60 free monthly play guides | Newborn to five
Simple ways to help your child learn through play, at every age
Hi, I'm Maddie, an early childhood educator and Mum. Get simple, practical play ideas and activities delivered to your inbox each month, tailored to your child's age. Helping you make the most of every stage of their development.
A note from Maddie
Hi, I'm Maddie
I've worked in early childhood education for more than 10 years. Then I became a Mum, and found out that knowing it all on paper is very different at 3am.
In hospital with our first, I asked a nurse to send someone in to help me change her nappy, because I'd “never done it before”. A moment later it hit me. Changing nappies had been my job for 10 years!
That's when I realised every parent needs a little reassurance, no matter how much they know. So I write the guide I wish I'd had: one email a month, timed to your child's age, with a couple of easy ideas, a book, a song and a reminder that you're doing a great job.
No pressure and no picture-perfect craft projects. Just real ideas for real days, and lots of cuddles.
With love,
Maddie
“Babies don't need lots of toys. They need repetition, connection and you.”
How it works
One email a month, right on time
- 1
Add your child's birth month
Just your email and their birth month and year. Expecting? Pop in your due month.
- 2
Get a guide each month
It lands around their monthly birthday, written for exactly where they are.
- 3
Enjoy the little moments
Try an idea or two, or just read it with a cuppa. Either way, you're doing enough.
Maddie at Kidsbook
Wow, What a Whirlwind!
Inside every guide
- Two easy activitiesShort and realistic, using what you already have at home.
- A book to shareA simple pick to borrow from the library and read together.
- A rhyme or action songFor cuddles, bath time and the car.
- A fun factHow your child is learning and growing right now.
- A connection tipSmall ways to support their feelings, and your bond.
Read the guides
A guide for every month, newborn to five
Find your child's age and have a read. Every guide is free, and the next one can come straight to your inbox.
0 to 6 months
6 guidesSettling in, first smiles, tummy time and lots of cuddles.
7 to 12 months
6 guidesSitting, crawling, babbling and exploring everything.
1 to 2 years
12 guidesFirst steps, first words and big feelings.
- Month 131 year, 1 monthLittle Explorers on the Move!Read the guide
- Month 141 year, 2 monthsLittle Explorers in ActionRead the guide
- Month 151 year, 3 months**Month 15: Tiny Steps and Big Scribbles**Read the guide
- Month 161 year, 4 months**Month 16: Little Explorers on the Move**Read the guide
- Month 171 year, 5 monthsSteps of CuriosityRead the guide
- Month 181 year, 6 monthsLittle Explorers in MotionRead the guide
- Month 191 year, 7 monthsLittle Explorer in Action!Read the guide
- Month 201 year, 8 monthsLittle Hands on the MoveRead the guide
- Month 211 year, 9 monthsExploring the World with WonderRead the guide
- Month 221 year, 10 monthsNoticing Tiny DiscoveriesRead the guide
- Month 231 year, 11 monthsLittle Explorers on the MoveRead the guide
- Month 242 yearsLittle Minds at PlayRead the guide
2 to 3 years
12 guidesTalking, pretending and wanting to do it all themselves.
- Month 252 years, 1 monthLittle Explorers at PlayRead the guide
- Month 262 years, 2 monthsLittle Choices, Big AdventuresRead the guide
- Month 272 years, 3 monthsLittle Explorer, Big AdventuresRead the guide
- Month 282 years, 4 monthsLittle Explorers, Big DiscoveriesRead the guide
- Month 292 years, 5 monthsLittle Explorers EverywhereRead the guide
- Month 302 years, 6 monthsLittle Adventures Every DayRead the guide
- Month 312 years, 7 monthsFinding Joy in Little AdventuresRead the guide
- Month 322 years, 8 monthsFinding Joy in Little MomentsRead the guide
- Month 332 years, 9 monthsEmbracing the Everyday Adventures!Read the guide
- Month 342 years, 10 monthsLittle Explorers, Big AdventuresRead the guide
- Month 352 years, 11 monthsBuilding Little Worlds TogetherRead the guide
- Month 363 years**Month 36: Storytime Adventures Await**Read the guide
3 to 5 years
24 guidesBig questions, new friends and getting ready for school.
- Month 373 years, 1 monthAnother Month of Curiosity!Read the guide
- Month 383 years, 2 monthsBalancing New ChallengesRead the guide
- Month 393 years, 3 monthsLittle Explorers at HeartRead the guide
- Month 403 years, 4 monthsEmbracing Their AdventureRead the guide
- Month 413 years, 5 monthsEmbracing Little LeadersRead the guide
- Month 423 years, 6 monthsFinding Joy in the Simple PlayRead the guide
- Month 433 years, 7 monthsEvery Day Is an AdventureRead the guide
- Month 443 years, 8 monthsLittle Minds, Big ImaginationsRead the guide
- Month 453 years, 9 monthsEveryday Adventures in CreativityRead the guide
- Month 463 years, 10 monthsEmbracing the Curiosity 🌟Read the guide
- Month 473 years, 11 monthsEach Day Brings New DiscoveriesRead the guide
- Month 484 yearsImagination Takes Center StageRead the guide
- Month 494 years, 1 monthLittle Explorers at PlayRead the guide
- Month 504 years, 2 monthsCurious Conversations and Creative PlayRead the guide
- Month 514 years, 3 monthsLittle Explorers in ActionRead the guide
- Month 524 years, 4 monthsAdding a Dash of Creativity 🌟Read the guide
- Month 534 years, 5 monthsLittle Patterns EverywhereRead the guide
- Month 544 years, 6 monthsBalancing Act and Bits of PaperRead the guide
- Month 554 years, 7 monthsOh, the Things They Can Do!Read the guide
- Month 564 years, 8 monthsStepping Stones and Sunny DaysRead the guide
- Month 574 years, 9 monthsLittle Explorers, Big DiscoveriesRead the guide
- Month 584 years, 10 monthsLittle Explorers, Big AdventuresRead the guide
- Month 594 years, 11 monthsGrowing in Curiosity and ConfidenceRead the guide
- Month 605 yearsThe World of ImaginationRead the guide
Questions parents ask
Who writes the guides?
Maddie, an early childhood educator with more than 10 years' experience and a Mum. She writes every guide herself.
When does my first guide arrive?
When you confirm your email, we send the guide for your child's current age. After that, a new one lands around each monthly birthday. Expecting? Your guides start after bub arrives.
How often will I get emails?
One a month per child, around their monthly birthday. Nothing in between.
I have more than one child. Can I add them all?
Yes. Add each child's birth month and each one gets their own guide, matched to their age.
Does it cost anything?
No. Every guide is free.
Can I unsubscribe?
Yes, any time, with one click from the bottom of any email.