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Trusted by families & educators — sensory, learning & support tools.
Trusted by families & educators — sensory, learning & support tools.
Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay. From online learning to keeping in touch with family, technology is part of daily life. But while screens are useful, children also need opportunities to learn, play, and connect away from them.
That’s where games come in. Fun, interactive, and developmentally rich, games give children the chance to practise essential skills while enjoying themselves.
Screen-free games do more than keep kids busy — they support growth in so many areas:
With the right games, children develop skills that last a lifetime — all without a screen in sight.
Here are six of our Starfish favourites for screen-free fun across a range of ages:
Pass the Bomb is a high-energy word game that gets players thinking fast under pressure. As the ticking bomb is passed around the table, each player must quickly come up with a word that fits the category.
Why it’s great:
It’s a brilliant way to combine fun with literacy practice — and the suspense of the ticking timer guarantees plenty of giggles.
This award-winning balancing game has kids carefully removing hay bales, wagon wheels, and cheeky chickens from a rocking perch without toppling the whole thing. It looks simple — until you realise how much strategy and patience is involved.
Why it’s great:
Chickyboom is fantastic for early learners, but older kids (and even adults) can’t resist the challenge either.
Connetix Tiles take building to the next level with colourful, translucent magnetic tiles that snap together for endless creations. From simple towers to intricate castles, the only limit is imagination.
Why it’s great:
Because all sets are compatible, kids can keep adding pieces over time, making this one of the most versatile and long-lasting play resources.
Coggy is a bendable chain of connected gears that players twist and snap into place to solve challenge cards. It starts easy but quickly builds into brain-bending fun.
Why it’s great:
It’s portable, silent, and highly addictive — an ideal alternative to screens when you’re out and about or during downtime at home.
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, Monkey Around is a movement-based game that gets little ones hopping, hugging, and high-fiving. Each card prompts a playful action that children complete with a partner, encouraging connection as well as movement.
Why it’s great:
It’s proof that sometimes the simplest games create the most joy.
This vibrant game challenges players to stack fruit high on a wobbly stand — without sending it all crashing down. It looks easy at first, but it requires careful planning and patience.
Why it’s great:
Avalanche Fruit Stand is perfect for kids who need both a physical and mental challenge wrapped up in a colourful, engaging game.
Avoiding screens altogether isn’t realistic — but finding balance is. Screen-free games like these make it easy (and fun!) to help kids build essential skills while spending quality time together.
Once you see how much they enjoy them, you might find the iPad gets left behind more often.
The Starfish Team.
40 Proprioceptive activities for the classroom. Simple and practical activities to incorporate Proprioceptive into the classroom. 16 A4 sheets to print for your classroom, therapy space or home.
Teaching isn’t about pushing harder - it’s about guiding smarter. The art of teaching is finding that sweet spot where learning happens best: not too easy, not too hard, and with just the right support.
This blog unpacks Vygotsky’s ideas of the Zone of Proximal Development and scaffolding, with practical examples parents, educators, and...
Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay. Technology is vital for staying connected, but what we can do is learn to manage screen time responsibly.
Games are an ideal solution. There are so many great, screen-free games to keep children entertained that are just as easy to pop in the bag or car, here's some of our Starfish...
Choosing the right size weighted compression vest can be tricky — especially when shopping online. In this practical guide, we walk you through everything you need to know, from how to measure your child to what a well-fitting vest should look and feel like.
We’ve even included real photos, body measurements, and expert tips to help you...
What’s the secret behind learning to read? It all starts with understanding how letters represent sounds. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the alphabetic principle and show you exactly what to teach, how to teach it, and why it matters. Perfect for parents, educators, and tutors supporting early literacy.
With free printables, video explanations, and...
In early childhood education, teaching the alphabet is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for reading and writing.
However, the order in which the letters are taught can greatly impact a child's learning progress.
In this blog, we will explore the importance of teaching the alphabet in a particular order, provide practical tips on how...
Struggling with faint, messy, or heavy-handed handwriting? Weighted and vibrating pens are more than just novel tools—they offer targeted sensory input that can help improve control, coordination, and writing fluency.
In this post, we unpack how they work, who they’re best suited for, and how to trial one at home before investing in a specialised option.
Teaching the alphabet is more than just letter names—it’s about helping children understand the sounds that build words. Using a synthetic phonics approach, this guide covers the best strategies for teaching letter sounds, choosing the right order, and making learning fun.
Whether your child is a preschooler just starting to explore letters or a school-aged learner ready to decode...
Weighted items like lap blankets and compression vests can transform classrooms and clinics by helping students self-regulate, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.
From understanding the science of deep pressure stimulation to selecting the right tools, this guide provides everything teachers and tutors need to create a sensory-friendly learning environment.
Not all Lycra is created equal, and when it comes to sensory tools, quality matters. Premium Lycra takes sensory support to the next level, offering superior comfort, durability, and unmatched benefits for children with sensory needs and learning challenges.
From body socks to tunnels and bed sheets, discover why investing in high-quality materials can make a significant difference in...
Looking to boost hand strength, improve dexterity, or find a calming sensory tool? Therapy putty is a versatile solution that can help with all of these, and so much more!
In our latest blog, we dive into the many benefits of therapy putty, plus share 20 creative and easy ways to use it for strengthening and stress relief! Perfect for...
Understanding phonics is essential for helping children learn to read and spell effectively. Our latest blog dives into the versatile letter 'y' and its four distinct sounds, offering practical strategies and tips for mastering these phonics rules step by step.
With easy-to-follow explanations and engaging techniques, you'll find that learning and teaching phonics can be both fun and rewarding. Join...
Discover creative and effective ways to maximise the benefits of your Lycra Body Sock. From sensory regulation to imaginative play, explore 20 innovative activities that enhance body awareness, coordination, and relaxation.
Perfect for sensory integration therapy, these ideas provide deep pressure input, helping individuals feel more grounded and centred. Whether you're a parent or a therapist, our guide...
Even though we know games are valuable, sometimes we simply run out of time in our sessions.
Games are a simple yet effective way to end on a positive note and a great opportunity to strengthen bonds with your students, all while learning!
If you find yourself with only a few minutes left to fit a fun game in,...
Dive into the world of early literacy instruction with our latest blog post featuring Coko Educational Bricks! Follow Kirstie as she uncovers the innovative methods that are transforming the way we teach and learn language and literacy.
Click here to explore the full story and unlock the potential of Coko Educational Bricks.
Navigating the challenges of post-school meltdowns and hyperactivity is a common concern for parents. However, with the right strategies, we can support our child's emotional regulation and well-being. From routines to sensory techniques, each tactic contributes to creating a supportive environment for your child.
Join us as we explore practical solutions to ease the transition from school to home,...
When it comes to early start NDIS plans, you may find that not all children are allocated funding under the CORE category. The shift in funding allocation has left many families in a predicament, as they struggle to secure the necessary resources to support their children.
However, there is hope. You might be able to request an allocation...
Developing good handwriting is a valuable and practical skill. When you can write effortlessly, your work becomes legible and efficient, enabling you to focus on the content rather than the physical act of writing.
However, for left-handed students, achieving mastery in handwriting can be more challenging.
In this blog post, we'll showcase the top tips for...
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Confusing the letters b and d is a common issue for many learners.  Whether it is mixing up b’s and d’s in reading or writing, or both, as parents and educators, it is important to address this early.
In this blog, Kirstie explains 'why' it is important and lists the strategies that she uses to help learners master their b’s and d’s in the Starfish tutoring centre.
...
As parents and teachers, we understand the importance of fostering early development in our little ones. Games are not only a fun activity, but they provide numerous developmental benefits.
From improving social skills to enhancing cognitive abilities, games offer a well-rounded learning experience for children.
Join Kirstie (M.Ed Special Education) as she talks you through some her top...
Learning to tell the time is an important life skill and it is a good way to promote self esteem & confidence. Many children struggle learning to tell the time, especially on an analogue clock. That doesn’t have to be the case, though.
You can make the process fun and easy by sticking to these three easy steps!
