Construction play is vital for our kids and is one of the many ways we can help them build a variety of skills and behaviours including physical skills, problem solving, testing ideas and planning.



I came across Stumped Wooden Toys via their Instagram account and immediately fell in love with their ethos and products - they are based in Knysna, South Africa and aim to source the best quality timber which is used to create their  handcrafted wooden toys that will withstand time as well as lots of little hands!  I love supporting small businesses - especially ones that think about product handmade, quality items for your kids - we are seriously trying to reduce our plastic in our house and wooden toys are such a beautiful gift to give to your children or their friends.



Children should be encouraged to explore and enjoy constructive play and the Knock-a-Block set from Stumped Wooden Toys offers them the perfect opportunity to do all of these things.  The Knock-a-Block set is such a brilliant idea - consisting of 9 equal blocks, dowels and a wooden hammer which comes in a storage container you would never think it would keep your kids busy! 

But it is the simple things guys and honestly my boys absolutely love their sets as well as all their friends who always run to pick up the set when they come and play.  Harry especially sits for ages, creating different things - the only issue comes in when I maybe have had enough of the hammering!



And the lovely team at Stumped are giving you the chance to win a Knock-a-Block set - all you have to do is follow me and Stumped Wooden toys on Instagram.  It is that easy. 

Winner will be announced on Monday 8th July.  
Open to South African residents only.  
Prize will be sent direct to the winner by Stumped Wooden Toys.

The Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC) is such a special place in Cape Town - you wouldn't know from the outside that it houses a whole world of fun for the kiddo's with over 250 interactive exhibits.  We were so excited when we were gifted some tickets to try out their holiday program - we arrived early on Saturday morning and spent around 4-5 hours there.





Their holiday programme which is running until the 8th July is a sure-fire way to keep your kids busy for the day!  Plus with the in-house cafe you can have a coffee and donuts for some sustenance.




We learnt so much and thoroughly enjoyed our day there - with a demonstration on pressure using balloons, nails and bricks, a science show about reactions, lots of activities like building with foam blocks and cement as well as their new friction slide, there is plenty there to keep the kids as well as the adults entertained.





For only R5 you can even attend a workshop and make your own edible slime!  The staff were amazing with the kids - we could literally just sit back and watch them enjoy the process and what kids doesn't love a bit of slime plus its edible!!!  No, there isn't much nutritional value but hey - it is the holidays right?!





A big thank you to the friendly and helpful staff for making our day there such fun - we will be back soon!

Oh I loved chatting to Rona Mirimi in this episode.  She is one of my heroes and is super passionate about trusting your body, learning to love your body and understanding how it all works.  We chat about the fertility awareness method, periods, hormones and contraception and how they affect our body and the way it works.

LINKS:

Rona's Website.
Rona on Facebook.
Rona on Instagram.

It's Mother's Day in South Africa on Sunday and I am not sure about you but a handmade item made with so much love and attention means the world to me.  It is so important to let your children pour their love into something to give you.  And my kids are always keen to do some arts and crafts.  This idea is something that is super affordable, gets them outside and looks so pretty hung up in your house.



All you need is:
Cardboard cut into frames
Pens/Crayons
Flowers/leaves/grass from the garden or a walk at the park
Contact Paper
Scissors

I cut the cardboard without the kids with my craft knife - just much easier, quicker and safer without little fingers wanting to help!

I then gave them the cardboard frames to colour in and do as they please.
Once they were finished, they picked some flowers - I pressed some overnight and others were fresh on the day.  It didn't make that much of a difference so don't worry if this is a last minute gift!  Just pick flowers without a thick stem.



We then put the gathered nature on the contact paper's sticky side and placed the frame over it.  I left enough contact paper below the frame to cover the front - So the contact paper is on both sides of the frame and keeping the flowers stuck.




You can trim any excess contact paper and you are done!  They look beautiful stuck onto glass.
Isn't nature amazing?

A simple, beautiful and lovingly put together craft that would make any mom feel special.

♥