Pumpkin Nature Suncatchers are so pretty and easy to make, I highly recommend you adding them to your Autumn to do list. Not only are they really simple to do, gathering the nature items will get you outside too! Win, win!

With Autumn in full swing we have now started our Autumn crafting and I just love it! This is my favourite time of year! Over the last few days we have been making the most beautiful watercolour pumpkins using our Paint Sticks - recycling some cardboard that I always keep aside from deliveries. 

We've had a lovely day today. Autumn sunshine was a perfect invitation to head outdoors. We went out to the country park. The River Severn has bursts it's banks pretty badly so it was a real eye opener seeing that today. After 4 hours out and about in the autumnal sunshine we came back home. The pumpkins were all sitting on the shelf - waiting to be carved. I set this activity up for my daughter. Well I say set up - there is very little set up needed for these painted pumpkins. They're a great carve free alternative! They look incredible and it really is mesmerising watching the paint marble together. 

In a recent survey 90% of children said they would love the opportunity to have a garden at school. 

Through extensive research it have been proved  that planning and planting a garden gives children a sense of responsibility. It also has fantastic social and emotional benefits too as being outdoors in general improves mood and brings about a sense of calm. It brings about lots of wonderful learning experiences and decreases anxiety.  

I am always looking for a variety of ways to engage my children. We enjoy doing lots of messy arts and crafts but sometimes you just want a nice and easy activity that isn't too messy but is still fun. With Halloween just around the corner I want to share with you a lovely activity I did with the boys today - Mess Free Painted Pumpkins.

I shared this activity live on Instagram - make sure you are following us for lots of inspiration.

Pumpkin crafts and activities are well underway in my household now. Its been pouring of rain here in the UK and although that never stops us, I had to stay in for some parcels being delivered today so the art and crafts came out. 

I was enjoying my breakfast this morning. Nice and warm inside. We currently have a snow storm hitting us so schools have been closed today. I don't think I will ever get fed up of snow days! It's so exciting getting that notification to stay indoors and keep safe, school is closed. The alarms go off, heating gets turned up a few notches and you get to enjoy an unexpected snow day! Yipeeee. 

It was when I was eating my breakfast I thought about this post I am sharing with you today. It was an activity we enjoyed a couple of weeks back but I suddenly remembered I hadn't shared it on the blog! Woops! If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen this already. Today I am sharing a Sensory Small World inspired by the children's book Owl Babies. 

Owl Babies was published in 1992. Written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Patrick Benson. It tells the story of three owlets perched high in a tree, deep in the woods. They wake to find the forest in darkess and their Mother is nowhere to be seen. They are overjoyed when she returns after a night flight of hunting. It's a timeless story that even the youngest of children enjoy. If it isn't part of your book collection - now is time to change that - 

With Autumn term/season upon us you may have started getting a little excited about the Autumn Crafts and Adventures that await you and your children. There really is something quite comforting and warming about the Autumn colours so it's been lovely bringing together a collection of wonderful things to do with your children during this season.

Something that I personally really love doing each year is the Nature collecting. We always have a day out conker collecting and take the most adorable wicker basket to collect them all in. Anyone would think the conkers were gold how we all excitedly rummage through the fallen leaves in the hope to uncover some conkers! 

1 Leaf Suncatchers - Clares Little Tots

2 Autumn Sensory Tray - Pre-School Play

3 Autumn Line Patterns - Learning and Exploring Through Play

4 Autumn Leaf Printing - Arty Crafty Kids

5 Autumn Sensory Foam - Learning and Exploring Through Play

6 Tree Printing Craft - Messy Little Monster

7 Paper Bag Lanterns - Pinterest Parent

8 Leaf Patterns - Learning and Exploring Through Play

9 Glittered Leaf Ornaments - Happy Hooligans

10 Pumpkin Photo Suncatcher - Minne Mama

11 Leaf Parachute - Teach Preschool

12 Autumn Tuff Tray - Learning and Exploring Through Play

13 Autumn Playdough -  ILS Learning Corner

14 Autumn Poem Wreath - Learning and Exploring Through Play

15 Leaf Stacks - Creative Star Learning

16 Leaf Line Tracing - Learning and Exploring Through Play

17 Painting Leaves -  Simple Fun for Kids

18 Nature Sticking - Learning and Exploring Through Play

19 Finger Print Leaf Tree - Arty Crafty Kids

20 Leaf Jar Candle Holders - Spark and Chemistry 





21 Autumn Slime Recipe - Little Bins for Little Hands

22 Leaf Window Collage - My Classroom Transformation

23 Salt Dough Autumn Leaves - Learning and Exploring Through Play

24 Toilet Roll Leaf Stamping - Crafty Morning

Be the FIRST to see us doing these activities aswel as getting to know us as a family over on Instagram. We also share LOTS of lovely new places to visit and events.

We are almost in October, so if you are anything like me you're already really excited for Halloween! It's a time of year when you can enjoy lots of themed crafts and activities with the children. Following on from our much loved Snowman Keepsake using our Easy Salt Dough Recipe, we have been busy crafting for Halloween.

I have always said I couldn't possibly choose which is my favourite season. There is something I love about them all. That being said now Little N is almost 4 we are having so much fun this Autumn!!

We have been loving our Autumn walks, kicking leaves and throwing them at one another!! The conker collecting has been a great success, along with fairy hats and 'helicopters'. Currently I have them all stashed in a super cute, vintage style basket! It looks very Autumnal. I particularly love it when I light my candles of a night too! So cosy!

But what could I do with all these Nature treasures?

Although we reside in the second largest city in the UK - We always get super excited on the build up to Halloween! It's getting bigger and bigger over here each year, and its a good excuse to have your friends and family round for Pumpkin Carving, games and food!

Something else we absolutely love doing each year around this time, is Pumpkin Picking in a pick your own field. If this isn't something you have done before - I highly recommend it! So much fun! The children love running wild in the fields and coming back with a pumpkin they have selected themselves is quite fun and special.

I love Christmas and I love Suncatchers! They are quick and easy crafts making them perfect for Toddlers and Preschoolers! They add colour to the room and can be created to fit any season, topic or hobby!

Today I am sharing with you our Christmas Bauble Suncatchers!