Shape Matching File Folder Game

Good morning all!!

Today I'm back with yet another file folder game! (I've mentioned how much I like these.. right??)

Shape matching! This game goes beyond the basic square, circle, triangle, and introduces preschoolers to a larger range of shapes. Now, I'm not expecting a toddler to understand the difference between a hexagon and an octagon straight up, but there is no harm in exposing them to these shapes and words from the get go.

For younger kids it will be a simple matching game, and learning to recognise the shapes, their names, and also colours (eg, What colour is the star?, Which shape is green?) For older kids you can talk about the shapes some more, for example, how many sides they have or what other things in life resemble the shapes.

New to file folder games? It's super simple to do!

Here's How!

You'll need to download the files at the bottom of this post. The PDF contains both sets of shapes and a cover page.

Print out each set twice.

Take one copy of each set and laminate the entire sheet. If you don't have a laminate machine you can use clear contact, or if you like you can leave the sheets as is. I laminate everything, so it can be used over and over.

Stick these 2 laminated sheets into the inside of your file folder. I used double sided tape to attach them as I find it sticks better.

Take the second copy of each set and cut the shapes out. Laminate the shapes, and cut them from the laminate sheet.

Here comes the fun part.. Velcro dots! I know I've talked about these before, but honestly, the VERY best way of attaching Velcro to laminate is by using the self adhesive sticky Velcro dots! Easy!

Place one dot on the back of the shape, and the other on the shape it matches on the folder. That's it! Your done!

If you are not using laminate or contact to cover your pieces, then I strongly recommend that you also avoid the Velcro. The pieces will rip when being removed if you have Velcro on them, so just sliding them into place would work fine. If this is the option you use, you can store the pieces in an envelope, and stick the envelope to the back of the folder, so pieces don't go missing.

Put the cover on the folder. Again, I used double sided tape. Boy I love that stuff!

That's it lovelies, you are done! Now let your toddler/preschooler have some fun with it!

Number Puzzle File Folder Game

Morning all!

We've been exploring file folder games for a while now, and Master J really REALLY enjoys them! I really enjoy how easy they are to store, and to make.

Not only are they oodles of fun, but they are educational, and great for hand eye co-ordination too. I've got a few more of these up my sleeve this year so keep an eye out for them!

Today's file folder game is for puzzle number matching. We've been working on numbers a lot lately so I thought a puzzle match would be fantastic to help with number/word recognition and also matching. I have colour coded them to help out younger kids, but if you want to make it a little more challenging you could always print it in black and white.

If you've never made a file folder game before, they are super easy to do!

Here's How!

First, grab the files and print them, you can find them at the bottom of this post

Cut the pieces out! Now, I laminate EVERYTHING because I want them to last got a long time, but if you don't have one, you could always clear contact them, or not cover them at all and just use the pieces as they are, however I wouldn't use Velcro on them if you are not covering them, as they may rip easily.

I positioned the word side of each puzzle on some coloured paper and laminated the entire sheet, and then stuck it into the file folder with double sided tape.

For the other half of the puzzles, I laminated them cut them out, and used velcro self sticking dots for attaching them to the file folder in the right spots. Honestly, I had such trouble finding a way of sticking things to laminate! I went through 5 types of glue and nothing would hold, and then a friend mentioned the self sticking dots and they work PERFECTLY! So forget the glue, and grab the dots! I picked mine up from Woolworths (a big pack for around $6), but most craft/grocery/discount stores have them.

Then stick the cover on the folder and your done! Told you it was easy peasy. I used double sided tape for the cover too, and I didn't bother to laminate that piece.

The only thing left to do now is enjoy it with your little one!

10 Discovery Bottles for Baby

Good morning all!

A few weeks back hubby bought home a 12 pack of mini Cokes in the groceries. These little 300ml bottles are just so cute, I knew I had to do something with them. Then it hit me, sensory play for Master J! The bottles are lightweight and sturdy and little hands can easily grab them. The girls and I made 10 of them. We used a combination of light non water materials for when Master J is having floor time (to minimise clonks to the head, because lets face it, babies are clumsy) and some heavier liquid filled ones that the girls want to use with him while he is sitting upright.

I am happy to report that so far these have been a HUGE hit with all 4 kids. Miss C, my special needs gal, especially loves the liquid ones, they seem to calm her when she gets anxious, and of course Master J thinks they are all just fantastic. He gets to explore all these tiny fun looking items, without the choking hazard. We can't wait to make some more!

So below are the 10 we made, with their "ingredient" lists. I hot glued the caps on all of the bottles, even the non liquid ones, to make sure they stay shut. Be sure you have everything you want in the bottles before sealing them, because trust me, once the caps are glued on, they stay put!

1: The green bottle. This bottle has all things green. Pompoms, buttons, beads, sequins, bows, letters, mini craft sticks, loom bands and a cut up straw, no water. It makes fun sounds when you shake it.

2: Pink pompom bottle. This one has various size and textured pink pompoms and was filled with water. Some of the pink dye ran from the glittery pompom and tinted the water. The pompoms float to the top gently, its a nice calming bottle.

3: Seashell bottle. This one has no water. Instead we put in some shells the girls had collected on our last trip to St Helens (a mix of tiny and 'it will only just fit in the top') and some rice. Its such a pretty bottle and one of my favourites. It just screams summer. Master J loves the sound it makes.

4: Bands and buttons bottle. This bottle has some loom bands (left over from the short lived craze) and some buttons and filled with water. The buttons sink, the bands float. The kids enjoy watching the pieces swap places when they turn the bottle and the buttons make a soft clinking sound when they touch down.

 5: Beads and rice. This bottle is simple, yet pretty. It has a bunch of beads in various sizes, shapes and colours and then 3/4 full of plain white rice. Not only does this one make a fun sound but the girls like seeing how many different beads they can see in there.

6: Pompom bottle. This bottle has a bunch of pompoms. All different sizes and colours. This is one of the lightest bottles and while it doesn't make much sound, Master J loves rolling it around in his hand as the pompoms gently fall about.

7: Glitter goop. This bottle looks kinda gross, but Miss M thinks its the best! We just used a half bottle of red glitter glue, a few drops of red food colouring to make it brighter and some warm water to help break the glue up. If I made this again I'd add some heavier glitter, the stuff in there just hangs about where it is, rather then floating or sinking but it has some beautiful colours, especially when held to the light.

8: The earth bottle. The girls have dubbed this one the earth bottle because it is just green and blue straws all cut up. Master J loves this one, its light and it makes an impressive sound when he waves it around.

9: Treasure Bottle. This bottle has a whole bunch of leftover beads the girls had (I *think* they are the ones you heat to make stick together) then we put in some treasures. There are some charms, a piece of ribbon, a short length of silver ball chain, some silver letters and some fancy buttons. This is another excellent noise maker and its fun to spy the items inside.

10: The ocean bottle. Ohh this one is such fun! It is roughly 1/2 sunflower oil, 1/4 water that was tinted blue and some space left for shaking fun. We also added some greenish coloured sequins that float between the layers. The girls like to go from making gentle waves to really shaking it to see everything foam up and then resettle.

Thats it peeps! 10 super easy, super fun discovery bottles for little (and not so little) hands to play with. Everything in these came from my cupboards, I didn't purchase a thing... Well, aside from the coke but hey that doesn't count because I totally upcycled the bottles into something way fun!