Gift Guide - Little Lifelong Learners

Looking for our favourite toys and materials for different age groups? Look no further than our Gift Guides!

If you're not sure what to buy your little learner for their birthday or even special occasions like Christmas, look no further.
Simply click the links to shop the toys and resources from my favourite stores and shops.

Browse our favourite toy, book and resource recommendations for newborns and babies from birth, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months of age!

BIRTH - 3 MONTHS

3-12 MONTHS

1-3 YEARS

3-5 YEARS

This is NOT a sponsored resource. The products I list here in the directory are all items we personally love. We have not been paid or compensated by the brands or businesses in exchange for being featured. Some links are affiliate links meaning I will earn a commission on any sales made using those links.

Transform playtime in the Little Play Club!

Pop your name on the wait list below and get access to a bonus FREE pack of resources straight from our Little Play Club library!

You'll also be the first to know when the doors open again!!

Road trip essentials!. I’ve been busily collecti

Road trip essentials!. I’ve been busily collecting supplies for our big road trip next month! 🚗

Take a look at some of the bits and pieces I’ve put aside for our 3, 5 and 7 year olds!

👉🏻 Doodle Mat from @littletoytribe
👉🏻 @zipboomkids I Spy Camping from @littletoytribe
👉🏻 @fabercastellaustralia colouring books and pens from @officeworks
👉🏻 Pencil cases from Amazon
👉🏻 Activity books from @bigwaustralia
👉🏻 Scratch Art and Sticker books from @officeworks
👉🏻 Magnetic pen board from @amazon
👉🏻 Go Find It and Body Awareness games from @amazon
👉🏻 Orchard Games from @modernteaching outlet
👉🏻 Dino Eggs from @kmartaus

I’ve got a bunch of other things like our @chameleon.reader from @littletoytribe and lots of little busy bag activities already packed away which I’ll also bring along. I’ll be sharing a blog once we get back with all my best tips!

Got any questions? Pop them below!

Alright. I’m just going to admit it. I’m obses

Alright. I’m just going to admit it. I’m obsessed with our train table!

Many years ago on Lilly’s first birthday, my mum @myteachingcupboard gifted Lilly her very own train table. My mum had been using train tables in her classroom for years. They were the perfect height for little ones to sit at and explore so she knew Lilly would get a lot of use out of it.

Little did we know that SIX years later, we’d still be using a train table for our play every single day. It makes a beautiful discovery table for theme-based learning. We add artificial turf on top to create small worlds. We set up investigations with light panels and numbers. We add our play silks to make magical seascapes.

This piece of furniture is easily my favourite in the entire play room (but don’t ask me to choose between the train table and the FLISAT sensory table because I CANNOT 😂). There are so many possibilities beyond a simple train area...so what do you use yours for?

Tag a friend that needs a repurposed train table in their life 👇🏻 #TrainTableHack #kmarttraintablehack

When the kids need a little somethin’ to help us

When the kids need a little somethin’ to help us get through an energetic afternoon, we love a good sensory play activity!

One of my favourites is frozen oobleck! All you do is mix 1 cup of cornflour with 1/2 cup of water and pour it into a silicone mould to pop in the freezer. It’s THAT simple to prep and play! 💁🏻‍♀️

You’ll find this recipe and a heap more of our favourites in my Sensory Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers book which is available online at places like @littletoytribe @dymocksbooks Amazon, Booktopia and Book Depository 📚

I designed the book to be incredibly visual so that you can flip through the pages with your little learner and choose something to enjoy together. No more scrolling Instagram or Pinterest needed! 🙅🏻‍♀️ Just grab the book, prep together and PLAY! 🥰

If you’re a little worried about the messiness o

If you’re a little worried about the messiness of sensory play, I’m about to share three simple tips to make sensory play a little less stressful!

1. Use an old bed sheet! We often pop an old sheet down under our play to catch any spills then once we’re done, we can pour our bases back into the tray to store for next time!

2. Under bed storage crates make the perfect container for sensory play. They’re big enough for a few little ones to sit around and they’re tall enough to keep sensory bases inside the tub while your little learners play!

3. If all else fails, head outside or pop your little ones in the bath with their extra messy sensory tubs! You can wash the mess right down the drain when you’re done 🙌🏻

If you’re a sensory play pro, share your best tip for newbies below! And if you’re a newbie, let me know what kinds of sensory play you’ve tried so far!

There’s a lot of unknown right now (especially i

There’s a lot of unknown right now (especially if you’re in lockdown) and your little learners might be finding it hard to put those big feelings into words. And when our little learners are overwhelmed, they sometimes show us they need help in ways that aren’t safe or kind.

Last year I put together a Play Pack full of printables, hands-on invitations and resources to support your little learner to explore their feelings. And it’s available in my store for everyone, not just our Little Play Club members! 🎉

This pack even includes signs and cards for setting up your own calm down space or tub with signs for naming feelings and strategies for calming our bodies when we’re having some big, tricky feelings. Little people often need space to slow down and decompress when they’re feeling sad or angry, so a space like this gives them that safe space so that once they’re calm, you can have a talk and discuss some coping strategies for next time too.

There are over 75 pages of resources inside ready to support you in helping teach your child about their feelings. You can grab a copy by following the link in my bio 🥰

To all the dads out there, thank you for positivel

To all the dads out there, thank you for positively impacting the lives of your little people day in, day out!

And to Kurtis, affectionately known as @mrlittlelifelonglearners - thank you for being the best dad our little people could ever wish for. You’re here for every moment in our children’s lives - the happy ones, the hard ones and all the ones in between.

One day they’ll look back at these incredible years at home with you and smile. They’ll remember you chasing them around the yard with the hose in summer. They’ll remember you in the garden, chasing the pesky chickens away from your lettuce. They’ll remember the hours and hours you spent on all the projects to make their house a home.

They’ll remember your proud face when they got awards on parade. Your hand holding theirs tight when they were nervous at Kindy drop off. The sauce smiley faces on their party pies and the lollipops you buy them when they help do the groceries.

They’ll remember the marble runs, the paper mache’ farm animals, your funny drawings and how you packed their school lunch boxes every single day…even though I maybe didn’t approve of what you packed 🙊

All those special little things you do are what they’ll treasure most…and we are so lucky to have you in our lives! We hope you never forget how loved and treasured you are ❤️

Pssst….fancy a sneaky look inside the Little Pla

Pssst….fancy a sneaky look inside the Little Play Club? 👀

Today I shared our All About Shapes play with with our incredible members. This pack was 100 pages long, jam packed with quick and easy play ideas, printables and activities to make getting playful SUPER quick and easy for our members.

So many families are in lockdown right now and I am honoured to be a part of their playful
journey. Their little learners will look back on this tricky time with such fond memories among the tricky ones.

These play packs take hours upon hours upon hours for me to put together…and nothing makes me prouder than seeing how our community uses their packs to build playful connections with their little learners 😍

Which activity would your little learner love?

Babies are so easily entertained. I’ll always ad

Babies are so easily entertained. I’ll always advocate for YOU being your baby’s best toy (no seriously, you are) but here are some easy ideas incase you want something a little extra spesh ✨

👉🏻 Bath sponges hung from the baby gym
👉🏻 A shallow tray of water and some rubber ducks
👉🏻 A helium balloon tied loosely to the ankle
👉🏻 Flashing Christmas lights

So easy, so fast, so fun! 👶🏼

Do you know someone with a new baby in the house? Tag them below and spread the simple play!

Road trip essentials!. I’ve been busily collecti

Road trip essentials!. I’ve been busily collecting supplies for our big road trip next month! 🚗

Take a look at some of the bits and pieces I’ve put aside for our 3, 5 and 7 year olds!

👉🏻 Doodle Mat from @littletoytribe
👉🏻 @zipboomkids I Spy Camping from @littletoytribe
👉🏻 @fabercastellaustralia colouring books and pens from @officeworks
👉🏻 Pencil cases from Amazon
👉🏻 Activity books from @bigwaustralia
👉🏻 Scratch Art and Sticker books from @officeworks
👉🏻 Magnetic pen board from @amazon
👉🏻 Go Find It and Body Awareness games from @amazon
👉🏻 Orchard Games from @modernteaching outlet
👉🏻 Dino Eggs from @kmartaus

I’ve got a bunch of other things like our @chameleon.reader from @littletoytribe and lots of little busy bag activities already packed away which I’ll also bring along. I’ll be sharing a blog once we get back with all my best tips!

Got any questions? Pop them below!

Alright. I’m just going to admit it. I’m obses

Alright. I’m just going to admit it. I’m obsessed with our train table!

Many years ago on Lilly’s first birthday, my mum @myteachingcupboard gifted Lilly her very own train table. My mum had been using train tables in her classroom for years. They were the perfect height for little ones to sit at and explore so she knew Lilly would get a lot of use out of it.

Little did we know that SIX years later, we’d still be using a train table for our play every single day. It makes a beautiful discovery table for theme-based learning. We add artificial turf on top to create small worlds. We set up investigations with light panels and numbers. We add our play silks to make magical seascapes.

This piece of furniture is easily my favourite in the entire play room (but don’t ask me to choose between the train table and the FLISAT sensory table because I CANNOT 😂). There are so many possibilities beyond a simple train area...so what do you use yours for?

Tag a friend that needs a repurposed train table in their life 👇🏻 #TrainTableHack #kmarttraintablehack

When the kids need a little somethin’ to help us

When the kids need a little somethin’ to help us get through an energetic afternoon, we love a good sensory play activity!

One of my favourites is frozen oobleck! All you do is mix 1 cup of cornflour with 1/2 cup of water and pour it into a silicone mould to pop in the freezer. It’s THAT simple to prep and play! 💁🏻‍♀️

You’ll find this recipe and a heap more of our favourites in my Sensory Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers book which is available online at places like @littletoytribe @dymocksbooks Amazon, Booktopia and Book Depository 📚

I designed the book to be incredibly visual so that you can flip through the pages with your little learner and choose something to enjoy together. No more scrolling Instagram or Pinterest needed! 🙅🏻‍♀️ Just grab the book, prep together and PLAY! 🥰

If you’re a little worried about the messiness o

If you’re a little worried about the messiness of sensory play, I’m about to share three simple tips to make sensory play a little less stressful!

1. Use an old bed sheet! We often pop an old sheet down under our play to catch any spills then once we’re done, we can pour our bases back into the tray to store for next time!

2. Under bed storage crates make the perfect container for sensory play. They’re big enough for a few little ones to sit around and they’re tall enough to keep sensory bases inside the tub while your little learners play!

3. If all else fails, head outside or pop your little ones in the bath with their extra messy sensory tubs! You can wash the mess right down the drain when you’re done 🙌🏻

If you’re a sensory play pro, share your best tip for newbies below! And if you’re a newbie, let me know what kinds of sensory play you’ve tried so far!

There’s a lot of unknown right now (especially i

There’s a lot of unknown right now (especially if you’re in lockdown) and your little learners might be finding it hard to put those big feelings into words. And when our little learners are overwhelmed, they sometimes show us they need help in ways that aren’t safe or kind.

Last year I put together a Play Pack full of printables, hands-on invitations and resources to support your little learner to explore their feelings. And it’s available in my store for everyone, not just our Little Play Club members! 🎉

This pack even includes signs and cards for setting up your own calm down space or tub with signs for naming feelings and strategies for calming our bodies when we’re having some big, tricky feelings. Little people often need space to slow down and decompress when they’re feeling sad or angry, so a space like this gives them that safe space so that once they’re calm, you can have a talk and discuss some coping strategies for next time too.

There are over 75 pages of resources inside ready to support you in helping teach your child about their feelings. You can grab a copy by following the link in my bio 🥰

To all the dads out there, thank you for positivel

To all the dads out there, thank you for positively impacting the lives of your little people day in, day out!

And to Kurtis, affectionately known as @mrlittlelifelonglearners - thank you for being the best dad our little people could ever wish for. You’re here for every moment in our children’s lives - the happy ones, the hard ones and all the ones in between.

One day they’ll look back at these incredible years at home with you and smile. They’ll remember you chasing them around the yard with the hose in summer. They’ll remember you in the garden, chasing the pesky chickens away from your lettuce. They’ll remember the hours and hours you spent on all the projects to make their house a home.

They’ll remember your proud face when they got awards on parade. Your hand holding theirs tight when they were nervous at Kindy drop off. The sauce smiley faces on their party pies and the lollipops you buy them when they help do the groceries.

They’ll remember the marble runs, the paper mache’ farm animals, your funny drawings and how you packed their school lunch boxes every single day…even though I maybe didn’t approve of what you packed 🙊

All those special little things you do are what they’ll treasure most…and we are so lucky to have you in our lives! We hope you never forget how loved and treasured you are ❤️

Pssst….fancy a sneaky look inside the Little Pla

Pssst….fancy a sneaky look inside the Little Play Club? 👀

Today I shared our All About Shapes play with with our incredible members. This pack was 100 pages long, jam packed with quick and easy play ideas, printables and activities to make getting playful SUPER quick and easy for our members.

So many families are in lockdown right now and I am honoured to be a part of their playful
journey. Their little learners will look back on this tricky time with such fond memories among the tricky ones.

These play packs take hours upon hours upon hours for me to put together…and nothing makes me prouder than seeing how our community uses their packs to build playful connections with their little learners 😍

Which activity would your little learner love?

Babies are so easily entertained. I’ll always ad

Babies are so easily entertained. I’ll always advocate for YOU being your baby’s best toy (no seriously, you are) but here are some easy ideas incase you want something a little extra spesh ✨

👉🏻 Bath sponges hung from the baby gym
👉🏻 A shallow tray of water and some rubber ducks
👉🏻 A helium balloon tied loosely to the ankle
👉🏻 Flashing Christmas lights

So easy, so fast, so fun! 👶🏼

Do you know someone with a new baby in the house? Tag them below and spread the simple play!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - Congratulations @mihneaellis and

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - Congratulations @mihneaellis and @whitrosegreen 🎉 If you’ve been following for a while, you’ll know one of our favourite ways to slow down and connect as a family is on our adventure days!

We love nothing more than visiting a new playground, going to our favourite beaches and going for walks with our little family.

So I’m super excited to announce that we’ve buddied up with @our.adventure.journals to bring you an AMAZING giveaway so that you can get your memories OFF your phone and into a beautiful journal!

We have TWO journals to giveaway! One lucky winner will receive an Adventure Journal and another will win a First Year Journal! So how do you get your name in the running? Simply follow these instructions! 👇🏻

1. Follow @our.adventure.journals and @littlelifelonglearners
2. Tag a friend in the comments that might like to enter too. Each comment equals another entry so feel free to tag multiple friends in multiple comments!

It’s THAT easy! The giveaway will close at 8pm AEST on Friday the 3rd of September with a winner announced on IG shortly after so be sure to enter before then! ✨

Giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Instagram. All entrants must be aged 18 years or older to enter. Only open to Australian residents 🌏 Good luck!!