Creative Steps

Each issue of Creative Steps includes dozens of fun ideas, with step-by-step instructions, for you to get crafty with your kids during the coming months. The projects are all designed to encourage learning through creative play and many make use of recycled household materials. Perfect for anyone caring for young children; such as childminders & nannies, pre-schools, playgroups & nursery settings, primary schools, homeschoolers, guiding leaders... and parents & grandparents! Also includes prize competitions, book reviews, fun facts and printable templates.

WINTER SOLACE

Creative Steps

IT’S A GIFT

THE JANUARY CHALLENGE 2024

the Creation Station

HOW TO BE CREATIVE WITH HEURISTIC PLAY • Young children, particularly the under 3s, are naturally curious, and heuristic play sessions offer wonderful opportunities for investigation and exploration in a more structured setting. This special feature champions the benefits of heuristic play and gives you the low-down on how to organise your own play times.

ZOO MASKS • LEARNING ZONES: Expressive Arts & Design

KWANZAA • Paper straws are a quick and easy way to make beads, they can be painted in traditional colours for Kwanzaa.

New Year Fan • Paint a pattern on a paper plate as a Chinese New Year decoration.

MOTHER'S DAY MAKES • Let’s get crafty for Mother’s Day on March 10th with this adorable photo flower decorated with dozens of tiny fingerprints.

READING CORNER • Great books for growing mindsKEY: HB HARDBACK ★ PB PAPERBACK ★ BB BOARD BOOK

creative PLAY AWARDS 2023

Big Schools’ Birdwatch

Clay Trinket Tray

Silhouette Portraits

The Year of the DRAGON • Make a lucky dragon for Chinese New Year 2024!

Crackers • Ideal as a last minute Christmas make or to gift wrap small items for any occasion.

BAOBAB TREE • The Australian baobab or ‘boab’ is a special tree in Aboriginal culture, they are also known as ‘bottle trees’.

Heart Shaped Paper Plate Bags

Pom Pom Heart Wreath

Valentine Stencils • Make a colourful picture with hearts.

READING CORNER • Great books for growing mindsKEY: HB HARDBACK ★ PB PAPERBACK ★ BB BOARD BOOK

LOVE TO MUM • Take some basic crafting materials and turn them into these two fabulous Mother’s Day cards. They could easily be adapted to include whatever mum loves best from shoes to cupcakes!

Thistles without Prickles! • Thistles are the Scottish national emblem. Make some colourful pompom thistles for Hogmanay or Burns Night.

ARCTIC ADVENTURES!

Minestrone Soup • Minestrone soup comes from Italy. Traditionally it was made to use up lots of vegetables. It is a hearty soup packed with pasta or rice to make it as filling as possible. You can include whatever vegetables you like, but common ingredients include tomatoes, beans, onions, celery and carrots.

Dragon Finger Puppets • Celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Dragon by making these fun finger puppets!

Broken Heart Necklaces

Cake in a Tin! • Mothering Sunday is a special day to thank mothers everywhere for all they do for us and what better way than to express our love, than to make them this amazing Mother’s Day cake in a tin can!

READING CORNER • Great books for growing mindsKEY: HB HARDBACK ★ PB PAPERBACK ★ BB BOARD BOOK

TEMPLATES