicious birthday cake ideas that will make your child’s special day that little bit more special.
How educators weave STEM into early learning
How Little Scientists support early educators to develop strong STEM skills among children in care.
Introducing collage to under fives
Collage making and how to undertake this fun, cost effective and highly sensory craft activity at home.
Fun new eSafety resources for under fives
New resources from the eSafety Commissioner aim to teach preschool-aged children how to stay safe in online environments and educate families about best practice.
8 ways families can heal the planet
8 simple, effective and empowering ideas for families who want to reduce the environmental impact on world Environment Day and every other day.
Guilt-free TV: 10 enriching shows for under fives
With many parents worried and feeling guilty about excessive screen time, this article offers 10 excellent TV choices for children, which are age appropriate and educational.
A delicious way to celebrate Mother’s Day
This article, in honour of Mother’s Day, is a simple recipe, which would make the perfect meal for the special mother in your life, this Sunday 9 May.
6 magical ways to celebrate Easter Sunday
Six ideas for making the Easter weekend truly magical for your preschooler, for learning new skills and for making the long weekend special for everyone.
9 clever cardboard toys to make
Nine imaginative preschooler-friendly craft ideas which use cardboard as the main component along with step-by-step instructions for trying at home.
2 new picture books that challenge gender stereotypes
Children’s book author Susann Hoffmann explains the inspiration her new books for preschoolers which challenge gender stereotypes as well as her favourite books for promoting diversity and inclusion in the early years.
The benefits of water play + bucketloads of activities to try
With the warmer weather upon us, now is a great time to try some interesting, fun and STEM filled water-play ideas with your children.
It’s Guinness World Records Day – How to celebrate
Four World Record Breaking ideas to try with your family.
NAIDOC Week activities at early childhood education and care services
6 ideas for preschoolers and early childhood educators to recognise and celebrate NAIDOC week with the theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be.’
6 Halloween craft ideas to build fine motor skills
6 Halloween-themed craft ideas, that are fun and will boost your child’s small motor skills and concentration.
The best children’s books of 2020
The top children’s books for 2020, in advance of Book Week, which runs from 17-23 October, also a range of suggestions for families who want to get involved in the celebrations.
6 Ways To Keep Young Children Busy (and happy) Indoors
6 ideas for keeping your child happy, busy and entertained when you are indoors and the 6 protective factors parents can employ to scaffold children during stressful times.
Hands-on fun with messy play bingo
A range of messy play and sensory activities that will stimulate your child’s senses and imagination. Work through the ideas to win messy play bingo.
Celebrating Early Childhood Educators’ Day
On Early Childhood Educators’ Day this article offers 9 simple and heartfelt ways to show your child’s hard working educator your appreciation for all their hard work.
8 ways to make Dad smile this Father’s Day
9 simple, kid-friendly activity and craft activities to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday 6 September and make all the dads feel loved on their special day.
Art and craft hacks for uncrafty parents
Craft expert Heather Flyght from Li’l Crafters explains how to bluff it if you are an uncrafty parent and the main components of the perfect craft box.
Indoor scavenger hunts for toddlers and preschoolers
Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep little bodies busy indoors and little minds happy over the cooler months of winter. This article offers a load of different ideas for children of all ages and interests.
Heading: Community Cubby: The new child care resource for families
Social distancing measures imposed by COVID-19 led many early childhood services to launch online resources such as G8's Community Cubby a permanent resource freely available to all families.
New research and advice around screen time
Many children spent more time than usual in front of screens during the COVID-19 lockdown. This article considers the impact of screens on a toddler’s self-regulation skills and offers a range of screen free family fun ideas.
9 play-based science activities that build STEM skills
8 easy STEM ideas to try at home to boost learning through play based exploration and discovery.
How to keep the kitchen clean when cooking with young kids
Cooking with children is fun and educational but it can be a recipe for mess! Learn tried and tested strategies for cooking with kids while keeping the kitchen clean and tidy.
The benefits of pretend play + Win a magnet activity board
Pretend play can turn a boring day at home into an exciting adventure. Learn how to take your child on a pretend camping trip.
Inside info on the Bluey book series + prize packs to win
The benefits of sharing books with your child on a daily basis.
Cheap and cheerful materials for sensory play
8 sensory play activities which can be made from cheap materials available in most people’s homes.
6 ways to celebrate your child’s birthday without a party
6 ideas for making your child’s birthday special, even if they can’t have a party with lots of friends and family there due to lockdown.
Why is ‘dialogic reading’ so helpful for under fives?
Dialogic reading why is it so helpful for under fives?
The need for more diverse books in child care
Research shows early learning centres often lack books with diverse central characters, learn how this impacts children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
6 chocolate-free Easter egg hunt ideas
Six super ideas for a chocolate-free Easter egg hunt. These simple cost effective activity suggestions offer children the same thrill and excitement of a traditional Easter egg hunt, without the massive sugar consumption.
How fewer toys leads to higher quality play
Raise Early Years director, Mandy Richardson describes how decluttering your child’s toy box to include a few simple open-ended play objects leads to higher quality and more sustained play.
Playgroups + National Playgroup Week 2020
Playgroups come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are located all over Australia. This article looks at the groups on offer, how to access them and what they offer.
6 picture books to read and share
6 gorgeous picture books for preschoolers which provide rich illustrations and engaging stories to inspire both children and parents.
How music-making benefits children
The developmental benefits for young children of making music and simple cost effective ideas for boosting musical experiences in your home.
Enviro-friendly events for your family
Clean Up Australia Day is Sunday 1 March, learn how to get involved in this national initiative and make a difference in your local area.
Experience gifts for young children
Experience gifts are a great way to share magical moments and create memories. And whether you're looking for one special activity, or something that lasts all year, here are some ideas that will go down in history.
The magic of dance in early childhood
Dancing is a great activity for young children, and whether your child is free styling to The Wiggles or learning ballet like Prince George, this kind of body movement has many benefits.
Ten bloomin’ cute craft ideas to jump into this Spring | CareforKids.com.au
There is nothing like a bit of art and craft to shake off the winter blues. Brighten up those little faces with these craft ideas to work those fine motor skills.
20 children's books starring dads
Father's Day is just around the corner and we have 20 book suggestions that put dads in the starring role.
5 fun science experiments for preschoolers | Careforkids.com.au
5 fun ideas to celebrate National Science Week.
6 memorable ways to celebrate Mother's Day
6 magical ways to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday 12 May.
Great reasons to get out in the garden with your children
Why young children thrive in the garden and how parents can encourage little ones to become green thumbs.
Egg-cellent Easter activities for toddlers and preschoolers
The Easter long weekend is a great chance to play, create and cook up a storm with your little one. To get cracking, here are five fun things to do at home.
Why is play so beneficial for young children?
Why is play so beneficial for young children?
6 tips for a healthier Halloween
6 tips for a healthier Halloween.
It's the little things
It's the little things.
Is gun play a good or bad thing for children?
Is gun play a good or bad thing for children?
8 ways to celebrate Early Childhood Educators Day
8 ways to celebrate Early Childhood Educators Day.
Book Giveaway My Incredible Creation! An IVF Journey
Book Giveaway My Incredible Creation! An IVF Journey.
What type of storytelling is best for preschoolers?
What type of storytelling is best for preschoolers?
National Tree Day get involved with 10 nature-based activities for kids
National Tree Day get involved with 10 nature-based activities for kids.
Why is it important for educators to nurture children's creativity?
Why is it important for educators to nurture children's creativity?
Why music is important for children in care
Why music is important for children in care.
Mother's Day craft ideas
Eight amazing projects that children can make (with the help of a dad or partner) to show Mum how much they care.
10 fun fruit snacks for children
10 fun fruit snacks for children that look beautiful and are packed with flavour.
Bringing stories to life
Reading aloud is one of the most effective strategies for promoting early literacy and a life-long love for learning among children.
Easter craft ideas
Easter craft projects for 'un-crafty' children.
Pin it - The top trends for mums, dads and kids in 2018
Pinterest has released its parenting trend predictions and if their forecast is anything to go by, then this is the year to build a perma-fort, buy a weighted blanket and host a sip and see.
Celebrating National Playgroup Week
Celebrating National Playgroup Week.
Water safety for under fives
Water safety for under fives.
Do interactive books count as screen time?
Do e-books encourage an interest in reading and early literacy, or are they just another form of screen time?
All about circle time in child care
Learn all about group time in early education settings and how it benefits children of all ages.