For the Froglets, the human world is a giant playground full of everyday challenges and wonders that spark an urge to get creative.
Children enjoy exploring through their senses and getting actively involved, which makes creative play a wonderful activity to share with your child.
So we’ve put together some ideas inspired by the Froglets series, that you may want to try together.
Seven fun craft ideas to try with your child
1. Make a shadow theatre together
You and your little one could create your own mini theatre, like the Froglets do in their Theatre episode.
A washing frame draped with a bed sheet makes the perfect backdrop for a magical shadow performance.
Everyday household objects can be transformed into all sorts of characters. A wooden peg, for example, can become a crocodile snapping its jaws, while a whole collection of pegs might turn into a friendly dragon winding its way across the stage.
You could also make your own puppets by cutting shapes from cardboard and attaching them to straws or sticks.
You could place a torch behind the sheet, so your child's characters come to life as shadows dancing across the stage.
2. Create a pirate ship
When it’s quiet, the Froglets come out to play – like in their episode about Pirates.
Why not gather a few bits and pieces from around your house, to see if you and your child can build your own pirate ship?
For example, your little adventurer could stumble across a treasure trove of stationery supplies and get busy building.
A cardboard box could be the base of the ship, coloured in at the sides to show the port-holes.
The sail could be made by a ruler held up by string, and a protractor could act as the ship's wheel.
Blue tissue paper beneath could be used to represent the sea.
3. Launch a cardboard spaceship
Ready for lift-off? As the Froglets show, you and your child could make a fantastic Spaceship together.
Here's what you could include in a spacecraft:
- A large cardboard box could create the main body of the spaceship
- A paper cone could be the rocket nose
- Cardboard wings attached to the sides
- Cover in tin foil for that super metal-look
- Cupcake cases at the end can act as powerful rocket boosters
- Buttons, bottle tops or other small objects to become dials, controls and instruments in the cockpit.
Mission accomplished!
4. Make a pizza-box mural
In their Mural episode, the Froglets showed how an old pizza box can become the perfect canvas for a brilliant art-work.
How to make your mural:
- On a piece of paper, sketch out a few ideas with your child about what you want your creation to look like
- Gather interesting materials from around the house, such as buttons, cotton wool, tissue paper and other recyclable pieces
- Create colourful flower petals by tearing or cutting tissue paper into shapes
- Open up the pizza box so that the inside becomes your canvas
- Using a brush, carefully apply a little honey to stick the tissue paper flowers in place
- Add cotton wool clouds, button decorations and any other treasures you've collected to make your mural unique.
5. Make an obstacle course
With a few household items and some imagination, you and your child can build an adventure for their favourite toy, just like the Froglets showed us with their Obstacle Course.
The best obstacle courses don't need special equipment – just look around your home for inspiration. Cushions, books, cardboard boxes, string, paper, wooden spoons, containers and, of course, items from a child-friendly toolbox, can all become part of the challenge.
For example, two pocket tape-measures fixed at the same height, with a pencil balanced across the top, make a brilliant limbo challenge. Can your child's toy squeeze underneath without knocking it down?
Build a mighty mountain by stacking cushions and blankets. The challenge? Help your toy climb all the way to the top and safely back down again. A cardboard box could also become a cave to crawl through, as part of the journey!
Lay out a row of sponges to create a hopscotch-style path, or use pieces of paper, coasters or coloured sticky notes as stepping stones. Can your toy make it from start to finish without missing a square?
Let your child come up with their own challenges and see where their imagination takes them.
6. Make a robot friend
Just like the Froglets show us, a little creativity can transform ordinary household objects into your own Robot.
Here are some ideas:
- Hair rollers, for example, could be used as robot legs.
- An empty toilet roll can make the perfect robot body. Let your child decorate it with crayons, paints or stickers to give it plenty of personality. You could even draw buttons, switches and dials on the tube to create a robot control panel—or stick on real buttons for an extra fun touch.
- Then it's time to add the finishing details. What will your robot need? Special antennae made from cotton buds or straws? Robot feet made from a spare sponge?
Once your robot is complete, put on some music and see what dance moves your new robot friend can perform!
7. Dig for treasure together
In Digging It, the Froglets are busy being archaeologists and uncovering their hidden treasures. So why not go on a digging adventure with your little explorer too?
All you need is a spoon, a brush and a tray, sandpit, or patch of soil where treasure can be hidden.
Your child could:
- Search for hidden treasures you've buried beforehand.
- Dig carefully with a spoon, just like a real archaeologist.
- Use a small brush to gently sweep away sand or soil and reveal their discoveries.
What will they uncover? A tennis ball? A toy animal? A special pebble? Perhaps a mystery object that sparks an exciting story!
Little archaeologists love the thrill of making a discovery, and you'll enjoy watching their curiosity grow with every find. Happy digging!
Check out some more CBeebies Parenting inspiration for crafty play.
