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Paediatric OT and mum of two shares how the IVI Rug supports imaginative play, language, motor skills and calm screen-free play at home.

Monster themed fruit snack help fill tiny bellies before trick or treating 

There’s something so lovely about heading outdoors on a sunny day and finding little treasures along the way. We've been enjoying the warm weather walking around the neighbourhood.  We came home with pockets full of gumnuts.

We decided to make a gumnut puppet family with a mum, dad, baby, grandma and a dog. It’s amazing how a few simple bits from nature can spark so much imagination.

Turning Gumnuts into Puppets

This is one of those crafts that’s as easy as it gets. We drew the faces using paint marker whilst sitting in the backyard having our arvo snack. Bonus point:  no screen, simply toss crumbs.

We draw little faces on each gumnut, let them dry in the sunshine and you’re done! Just a few minutes of creativity that keeps little hands busy and minds curious.

Coming Soon: Our Leakproof Stainless Steel Lunch Box

We’re extra excited to share a little sneak peek our leakproof 2-compartment stainless steel lunch box that is almost here.

It’s perfect for picnics, school lunches, or road trips. Durable, easy to clean, leak proof and totally plastic free.  

Featured here: Gathre mat midi in Stars perfect for picnic (on Sale!), Wee Gallery Lacing Cards

Here is a video of us making the Gumnut puppets:

When parents think about preparing their child for school, the first thing that often comes to mind is learning to read and write. But here’s the truth:

The most important school readiness skills aren’t academic. They’re social, emotional, and cognitive skills, which can be developed through play away from screen

In fact, children who can focus, problem-solve, and manage their emotions are more likely to thrive in their first year of school than those who can simply recite letters.

So what exactly is school readiness, and how can you support it at home in preparation of big school?

What Does School Readiness Really Mean?

School readiness is not about whether your child can count to 100 or read simple books. It’s about whether they have the skills, confidence, and emotional maturity to adapt to a new environment, routines, and social interactions.

According to early childhood experts, key school readiness skills include:

1. Emotional Regulation

   • Recognising and managing big emotions like frustration or excitement.

   • Example: A child can calm themselves when a tower of blocks he/she's building falls down instead of crying immediately.

2. Attention & Focus

   • Being able to concentrate on a task without constant redirection.

   • Example: Completing a puzzle or building a small town with toys for 15–20 minutes.

3. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

   • Working out solutions independently, using creativity and trial-and-error.

   • Example: Figuring out how to best build the base of the tower of blocks that gives best stability.

4. Social Skills & Taking Turn

   • Playing with other children, sharing toys, and resolving conflicts.

   • Example: Negotiating roles in a pretend play scenario (“You be the shopkeeper, I’ll be the customer”).

5. Independence & Confidence

   • Completing simple tasks without help, like packing up toys or getting their lunch and packing away lunch box in their bag once finished.

These foundational skills help your child handle new challenges, build relationships, and succeed in the classroom even before formal academics begin.

Why Screen Time Can Delay School Readiness

It’s no secret that kids love screens, and for busy parents, tablets and TVs can feel like a lifesaver. However, excessive screen time can shorten attention spans and limit opportunities for problem-solving, emotional learning, and creativity.

Research shows that passive screen activities:

• Can lead to lower attention spans when starting school.

• Don’t teach social negotiation or emotional resilience.

• Can affect bedtime routine from being overstimulated by fast-paced screen

The Power of Imaginative, Independent Play

One of the best ways to prepare your child for school is to encourage open-ended play, where they create, explore, and solve problems on their own.

Imaginative play:

• Builds creativity and vocabulary (communication skills)

• Strengthens emotional regulation through role play and scenario building.

• Improves focus and persistence because kids stay engaged longer.

• Encourages independence, which is essential in big school.

Example:
When your child uses toy cars to create a mini-city, they’re not just having fun—they’re:

• Planning their play scenes (problem-solving)

• Deciding roles (“I’m the police, you’re the bus driver”)

• Managing frustration if their Lego bridge they put on the rug collapses (emotional regulation)

Create a Screen-Free Play Space at Home

One simple way to support school readiness is to dedicate an inviting space for imaginative play.

This is where IVI Play Rugs come in. Unlike a flat play mat, IVI rugs have 3D textured designs that are inviting for children to play.

• Encourages focus & problem-solving: Kids create their own stories and navigate “real-world” play scenarios.

• Supports emotional maturity: Role-play helps them manage frustration and also practice sharing with their peers.

• Keeps them engaged longer: Open-ended play sustains attention far better than passive screen time.

It is great for wind down activity after school as well. One of our customers said "Best thing I ever bought him. It is his wind down activity after school every day. Four years going strong."

Final Thoughts: School Readiness Starts with Play

Before your child starts school, don’t stress over early reading or worksheets.
Focus on building soft skills that matter most: attention, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and social interaction.

With the right environment and opportunities for imaginative play, your child will develop the confidence and focus to thrive in the classroom—and it all starts in the playroom.

Ready to create a school-readiness play space?
Discover the IVI Play Rug Collection and turn your living room into a world of screen-free adventure.

Red Dates & Longan Tea — My Favourite Confinement Drink (That I Still Sip in Winter!).

A nourishing, caffeine-free winter warmer with traditional health benefits

A fun visual kitchen experiment to show kids why washing hands with soap is important to remove germs and stay healthy.

Looking for a fun, all-natural sensory activity for your little one? Try fluffy aquafaba foam—made  from chickpea water! It’s a safe, taste-safe, and eco-friendly way to encourage tactile exploration, fine motor skills, and imaginative play.

Drain a can of chickpea, whip the chickpea water with 1/4tsp cream of tartar (or vinegar) until soft peak form. Add colouring if your like!

A little dive about Sensory Play that is everywhere on the socials

Why Touch-Based Sensory Play is a Game-Changer for Your Little One

Ever noticed how babies and toddlers love to squish, poke, and smush everything in sight? From splashing in water to running their hands through a bowl of rice, they’re on a never-ending quest to touch all the things! Turns out, they’re onto something—touch-based sensory play isn’t just fun; it’s an essential part of their development.

What is Touch-Based Sensory Play?

Sensory play is any activity that stimulates a child’s senses—touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing. But when we focus on touch, we’re talking about letting little hands explore different textures, temperatures, and consistencies. Think squishy playdough, fluffy  foam, warm sand, or even good ol’ messy mud play in the backyard.

Why is Touch So Important?

Touch is one of the first senses babies develop, and it plays a massive role in how they learn about the world. Here’s why sensory play that engages touch is a great:

1. Fine Motor Skills Get a Workout

Squishing, pinching, and grabbing different textures help strengthen those little fingers and hands, preparing them for big-kid skills like holding a pencil, using cutlery, and eventually, buttoning up their own shirts (one day… hopefully).

2. Brain Power Boost

When kids touch different materials, their brains are working hard to process what they’re feeling, compare textures, and even solve mini problems—like figuring out how to get that sticky dough off their hands. Sensory play builds connections in the brain that help with problem-solving and cognitive growth.

3. Calms Big Feelings

Ever noticed how playing with slime or kneading dough can be surprisingly soothing? The same goes for kids! Sensory play can help regulate emotions, ease anxiety, and even provide a great way to wind down.

4. Expands Vocabulary

Soft, squishy, bumpy, slimy—touch-based sensory play naturally introduces new words and concepts, helping little ones build their vocabulary without them even realising it.

5. Encourages Creativity

Give a child some playdough and watch them create a masterpiece. Sensory play lets kids explore textures in their own way, encouraging open-ended play and creativity. No rules, no pressure—just pure, messy fun.

Yes, sensory play can get a little messy. But the benefits far outweigh the cleanup. Plus, there’s something pretty special about watching your little one light up as they discover the world through touch. 

Looking for a sweet snack that looks fancy but is secretly really easy to make? These raspberry cashew bliss balls are the answer. They’re naturally sweet, packed with good fats and optional sneaky superfoods (I added collagen & prebiotic powder) — plus, there's zero baking involved and minimal clean-up. Win-win.

I didn’t measure anything too precisely, but if you aim for a cookie dough consistency, you’re good.

Ingredients

• Raw cashews

• Desiccated coconut

• Raspberry jam (Or make your own by blitzing freeze-dried raspberries with a little honey or maple syrup for a cleaner version — I go for ease this time)

• Vanilla paste (This adds sweetness without extra sugar) 

• Optional: collagen powder or prebiotic powder (mine’s berry-flavoured so it blended in beautifully)

• Dark chocolate

• Dried edible flowers (make them look oh so fancy!)

Method

1. Blend cashews into a fine powder.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients (except chocolate and flowers) and mix well.

3. Roll into bite-sized balls.

4. Freeze for about an hour or until firm.

5. Melt dark chocolate in microwave

6. Dip each ball in melted dark chocolate using 2 forks.

7. Top with a dried flower while the chocolate’s still soft.

8. Set in the fridge and enjoy!

These are great for snacks whenever we feel like something sweet without diving into the biscuit tin. And honestly — they’re just so pretty on a plate. Hope you love x

Teething babies? I tried making some homemade teething rusk. Turns out they are so simple to make with ingredients that you already have in your pantry.

We’re back into it, parents! Work, school drop-offs, after-school activities—it’s all systems go!  And if your days look anything like mine, you barely have a second to sit down, let alone make a snack.

I’ll be honest—when I’m rushing between tasks, I usually grab whatever is quick (ahem, TimTams).  And often that wasn’t always the healthiest choice. But lately, I’ve been trying to have healthier option that actually keep me going without the sugar crash. And this one? A total game-changer.

The Snack That Feels Too Good to Be True

I definitely did not invent this combo, but the first time I tried it, I was shocked at how much it tastes like a Snickers bar (which I love). I thought I'd share it here in case you are also wanting to have healthier snacks. It takes 2 minutes to make too and I am not joking.

All you need is (in brackets is what Google says why it's good for us) :
✔ Dates – Naturally sweet and packed with fiber for sustained energy
✔ Peanut Butter – A great source of protein and healthy fats to keep us full
✔ Dark Chocolate – Loaded with antioxidants and just the right amount of indulgence
✔ Sea Salt Flakes – Balance the flavour and I love the little 'bites' from the flakes

How to Make It (takes 2 Minutes!)

1. Slice open a medjool date and remove the pit.
2. Fill the center with a teaspoon of peanut butter.
3. Dip or drizzle with melted dark chocolate.
4. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt flakes.
5. Let it set in the fridge

So parents, I hope this little tasty snack hack helps. If I find anything else, I will be sure to share. Have a lovely day! x

Valentine’s Day is almost here! What better way to celebrate than by getting your little ones involved in a fun, hands-on activity? Making bath salts is a simple yet thoughtful gift idea that kids can create for their favorite people—Nanna, Aunty V, Grandma, or even Mum and Dad!

Who doesn’t love a relaxing bath? These homemade bath salts aren’t just a treat for the lucky recipients. Making bath salts is also fun & educational (through play) for the kids.

And the best part - you probably already have most if not all of the ingredients at home!

A Fun and Educational Activity for Kids

This simple & easy activity isn’t just about making a lovely present —it’s also a great learning experience for kids. As they mix up the ingredients, they’ll develop:

• Math skills – Learning measurements (one cup, half a cup, etc.).

• Motor skills – Stirring, pouring, and scooping help with hand-eye coordination.

• Focus & organization – Making sure they have all the ingredients ready.

• Counting practice – “We need three jars—one for Nanna, one for Aunty V, and one for Grandma!”

• Tactile & sensory exploration – different texture ingredients & smell

And, of course, the end result is a soothing and fragrant bath soak, made with love!

How to Make Valentine’s Day Bath Salts

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salt

• ½ cup coarse Himalayan salt

• ¼ cup baking soda

• Dried flowers (rose petals, chamomile, lavender – or use floral tea bags from the supermarket!)

• A few drops of essential oil (optional, for a stronger scent, rose essential oil smells amazing and is my fave)

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Epsom salt, Himalayan salt, and baking soda.

2. If using dried flowers, crush them slightly and add them to the mix.

3. Add a few drops of essential oil if desired and stir well.

4. Divide the mixture into small jars. Decorate with ribbons, stickers, or handwritten tags for an extra special touch.

The Perfect Gift Made with Love

This is a lovely way to fill an afternoon, keeping little hands busy while creating wonderful handmade gifts. Whether it's for a grandparent, a teacher, or a friend, these homemade bath salts are sure to bring joy and relaxation.

As the seasons change and we stay more indoors, it's time to chat about keeping the family healthy. The bugs and lurgies (aka colds, flus and viruses) give our immune system a bit of a workout and whilst we can't always avoid catching them, what we can do is support immune function to help our body recover faster from them.

I asked Jacq Alwill, Accredited Nutritionist, mum of 3 and founder of Brown Paper Nutrition what we should be loading up on during these Winter months .Here are her top tips.