3.3y–5y12 minFree playArtQuiet time
Busy Fingers Play Stations
A simple set-up activity where you offer a few household play stations (small world, building, posting/threading, dressing, collage) and use warm prompts to extend your child's handling, planning, and independence.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a few small toys/figures or vehicles (small world)
- blocks or household stackables (cups/boxes)
- a small box with a slit (posting box) and a few cards/paper pieces
- old magazines/junk mail and paper (for collage)
Nice to have
- string/shoelace and large beads/pasta tubes (threading, adult supervised)
- a doll or stuffed toy and a few items of clothing
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide play resources including small-world toys, construction sets, threading and posting toys, dolls’ clothes and material for collage.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)