Children can learn so much from books making them essential as part of their childhood. As Dr. Seuss said himself - The more you read the more things you'll know. The more you learn the more places you'll go. I try and include them in our play as much as I can. We also use them often to inspire our crafts and activities. I dont share ever set up we do on the blog but I do share them all on Instagram. Today's inspiration comes from The Lorax!

We love anything by Dr Seuss. It's not the first time we have been inspired by his work. We have created Cat in the Hat Puppets and Grinch Wood Slice Decorations.

This craft comes with a Free Downloadable Printable that can be found at the bottom of the page.

You may have seen my videos on this activity on my Instagram videos. After recently sharing with you a fabulous Daffodil Ice Sculpture, I wanted to share more Spring themed fun with you. One min I was cleaning up from dinner yesterday the next we were exploring a brand new sensory media for the twins. It took 5 minutes to make and set up and amazingly took even less time to clear up! 

With lots of talk at the moment about school placements being confirmed, it has made me reflect. 

8 years I worked with children, before becoming a Mother. The years rolled around fast. Really fast. I watched as parents brought their children to school in the playground holding it together before walking away with tears rolling down their face. I understood it was a big step - leaving your child in a new place with new people. But until I became a Mother myself I didn't understand how this new chapter made you feel, fully. 

I didn't appreciate the heartache, the sleepless nights, the worry. 

I have been loving sharing with you on Instagram some of our recent set ups. It's been great to have your feedback and I look forward to sharing lots more with you over the coming weeks and months.

It is a real joy to me to be building a fabulous community of people who are passionate about children's play. In our closed group on Facebook (come and join in the fun here) I was lucky enjoy to start talking to a lovely lady called Hayley. Hayley has been really busy setting up some brilliant set ups for the children and today she is with us to share a Dinosaur Tuff Tray. Welcome Hayley!

One of my most favourite play invitations to set up is one that links to a particular topic or celebration. I love teaching children about whats going on in the world. About religions and respecting and understanding the faith of others. Did you see the Ramadan Tuff Tray? From the youngest of ages you can begin to introduce these things. I used this tray for Chinese New Year, so here it is again but this time for Easter. 

With Easter just around the corner now my news feeds on social media have been full of wonderful Easter/Spring Sensory Bins, Egg activities and lots of wonderful new books to accompany these set ups too! Leading up to Easter you have no doubt prepared lots of lovely crafts and activities for the children but what about after Easter? Suddenly you have hundreds of eggs. Eggs that the children have loved playing with over the last couple of weeks, it seems silly to pop them away until next year. So today I want to share with you a lovely way of using eggs on the build up to Easter and afterwards too. 

Yesterday I asked in our Learning and Exploring Through Play Group who had snow. I couldn't believe how many people have and from all the different locations world wide! If you shared your pictures with us - thank you! There really is something magical about snow! It makes everything so crisp and clean. Its like a magical winter wonderland. It was a downpour I didn't think we would see as the day before we were all out in the garden without coats running around like headless chickens, excited to see a bit of Spring-like Sunshine. If you follow us on Instagram you will have seen us out having fun in our Instalive stories.

Today I want to share with you a really fun activity we enjoyed as part of, and supporting The Great Oreo Cookie Quest Challenge. With the snow on the ground again we headed off outdoors on our very own Cookie Quest Challenge, which is all about spending time together as a family.

Oreo is celebrating this Quest right now which means anyone can pick up a pack and be in with the chance of winning some fabulous prizes! 

Although I am a big lover of snow I am ready for Spring now. But it just wouldn't be right to not make the most of what could be our last snow fall! 

We headed out to a wonderful spot out towards Ludlow. We've been in all weathers, but this was our first visit there in the snow. It was freezing but wrapped up warm we headed out the car to have some fun together. 

The boys waddled around with their wellie boots, while I set challenges for Neve along the way. I asked her to find specific things such as a sheep, a frozen puddle, a robin. I also changed it a little and gave her letters where she had to find something she could see beginning with that letter. This challenge as we walked in the snow together was music to her ears! Children could play these games all day couldn't they!? 

Me and Neve walked hand in hand for most of our trip out between our sledging fun and spontaneous snowball fights! It really was so lovely!

We went sledging up the steepest of hills and panicked as we reached the bottom, as we approached the little stream of freezing water! Luckily we stopped before reaching it! Our wellies did a fabulous job at keep our feet comfy and warm. I swear by them!

The giggles coming from all 3 of them were priceless and it sure is a day I will hold in my heart forever! I have some of the photos on order and can't wait to have them in a frame!

Once we were frozen to the bone and craving warmth we headed to their cafe for some TLC. We had warm drinks and dunked Oreos! It was a welcome bit of comfort. 

Neve who had already clocked me packing Oreos as part of our 'essentials' sneaked one on the way to the cafe! I also enjoyed a couple with her on the way. Oreos are a fun and tasty occasional treat for the whole family.

So what are you waiting for? Come and share your joyful, wonder-filled moments alongside Oreo. 

But before I finish this post I have my very own challenge for you:

How many times has the word Oreo featured in this blog post? 

This post is an entry for BritMums #OreoCookieQuest, sponsored by Oreo.

St Patricks Day is celebrated each year on or around the 17th of March. We recently shared a colourful Shamrock Suncatcher with you and today we are sharing hands on learning in a Tuff Tray.

St Patricks Day is a global celebration of the Irish culture. It celebrates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. There are often public parades, festivals and people wear green and shamrocks.