Perfect Pairs: A simple handmade matching game

These beautiful little squares were given to Sarah (22mths) for Christmas. They are such a simple and thoughtful gift, perfect for Sarah.

They are a set of 12 matching pairs. Each square measures 10cm x 10 cm (approx. 4″x4″). Wouldn’t they be the perfect way to use up all those scrap pieces of fabric we have around the place?

To start with, Sarah really liked simply playing with the squares, looking at them all, moving them from one pile to another. Then, like with the wooden eggs, I introduced matching, by giving her one pair to match, then two pairs, three.. and finally all twelve pairs.

At this stage I still need to lay out one set on the carpet for her and Sarah will match the others from a pile next to her. In time though she will be able to do this herself.

I also really like that each square has the same backing fabric so the game can be extended to a memory game for Jack (3.75yrs). We started with two pairs and now play with three. It’s incredible for Jack’s concentration and he really enjoys the challenge of finding a matching pair.

I imagine these little squares would be crazy simple to make, just cut and stitch. And how beautiful are they in their little carry bag? We love them.

This Week…20/52

This week…

A snapshot of our week, our everyday story

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If you feel inspired to share a moment from your week please leave a comment with your link below or pop over to Instragram and use the hashtag #p52thisweek. I’m kate_aneverydaystory. Hope to see you there.

Starting Homeschooling and Finding our Rhythm

I’ve always been a list maker, a planner, an organiser. I have more plastic containers than I’d like to admit and all neatly categorised. My husband likes to make fun of me, saying I have the strangest OCD he’s ever …

Colour Sorting: Eggs and Cups

Aren’t these beautiful? Sarah (20 months) doesn’t have too many toys but I saw these eggs on Etsy and they were just too beautiful to resist. They are hand made and hand dyed. Gorgeous.

We have had them for a few months now. I first put just one egg and cup out; the red one. When we played with them I would say to her, ‘This is a red egg. This is a red cup. The red egg is in the red cup.’ 

Then I introduced a second colour, green, and again would say something like, ‘This is the red egg. The red egg is in the red cup.’ ‘This is the green egg. The green egg is in the green cup.’

Once she had mastered two colours I introduced the others. I think from this utterly adorable video, you can see that she has got it. I love how she thinks twice about where to put the green one.

Time for a bit more of challenge I think. I have a bunch of tiny coloured cube blocks. On the weekend I think I’ll head back down to the hardware store and get some matching colour swatches; might introduce blue and purple next.