As Mother’s Day is near, a muffin sized cupcake can be iced by the children, then a flower made with jellybeans as petals  and mint leaves (sure you can still buy them) for leaves. Be sure the cupcake papers are pretty colours/design. Make two…one for mum and one for child to eat! Place in round chinese takeaway style container. Children can decorate container with self adhesive foam stickers! Wrap container in cellophane if desired.

If your theme for Playgroup is treasure, try making a treasure chest. Pre-baked muffin sized cupcakes with a Tim Tam split sideways and smarties…the children love them. My grandson made this one!

Mum blows up balloon.
Child paints balloon with glue.
Child rolls balloon in tray with rice.
Variations – use rice bubbles, sand, glitter, sprinkles, or confetti.

Nail containers to a board eg Chinese containers, butter dishes, etc.
Put different items into each container eg coloured paper, corks, gum nuts, etc
Close with lid for next time. You could even paint and label the containers and lids.

1. Bubble Paint
Put 1 tablespoon of detergent into the bottom of an ice cream container then add 1 teaspoon of powder paint and water to make it about 2.5cm deep. Using long straws blow  until the bubbles rise above the top of the ice- cream container. Place paper over the bubbles until they burst. Use a different container for each colour. The same paper can be placed on each colour. Enjoy the beautiful patterns that can be made.

2. Comb Painting
From stiff cardboard/plastic make a paint comb. Use paint made from one of the finger paint recipes. Dip the paint comb into the mixture and make large sweeping designs on the paper.

3. Blow Painting
Use a large open shallow box eg 40cm x 30cm x 5cm. Place paper in the bottom. Blow ping pong balls dipped in paint across the paper

4. Slippery Finger paint
Soak 1 sachet of gelatine in ¼ cup of cold water and set aside. In a saucepan combine ½ cup cornflour and ¾ cup cold water. Stir in 2 cups hot water and cook over a medium heat until it boils. When mixture is smooth, remove from heat and add gelatine. Then add ½ cup of  soap flakes or detergent. Colour if you wish.