Zero or low-cost play ideas
Welcome to our magical world of zero or low-cost play time ideas for children! We believe that every child deserves to experience the joy of play without the burden of financial constraints. In a world where the cost of living crisis can be overwhelming for families, providing affordable and accessible play options for children is not only beneficial but essential for their happiness and development.
Play is a natural and fundamental right for every child, fostering creativity, imagination, and social skills. It allows them to explore the world around them, discover their passions, and build lasting memories. By embracing low-cost playtime, we not only empower children to engage in enjoyable activities but also cultivate a sense of resourcefulness and adaptability in them.
In today's fast-paced and technology-driven era, it's easy to get lost in the allure of expensive toys and gadgets. However, we firmly believe that the true magic of play lies in the simplicity of everyday objects and the boundless power of imagination. From creating art with recycled materials to building forts from cardboard boxes, these affordable playtime ideas can spark their creativity in ways that money can't buy.
At our core, we are committed to helping families rediscover the joy of play without the burden of financial strain. We hope that our curated collection of zero or low-cost playtime ideas will not only bring smiles to children's faces but also relieve parents from the pressure of spending beyond their means.
Homemade bubbles
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
1 Large cup
1 Spoon
Bubble wands
1 Container with lid (optional)
Materials
1/2 cup dish soap
1 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons sugar
Steps:
1. Pour 1/2 cup of dish soap into a large cup.
2. Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the dish soap in the cup.
3. Measure 2 teaspoons of sugar and add it to the water/soap mixture.
4. Gently stir your mixture.
5. Go outside and play with your bubbles. Whatever mixture you don't use, you can put it into a container for another day.
Cardboard boxes
Cardboard boxes are thrown away all the time. But have you ever thought about leaving them in the house for your child to play with? Using your imaginations combined, you could turn these boxes into
cars, cubbyhouses, shop counters, kitchen stoves and more.
If you want your child to be able to change or decorate the box, some of these might be useful:
Scissors or a craft knife (adult use only), tape and gluepaints, marker pens or thick crayons.
If your child needs suggestions to get started, you could try these ideas:
Make a house. Cut open a window and a door and let your child add cushions and other ‘furniture’. Your child could bring in some toys for a tea party.
Make a plane or a car. Use paper plates for wheels and steering wheels. Cut off the box flaps and stick them back on as the wings and tail of a plane. Let your child draw or paste markings and racing stripes.
Make a robot costume. Cut out a head hole and armholes and let your child decorate the box with foil or shiny paper.
Make a puppet theatre. Cut a doorway and a window on opposite sides of the box. Hang a curtain over the window and let your child put on a show for the family from inside the box.
Decorate the box. Cut holes for your child to stick colourful cellophane over. Let your child draw or paint on it, and stick paper or scraps of fabric of different textures inside and outside for a sensory experience.
Use the box to encourage active play. For example, turn it sideways to make a tunnel. Or your child could be a jack-in-the-box – crouching low inside the box and then jumping up like they’re on a spring.
Make kinetic sand
You can make magic sand with ingredients in your cupboards!
What You'll Need
1 cup of sand
1 tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp washing up liquid
Food colouring
Water
Steps:
1. Put the sand in a bowl and add the cornflour. Mix well.
2. Add the washing up liquid and a splash of water. Stir to create a paste (add a little more water if needed).
3. Add a few drops of food colouring – you could even try making different batches of different colours. Keep adding and mixing until the sand changes colour.
4. Leave the mixture to dry. If it’s too wet, add a bit more cornflour.
Build and create shapes or enjoy squishing the magic sand!
Learn magic
You and your children can search online for easy and impressive magic tricks. Most magic tricks only require paper, pencils, and decks of cards and maybe some coins. You can work together or leave them to learn on their own using YouTube or child friendly websites.
Here are some easy tricks we found online.
Build a fort
If you have a washing line, you can hang your bed sheets over the line with one on top and more over each side of the washing line to create a den inside. Use pegs to secure the sheets.
Add a blanket and cushions to make it a cosy hide-out spot for your children. Bring them some toys and snacks and they can fun for hours in the shade.
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* All our carers are paid above the Fostering Network Payment Guidelines.
(made to each fostering household with a placement).
(made to each fostering household with a placement).