Engaging activities to inspire learning and play
Play is the primary way young children learn about themselves and the world around them. Through play, children develop critical cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills that form the foundation for lifelong learning. Our carefully curated activity library offers Australian families a wealth of ideas to engage children from birth through age five in meaningful, developmentally appropriate play experiences.
Each activity in our collection has been designed with specific developmental benefits in mind, from building fine motor skills through arts and crafts to encouraging language development through songs and stories. Whether you're looking for sensory play ideas for your baby, active games for your energetic toddler, or school-readiness activities for your preschooler, you'll find inspiration here. Best of all, most activities use simple materials you already have at home.
Age: 3-12 months
Engage your baby's senses with texture exploration, sensory bottles, and tactile play mats.
Age: 0-12 months
Sing nursery rhymes, play gentle music, and dance together to support rhythm and bonding.
Age: 0-12 months
Share board books with bright pictures, textures, and simple stories.
Age: 0-6 months
Make tummy time engaging with mirrors, toys, and face-to-face interaction.
Age: 18 months - 3 years
Finger painting, playdough creations, sticker art, and collage making.
Age: 1-3 years
Ball games, obstacle courses, dancing, climbing, and outdoor exploration.
Age: 18 months - 3 years
Color sorting, shape matching, size sequencing, and simple puzzles.
Age: 18 months - 3 years
Pretend cooking, dress-up, caring for dolls, and playing with toy vehicles.
Age: 1-3 years
Bath toys, water tables, pouring activities, and supervised splashing.
Age: 1-3 years
Action songs, nursery rhymes, musical instruments, and rhythm activities.
Age: 3-5 years
Tracing, drawing shapes, letter formation, and name writing practice.
Age: 3-5 years
Counting games, number recognition, pattern making, and simple addition.
Age: 3-5 years
Simple experiments with color mixing, floating/sinking, and growing plants.
Age: 3-5 years
Storytelling, letter recognition, phonics games, and shared reading.
Age: 3-5 years
Block building, LEGO creations, marble runs, and architectural challenges.
Age: 3-5 years
Cutting activities, gluing projects, painting, and mixed-media art.
Age: 3-5 years
Nature walks, collecting treasures, bug hunting, and outdoor observations.
Age: 3-5 years
Role-playing scenarios, puppet shows, and elaborate pretend play.
Make the most of Australia's beautiful outdoors with beach trips, park visits, and playground adventures.
Plant seeds, water gardens, and watch things grow with your little helpers.
Bike riding, scootering, bush walking, and family sports activities.
Visit wildlife parks, bird watching, and learning about native animals.
Every child is unique and develops interests at their own pace. If your child isn't engaged with a particular activity, try modifying it to match their current interests—for example, if they love cars, incorporate toy vehicles into sorting games or sensory play. You can also explore activities from other age groups, as developmental stages don't always align perfectly with chronological age. The most important thing is following your child's lead and making play enjoyable for both of you.
Young children don't need heavily scheduled days. Unstructured free play is actually essential for development, allowing children to explore their own interests and develop creativity. A good balance might include some focused activity time (like reading together or doing a craft), plenty of free play, outdoor time, and quiet rest periods. For children under 5, the Australian guidelines recommend at least three hours of physical activity throughout the day, including both structured and unstructured play.
Absolutely! You don't need to be artistic to support your child's play and development. The activities we suggest focus on the process rather than the outcome—it doesn't matter if the craft doesn't look perfect or the play doesn't go as planned. Your engagement and attention are what matter most. Many activities require no artistic skill at all, such as sensory play, outdoor exploration, singing, and reading. Your enthusiasm and presence are the most valuable contributions you can make.
Little Ones Online offers a comprehensive collection of age-appropriate activities designed to support children's development while making learning fun. Our activity guides are perfect for Australian families looking to engage their children in meaningful play experiences at home, in the backyard, or exploring the great Australian outdoors. From sensory play for babies that stimulates early brain development, to creative crafts for toddlers that build fine motor skills, to school-readiness activities for preschoolers preparing for kindergarten, we provide ideas that are both educational and enjoyable. Each activity is designed with children's developmental needs in mind, supporting skills like problem-solving, creativity, physical coordination, language development, and social-emotional growth. Whether you're looking for rainy day indoor activities, outdoor adventures that take advantage of Australia's beautiful climate, or quiet activities for calm moments, Little Ones Online has ideas to inspire play and learning every day.