If you’ve lost count of the number of Peppa Pig episodes played today, this one is for you!
Like many parents, I have a Peppa Pig obsessed toddler. We don’t even own a TV but that hasn’t stopped the invasion of Peppa Pig toys in our home. On the bright side, I’m astonished at all the hilarious phrases she has picked up and some of the episodes have certainly set the foundation for some quirky dramatic play scenes! (My favourite at the moment is when we re-enact The Secret Club episode and make up funny secret words)
We’ve seen so many re-runs of each episode that I’m pretty sure Clara and I can repeat the script word for word!
The beauty of re-watching an episode over and over again, is that repetition promotes curiosity. One of Clara’s favourite questions to ask a barrage of whys. A toddler’s curiosity is such an amazing and wonderful thing and I love how hungry she is for more information. Sometimes we’ll pause an episode for a giggle or so I can provide some commentary. More often that not, this blossoms into a whole delightful conversation!
Although we usually don’t make screen time as part of our day, Peppa Pig has become so ingrained into our lives that we’ve even begun turning it into sensory play activities!
What is sensory play?
Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates your young child’s senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing. Sensory activities and sensory tables facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore. Spending time stimulating their senses helps children develop cognitively, linguistically, socially and emotionally, physically and creatively.
Why is sensory play important?
Research shows that sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks. Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
Sensory play is always a hit at our house! The best part is that it’s a fun way to engage in meaningful and independent play! So here are three sensory play activities that enhance Peppa Pig stories!
Inspired by Season 3 Episode 30: Sun, Sea and Snow
Mummy Pig and Madame Gazelle go for a swim in the icy sea! Watch this episode here:
I brought this to life with sea theme props, ice cubes and blue food colouring.
Playing with ice opens the opportunity to discuss temperatures and textures — how the ice feels freezing cold on our hands, how it’s smooth and slippery, and what happens when it melts and disappears. We also joked about how it would feel if we bathed in the icy water with Madame Gazelle and Mummy Pig!
You can also offer different empty containers for scooping, catching and filling. The wonderful thing about open-ended play is that it’s child-led play and they can take the activity to any direction they feel like.
Inspired by Season 1 Episode 1: Muddy Puddles
You don’t have to wait for a rainy day to jump in muddy puddles!
Ooblek is basically cornflour (or cornstarch depending on where you are in the world) mixed with water! To make brown ooblek mud, simply add cocoa powder and adjust to the right gloopy consistency and colour.
The measurements are approximately:
1 cup cornflour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
½ cup water
If it’s too runny, add more cornflour, and if it’s too thick, add a few more drops of water.
Watch the episode of Muddy Puddles here:
Clara cracks up when Daddy Pig says “it’s only mud!” and then wipes Peppa and George clean.
To set-up this scene, you’ll need two tubs. One for the ooblek mud, and another filled with soapy water (simply add a few drops of dishwashing detergent to water). I also offer some cleaning brushes, sponges and a tea towel.
This activity can get messy so it’s best to set this up outside where kids can get wet and wild!
A bonus with ooblek mud is that it washes off with water and it doesn’t stain clothes!
Inspired by Season 2 Episode 15: Sports Day
Kids love digging their hands into cool feeling textures like kinetic sand! I love kinetic sand because it’s moldable and squishable but sticks to itself so it’s really easy to clean up!
In the ‘Sports Day’ episode, George and Richard Rabbit compete in the long jump competition.
Watch the Sports Day episode here:
Set-up the long jump scene by pouring a layer of kinetic sand in a tray. Clara likes to arrange the grown-ups around the tray to watch the children. This is a great opportunity to practice counting and grouping similar objects together (grown-ups vs children).
You can also use different objects to build molds or for digging and jumping into. The possibilities are endless!
