Easy DIY children's games that make learning fun

0-2 Years

Simple shape puzzle

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:

No-mess messy play

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:

Ball colour station

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:

2-3 Years

Fun with numbers

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:

You’ll need:

3-4 Years

Fishing for letters

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

Salty ABCs

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

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Read more:

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

The best outdoor playdate hotspots recommended by real UAE mums

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