Science shows us the first years of a child’s life develop the most important foundation for later learning. Play is your child’s full-time job. It develops his or her brain to be ready to learn in school. It also teaches problem-solving, creativity, social skills and empathy. You don’t need toys or other expensive things to do this for your child. You already have what you need. Every shared moment can be an opportunity to learn. We’ll show you how! Please fill out your details so we can email all the Play Africa Activity Packs to you.
Every parent has what it takes to build their child’s brain and capacity to learn
BRIDGES OF PEACE ACTIVITY PACK
UBUNTU, EMPATHY AND KINDNESS
Our free printable 8-page activity pack is full of colouring pages to calm the mind and spirit. Create opportunities for reflection, and quiet conversation about what it means to be a good friend and neighbour. It includes:
– Word search promoting ubuntu
– Positive affirmation colouring pages
– Colouring pages to reflect on feelings to promote empathy
– Kindness tree exercise to promote kindness and social inclusion
– Affirmations that focus on celebrating the unique, special qualities in ourselves and others
ACTIVITY PACK 1
IMAGINATION AND COLOURING
Our printable 16-page activity pack is jam-packed with activities to help you connect with your child through play. It includes the following activities:
– Imagine being something else (including a printable animal mask template)
– Three activities to join your child in playing pretend
– 3 easy toys that you can make from household items
– A paper plane printable and directions
– 3 ideas to help your child use their imagination
– 3 bedtime reflections and activities to end the day with
ACTIVITY PACK 2
SUPER SCIENTISTS KIT
This printable activity pack let’s you learn about science and scientists. Find out more about SuperScientists at SuperScientists.org. Colouring Pack 1 contains:
– Draw your own SuperScientist
– Zoonotic – Prof George Warimwe
– Eliminator – Prof Faith Osier
– Geomatic – Peter Macharia
– The Equaliser – Dr Kui Muraya
– Captain Caracol – Dr Nelson Miranda
– Iron Heart – Prof Nombulelo Magula
– The Eradicator – Dr Mohlopheni Marakalala
– Coral Commodore – Zoleka Filander
– Prof EcoHealth – Prof Moses Chimbari
ACTIVITY PACK 3
KINDNESS TREE
Be an upstander! This activity is designed for families and classrooms with young children. It is meant to be an age-appropriate, conversational way to reflect together on the ways we can commit to being kind in three key communities in a child’s life:
– Family
– Friends
– Neighbourhood
By having these conversations with children now, you are helping teach children the importance of kindness, empathy and ubuntu.
Parents and educators, we invite you to spend 20-30 minutes talking with your children and completing your family’s or classroom’s Kindness Tree together.
SCIENCE AT HOME
ACTIVITY PACK 1
Play Africa’s Science at Home Activity Pack 1 is full of fun experiments you can try at home using everyday materials. By supporting experimentation through playful learning, you’re igniting a life-long love of learning!
In this 25-page document, you’ll find out how to:
- make water glasses “sing”
- make a potato shrink with salt water
- make your own cotton wool ball launcher
and more!
SCIENCE AT HOME
ACTIVITY PACK 2
Play Africa’s Science at Home Activity Pack 2 is chock-a-block with fun experiments you can try at home using everyday materials. Playful learning like this is how children learn, grow and thrive!
In this 24-page document, you’ll learn about:
- pH balance and the difference between acid and basic substances
- our lungs and how they work
- surface tension by making a boat that skids across the water
and more!
SCIENCE AT HOME
ACTIVITY PACK 3
Play Africa’s Science at Home Activity Pack 3 is jam-packed with exciting experiments you can try at home using everyday materials. Playful learning like this is how children learn, grow and thrive!
In this 24-page document, you’ll find at-home experiments to learn about:
- the famous Bernoulli Principle and how aeroplanes stay aloft
- magnetism and how different materials respond to magnets
- molecular interaction by making “fireworks” with soap
and more!
SCIENCE AT HOME
ACTIVITY PACK 4
Play Africa’s Science at Home Activity Pack 4 is packed with exciting experiments you can try at home using everyday materials. Playful learning like this is how children learn, grow and thrive!
In this 24-page document, at-home experiments will introduce you to:
- molecular interaction by making “elephant toothpaste”
- sound, frequency and pitch by making a guitar with rubber bands
- the different parts of a plant by dissecting a flower
and more!