I have been stumbling across some pretty awesome ideas for your Early Years classrooms. I thought it would be great to bring these ideas together and collectively share them all with you. Whether you run your own daycare, work in a school setting or if you have young children at home - this collection of amazing ideas will no doubt inspire you to bring even more fun and adventure to your settings. Today we are looking at the Creative Area. 

Over the last 4 years, particularly when my daughter was younger we often enjoyed mess free sensory activities. I started off with mess free painting and sensory bags as not only were items contained but my daughter suffered with eczema. I had to be very careful about what I exposed her skin to. She began reluctant to explore hands on so these opportunities offered a stepping stone for her. She now can't get enough and there isn't a day that passes where shes not keen to get her hands stuck in and get messy. Sometimes children need to be eased into getting used to having their hands messy.

Now we have babies in our household again I was keen to make some more sensory bags for the boys to explore whilst enjoying tummy time. We made a range of sensory bags which included these mess free - colour mixing paint bags. The boys enjoyed watching the paint move around in the bag and seemed fascinated with the sensation. Through the laminating pouch you could feel how cool and squidgy the paint was. Again the boys sadly suffer with eczema so I am again being cautious of what I expose their skin to. 

With Spring in full swing here in the UK and April showers falling, it really is the duck happy season! We love feeding ducks all year round but there is something about seeing the ducks waddling around happily in the showers that pour suddenly. 

There are so many lovely stories and nursery rhymes that would accompany play set ups perfectly. Today we have the lovely Sue Baxter here to share with us her Duck Themed Tuff Tray she set up for her children to enjoy.

With Summer approaching us before we know it, it’s time to start gathering some fun SUMMER toys for kids and I’m sharing some of my favourites today!

When summer hits around here, it’s go time for the kids! They’re outside playing and much of the time is spent playing with fun toys. They really love getting new toys for summer every year - it’s a huge favourite for our kids. When the whole family joins in, summer toys are a great opportunity to play games together and we all love it!

Over the last few years we have been carefully taking into account the toys we offer our children. I am really keen on having as many open ended resources available to play as possible.

Open ended resources ignite a child's imagination and you will discover (quite quickly) that they hold a little ones attention much longer than a toy that is for a specific reason.

Open ended toys can be used in a number of ways so from one day to the next they may be selected for different reasons. With simple toys children can make up their own games and lead their own play and learning. The toy doesn't dictate what must happen in order for it to work. For example if a toy has a button, the child needs to press the button to operate it. It's simple and will no doubt be enjoyed but the play and learning is very limited.

Open ended toys that can be used in a variety of ways and include blocks, dolls, small world items can promote learning in many ways. Children can problem solve, experiment, create, design and imagine. Through open ended toys children develop their cognitive skills, playing with and alongside their peers helps develop social development in addition to fine motor skills.

Giving children the opportunity to explore and trial, also experience a boost in their confidence and self esteem.

Embrace that beautiful Spring Sunshine with this colourful Cross Suncatcher Craft. Easter is lots of fun as we gather together for parties, are challenged by the Easter bunny to go on Egg hunts however it's also useful to touch upon why Easter is special.

Regardless of what religion you are part of, teaching children about either your own religion AND others is very useful. Not only does it give them an insight to beliefs but it also teaches them to respect faith.

This Cross Suncatcher Craft is particularly great to make around the Easter period and a talk to the children about the Resurrection of Jesus.

With Easter just around the corner you may be thinking of some fun activities you can set up with your children. We have been using them in our art - Easter Shake Process Art and Sensory Easter Marbling. In addition to using them on your Easter Egg Hunts and filling them with lots of treats why not use them to enjoy some Sensory Play or incorporate them in an Easter Themed Tuff Tray?!