Build an animal kingdom

It’s fun helping your child build a special place for their toy animals – with ja few simple things from the house and garden. They can use their imagination to create stories about their animal kingdom!

 What do I need?

• Toy animals – farm animals, zoo animals, small dolls and dinosaurs – whatever you have in the house – you can use 2 or 20.
• A container – cardboard box, storage tub or deep tray
• A collection of natural things from outside – leaves, rocks, twigs, pine cones, flowers
• Other natural objects your child likes to play with – shells, fossils…

 How do I do it?

1. Go for a walk outside – take a basket or a bucket to bring your treasures back with you.
2. Ask your child: What things can you see and find?
3. Help them choose natural objects that you can safely and easily collect.
4. Place the container in a safe place – inside or outside. Your child can use what they have found to build a special home for their animals.
5. Chat with your child about what is happening in their animal kingdom. They can make up a story as you play together.
6. Encourage them to choose new objects to bring into their play. 

No-one knows your child better than you.  So, choose and/or adapt ideas here to best suit you and your child. Remember it’s the talking and time spent together that matters most.