The Play Journal

Big ideas for bigger imaginations

Easy, joyful play ideas you can try at home today. Pretend-play adventures, step-by-step games, and ways to make free printables go further. No screens, no fuss, just real fun.

A printed colouring sheet on a table surrounded by crayons and textas

Getting the Most From Free Printables

Free printables are a craft cupboard in a single click. Here is how to print them well, use them again and again, and turn one sheet into a whole afternoon of play.

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Pretend play

Big-imagination adventures you can spark at home, from superhero HQs to indoor campouts.

Play tutorials

Step-by-step ideas and games that turn simple toys into hours of open-ended fun.

Five Games to Play With a Set of Play Scarves

One simple set of play scarves, five brilliant games. Open-ended ideas for rivers, capes, peekaboo and dancing that grow right alongside your child's imagination.
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Printables

Tips for getting the most from free, printable activities, plus how to build your own library.

More articles coming soon.