Under 5s

Under 5s Under 5s has everything you need for , and preschool under 5 years old - all in one place!

Toddler Activities l Preschool Activities l Indoor Activities for Toddlers l Outdoor Toddler Play l Sensory Play Ideas l Educational Activities l Toddler Crafts Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, family member, caregiver or friend, Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz will help you find what you’re looking for for your baby boys & girls, toddlers or pre-school children. Search for ideas, find places to s

hop, read articles & everything in between. From kids clothes & toys to birthday party supplies & entertainment, family activities, kids books, general kids gear as well as childcare facilities, photographers, nannies & a whole lot more! Under 5s is open 24/7 so you can browse when it’s convenient to you. There's no need for a last mintue dash to the shops with the kids in tow. Everything's in one place, so you'll save time too! Search for a particular product or service or have a look through each of our categories. Remember to Subscribe to our regular newsletters (it's free!), follow us on Facebook & Twitter for our latest goings-on, join us on Pinterest, read our Blog and please tell your friends about Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz too! For New Zealand owned or operated businesses, take advantage of our site and promote your products or services direct to a targeted audience at extremely competitive advertising rates.

Stop! 🛑 Don’t recycle that cardboard box just yet. Try this toddler trash to treasure idea instead.Hours of fun for your...
02/02/2026

Stop! 🛑 Don’t recycle that cardboard box just yet. Try this toddler trash to treasure idea instead.

Hours of fun for your toddler at minimum expense to you!

If you have a toddler, a pen, toy cars & a cardboard box, you’re 5 minutes away from an hour of peace - yes, really!

Flatten the box completely to create a massive canvas. Draw one long continuous loop like a race track, or create a city with roads.

Why we love this toddler activity:

✨ Zero Cost: Uses what you already have.
✨ Fine Motor Skills: Your toddler uses their fingers to grip the cars
✨ Open-Ended: Once you drawn the basic set up, your toddler can add their touches, like grass, houses, car parks, ponds and more

Tag a fellow ‘toddler parent’ who needs this win today!

One Table, Infinite Adventures! We think every toddler needs one 😃Turn an old table into something your toddler will use...
29/01/2026

One Table, Infinite Adventures! We think every toddler needs one 😃

Turn an old table into something your toddler will use every day.

It's always great to be able to upcycle something you already have at home or can buy cheaply from a second-hand shop.

Just use high-quality chalkboard paint and give the table a new lease of life.

It’s the ultimate sustainable solution for tiny artists and busy parents!

Why you’ll love it:

• Eco-friendly: Saved from a landfill and restored with love.

• Creative freedom: A dedicated space for your toddler to use for morning art class and afternoon tea.

• Easy clean up: Just wipe with a damp cloth and start fresh. No paper waste!

• Built to last: Sturdy, solid wood that handles the enthusiasm of ‘toddlerhood’.
This table is ready for anything! Give it a go.

Forget expensive paint brushes! This isn’t just another toddler hack, your kitchen junk drawer & garden are actually sec...
28/01/2026

Forget expensive paint brushes! This isn’t just another toddler hack, your kitchen junk drawer & garden are actually secret treasure troves for toddler-led masterpieces. They’ll also help to boost your toddler’s fine motor skills

You can use pretty much anything as a paint brush, from feathers to pipe cleaners, sponges & kitchen foil. Or how about these ideas too:

5 Household Items That Make Better Brushes Than Brushes

1. Potatoes: Slice in half, carve a simple shape or just let your toddler stamp away. It’s the OG DIY stamp.

2. Dish Sponges: Cut them into strips or stars. The texture holds the paint & feels ‘squishy; - a total sensory win.

3. Nature’s Brushes: Grab some pine needles, large leaves or sturdy sticks from the garden. It’s a great way to talk about textures!

4. Lego Bricks: Use the bumpy side to create cool geometric patterns.

5. Fork Printing: Forks can help create different patterns, ‘fur’ for painted lions or petals for tulips.

Why this works

Traditional brushes require a specific grip. Tools like sponges or potatoes allow toddlers to use their palmar grasp, building the hand strength they’ll eventually need for writing.

Plus, it encourages ‘process art’ - where the fun is in the doing, not just the final result.

We love this idea! Proof that the best toddler toys aren’t always found in a toy box!Turn a simple wooden pallet into a ...
26/01/2026

We love this idea! Proof that the best toddler toys aren’t always found in a toy box!

Turn a simple wooden pallet into a DIY race track for your toddler this week.

No flashing lights, no batteries - just pure imagination and some toy cars.

This easy outdoor activity for toddlers is lots of fun and creates an open-ended play station that encourages independent play and motor skill development

What is the one thing your toddler refused to let touch another thing on their plate today? We've all been there 🤣
22/01/2026

What is the one thing your toddler refused to let touch another thing on their plate today? We've all been there 🤣

Such a great toddler activity! This sand foam recipe we’ve found is such a fun sensory play idea AND costs next to nothi...
21/01/2026

Such a great toddler activity! This sand foam recipe we’ve found is such a fun sensory play idea AND costs next to nothing to make at home.

The sand foam is fluffy, thick and moldable, but somehow holds its shape and feels like a cloud.

We love that it’s so quick and easy to make and clean up after your toddler has finished playing. It also smells amazing and helps to develop their hand muscles.

Sand Foam Recipe
- 2 cups of clean play sand (from the hardware store/toy shop)
- 1 can of shaving foam (or foamy hand sand soap for a gentler option)
- Food colouring optional

Mix everything together in a large tub or bowl and you’re good to go!

Save this recipe for a rainy day activity or as a fun outdoors activity.

Looking for easy toddler activities that actually work?We’ve created a Toddler Activities Guide filled with simple, enga...
20/01/2026

Looking for easy toddler activities that actually work?

We’ve created a Toddler Activities Guide filled with simple, engaging ideas you can do at home - no fancy supplies, no screens, and no stress.

Perfect for:

✔️ Busy parents who need ideas fast!
✔️ Toddlers aged 1–4
✔️ Rainy days & quiet time
✔️ Learning through play

Head to the comments and download your copy.

Trust us - this is one you’ll come back to again and again!

18/01/2026

Planning your toddler’s party? You’re in the right place!

Toddler parties can be costly & quite stressful to organise. So, we’ve put together some simple tips.

Your toddler won't know the difference, but your bank account will!

1. Timing
Schedule your toddler’s party for up to 2 hours. A morning/afternoon tea party will avoid main meal times & you won’t be expected to put on a full spread. Fruit, snacks & a birthday cake are enough.

2 Guest list
Toddlers can be overwhelmed by large crowds. So invite your toddler’s age plus 1 (eg. a 2 year old invites 3 friends). A small guest list means fewer mouths to feed & a calmer environment for your toddler - and you!

3. Venue
Instead of renting an expensive venue, head to your local public park. It’s free & there’s plenty of space for your toddler & their friends to run around.

4. Party Decorations
The cost of party decorations can soon add up! Make your own & keep the decorations to one room.

5. Party Invites
Use free online tools to create your digital invite. Then text/email it directly to parents, making it easier for them to RSVP & for you to track the headcount.

6. Birthday Cakes
Professional custom cakes can be expensive. So, buy a plain sponge cake from the supermarket/bakery. Add your own toppers (small toy animals/characters your toddler already owns) & some colourful sprinkles.

7. Party Entertainment
Classic games like Musical Statues, Pass the Parcel or a Treasure Hunt are fun & will keep toddlers entertained.

8. Theme
Don’t buy themed decorations, look at what toys your toddler already has. If they love dinosaurs, use their dino figures as table centrepieces. If they love Bluey, use blue & orange to set the mood. Cheaper than licensed merch!

9. Goody Bags
Instead of cheap toys, give one meaningful gift. A bottle of bubbles, a colouring book or story book for instance.

10. Co-Host
If your toddler has a friend with a birthday in the same month, consider sharing the party. Maybe split the cost of the venue, food & decorations with another family. It’s half the price & half the planning stress!

18/01/2026

Toddlers' playdough can be expensive – we know! So instead, have a go at making this super easy playdough recipe that we’ve found.

The playdough is soft, silky AND lasts up to 6 months when stored in an airtight container.

It’s an awesome toddler sensory play activity, and perfect for rainy days or when you just need 5 minutes to drink your coffee in peace!

✨ The secret ingredient is Cream of Tartar

It stops the playdough drying out and turning into a crumbly mess — don’t skip it!

🧠 Why you’ll love this recipe:

✔ Cheap & easy to make
✔ Better than shop-bought (we think!)
✔ Long-lasting
✔ Perfect for toddler sensory play

PLAYDOUGH INGREDIENTS
• Dry: 2 cups Flour, 1 cup Salt, 1 tbsp Cream of Tartar
• Wet: 2 cups Warm Water, 2 tbsp Oil/Coconut Oil
• Optional: A few drops of food colouring.

STEPS
1. Put everything into a saucepan
2. Stir over medium heat until it forms a ball.
3. Let it cool for a minute, then knead it while it's warm to get the silky-smooth texture!

👉 SAVE this post so you don’t lose the measurements!

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