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Sheena | DIY mum | Sensory play | Crafts

@learning.with.athena

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🌈 Kids crafts | Sensory bins | Toy ideas
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Blast off into sensory play! 🚀🌎✨
We’ve turned playdough time into a hands-on journey through the solar system with planet cutters, astronaut embossers, and space rollers that spark creativity and curiosity.

Little learners can explore the planets, practise fine motor skills, create their own galaxies, and imagine life among the stars 🌙🪐👩‍🚀

Because learning about space is even better when it’s squishy, messy, and full of imagination 💫

Which planet would your little astronaut visit first? 🚀

All our playdough abd playdough accessories can be found at @playsensedough use our code ATHENA15 to save on your order 😍

#playdoughplay #sensoryplay #invitationtoplay #spaceplay #spaceactivities by @learning.with.athena

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2 months ago

Who needs a trip to the ice cream shop when you can scoop up a little magic at home? 🍦✨

We turned our fizzy play into the sweetest fairy garden treat using our new wooden potion bowls and spoons… and suddenly it wasn’t just sensory play — it was an enchanted ice cream café run by tiny forest fairies. 🌸

There’s something so special about slowing down, mixing, scooping, sprinkling… and watching their imaginations bloom. Simple play, a little fizz, and a whole lot of magic. 💫

Childhood really is made of moments like these.

All wooden bowls, spoons, and icecreams from the beautiful collection at @cubsandsprouts DC | ATHENA15

#sensoryplay #fizzyplay #toddleractivities #imaginativeplay #potionplay by @learning.with.athena

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5 months ago

POV: You walk into the shops for one Easter bunny and leave questioning your life choices 🫠🐰

$15 for a Cadbury bunny?! This Easter the kids are getting something that lasts longer than 5 minutes… and doesn’t melt in the car on the way home.

Our 3D printed playdough duckie is reusable, sustainable, and keeps little hands busy long after the chocolate coma would’ve worn off. 🌼

Less sugar rush.
More creative play.
And you can reuse it every single year.

Because honestly… we love a treat, but we also love a gift that doesn’t disappear before lunch. 🙃

For easter gifts that keep on giving check out @beadiebugplay new range. Use ATHENA10 to save!

#EasterIdeas #SustainableEaster #EasterForKids #PlaydoughFun by @learning.with.athena

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5 months ago

All Aussies core christmas memories.

Who needs snow and a sleigh when you have sunscreen and a fire truck 🚒🎅🇦🇺

#aussiechristmas #onlyinaustralia #aussiesummer #santavisit
#santaonthefiretruck #christmasinaustralia #aussiekids
#summerchristmas #christmasvibes #festivefun
#familychristmas #communitychristmas #aussielife by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

Setting up Santa’s snacks, the magic key & reindeer food like ✨this is our full-time job✨

Because behind every magical Christmas… is a parent running on vibes, caffeine & pure commitment.

Almost done, fellow magic makers 🎅🏼😅

Felts goodies from @cubsandsprouts DC | ATHENA15

#ChristmasMagic
#MagicMakers
#ParentLife
#ChristmasChaos
#TiredParents
#SantaPrep
#ChristmasEveTraditions
#CreatingMemories
#MumLife
#FamilyChristmas
#RealLifeParenting
#BehindTheMagic
#FestiveFeels by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

Wait for it… 👀

No tiles underneath.

No extra support.

Just ONE Connetix PRO tile holding a vertical marble run like a champ 💪

PRO magnets really do hit different.

@connetix_pro gifted.

#connetixpro #connetixtiles #magnetictiles #marblerun #stemplay
#openendedplay #constructionplay #strongmagnets #playbasedlearning
#toylearning #kidstoys #aussietoys #toddlerplay #preschoolplay
#learningthroughplay #creativeplay #sensoryplay #buildbig by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

Serving up a slice of sensory fun 🍕✨

Fluffy pizza-base slime + goopy red sauce + real mint ‘herbs’ = the cutest pretend-play pizza ever!

Adding in our new yellow door pizza veggies to really transform our play experience.

Who’s ordering the first squishy slice? 😍

I made the slime. See previous reel for recipe.
For the pizza base we added in air dry clay from officeworks for the colour and cloud texture. Just knead clay into slime.

Inspired by the new @rudienudie_designs playmat DC | ATHENA ✌️

Yellow door stones from @the.curated.parcel DC | ATHENA10

#sensoryplayideas #slimeplay #pizzaslime #montessoriplay #playinspired #toddlerplayideas #preschoolplay #invitationtoplay #littlelearners #finemotorskills #earlylearning #playathome #creativeplayideas #slimerecipes #slimefun #aussieplay #aussiemum #mumlifeaus #kidscraftideas #loosepartsplay #sensoryfun #playreels #reelsforkids by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

Stronger tiles = stronger Christmas magic ✨

We used our new Connetix Pro to make the cutest magnetic tree ornaments!

Just build your shape, add a ribbon, overlap a tile to lock it in… and hang! 🎄💫

Such a fun, easy and aesthetic holiday craft for little hands.

@connetix_pro best tiles for stem learning for your older kids ✌️😍

#connetix #connetixtiles #connetixpro #magnetictiles #magnetictileplay #invitationtoplay #playideasforkids #creativeplay #kidsactivities #easychristmascrafts #christmasforkids #festivefun #montessoriplay #montessoriathome #playinspo #christmasactivity #aussiechristmas #kidschristmascrafts #toddleractivities #preschoolactivities #christmasdecorcrafts by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

I used to wander toy aisles hoping something would help with development… 😅

Now I just open our Lovevery kit and everything we need is right there.

These toys aren’t just pretty — they’re built to support brain development, problem solving, independence and early STEM skills.
And because they’re stage-based, you’re not wasting money on toys that aren’t right for your child’s age.

It’s guided learning, expert-designed play, and long-lasting quality — which means more purpose and less guesswork.

Honestly? Best investment we’ve made in our toy shelf.

Use our code LOVELEARNINGWITHATHENA20 to save 20% off your first kit ✨️

@lovevery.au #loveverygift

#lovevery #loveveryplaykits #montessoriplay #montessoribaby #montessoritoddler #earlylearning #toddleractivities #toddlerdevelopment #sensoryplayideas #purposefulplay #playtolearn #parentingtips #mumlifeaustralia #aussiemum #toddlerplayideas #earlychildhooddevelopment by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

School holidays: Day 1.
Time: 8:47am.

Activities completed: Slime bubble science 🫧

Energy levels:… questionable 😂

But the giant bubbles? Totally worth it!

Standard clear slime recipe ⤵️

100 ml warm water
50 ml clear slime
Food colouring/ glitter optional.
Mix.

Activator
25 ml warm water
1 tsp borax solutions
Mix togther in a small cup until dissolved.

Add 1 tsp at a time mixing well into glue mix.

Mix and add tsp at a time until combined.

Store in container.

Note: plain vinegar will dissolve glue bonds of slime. If slime gets in hair, clothes or furniture just add straight vinegar and pull the slime apart. Then clean with normal cleaning solution.

#schoolholidays #schoolholidayfun #aussiemum #aussiemums #slimeplay #slimebubbles #kidsactivities #playideas #earlylearning #toddlerplayideas #kidsofinstagram #sensoryplayideas #australianmums #playathome #mumlifeaustralia #mumlifeau #invitationtoplay #simpleplay #learnthroughplay #playreels #playinspo #homemadeslime by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

Christmas play with a twist 🎄🧲

We built a magnetic tile Christmas tree and added magnetic chips for decorating… but to make it extra engaging, I popped ball run pieces on top so the chips dropped inside the tree 🎣

My daughter used her magnetic fishing pole to fish the chips out before decorating — turning this into a 2-for-1 activity 🙌

✨ Fine motor skills
✨ Hand–eye coordination
✨ Problem solving
✨ Focus & patience
✨ Open-ended festive play

Proof that Christmas activities can be simple, educational and magical ✨
Save this for your festive play ideas 🤍

@connetix_tiles gifted.

#christmasplay #christmasactivitiesforkids #festiveplay
#magnetictiles #stemplay #finemotorskills
#toddlerplayideas #earlylearningathome
#openendedplay #playbasedlearning
#kidsactivities #christmasathome
#sensoryplay #learningthroughplay
#toddleractivities #mumlifeaustralia #aussiekids by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago

We made taste-safe sensory snow and it honestly feels just like the real thing ❄️

Soft, mouldable and perfect for little hands — plus totally worry-free for curious mouths.

I loved watching her turn it into tiny snowmen using loose parts, building imagination, fine motor skills and sensory awareness all through play 🤍

Perfect for hot Aussie summers when we still want a little winter magic ✨

Recipe below ⬇️
1 cup bicarb soda
½ cup sugar
½ cup cornflour
1 tbsp cream of tartar
4 tbsp water

Mix and let the snow magic begin ❄️

Taste safe does not mean edible. This recipe is not to be consumed. But it is non toxic with taste safe ingredients. It is upto the discrection of parent if this is suitable for your child. Always supervised play with small children.

Snow can be stored in container for more use.

#tastesafesensory #sensorysnow #sensoryplayideas
#toddlersensory #playbasedlearning #fineplay
#invitationtoplay #earlyyearslearning
#handsonlearning #openendedplay
#aussiemums #aussietoddlers
#summerwinterplay #loosepartplay
#homemadesensory #reelsforkids #kidsactivitiesathome by @learning.with.athena

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7 months ago