Please register to access this content.
To continue viewing the content you love, please sign in or create a new account
Dismiss
This content is for our paying subscribers only

Parenting Learning & Play

Easy DIY children's games that make learning fun

Inexpensive DIY games for every stage to give their growing brains a workout



DIY educational crafts
Image Credit: Aiza Castillo-Domingo

0-2 Years

Simple shape puzzle

Simple shape puzzle
Image Credit: Aiza Castillo-Domingo

This simple DIY puzzle is so easy to make and so much fun for little ones!

Our tots loved matching the cut-out shapes to the outline on the board, and playing it together with you builds their language and comparison skills.

You’ll need:

  • Foam board
  • Marker
  • Foam paper in different colours
  • Scissors
  • Foam-board cutter
  • Ruler

No-mess messy play

Image Credit: GN Archives
Advertisement

We know babies love painting – but we also know we don’t love the clearing up! Squirting paint into freezer bags is a no-mess alternative; stick it to a window and let them swirl the colours around, for sensory play that teaches them about colours.

You’ll need:

  • Acrylic paint
  • Sandwich bag with zip lock

Ball colour station

Ball colour station
Image Credit: Gn Archives

Little 19-month-old Zach loved matching up the coloured balls with the coloured holes and dropping them through – it’s a fun way to teach babies about colours that also develops their motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination.

You’ll need:

  • Foam board or cardboard box
  • Coloured balls
  • Acrylic paint
  • Can or bottle to use as a circular stencil
  • Cutter
Advertisement

2-3 Years

Fun with numbers

Image Credit: GN Archives

As little ones learn more about numbers and begin to recognise their shapes, using objects they love – like toy cars or cards in the shape of ice-creams – can help bring it to life for them! These games are great for developing number-recognition and matching skills

You'll need:

  • Printable ice cream artwork (you can find one on Google) and paper to print it on
  • Card
  • Scissors
  • Glue to stick the ice cream shapes to the card
Fun with cars
Image Credit: GN Archives

You’ll need:

  • Foam board
  • Marker
  • Toy cars
  • Clear tape
  • White paper to write the numbers of the car
Advertisement

3-4 Years

Fishing for letters

Image Credit: Gn Archives

Every kid loves a bit of water play, and three-year-old Noah had a great time fishing for the alphabet in this easy, educational activity that builds on a child’s familiarity with letters and sounds when you play it together.

You'll need

  • Plastic container
  • Sieve
  • Toy alphabet
  • Water
  • Bowl

Salty ABCs

Image Credit: GN Archives

Getting pre-schoolers to copy letters by writing them in salt adds a sensory element to the ABCs that kids will love!

Advertisement

You’ll need:

  • Shoe box or tray
  • Marker and paper
  • Salt, sugar or sand
  • Paint brush

Read more:

5 kids' craft ideas that recycle everyday items

7 ways to get your kids closer to nature in the UAE

The best outdoor playdate hotspots recommended by real UAE mums

Advertisement

Photos by Aiza Castillo-Domingo/Istock, Styling by Melany Demetillo-Reyes

Advertisement