Small World Play

Play is a common language which can bring children together, regardless of their differences. It holds tremendous value as a vehicle for learning and development, as well as a way of promoting diversity. In this blog, we will reflect on how one particular type of play, small world, can be embraced as a way of encouraging children to recognise and...

Sand is a staple in any setting. It goes hand in hand with water and children just love it. It can be used as simply as it is or be mixed with water, adding stones and logs for a dinosaur swamp. Add construction vehicles, buckets and spades, bury pirate treasure in it or letter or number hunts, add dinosaur bones and...

Small world play is a valuable element of an enabling environment in the Early Years and beyond. This type of play is exactly as described – play on a small scale which represents particular scenarios or environments. These play experiences can be set up in tuff spots, on cable reels, under a tree, on a table, in a suitcase…the limits...

Are you ready for the RSPB's Big Garden Bird Watch? What activities have you got planned? We have a few ideas below. Did you know that we have lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 50 years, so it really is vital we do all we can to look after our birdlife (source: RSPB). Children love to...

Wonderful Wicker! Creating a natural, cosy classroom or setting can be so beneficial to the well-being of both children and staff alike. Adding wicker elements helps to break up the space, creating a more cosy, natural environment. From our cosy wicker pods and dens to a wicker archway - both can be staple pieces in creating a more natural space...

We get tagged in so many wonderful tray play activity ideas that we wanted to share with you some of our favourite autumn tray play activity ideas from our cosy club members. From regular tuff trays of varying colours, to mirrored spot trays and mirrored magnetic tray and of course our heuristic wicker tray, there are so many options for...

Crates are very popular at the moment in play and learn set ups. Not only are they great for storage but they can also be used in a variety of ways to inspire learning in your setting. Here we show 12 of the best ways to use wooden crates in play. Mud Kitchens Create your own affordable mud pie kitchen...

Acorns can be used in play in a variety of ways. They are perfect during the autumn months. Acorns usually drop from their trees late summer, early autumn. Acorns are the fruit of the oak tree. They contain the seeds that can grow new oak trees, and falling to the ground is part of the tree's lifecycle – this is how...

For so many people Autumn is their favourite time of year. The beautiful colours, natural treasures, the smell of autumn, fallen leaves and autumn crafts. Autumn begins in September and is a season famous for its harvest times, turning leaves, cooling temperatures and darkening nights. Did you know that Chlorophyll is the chemical that makes tree leaves green and as...

Welcome to the realm of the fairies, pixies and elves. If you're close enough you may even spot a mischievous tree troll! Below we explore creativity, imagination and share ideas on how to create a fairy garden. This is the beauty of imaginative play like that of a fairy garden - it allows children to explore their own imaginations. It’s...