Finger painting isn't just about creating a masterpiece or getting a head start to being an artist. It's a sensory explosion that unlocks a world of learning and creative expression for young children. Finger painting hones essentials skills for your child and here are reasons why finger painting deserves a regular spot in your playtime schedule.   A Sensory Symphony Finger painting is a feast for the senses! The cool, smooth texture of the paint on your child's skin is a tactile delight. Vibrant colours engage their sight, and some paints even have a pleasant smell. For little ones who a ..read more

What do you gift a newborn? The first choice for many would be a plush toy, something baby can cuddle with while sleeping. But what about choosing a rattle? The humble rattle gets overlooked in the sea of noisy, colourful, plushie toys. These seemingly simple toys have been a staple in nurseries for generations and a good rattle does a lot more than just amuse the baby. Also read: A guide to buying the best toys for babies   Rattles come in many shapes and sizes but every good rattle helps baby hone those crucial early skills. Let's take a deeper look at why rattles may just be th ..read more

It is no secret that playing games together as a family is so much fun! It helps bring members closer together, children love when parents sit down to play a game with them, and it is an amazing way to spend time together as a family!   There are so many different kinds of games to play together as a family -- physical games, card games, pretend play games, but one of our favourites has to be strategy games.  Also read: 5 family-friendly games to play!  What are strategy games?  Strategy games require players to think about possible outcomes before they make their mov ..read more

It's time to slow down and indulge in some much needed R&R with the family. Spending quality time with the family doesn't have to include a lot of planning or spending a lot of money, it can be done at home! All you need are a few games, a little competitive spirit and you are all set to unwind and indulge in some quality time as a family! Here are 5 family-friendly ways to ring in 2024. Also read: Too cold to play outside? Try these indoor games!  Playing Board games Playing board games together as  family is a lot of fun but did you know there is so much learning that also h ..read more

December passes up by in a flash, but this is also such a perfect month to talk about the magic of giving with our children. December, as they say, is the season of giving. And that’s especially true if you are a parent! Don’t you agree?  Our children read about Santa bringing gifts and put down their own lists of what they want. One of the most important lessons play teaches you is how to share and coexist while playing with another person, also why playdates is a rite of passage for play! Let's take a cue from play this season and try something new!   Also Read: How to ..read more

Getting gift hampers ready?  Decorating the house with lights?  Shopping for the whole family?  Making mithai?  There is no denying just how much there is to do during Diwali! But, as a parent of a toddler or a curious preschooler we also need to factor how to keep our child engaged while we prep for the festival. Here are a few ways we keep our kids engaged. Write in and tell us if these tips helped, or share your own tips!  Give the gift of love! Pick toys you know your child will love with shumee's curated gift boxes  Pretend play & Storytelling wi ..read more

December passes up by in a flash, but this is also such a perfect month to talk about the magic of giving with our children. December, as they say, is the season of giving. And that’s especially true if you are a parent! Don’t you agree?  Our children read about Santa bringing gifts and put down their own lists of what they want. One of the most important lessons play teaches you is how to share and coexist while playing with another person, also why playdates is a rite of passage for play! Let's take a cue from play this season and try something new!   Also Read: How to ..read more

Getting gift hampers ready?  Decorating the house with lights?  Shopping for the whole family?  Making mithai?  There is no denying just how much there is to do during Diwali! But, as a parent of a toddler or a curious preschooler we also need to factor how to keep our child engaged while we prep for the festival. Here are a few ways we keep our kids engaged. Write in and tell us if these tips helped, or share your own tips!  Give the gift of love! Pick toys you know your child will love with shumee's curated gift boxes  Pretend play & Storytelling wi ..read more

It may be trite, but we cannot stress on it enough! Play is the work of children. As parents when we buy our children toys, we look at a few parameters. Safety & utility  Length of usage  Materials used Cost What will my child learn?  What if we told you, the last factor might be the single most important thing to consider when buying toys? When children play, they are not just engaging in entertaining themselves, but they are learning about how the world works, what it contains, the roles that people play around them, and even how to socialise with others.  Playing w ..read more

Two legs, two hands, two eyes and ears — from our human body to nature around us, the matching halves of symmetry plays a huge role in helping us understand this world.  We know that as we grow older, symmetry is a big part of math, architecture, and art. But how do we explain the concept to little kids?  If you are curious, read on to see how you can get your child intrerested in symmetry with a simple at-home Co-Create with shumee game! DIY Ladybug Puzzle This week's Co-Create activity is brought to you by Shweta, a DIY blogger and mom to 2.8-year-old Aanshi. You can see ..read more