During Making Rainbow classes, we provide various opportunities for children to explore with a variety of music, movement and sensory play activities. Kids especially love playing the drums and shakers.

While children playing musical instruments, the brain is getting a great workout! They learn how their bodies move in space, how their body parts interact with each other, how to listen and change sounds, follow basic musical concepts (temp and dynamics) and practice their fine motor skills.

DIY Shaker for Home

It’s easy to make a shaker at home for kids to enjoy too. Try different activities, for example shaking fast and slow, or saying “stop” where they have to freeze.

Because we love all things rainbow, we made a rainbow shaker using an empty bottle, but you can use a variety of different materials, depending on what you have on hand.

Ideas include:

• Paper clips
• Small pebbles
• Small twigs
• Cinnamon sticks
• Seed Pods
• Star Anise
• Beads
• Rice
• Coloured Rice
• Pasta
• Lentils
• Sand
• Dirt
• 5 cent coins (or other small change)
• Small shells
• Buttons
• Small plastic figures
• Glitter, Sequins or Confetti (added with something heavy so it looks pretty but still makes a sound)

Simply fill an empty bottle with ingredients (leave enough space for the items inside to move) and tape the lid up. This activity is designed to be supervisied at all times.

Rainbow Rice Shaker

To make your own rainbow bottle shaker, follow the instructions on how to make rainbow rice here, and then simply place a handful inside the empty bottle and SHAKE AWAY!

Guess what!? Making Rainbows has been nominated for the What’s On 4 Little One’s Awards!! Last year Making Rainbows were one of the finalists. To win WE NEED YOUR VOTE!

About the National What’s On 4 Kids Awards

The national What’s On 4 Kids Awards reward, recognise and celebrate the very best in children’s activities, classes, clubs, volunteers, family days out and kids party entertainers across Australia. Making Rainbows is proud to offer a very special service for families with children under five years of age because we believe in the value of investing in your child’s life during these precious years.  It’s exciting to be recognised for something we just LOVE to do, and if you love Making Rainbows, we would love your vote.

How to Vote

1. Head over to the What’s On 4 Kids Awards Page and press the CLICK HERE TO VOTE button.

2. There’s a lot of information and categories, but just scroll down until you see our category which is:

Category: Best local Toddler/Baby Activity 0-3 years.

3. Press the arrow to reveal the drop down menu and choose Making Rainbows from the list.

4. Then enter your details and press SUBMIT MY VOTE.

THANK YOU! 

Term 2 is here and we are excited! There are a lot of fun and exciting things happening at Making Rainbows. We have new classes in Toowoomba on Mondays and Fridays, along with 17 other locations around Brisbane.

Just take a look at this gorgeous space at our Toowoomba location! Plus, our brand new mats have arrived and we are doing a happy dance.

Making Rainbows Mats

We want your bubs to be happy and comfortable, and so we designed our own colourful mats. They are made by Recycled Mats, a local company located at Tweed Heads, the same company that developed the seating for the Commonwealth Games this year! Made from recycled plastic bags, the mats are ideal for children because they are hygienic and easy to look after. You’ll find larger versions of the mats in schools and childcare centres all around Australia and New Zealand.

If you would like to purchase a Making Rainbows Mat for your home, they are available for $25. Simply put an order in with your class teacher. The mats are great for indoor floor play and outdoor picnics. The great thing about these mats is you can just hose them off if they need a clean.

Designs

There are three designs:

• Meadow Breeze: Lime and Aqua
• Autumn Leaves: Red and Orange
• Cherry Blossom Skies: Pink and Aqua

Mats are 60 cm.

More Info About Recycled Mats

Recycled mats are:

• made using 100% recycled polypropylene
• soft and comfortable long-lasting UV treated
• lightweight and easy to roll up, transport and store
• mould resistant, fully washable and quick to dry
• reversible (two designs for the price of one!)

Our mats are a must-have addition to the early learning classroom, making teaching about diversity easy, practical and fun. Early readers will love this soft, warm space to share a story, whilst babies can explore textures and visual stimulation during tummy time. We also see our mats at sporting events, fetes and festivals, beaches and campgrounds, living rooms and office foyers. Wherever people love to combine bold colour splashes, talking-point designs and resilient, low maintenance ground cover, our recycled mats fit the bill. Make any space a celebration of colour, creativity and cultural diversity with high-quality recycled mats. Check out the entire range of Recycled Mats.

Watch out for the March edition of Haven Magazine around Brisbane in local kindies, primary schools,  community centres, children’s retailers, medical centres, markets and trendy suburban cafés! This month’s magazine features a behind-the-scenes peek into Bernadette’s world. From the concept behind Making Rainbows and business tips to juggling home life and what she does for fun. Hard copy magazines are available all over Brisbane or you can read the interview here.

About Haven Magazine

Haven is all about family life. The glossy magazine has two editions, Gold Coast to Byron Bay and Brisbane City, plus they share the stories online over at www.havenmagazine.com.au. See the current or previous magazine editions here.