There’s no denying that play matters for a child’s development. When your child plays, they learn about themselves and their surroundings. This includes how to coordinate their body movement, talk with friends, apply social cues and rules, and take on the world.

Activity play such as playing with playdough, making your first aquarium, drawing, colouring, stacking building blocks, finger painting, finger puppet play, puzzles, simple science projects, branch weaving, texture collage, pasta painting etc is much more than you think. It’s a way for your child to familiarise themselves with their environment, and test their own limits. At the same time they are engaged in an activity that provides them enjoyment, engagement and amusement.

When to start activity play

Play begins early. When your child studies and interacts with things around them, whether this is putting a toy in their mouth or touching a new texture, they are “playing”. This playtime helps them to continually master and reinforce concepts that become important milestones. The more you can encourage early activity play, the more confident your child will feel in their surroundings and self. Over time your child will:

• Learn to exercise problem solving skills
• Develop their imagination
• Improve their dexterity
• Build their physical, cognitive and emotional strength
• Become more resilient and confident
• Learn how to work with others – individuals and in groups
• Practice decision-making skills
• Discover their own areas of interest
• Learn to communicate effectively

Above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood. Mediated by appropriate, effective relationships with loving and consistent caregivers, there’s nothing better than play and it’s never “too early” to start. Take the opportunity to watch your child play and you’ll learn and grow as much as them.

How to choose activities

Deciding which activities or materials to put in front of your child can take some thinking. The best activities come from ‘real’ experiences.

Where have you been recently? Could you extend on your visit to the beach, the zoo, the park or museum?

What family projects have you got going on? Are there any activities you can do to help them get more involved?

What interesting books have you read lately? Can you tap into that inspiration?

Other things to consider include:

• What are your child’s current developmental needs?
• What are your child’s current interests?
• What is the next natural or logical step from a recent activity?
• What activities will support and challenge your child?
• What activities have friends and family recommended?
• What season is it?
• What cultural events are coming up?

While it’s not essential that you come up with ideas all the time, getting your child started on their activity play helps them to master play for themselves. After that you can watch them go nuts at their very own activity and craft table.

Choosing an activity or craft table

Based on the above, an activity play table is not just a piece of furniture. Conducive to learning and independence, an activity table allows your child their own special space for getting creative and discovering new skills. From about 18 months old children begin to see themselves as individuals and they strive to do a lot on their own. An activity table helps them do this and lets them draw, sculpt, do puzzles, perform “important things” like mum or dad do at their adult desks, and more.

Your activity table should be strong and steady, but not heavy. It should be appropriate for the size and age of your child, with height recommendations being:

Ideally it should have storage for pencils and pens or different pockets for their various creative utensils. It’s also great if you can find an activity table with a reversible and removable chalkboard top, such as the Benji Activity Table with Two Chairs. This contemporary, stylish and practical set offers plenty of storage and a spacious table top for all kinds of uses, eg arts and crafts, drawing, etc. The table structure and chairs are made from solid birchwood ply, and the reversible table top is made from MDF, making it sturdy yet light and easy to move around.

Other activity table you might love include our Oslo Kids Table & Two Chair Bench Seat Set and our Britta Activity Table & 2 Bench Chair Set. For an all-in-one playhouse, easel and art table you might also opt for our Playhouse Table and 2 Chair Set. Both table surfaces are reversible with a chalkboard on one side and a solid white finish on the other. The raised edge on the white side is handy for resting craft books and paper while the chimney is the perfect place to store pencils, crayons and chalk.

Only choose the best for your child’s activity table with HipKids. Check out the complete range of quality and versatile activity craft tables today. Easy to clean and made especially for kids.