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Jana Hermes ✨ Family Life & Fun Play Ideas

@playroomstories

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Mum of 3 boys | Sydney 🇦🇺
Play & Craft activities • DIYs & Easy Hacks • Home Inspo • Food Ideas • Outings
💌 Mgmt: @alignwithoraco | [email protected]

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Love a good storage hack, then this is for you 🙌🏼

Follow first (read why below!), then comment “CASE” and I’ll send you the link to these via DM.
You need to be following me so you are able to receive my message! The trigger word will only work once! Please follow the steps (follow then comment) if you’d like the link, thank you 💕

I absolutely dislike thin and flimsy board game boxes and those which have a weird shape that are hard to stack and store.
I recently bought a couple of these cases at @kmartaus for our arts and craft stuff and realised that they are the perfect size for storing our broken board game boxes too 🥳🙌🏼
And as they are clear you can see what’s inside. These cases keep everything secure, stackable, and protected and our game cupboard chaos-free. Plus they’re great for travelling too.

This is such a simple switch, but trust me a total game changer!

How do you deal with broken board game boxes? Let me know if you need these storage cases in your life as well? 💕

Not sponsored, just a recommendation of something I love ✨

#playroominso #toystorage #travelideas #homeinspo #aussiemums #storageinspo #sydneymums #kmartliving #kmartfinds #kmartaus #amazonfinds by @playroomstories

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2 years ago

Aldi Australia Special Buys - Kids Toys

I’m back with some Aldi Australia Finds 🥰

These awesome @aldiaustralia kids finds went on sale today 7/10/26 🥳

There are a lot of fun educational toys and games as part of today‘s Special Buys. The sensory play dough packs are quite heavy and include a lot of utensils as well. Such a great deal! I also loved the plastic animal packs, especially the Aussie animals. These are perfect for sensory play and in the bath as well. The colouring books are super cute and would make a great stocking stuffer… Christmas is coming 😉😆

Did you spot anything that you would love? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing from you 💕

#aldiaustralia #aldispecialbuys #bargainfinds #aussiemums #kidsfinds by @playroomstories

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9 days ago

Halloween Arcade Game DIY ⬇️

We turned some cardboard into our very own Halloween throwing game, and the boys have been having so much fun putting their throwing skills to the test 👻

With our annual Halloween party coming up, they’ve been busy practising their throws, counting their scores and sneaking in some maths and learning through play without even realising it 😆

I designed the cardboard game with five target holes and added reinforcement rings around each one to make it extra sturdy. We used our Makedo Tools and Scrus to put everything together, and together we chose a different Halloween design for each flap. I love that they can be easily changed once Halloween is over!

I also added a little ramp inside with an opening at the bottom so the balls roll back out and the game is ready for the next player.

This is such a fun DIY cardboard toy and kids’ craft activity to make together, especially if you’re looking for screen-free activities, creative play ideas and affordable DIY toys. Its’ also a great way to give some old cardboard boxes a second life 🙌🏼

Would your kids love having their own DIY arcade game at home? What’s their favourite carnival game to play?

If you like the idea of getting creative with your kids too and want to get your own Makedo Tools and Scrus,
use our discount code PLAYROOMSTORIES for 10% off at checkout at www.make.do/PLAYROOMSTORIES ✨

Thanks so much for the fun collab Makedo 💕

#mymakedo #simpleplayideas #stemactivitiesforkids #screenfreekids #homeschoolingideas by @playroomstories

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17 days ago

Get ready for a lot of magic and a whole lot of fun ⬇️

We had the best time at The Greatest Magic Show and my boys were fascinated by the all tricks and laughed their heads off many times during the show. I loved watching their reactions just as much as the show itself!

With mind-blowing magic, hilarious moments and plenty of audience interaction, there’s something to keep both kids and adults laughing and guessing.

If you’re looking for a super fun family outing during these school holidays, definitely add this one to your list!

🎩 The Greatest Magic Show @thegreatestmagicshow
🥳 Sydney Fringe Festival
📍 The Virago at Fool’s Paradise, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
🗓 Sep 26th – Oct 11th 2026
🕰 12pm, show length 60 minutes
✨ Every child gets a FREE magic wand at the start of the show
🎟 ON SALE NOW! https://sydneyfringe.com/events/the-greatest-magic-show/
🅿️ 2 hours free parking

#syneyfringe #sydneymums #aussiemums #thingstodoinsydney #sydneylocal
@entertainmentquarter @sydneyfringe @cavanaghpr by @playroomstories

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19 days ago

Aldi Australia Special Buys - Kids Wooden & Pretend Play Toys - Part 2

I’m back with some Aldi Australia Finds 🥰

These awesome @aldiaustralia kids finds went on sale today 23/9/26 🥳

You can find part 1 on my feed 😉

There are a lot of kids sized kitchen utensils and cookbooks in the second part of today‘s Special Buys. Our Aldi did not receive all of the items (I was told some were delayed) but what they had looked really fun. I loved the different cookbook set that included baking utensils. These would make a great present! The bamboo trays also came in an elephant and butterfly design (I just ran out of space again, sorry!).

This post also contains the rest of the wooden toy range they have in store today. If you see something that you’d like to get for your kids (Christmas is less than 100 days away 🙈), please head to your nearest Aldi asap. You can also check store availability of the products on the Aldi website.

If you’re interested in seeing more of the wooden toys and pretend play items, head to my feed and check out part 1 😊

Did you spot anything that you would love? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing from you 💕

#aldiaustralia #aldispecialbuys #bargainfinds #aussiemums #kidsfinds by @playroomstories

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23 days ago

Aldi Australia Special Buys - Kids Finds - Wooden & Pretend Play Toys

I’m back with some Aldi Australia Finds 🥰

These awesome @aldiaustralia kids finds went on sale today 23/9/26 🥳

This range is so fun and always sells out quickly so if you see something that you’d like to get for your kids (Christmas is less than 100 days away 🙈), please head to your nearest Aldi asap. You can also check the store availability of the products on the Aldi website.

There are a lot of pretend play items for the play kitchen, wooden train tracks and other prentend play items.

We have a lot of Aldi wooden toys from previous years and they’ve been very loved by my kids and held up pretty well.

I’ve just posted part 2 as there’s more items than I can show on one post plus there’s also the kids kitchen range 😉 head to my feed, it’s the post in front of this one if you’re interested in seeing more.

Did you spot anything that you would love? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing from you 💕

#aldiaustralia #aldispecialbuys #bargainfinds #aussiemums #kidsfinds by @playroomstories

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23 days ago

One cardboard ball run was never going to be enough!

We gave our @makedo ball run box a little upgrade by turning the empty space on the back into a coin run, using cardboard offcuts from previous projects and our Makedo Tools and Scrus. A bit of testing, a change of plan halfway through and plenty of coins later… and we have a new favourite DIY toy!

I love that Makedo allows us to be creative together and turn recycled cardboard into something fun. It’s the perfect example of recycle and play, encouraging problem-solving, fine motor skills and learning through play, while giving leftover materials a second life.

Sustainable toys, open-ended play and hours of fun without needing to buy something new. That’s always a win in my opinion 😉

Would your kids choose a ball run or a coin run? I’d love to know 💕

If you like the idea of getting creative with your kids too and want to get your own Makedo Tools and Scrus,
use our discount code PLAYROOMSTORIES for 10% off at checkout at www.make.do/PLAYROOMSTORIES ✨

Thanks so much for the fun collab Makedo 💕

#mymakedo #simpleplayideas #stemactivitiesforkids #screenfreekids #homeschoolingideas by @playroomstories

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24 days ago

🎩 CLOSED School holiday GIVEAWAY 🐒⬇️

Win 1 of 2 Family Passes to a show of your choice 🥳

Our favourite family shows are coming to the Sydney Fringe Festival these Spring School Holidays and I am giving away 2x family passes (4x tickets per pass) to either

🐒 Party Animals Disco (on 30/9, 1/10, 2/10 or 3/10)
or
🎩The Greatest Magic Show (on 26/9, 27/9, 28/9 or 29/9)

For your chance to win, all you have to do is:

1) Like this post
2) Follow @playroomstories and the show(s) you’d like to win the tickets for
@partyanimalsdisco 🐒
@thegreatestmagicshow 🎩

3) Tag a friend in the comments & mention which show(s) you would love to attend (an emoji is fine 🐒 or 🎩 ) in each comment✨
Each tag per comment is one entry and you may enter as many times as you like 🥳

4) Optional: For 5 BONUS entries, share this post to your stories and tag @playroomstories.

Good luck 🍀

Giveaway ends Thursday, 24th of September 2026 at 9am AEST and the winners will be announced here and contacted from my account only in the evening on September, 24th so there’s enough time to organise the following day.

This giveaway is no way endorsed or sponsored by Instagram.

Show Details:

🎩 The Greatest Magic Show @thegreatestmagicshow
🥳 Sydney Fringe Festival
📍 The Virago at Fool’s Paradise, Entertainment Quarter
🗓 Sep 26th – Oct 11th 2026
🕰 12pm, show length 60 minutes
🎟 ON SALE NOW! https://sydneyfringe.com/events/the-greatest-magic-show/

🐒 Party Animals Disco @partyanimalsdisco
🥳 Sydney Fringe Festival
📍 The Bunker at Fool’s Paradise, Entertainment Quarter
🗓 Sep 30th – Oct 11th 2026 (no show Mon 5th October)
🕰 9.30am, show length 60 minutes
🎟 ON SALE NOW! https://sydneyfringe.com/events/party-animals/

#syneyfringe #sydneymums #aussiemums #thingstodoinsydney #sydneylocal
@entertainmentquarter @sydneyfringe @cavanaghpr by @playroomstories

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25 days ago

Aldi Australia Special Buys - Summer & Licensed Kids Finds

I’m back with some Aldi Australia Finds 🥰

These awesome @aldiaustralia kids finds went on sale today 19/9/26 🥳

You can find lots of fantastic summer items for kids, including sunnies, hats, shoes, sandals, clothes, drink bottles, etc as well as a fun range of licensed kids clothes, bedding and toys (Lilo & Stitch, Paw Patrol, Minecraft, Spider-Man, Disney Princesses to name a few) in Aldi’s middle isle.

I bought the blue bucket hats for my three boys today. I bought some last they and they’ve been great but haven’t a second one for each boy will come in handy 😆

I also stocked up on kids wrapping paper (not shown because I can only post 20 photos 😫).

Did you spot anything that you would love? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing from you 💕

#aldiaustralia #aldispecialbuys #bargainfinds #aussiemums #kidsfinds by @playroomstories

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a month ago

Aldi Australia Special Buys - Kitchen & Home Finds Part 1

I’m back with some Aldi Australia Finds 🥰 and had to split today’s special buys into 2 posts because there were so many. You can find part 2 on my Facebook page 💕

These awesome @aldiaustralia kids finds went on sale today 16/9/26 🥳

There are a lot of fun and colourful kitchen items available from today 😍 Great for kids, lunchbox prep and cooking as well as food storage.

How adorable is the croissant chopping board? 🥐🥰 It took all my willpower not to buy it because we have enough chopping boards but man, it’s cute 😆

I also loved the cute silicone suction plates, unfortunately (or luckily 🤷🏻‍♀️), our kids have outgrown the need for these but they looked really lovely.

Lots of handy utensils to chop different foods are also part of this weeks special buys. There were so many, I will have to do a second part which you can find on my Facebook page. Facebook allows me to add more photos to one post, Instagram only allows me to add 20 photos, unfortunately 😭

Did you spot anything that you would love? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to hop over to my Facebook page (same name @playroomstories) for part 2 💕

#aldiaustralia #aldispecialbuys #bargainfinds #aussiemums #kitchenfinds by @playroomstories

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a month ago

🎥 Review - Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom ⬇️

What a fun and hilarious movie without any words! @aardmananimations, also the brilliant minds behind Wallace & Gromit, have created another little Shaun the Sheep gem that proves you don’t need much talking to tell a great story. Shaun and the flock had us laughing from start to finish with their silly antics, clever gags and hilarious mishaps. It’s the kind of movie that had both kids and adults laughing out loud at the relatable moments, while keeping us on the edge of our seats during some of the spookier scenes!

A very short summary 😉
Halloween is getting a little hairy at Mossy Bottom Farm! When the Farmer accidentally destroys the flock’s pumpkin patch, Shaun turns into a mad scientist to fix it but things quickly spiral out of control! With a wild beast on the loose, a missing Farmer and plenty of sheepish chaos, Shaun and the flock are in for their most monstrously fun adventure yet.

🐑 Age rating: G (suitable for ages 4+)
🐑 Runtime: 81 mins
🐑 In cinemas from September 17th

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep the kids entertained these school holidays, this is a great movie to watch with the kids.

Thank you @ studiocanalaus for having us to the premiere of Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. Mr 10, Mr 4 and I had a fabulous time and enjoyed the movie, the face painting, the music and awesome Shaun the Sheep inspired balloons - kindly invited 💕

#ShaunTheSheepMovie #BeastOfMossyBottom #familymovie #thingstodowithkids #aussiemums by @playroomstories

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a month ago

Aldi Australia Special Buys - Travel, Household & Sport Finds

I’m back with some Aldi Australia Finds 🥰

These awesome @aldiaustralia kids finds went on sale today 9/9/26 🥳

There are some great products available from today, it’s a bit of a mix of categories with lots of handy items though.

I bought the rolling duffle bag for my son for camp later this year. I’ve been looking for a bag that’s not too big or bulky like a suitcase.
I bought the training equipment (cones, marked and ladder) for my kids years ago. They’re still in good shape and great for playing soccer or setting up obstacle courses in the backyard. Highly recommend them.

The little suitcases for kids looked great and felt quite sturdy. They would fit in the overhead locker on the plane as well.

I was tempted to buy the magnetic window cleaner 😂 but I think I’d prefer a bigger one 🤪🤞🏻

Did you spot anything that you would love? Let me know in the comments 💕

#aldiaustralia #aldispecialbuys #bargainfinds #aussiemums #householdfinds by @playroomstories

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a month ago