Stamping Activities


This simple stamping craft idea is a fun way to paint with different natural items making it a frugal and easy activity to set up. It promotes creativity and is a great activity for developing fine motor skills. It’s very important for the little ones to hold the stamps between their thumb and fingers so that the muscles between the thumb and fingers get stronger. We had so much fun with this and loved exploring the different sounds, textures and patterns the natural leaves and handmade stamps made.


What you’ll need


• Potatoes • Leaves • Lemons • 251297 Cookie Cutters • 800161 Large Sea Shells • 749818 YPO Ready Mixed Paint


Method 1. Cut potatoes and lemons in half.


2. Use the cookie cutters by pressing them into the flat side of the half potato to make the desired shape and pull off the excess potato around the cookie cutter then take the cookie cutter off.


UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD


PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT


EXPRESSIVE ARTS & DESIGN


3. Put some different colours of paint on to a tray and use the potatoes, leaves, lemons and shells as stamps by putting the paint on the end with a brush and printing onto


paper.


Shop Little Learners ypo.co.uk/earlyyears


5


Loose Parts Construction


We created this loose parts invitation to play using a variety of different elements that aim to ignite imaginations and provoke curiosity. We also made up a batch of our natural playdough to use as cement and encouraged our little learners to squish, squash and squeeze it to get those finger joints working!


We used a selection of bought and salvaged items, some of which are listed below, but one of the easiest (and amazing) things about loose parts play is that anything from buttons to bottle tops can be used.


What you’ll need


• 302222 Recycled Craft Rolls – Pack of 24 • 302362 Wood Buttons • 533548 Corks – Pack of 50 • 303874 Dolly Pegs with Stand – Pack of 10 • 230057 Lolly Sticks • 302379 Wood Mix • 800160 Natural Tea Branches • 800156 Natural Bamboo Circles • 301542 Natural Jute String


Natural Dough


What you’ll need • 150g plain flour • 75g salt • 250ml boiling water • 2tbs cream of tartar • 1tbs vegetable oil


Method


Place all ingredients in the bowl apart from the boiling water. Give them a good stir and then start to add the boiling water mixing well until it’s all combined and ready to use.


The dough should keep for one or two weeks inside a sealed plastic bag.


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