Activity Review: Arty Crafty Toddler

Today, my little man and I joined the lovely Becky at an Arty Crafty Toddler class at All Things Nice in Ewell Village. After grabbing a fab cup of tea in the cafe, we were called in to start the class.

Becky, a mum of two and registered child-minder, set up the classes as she knows just how difficult and stressful messy-play can be. Her and I were chatting today, and she said: "Often it takes hours to set up a messy-play area at home, and your children are interested in it for 5 minutes. And then you still have everything to clean up."

At Arty Crafty Toddler, Becky takes the hard work out of it; and children (and parents or carers) are just left with the fun part. Children are encouraged to play and experiment, while learning. As Becky says: "it's about the process not the end product".

Every week she prepares a different theme - this week it was a beach/ sea theme, and we were so lucky to have sunny weather for it too.

Activities included sand play, flip-flop printing, fish painting, making starfish and a "real-life" rock pool with fish and sea animals. There were also books, relating to the theme, around the room; and occasionally Becky would read to the children while they were playing. Some would stop and get involved in the story, while others just enjoyed listening.

The whole session was quite therapeutic and rather relaxing, considering there are so many toddlers in one room. :)

Becky has a foundation degree in Early Years, NVQ, training in Montessori and Hospital Play, and is first aid trained. So you are in VERY good hands!!!

We loved the class and will definitely be returning.

Further information:

Contact: Rebecca Browne
Telephone number: 07956469340
Website: Arty Crafty Toddler
Facebook page: Arty Crafty Toddler
Venue: All Things Nice in Ewell Village (90 The High Street, KT17 1RE)
[You can find All Things Nice on Facebook HERE]
Parking: There are parking spaces on the High Street, and two paid car parks just off the High Street. Parking in the car parks start at just 30p for the first hour.
Classes cost £6 and run from 10am - 11am

Sock Snowman

My friend, Hannah, posted her cute little sock snowmen on Facebook recently. I just loved them, and thought it would be a fantastic Christmas activity; especially after we had snow yesterday - not enough to make a real snowman, mind you.

She sent me a link to Then she made... and I eagerly found all the bits, in our house, to put the little snowman together. He didn't quite end up like I wanted him to (I was going for a jazzy sequinned snowman), but this is what happens when you let a toddler chose what you are going to do. 

 I still think he is very cute - and think we'll have to get some more socks, so we can make more... Maybe I will get a jazzy snowman too! :)

You need a long white sports sock, an elastic band (I used a hair band), material for scarf and/or shirt, rice or beans, string, a tooth pick or BBQ stick painted orange, a black marker and some pins. You can also use beads, sequins and buttons.

• Cut the toe off the sock and tie with an elastic or hair band
• Turn inside out and fill with rice or beans

• Tie the top closed and cut off the top rim of the sock
• Tie two pieces of string on the body, to make three body parts
• Dress your snowman

• For the eyes, I coloured pins with a black marker - thought that would look the most like a traditional snowman 

• Glue the nose on

And voilà! Your little snowman is complete. 

Enjoy!

Kalli x