For toddlers, the fun is in the making, not the finished product. For little ones it’s all about trying things out such as squishing, smearing and experimenting. Art projects can be a great activity to get away from screens at home and also a good thing to do on a rainy day.

Here’s our guide to how to get stuck in.

East art projects for toddlers: Finger painting

It can be challenging for toddlers to grip onto paintbrushes at first, so why not go straight in for finger painting, hand painting, or even foot prints? This can get really messy so make sure you’ve laid down a plastic sheet, or taped paper to the floor for an easy clean-up. Use non-toxic paints that are suitable and safe for toddlers. For an extra sensory experience, try finger painting on different materials, such as foil or cling film.

Nature collaging

Combine an art project with getting outside. Encourage your little one to collect items from nature such as leaves, pine cones, flowers and twigs. These can be glued onto card to make nature collages. Another option is to use items from nature to make interesting prints with paint on paper.

Sponge printing

Cut bigger sponges into shapes or get shaped sponges to experiment with printing different shapes in paint on big pieces of cardboard, boxes, or even try unwanted fabric. This activity helps toddlers recognise or talk about different shapes as they go.

No-mess painting

If you’re worried about mess, pop some paint into a ziplock bag, then sellotape it to a window so your toddler can push the paint around with their finger to make different shapes. Just make sure that ziplock bag is nicely sealed! Another option is to tape it down to a table on a wipeable cloth in case of unexpected spillage.

Edible paints

We all know toddlers love putting things in their mouth so you could make your own edible paints with yogurt, food colouring and squirty cream. A really safe way to do art, if your toddler is going to put everything in their mouth and maybe even get some nourishment too if you include fruit!

Paper plate silly faces

Paper plates are such a simple and cheap way to create art projects for toddlers. With googly eyes and string, paints or pens, they can be decorated to make silly faces. Different materials can be collaged, or shapes cut into plate (by an adult) to make fun fish or other creatures. If you cut shapes in advance then your toddler can charge ahead with sticking and decorating.

Sticker collage

I haven’t met a toddler who doesn’t love stickers so why not get a big piece of paper or card and lots of stickers and encourage your toddler to create a picture. Random shapes can make fun patterns or more themed stickers can make all sorts of scenes – from zoos to under the sea. An easy way to do this can also be to buy a sticker book, where the scenes are already laid out for children. But it could be fun to combine different themes as an art project for toddlers.

Key supplies for art projects for toddlers

When you suddenly realise your baby has become a toddler, it may be time to get stocked up on all sorts of fun materials for creative and messy play. Here are some essentials to get you started.

• Washable, non-toxic paints (Crayola and Little Brian Paint Sticks are great)

• Chunky crayons and markers

• Child-safe scissors

• PVA glue or glue sticks

• Paper, card, and stickers
  

You can also start collecting boxes and cardboard packaging such as toilet rolls. The opportunities are endless.

How to encourage your toddler to thrive with their art project

If you have an inner perfectionist, this is time to let go. The best gift you can give your child is to encourage them, join in, take their lead and give guidance if they want it and enjoy the process. Reflect back what you see to help them learn: “You’re using a lot of red,” or “What a big circle you’ve drawn.” Celebrate their work by hanging it in pride of place on the kitchen cupboards or in the play room if you have one. Toddler art projects can result in cards for family, friends and especially grandparents! Your toddler will feel special to see their art project being celebrated this way, even if you sometimes sneakily throw some of them away.

Why art projects are great for toddlers

The benefits of art play for toddlers include:

• Fine motor development: Holding crayons, squeezing sponges and sticking shapes help strengthen small hand muscles.
  
• Sensory exploration: Toddlers learn through touch, texture and colour, which is vital for cognitive and emotional growth.
  
• Language skills: Talking about colours, shapes and what they’re doing builds vocabulary.
  
• Confidence and independence: Toddlers love making their own creative choices (and mess!)

Art for toddlers in Jersey

There are many places offering messy play for toddlers in Jersey. Messy play can be a great opportunity for your toddler to make art in a bigger space than home, mix with other children, while you have the opportunity to connect with adults too!

The Creation Station Jersey is a children’s party service in Jersey: https://thecreationstation.co.uk/activities/jersey/

Toddler Sense offers adventure play classes in Saint Martin, Jersey: https://www.toddlersense.com/jersey/

Jersey Methodist Church also offers a ‘Messy Church’: https://www.jerseymethodist.org.uk/churches/messy-church/ 

Buy art supplies for toddlers in Jersey

Buy art materials for your toddler at:

The Entertainer in St Helier for art supplies and creative kits

TGJones,  for stickers, paper and markers

Amazon or Early Learning Centre (ELC) for toddler-specific, washable art sets.

The post Art projects for toddlers: Where to go in Jersey appeared first on Mums in Jersey.

Here’s our guide to how to pick toys that are fun, age appropriate and safe for your toddler.

How to understand toy safety standards

In Jersey and the UK, toys must by law adhere to strict safety standards. The key things to look out for include the UKCA mark, which shows the toy complies with UK safety, health, and environmental protection standards. The CE mark is also valid in Jersey and appears on toys across Europe. Also keep an eye out for EN71 certification, which covers flammability, mechanical safety and limits for toxic substances. You can find this information on packaging when buying instore or in the descriptions when buying online. Be careful when buying from an unknown online seller and it’s best to avoid cheap or unbranded items without clear manufacturer details.

How to choose non-toxic materials

Any parent will know that toddlers explore with their mouths and hands so it’s important to be mindful of the materials toys are made of. Look for toys labelled as non-toxic, BPA-free, and phthalate-free. Wooden toys are a good eco-friendly option, although these can be more expensive. The key things to look for are sustainably sourced wood, water-based paints and natural oils.

With plastic toys, look for labels including BPA-free or PVC-free. Recycled plastic is a good eco-friendly option. With soft toys, they usually have labelling on what age they are suitable for. Be aware of choking risk by avoiding soft toys with small buttons, eyes or embellishments that could come loose. The safest soft toy materials for toddlers include organic cotton or Oeko-Tex certified materials, which means they have been tested for harmful chemicals.

Safe toys for toddlers

Toy safety is more than just materials, it can also be making sure you choose age-appropriate toys for them developmentally.

Recommendations for children aged 12 to 18 months include stacking blocks, shape sorters and simple musical toys. Avoid small pieces, detachable parts or long cords. For toddlers aged 18 months to 24 months, recommended safe toys include push and pull toys, soft boys or sturdy ride on toys that promote balance and strength. With second-hand toys, check for rough edges or broken parts that could cause a hazard. With ride-ons, check that the wheels are secure. Safe toys for toddlers aged two to three include play sets such as kitchens or doctors kits, chunky building blocks and first art supplies (make sure these are age suitable and safe by choosing non-toxic crayons and paints.) 

It is important to always supervise creative play as children are quick to put things in their mouths. Check packaging and labels for age guidelines.

Toy safety hazards

Even toys that are designed to be safe may encounter faults or safety hazards. It is important to check your toddler’s toys regularly for signs of damage. Look out for loose or broken parts, splintered wood or cracked plastic, exposed metal, batteries coming loose or playing up or strings or cords longer than 30cm which could be a strangulation hazard. If in doubt, replace or recycle the toy.

How to keep playing safe at home for toddlers

Here are some top tips for keeping playing with toys safe for toddlers.

1. Supervise play, especially when they are getting used to a new toy
2. Rotate toys regularly, giving you the chance to check for damage and clean them
3. Clean toys. Soft toys can usually be washed on a gentle cycle. Wooden or plastic toys can be wiped with a simple and safe vinegar solution or baby-safe disinfectant.
4. Store safely. Use low baskets and shelves to prevent stacking hazards. If your toddler has older siblings, store their toys out of reach.

Buying safe toys in Jersey

It can be good to shop local and in person for safe toys for toddlers so that you can read the packaging clearly, get advice from the shop owners and get a good sense of what you are buying.

Some great options include:

• Bambola Toymaster, St Helier: Jersey’s only remaining family run toy shop with a great range of baby and pre-school toys.

Address: Waterloo House, Don St, JE2 4TQ, Jersey

Phone: 01534 888880

Website: https://bambola.je/

• The Entertainer, St Helier: Well-known high-street toy shop with clear age labelling and UKCA-approved brands.

Address: Le Gallais Building, 64 Bath Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 4SU

Phone: 01534 724339

Website: https://www.thetoyshop.com/store/jersey

• Cosmic Duck: A retail toy and hobby shop with a junior collection and well-known brands.

Address: Unit 3, Doue House, Longueville Road, St Saviour, Jersey, JE2 7SA

Phone: 01534 716506

Website: https://www.cosmicduck.co.uk/

• Amazon UK and John Lewis Online also deliver to Jersey, but always double-check product listings for official safety markings.
  
• If you prefer eco-conscious or small-business options, many UK-based brands ship to the Channel Islands with minimal packaging and carbon-offset delivery.

Recommended safe toy brands for toddlers

These toymakers come highly approved and ship to people who live in Jersey.

• Green Toys: Recycled plastic toys made in the USA, BPA- and phthalate-free.

Website: https://www.greentoys.co.uk/ 

• Le Toy Van: British-designed wooden toys finished with child-safe paints.

Website: https://letoyvan.co.uk/

• Tender Leaf Toys:  Beautiful, ethically made wooden toys certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Website: https://www.tenderleaftoys.com/ 

• Grimm’s: Open-ended wooden toys crafted in Germany with natural pigments.

Website: https://www.grimms.eu/ 

All of these brands comply with EN71 and UKCA safety standards, making them excellent choices for toddlers in Jersey.

Other respected toy brands that are safe for toddlers include Jellycat, VTech, Lego Duplo, Baby Einstein, Early Learning Centre, Fisher-Price, Little Tikes and Melissa and Doug to name a few.

Best safe toys for toddlers

Here are some of our top picks of toys that are great and safe for toddlers.

John Lewis has a great range of toddler toys available online. Great options for children aged one to two include stacking cups or hoops. How about this highly-rated stacking cups set for £8 https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-stacking-cups-set/p112356438

Melissa and Doug offers a great range of safe wooden toys. The Entertainer, which has a branch in St Helier, has many on special offer here: https://www.thetoyshop.com/brands/melissa-and-doug The great thing about shopping online is you can often search by age.

Early Learning Centre has many sensory toys that are safe and also great for learning. There are often special offers, including buy one get one half price at the moment. https://www.elc.co.uk/ A great option is this caterpillar sensory toy https://www.elc.co.uk/little-lot-twisty-musical-caterpillar-sensory-toy/p/571679 and this wooden hammer bench https://www.elc.co.uk/woodlets-hammer-bench/p/560229. 

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