Growing Child

24/07/2026

At a loose end this weekend and need some help trying to find something to do with the kids?

Mum's Little Explorers takes the hard work out for you with this amazing guide into Winter in Melbourne 2026 - filled with free and paid activities, this is definitely my new go to for things to do in Melbourne this winter. ❄️

23/07/2026

Did you know that we have Rainbow Sand back in stock?

Our rainbow sand comes in 11 different colours, 1.5kg tubs and is Australian Made and was not subject to the recent recall of products. The sand can be used during water play, making cards and collages, and for other craft activities.

We also have Sensory Cotton Sand now in stock - it is a wonderfully engaging sensory material that invites children to stretch, squeeze, pinch, pull apart, mould and reform again and again, thanks to its unique sand-like texture that maintains an even resistance during play.

Excellent for fine motor skills and refining hand-eye coordination, it also provides a calming, tactile sensory experience. It comes in four vibrant colours and comes in a 2kg tub.

22/07/2026

We are right in the middle of winter and don't we know it with this cold snap of weather! The mornings are crisp but we're lucky enough to be having some gorgeous sunny days.

Winter and Snow Ideas for Kindergartens
For kindergarten classrooms, winter and snow activities can be both fun and educational. Here are some creative ideas to engage young learners during the colder months:

Snowflake Symmetry Drawing: A hands-on activity that teaches symmetry and fine motor skills. Kids fold paper, cut out designs, and unfold to see their creations.

Ice Fishing for Number Sequences: A winter-themed math game where children 'fish' for numbers and arrange them in correct sequences.

Winter Science of Snow Reading: Introduce the science behind snow and snowflakes through a nonfiction book, which includes experiments and activities for cold winter days.

Arctic Small World Play Centre: A sensory play area with arctic animals, marbles, and white pom poms to create an arctic story or inquiry.

Winter Themed Cutting Practice: Offer cutting lines and shapes alongside blank paper to practice with scissors, especially for reluctant learners.

These activities not only provide entertainment but also help children develop essential skills while enjoying the winter season.

Growing Child has stock of instant snow and penguins available for purchase and delivery now.

21/07/2026

Father's Day isn't far away and will beupon us before you know it. Want to create a unique memory for your children or kindergarten to work on for Father's Day? Here's some ideas that we stock - get in touch by email to order them [email protected]

20/07/2026

Product of the Week

Creative Clay friendship colours now are available in Creative Clay. This set features 240 g of soft, air-drying clay in six beautiful skin tone colours, perfect for inclusive and imaginative sensory play. Children will love shaping, moulding and creating unique figures and designs. Washable, non-toxic and Australian owned, it's a wonderful way to encourage creativity and self-expression.

Creative Clay is Super soft, lightweight, and elastic, it's easy to mould and shape,making it ideal for creating anything from intricate sculptures to fun,imaginative crafts.Suitable for all ages and abilities, this clay bonds easily without the need for baking, drying naturally at room temperature.Once dry, it's extremely lightweight, making it ideal for creative projects.Safe for ages 3+, CreativeClay provides a fantastic sensory experience,perfect for little hands and big imaginations!Just wrap unused clay in plastic to keep it fresh for future projects.Perfect for classrooms, studios, and at-home crafting!

10/07/2026

Routines help create positive behaviour.
Have you often wondered how to get the responses from your toddlers and preschoolers that you want? Are you pulling out your hair with trying different methods and it's still not working?
I came across this article from raisingkids.net.au that I thought was really interesting.
Routines: why they work as a positive behaviour strategy
Routines help children cooperate. This is because family routines make it clear who should do what, when, in what order and how often. For example, your child is more likely to wash up after dinner if it’s their job to do it as part of your family routine.
A routine can also help you plan for times when children are likely to behave in challenging ways, like school mornings when there are time pressures on your child and you. In this situation, a routine helps children know what to expect – for example, you need to leave by 8 am. It also helps them understand what you expect from them – for example, they can help by putting their lunch in their lunch box.
You can also build routines for young children around play, meals and sleep. When children have had enough good-quality sleep, nutritious food and plenty of play, they’re more likely to behave in positive ways.
Read more here : https://raisingchildren.net.au/.../behaviour.../routines

09/07/2026

Have you got a birthday coming up in the family for a special little person?
Wheely Bugs are award-winning ride-on toys designed in Australia, suitable for children aged one and above. They feature bright, friendly designs with padded bodies, ensuring comfortable playtime. Each Wheely Bug is multidirectional, allowing children to move freely while developing their leg and motor skills. The toys are made from durable materials, including a polyurethane leatheroid body and a wooden base from sustainably sourced Poplar plywood. Wheely Bugs are designed to promote active play and are safe for children, tested to meet various safety standards.
Available to ship immediately - check them out on our website!

08/07/2026

Teaching toddlers about diversity involves engaging them in activities that promote understanding and acceptance of differences. Here are some effective ways to do this:
Dress-Up Play: Create a dress-up area with clothing and props from different cultures to encourage children to explore their own uniqueness and the diversity of others.
Friendship Chain: Use paper chains to represent the interconnectedness of diverse communities, allowing children to learn about the importance of diversity in their lives.
Paper Plate Faces: Engage children in creating faces with paper plates, discussing what makes each person unique and encouraging them to share their own features.
Art from Around the World: Explore art projects inspired by different cultures, such as Origami or pottery, to teach children about the creative ways people express themselves.

This is a simple activity for kids to learn about diversity.Let’s...

07/07/2026

New Product Alert!

We are excited that we are now stocking the EC Friendship Colours lines. We have everything from 500ml paint to sets of paint sticks, sorting bowls and coming soon will be craft paper and foam sheets.
Celebrate identity, creativity, and inclusivity with the Friendship Colours - featuring six rich skin tone shades—Sand, Espresso, Honey, Mahogany, Peach and Olive—empowering students to represent themselves and others authentically through art. Perfect for classroom portrait projects, cultural explorations and identity-based work, these colours encourages every student to feel seen and valued in their creative expression.

06/07/2026

It's the second week of the school holidays here in Victoria and it's looking like being a great week full of sunshine, even if it is a little chilly!
Looking for something to do? Why not head out to the back beaches of the Mornington Peninsula and check out the rockpools? There are hours of fun to be had, searching for shells and little creatures that live in rockpools. Check them out but leave them there! Sorrento back beach is awesome and the carpark is right near the beach. ❤️