1. Pick the empty cardstock card with any colour you want. Smaller cards are better as they don’t make the finger prints look so tiny and keep them in proportion.

2. Press your fingers (or your child’s fingers) in paint and press onto the paper. The pattern of the finger prints will depend on the design you are doing. Use brown or gold fingerprints for the reindeer heads, gold with green and red for the Christmas elf card. Use multi-coloured paints for the fairy lights card. Set aside and allow to dry.

3. Glue on the googly eyes or using a black pen or a sharpie, add the details such as reindeer antlers and face, elf hats, shoes etc.

‍1. Have your child seated at a small table or in their high chair/activity chair.  I like to use the high chair because it keeps my wild 16 month old contained when doing these types of activities.  Kids at this age can only hold their attention span for 3-4 minutes so I can’t expect her to sit that long if she’s not strapped in.

2. Demonstrate the activity for them first. Hold the sticker sheet, peel off a sticker, place it on the paper, and then push it down. They will then be so excited to try it on their own.

3. Hold the sticker sheet and have your toddler peel the sticker off.  You may need to start to peel it a little to assist them, but let them take it off the paper.  When they have it between their 2 fingers, have them place it down and push down with their finger to make it stick.

1. Preheat your oven to 180C / 160C Fan / 375C and Prepare a 30x23cm baking tin. Get your toddler to butter your baking tin then line the base and sides with baking paper.

‍2. Measure out the brownie ingredients. Get your kids to measure out all the ingredients and add them to a large mixing bowl or freestanding mixer. Weigh the butter and get your kids to cut it into small pieces. If it’s not soft enough, pop into the microwave for a few seconds to soften it and make it easier to mix. Measure everything else out in turn, in a small bowl before adding it to your mixing bowl. Get your kids to crack the eggs into a small bowl before you add them to your mixing bowl just in case any shell gets in. I normally have a spare bowl next to us so the kids can put the shell in there. If any small bits of shell do go in, the easiest way of fishing it out is with a large bit of shell.

‍3. Mix everything together. Use either a hand mixer, wooden spoons, or the k paddle of your freestanding mixer to mix everything together.

‍4. Bake the Christmas brownies. Spoon/pour the brownie mixture into the prepared baking tin. Give your kids a spatula and get them to spread the mixture gently into the corners and level the top. Bake the brownies in the oven for 40-45 minutes. If it starts to brown too much on top, cover it with foil for the last 10-15 minutes. The Christmas brownies are ready when they have a nice crust on top and if you stick a skewer in the middle it should come out relatively clean. If you like brownies that are still a bit gooey it’s ok for there to be a little mixture on the skewer.‍

5. Decorate the Christmas Reindeer Brownies. These cute Rudolfs are really easy to decorate which is why they’re the perfect Christmas brownie recipe. Once the brownies have cooled remove them from the tin and cut into squares – around 15-20 pieces depending on how big you want each piece to be. Take a small pretzel and push it into the corner of the brownie slice. Repeat this for the other ear. To stick the Smartie nose and eyes on, either use a little bit of icing from an icing writer if you have them or a few squares of melted chocolate. Serve and enjoy!

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1. First make the marshmallow snowman. Skewer the marshmallows together with a cocktail stick - cut off any of the stick that protrudes from the top. Use a little of the icing pen to stick a chocolate button and peanut butter cup to the top of each marshmallow stack, then draw on a face and 3 dots for buttons. Plait 3 strawberry laces and tie around the neck for a scarf. Stick the snowman to a cookie with a little more icing, then set aside to dry for a few mins.

2. Mix the cocoa and Horlicks together in the bottom of your jar. Put the snowman on top, then scatter around the mini marshmallows. Screw on the lid, tie with a ribbon and a gift tag with the following instructions: Warm 300ml milk in a pan. Remove the snowman from the jar and add the milk. Stir until smooth and chocolatey, then enjoy, with your marshmallow snowman for dunking.

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you need to find a way to get there 🙂

Bring your kid to the location and enjoy this period of time to recharge

READING TIPS FOR TODDLERS (AGE 1-3)

• Don't expect your toddler to sit still for a book. Toddlers need to move, so don't worry if they act out stories or just skip, romp, or tumble as you read to them. They may be moving, but they are listening.

• Recite rhymes, sing songs, and make mistakes! Pause to let your toddler finish a phrase or chant a refrain. Once your toddler is familiar with the rhyme or pattern, make mistakes on purpose and get caught.

• Choose engaging books. Books featuring animals or machines invite movement and making sounds. Books with flaps or different textures to touch keep hands busy. Books with detailed illustrations or recurring items hidden in the pictures are great for exploring and discussing.

• Keep reading short, simple, and often Toddlers frequently have shorter attention spans than babies. Look for text that is short and simple. Read a little bit, several times a day.

• Encourage play that involves naming, describing, and communicating. Set up a zoo with all the stuffed animals. Stage a race with the toy cars. Put your toddler in charge and ask lots of questions.

• Every day is an adventure when you're a toddler. Choose books about everyday experiences and feelings. Your child will identify with the characters as they dress, eat, visit, nap, and play.

• Ask questions. Take time to listen to your toddler's answers. Toddlers have strong opinions and interesting ideas about the world. Encourage your toddler to tell you what he or she thinks. You'll build language skills and learn what makes your toddler tick at the same time.

• Play to their favorites. Read favorite stories again and again. Seek out books about things your toddler especially likes — trains, animals, the moon. These books may extend a toddler's attention span and build enthusiasm for reading.

• Not having fun? Try a different story or a different time during the day. Reading with a very young child is primarily about building positive experiences with books, not finishing every book you start.

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READING TIPS FOR PRESCHOOLERS (AGE 3-5)

• Read together every day. Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.

• Give everything a name. Build your child's vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. For example, "Look at that airplane! Those are the wings of the plane. Why do you think they are called wings?"

• Say how much you enjoy reading. Tell your child how much you enjoy reading with him or her. Talk about "story time" as the favorite part of your day.

• Read with fun in your voice. Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up!

• Know when to stop. Put the book away for awhile if your child loses interest or is having trouble paying attention.

• Be interactive. Discuss what's happening in the book, point out things on the page, and ask questions.

• Read it again and again. Go ahead and read your child's favorite book for the 100th time!

• Talk about writing, too. Mention to your child how we read from left to right and how words are separated by spaces.

• Point out print everywhere. Talk about the written words you see in the world around you. Ask your child to find a new word on each outing.

• Get your child evaluated. Please be sure to see your child's pediatrician or teacher as soon as possible if you have concerns about your child's language development, hearing, or sight.