Are you looking for some easy baking ideas for your curious toddler? Perhaps they’re getting more and more interested in what’s going on in the kitchen and you want to try something out. Whether they just love baking, eating or decorating food, it’s never too early to get your toddler involved in some easy baking. So read on for some great baking ideas for your little one (for ease of visual measuring with toddlers, we’ve used cups and spoons).
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1. Retro Rice Crispy Cakes – Toddler Baking Ideas
Remember the humble rice crispy cakes of your childhood? Often recipes for these would be written on cereal packets. Rice crispy cakes are really fast and simple to make. Using extra ingredients, you can transform these into chocolate rice crispy cakes, Easter nests (with mini eggs inside) or decorate them in any way you wish.
You Will Need:
For the cakes: 1 cup rice crispies/puffed rice (or cornflakes), 4 tablespoons of golden syrup and 1 cup of butter (or dairy-free alternative), ½ cup dark or milk chocolate (optional)
For the topping: cacao nibs, chocolate drops, mini eggs, Smarties or sprinkles.
Method For Rice Crispy Cakes:
Melt the butter (or dairy-free equivalent) and golden syrup together in a pan over a low heat. If you want to make your cakes chocolatey, also stir in the chocolate at this stage and melt. Remove from the heat and stir in the rice crispies until they are coated with the mixture. Spoon out the mixture into cup or fairy cake cases and press them down slightly to help them stick together. Decorate with whichever toppings you like while the cakes are still warm and leave them to set. Put the cakes in the fridge if you want them to set faster.
Which Baking Bits Can My Toddler Help With?
Toddlers can help with pouring, mixing, shaping, decorating – everything to make their rice crispy cake look as yummy as possible.
2. Brilliant Bread – Toddler Baking Ideas
Does your toddler fancy something savoury? They’ll need a little patience while the bread rises but will enjoy the mixing and kneading before the dough turns into something magical at the end!
You Will Need:
5 cups of bread flour (plain, wholewheat or granary), 2 tablespoons of olive, vegetable or sunflower oil, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey (see NHS safety advice on only giving honey to over ones), 1 teaspoon of salt and 7g sachet of fast-action dried yeast, 1 ¼ cups of warm (cooled boiled) water (use ½ cup of boiled water mixed with ¾ cup of cold water – it should still be warm, but not hot).
Method For Baking Bread:
Mix the flour, yeast and salt together in a bowl with your hands. Mix the cooled boiled water in a jug and add the maple syrup/honey and oil to the water. Now stir the water, oil and honey into the dry ingredients. This will make a soft dough. Sprinkle some flour onto a bread board or baking sheet and knead the dough on the board with your hands. Do this for five minutes. If the dough feels really sticky, add more flour. Finally, oil a bread tin and press the dough into the tin with your hands. Cover it with a tea towel and leave it to rise in a warm place for one hour.
After one hour, the dough should have risen so it’s full of air. Pre-heat the oven to 180⁰ and bake the bread in its tin for 30-35 minutes.
Thanks to BBC Good Food for inspiration with this recipe and method.
Which Baking Bits Can My Toddler Help With?
Toddlers will love getting stuck in with mixing the ingredients and kneading the dough with their hands and fingers. Here’s a visual guide with pictures from how we montessori of how all the different stages of the breadmaking process can look for a toddler.
3. Flavoursome Flapjacks – Toddler Baking Ideas
Here at Happity, we’re often talking about eating healthy flapjack! So try this wholesome and scrumptious flapjack recipe with your toddler. It’s free from refined sugar and nut-free as well. Thank you to Sneaky Veg for the inspiration.
You Will Need:
1 cup dairy-free spread (or butter), 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey* (for toddlers over one year), 2 cups of oats, 1 ½ cups of raisins (or any dried fruit), , ½ cup sunflower seeds (use desiccated coconut or pumpkin seeds if you prefer), 1 grated apple, 1 zested orange and ½ juiced orange.
*For babies under one year old, always use maple syrup rather than honey – see the NHS safety advice for why this is.
Method For Flapjacks:
Firstly, melt the spread (or butter) together with the spoon of maple syrup (or honey) in a saucepan on a low heat. Then, mix together all the dry ingredients (oats, raisins, seeds) in a bowl with the apple, orange juice and orange zest. Add the mixture to the melted spread and maple syrup in the pan, and mix together well with a rubber spatula. Spoon or pour into a lined and greased square or rectangular cake tin. Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated oven at 180⁰ (fan) before cooling and cutting into slices.
More Baking Tips:
Make sure you press these flapjacks down firmly in the tin before baking so they stick together better. The Sneaky Veg blog also recommends you use a blender or food processor to pulse the ingredients a bit, which will also help them stick together.
Which Baking Bits Can My Toddler Help With?
This is a great measure, mix and stir recipe, so your toddler can get involved with making all stages of this flapjack recipe.
Gingerbread is a classic. It’s so easy to make and get toddlers involved too. Then they can help decorate the gingerbread at the end too with icing, sprinkles, chocolate drops or cacao nibs.
You Will Need:
For the gingerbread: 3 ½ cups of plain or wholewheat flour, 2 teaspoons of ginger (ground), 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda, 1 cup of butter (or dairy-free equivalent like coconut oil), 1 ¾ cups light brown (or muscovado) sugar*, 4 tablespoons maple or golden syrup, 1 large egg (beaten)
For the topping: raisins, icing, rainbow sprinkles, Smarties or cacao nibs
Alternative Ingredients For Gingerbread:
You can try substituting black treacle instead of sugar* and miss out the egg as the black treacle will give it extra moisture. Or here’s a very low sugar alternative recipe for toddlers which uses apple juice instead of sugar from Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a baby and child nutritionist. And here’s a nut-free and dairy-free option from yummy TODDLER food.
Method For Gingerbread:
Add the flour, ground ginger and bicarbonate of soda to a bowl. Use your fingers to rub in the butter – it will look like breadcrumbs. Then stir in the sugar or black treacle. Finally, mix in the golden syrup (and beaten egg if you’re using one) until the mixture looks like a smooth dough. Knead the mixture with your knuckles and flatten it out with your hands (you can also use a rolling pin for this). Take your cutters and press out your gingerbread shapes. Bake on a lightly-greased baking tray for 10-12 minutes at 170⁰ (fan).
Which Baking Bits Can My Toddler Help With?
Toddlers can help with all stages of a gingerbread recipe, from mixing the ingredients with their hands to pressing down and cutting out their favourite gingerbread shapes. Oh, and decorating and eating them too of course!
5. Messy Milk Cake – Toddler Baking Ideas
As mentioned in our recent post about Eid, milk cake is currently trending as a dessert. Easy, fast and messy, your toddlers can get really hands-on with this one. Thank you to Ilhan on Tik Tok for inspiring us with her yummy-looking recipe for milk cake with a Somalian twist.
You Will Need:
For the cake: spices (cardamon, cloves and ginger), three types of milk (full fat or semi-skimmed milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk), Madeira cake (slice one up or you can buy it pre-sliced)
For the topping: double-cream, icing sugar, vanilla extract, a crunchy topping like crushed pistachios or digestive/ginger biscuits
Method For Milk Cake:
Add the milk to a saucepan, then add the cardamon, cloves and ginger. Mix together, then add the evaporated milk and condensed milk. Simmer, and then turn off the heat. Line an oven dish with slices of Madeira cake and poke some holes in the cake so the milk can absorb. Sieve off the spices from the milk in the saucepan, then pour all the mixed milk over the slices of Madeira cake.
Now make the topping. Whisk together the double cream, icing sugar and vanilla extract until it’s stiff. Spread the topping over the base with a palette knife or soft silicon spatula. Top with crushed pistachios or you could use digestive biscuits if you want the crunch without the nuts.
Find the full recipe for milk cake on Ilhan’s page here and thank you again to her for her inspiration. She refers to cardamon, cloves and ginger as Somalian tea spices, which is her personal twist on the recipe.
Which Baking Bits Can My Toddler Help With?
Your toddler can sprinkle in the spices at the start, pour in any of the milks, help cut (or break) up the Madeira cake and line the oven dish, poke holes in the cake, help with the whisking and spreading and help sprinkle on the crunchy topping. Just be extra careful with the simmering milk at the start of the recipe.
Where Can I Find More Easy Baking Ideas For Toddlers?
If you’re looking for a book recommendation for recipe ideas, try My First Baking Book For Toddlers. Not only is it written by a Bake Off winner, it has beautiful illustrations, too.
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Have you been wondering how to help your children learn more about Eid? Chances are that even that if you’re not celebrating Eid yourself, your child might have classmates or friends who are. They may have done some Eid-related activities at nursery or school as well as learning some basic facts. So what fun and simple activities can you do at home to help your child learn more about Eid?
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What Is Eid?
There are two Eids, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The one coming up to celebrate the end of Ramadan is called Eid al-Fitr, the breaking of the fast. Ramadan is a whole month of fasting, so you can imagine the celebrations at the end of it will be pretty huge! This year, Eid will take place on either Sunday 30th March or Monday 31st March 2025, depending on the sighting of the new moon.
How Can You Celebrate Eid?
As Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of fasting, there are lots of community celebrations for gratitude, including gathering together with neighbours, friends and family. People feast on delicious food and exchange presents.
What Activities Can I Do With Young Children To Learn More About Eid?
1. Read A Story About Children Celebrating Eid
My Most Exciting Eid is a lovely storybook with pictures, all about a girl called Safa who is celebrating Eid with her family and friends. The storyline is totally relatable for young children with Safa receiving a new bike, which she doesn’t want to share with her cousin. However, by the end of the book Safa realises that sharing and bringing happiness to others by celebrating together is a wonderful thing.
2. Watch A Short Video Aimed At Children – Eid Activities For Children
CBeebies have come up trumps with this video where a six-year-old talks about how her and her family celebrate Eid in Manchester. She is too young to fast during the day, but you can see her decorate the house with tinsel, flag, streamers as well as cooking special roast chicken and onion pakoras with her mum. She also gets her hands and arms painted with Mehndi patterns ready for the party the next day.
3. Get An Advent Calendar – Eid Activities For Children
Use an advent calendar to mark the 30 days of fasting (Ramadan). This is a really simple and visual way for young children to see how much longer is left before the Eid celebrations and parties can begin.
“As my children are only two and five, I tend to focus more on the excitement of the celebrations. I am doing an advent calendar counting down the 30 days of Ramadan and the lead-up to Eid. I am getting them involved in the decorations and teaching them the importance of charity and being kind. They are super-excited for their Eid gifts and can’t wait for the day to come.”
– Sheefa, Team Happity
4. Do Some Simple Crafts – Eid Activities For Children
Here’s a foil decoration kit from Baker Ross as well as an educational colour-in story wheel kit about Ramadan. You can also make Eid Mubarak (Happy Eid) cards and do other simple crafts. For little ones, simply draw an outline of the letters for Eid or Eid Mubarak and some simple pictures for them to colour in and decorate using pens, sequins or glitter.
“I literally draw the letters and a mosque, moon and stars. They just colour and stick things on to make it pretty.”
– Sheefa, Team Happity
5. Do Some Baking And Cooking – Eid Activities For Children
Your toddler or child can get involved in the baking and cooking. There’s so much food to make that it’s quite fun for them to help out in the kitchen. Samosas are really popular for Eid. Make the lamb mince to go inside – your toddler can help with putting it inside the samosas. Your child can also help measure out and add the spices (coriander, cumin, red chilli powder) to add to the mince as it cooks.
For desserts, milk cake is the most recent trend for Eid and Ramadan. It’s quick, easy (and messy!), so great for kids to help with.
Check out BBC Good Food for some more great recipes. From pakora and cardamom biscuits to handesh and bhuna, there’s sure to be something to suit all taste buds.
6. Collect Money For Charity – Eid activities for children
During Ramadan, children collect money for charity. As you can see in this CBeebies video, once the festival of Eid starts, children can take their money boxes to their local Mosque to donate to charity. Even if you’re not celebrating Eid, you could still make a charity donation to a cause that means something special to you. Make a simple money box by cutting a slot in the top of a tub or cardboard box. Young children often love the feel of coins – they can post one or two every day through the tops of their boxes.
7. Help Your Child Choose New Clothes (If You Are Celebrating Eid)
Wearing new clothes for Eid is part of the celebrations. You can get children involved in choosing which outfits to wear. Perhaps you could go shopping together to try something on. Think bright colours and lots of glitter!
8. Involve Your Child In Decorating The House – Eid Activities For Children
The night/day before, get out your Eid decorations and involve your children in putting these up around the house. These can be balloons, tinsel, streamers and flags – anything to help make your house look festive.
“We usually have a cute set-up for Eid our children can get involved in.”
– Sheefa, Team Happity
9. Do A Ramadan Activity Pack – Eid Activities For Children
There are lots of Ramadan activity packs out there which help young children understand more about why older children and adults fast and about the prayers. Here’s one you can download from Twinkl and there are loads more online, as well as in stationary and craft shops.
“This Eid’s all about celebrating the end of fasting, so most of the learning happens during Ramadan. They learn why we fast, about the prayers, and they participate in giving to charity. I also got a Ramadan activity pack which my children do bits of every day.”
– Sheefa, Team Happity
10. Prepare Them For Presents (If You’re Celebrating Eid) And Involve Your Child In Wrapping Gifts
A big part of Eid is the parties and feasts which happen after the prayers at the Mosque in the morning. Families will go round to each other’s houses to celebrate together with lots of food, hugging, dancing and playing. They also take gifts. Your little one can help choose and wrap gifts for friends and family. See the excitement on their faces as they hand over their gifts and also receive gifts and money from relatives.
Eid Mubarak! (Happy Eid)
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Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Are you looking for some last-minute Mother’s Day activities or days out? While you may not have a formal lunch or long day out planned, there are still loads of things you can do to have a relaxing and fun time. Here at Happity, we’re all about self-care as well as enjoying quality time with your baby or child. So all our ideas can involve as many of the family as you like – or just you (and maybe a friend or partner) if you prefer.
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If You Want To Stay Home On Mother’s Day: Activities That Involve The Children (And Some That Don’t)
1. Breakfast In Bed With A Twist
Why not start the day with breakfast in bed? Your child or baby may not be old enough to know what this means, so you (or your partner) could bring up a tray with breakfast items and treats for all of you to snuggle under the duvet. A laptop tray or similar is ideal to avoid lots of crumbs. Add a story book or two, and give yourself permission to have a slower start to the day. Sometimes it’s the simple things with our family that can help make us happiest!
If your child is a bit older, they may want to get involved in making breakfast for you. Perhaps a partner could help them pour milk, measure out cereal or add a surprise treat or too.
2. Have Your Own Spa Session – Mother’s Day Activities
Having the house to yourself for a bit can often feel like a real treat and can help rejuvenate you for the rest of the day. Ask a partner, grandparent or friend to take the children to the park for a few hours. Then draw a really long bath with your favourite bath bubbles. Add music, your favourite book…anything that helps you drift into a more meditative state of mind! If you’re into yoga, Pilates or meditation, this could be a good opportunity to practise some mindfulness as well as stretching your body. Invite a friend or relative if you want some company – or relax on your own.
You could have a similar session in the evening once your baby or toddler is in bed, but that will depend more on what ‘bedtime’ looks like in your household and whether you can truly switch off.
3. Have ‘Afternoon Tea’ In The Garden Or Inside
Want to have afternoon tea but not quite sure how to fit it in? If you have a young baby or toddler, you may find it more relaxing to stay home and have the afternoon tea come to you.
Why not invite a local mum friend and their baby/toddler as well? Or invite a grandparent and celebrate Mother’s Day together? You can go shop-bought for scones, sandwiches and cake or each person could bake something if they have the time. You can also order in afternoon teas made by national or local companies!
If you have a garden, set out a rug (great for crawling children) or put a mat indoors for your children while you sit at the table if you prefer. You can set out a tea-set (go baby-friendly and unbreakable if you need some) and real or pretend flowers.
4. Make Some Lego Or Do A Craft – Mother’s Day Activities
Lego is for adults too! Their range of Lego flowers, from roses and daffodils to lotus flowers and Bonsai trees are extra cute and last all year round too. So brighten up your day with a fun and colourful build.
5. Crafting Cards – Mother’s Day Activities
If you, your toddler or child is into crafting, you could have some fun making Mother’s Day cards or cards for other family members. Try simple stamp or finger printing, heart cards or flowers. Flower bud cards are really simple but effective. Just add dots of glue to a card, screw up some small pieces of tissue paper and press them on. Draw stalks and leaves with green crayon or pen. If you don’t have tissue paper, felt or bits of coloured paper can work as well.
6. Pegging Flower Artwork On Washing Line
Get a piece of string and some clothes pegs. With your toddler or child, draw then cut out some flower shapes on coloured card. Then make a fun display by clipping them onto the piece of string. If you have an outdoor washing line or clothes dryer, this can be a fun place to hang them too.
If You Want to Get Out And About On Mother’s Day: Activities That Involve The Children (And Some That Don’t)
1. Forest Wading – Mother’s Day Activities And Days Out
Going for a walk or spending time under the trees can be so good for your mental as well as physical health. The whole family could go for a woodland ramble (add den building for extra activity) or you could arrange to meet up with a friend or spend time with a partner. You can be as relaxed or as brisk as you like. Even an hour of walking can reap so many benefits for you. Click here for more benefits of forest bathing.
2. See The Daffodils Or Bluebells At A Walled Garden
With so many walled gardens in Britain open to the public in spring and summer, going on a daffodil or bluebell-hunt can be a low key alternative to a full day out. Also check out Open Gardens near you. Great for inspiration as well as getting the whole family out and about. Some offer home-made teas for Mother’s Day as well.
3. Grab A Coffee At Your Local Stately Home Or National Trust Place
Yes, your local stately home or National Trust property may be busy, but at least you don’t have to book. With some places having acres of land, estates and gardens, you will often find quieter areas. If you have children in tow, head for woodland paths to explore or adventure playgrounds. This can be a good option for meeting other families you know who are also looking for something to do. If you’re with a partner, friend or even solo, go for a relaxing stroll and enjoy a coffee too. The great thing about many stately homes, English Heritage or National Trust-owned is that if you have membership, you can drop in for a couple of hours on Mother’s Day rather than feeling you have to go for the whole day.
4. Have A Massage – Mother’s Day Activities And Days Out
There are still loads of offers out there for Mother’s Day, which you can book last-minute. For example, check out these Spa day experiences and massages from Bannatyne Spa, all over the UK. Your children could play with your partner at the local play park while you’re having your massage or just stay home! There are options for other days in March and April – it doesn’t have to be on Mother’s Day itself.
5. Go To A Mother’s Day-Themed Baby Or Toddler Class
Your local class provider may offer Mother’s Day-themed baby and toddler classes on the date closest to the day. Look out for Mother’s Day Specials too, like this one too for the dads. While this may seem like a more unusual option, you will be pleasantly surprised by the camaraderie that can come from a roomful of babies or toddlers with their parents, all joining in the same activities.
6. Go On A Nature Walk Or Nature-Themed Scavenger Hunt – Mother’s Day Activities And Days Out
Go on a nature walk with your family and see what you can spot. Check out this post for loads of ideas of what your little ones can look for outside this spring, from flower buds and feathers to clouds and people running. There are lovely ideas in this nature-themed scavenger hunt by Nature Makers as well.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Parenting, and often mum thinking, carries with it its own maternal mental load. What do I give my baby today for a healthy snack? Can I begin to prepare dinner/exercise/pay a bill while the baby (and possibly toddler) nap? Or should I be booking that first baby swim class? The list can often feel endless. But is there anything we can do as mums to help relieve the maternal mental load or even redistribute it?
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
What Is The Mental Load?
A cartoon was circulating a few years ago which goes some way to explaining a possible gender gap in organising, managing and executing household tasks. In it, the woman finds herself consumed by a seemingly endless cycle of tasks, as well as having to think about what needs to be done in the first place. This starts with the simple task of clearing the table but leads to a chain of jobs which last two hours. In contrast, she asks her partner to clear the table and he just, well, clears the table. He doesn’t notice all the other little jobs in the vicinity. Job done.
Presumably, he can’t understand why such a task could take his partner half the morning. Equally, she can’t understand why he wouldn’t instinctively do the extra jobs that popped up for her while clearing the table. Or why it’s up to her to ask him to clear the table in the first place. The cartoon explores the historical and societal reasons for this mental load, which is also known as cognitive labour.
Why Mums Often Feel The Pressure Of The Mental Load
Perhaps – regardless of gender – some people really are inclined to ‘compartmentalise’ things more. If asked to ‘put the plates in the dishwasher’, they’ll do just that. They won’t put away the clean pots and pans airing on the draining rack, or do the hand washing-up or drying, change the teatowel or refill the salt compartment. But certainly when we become mums, a lot of people find they’re constantly thinking and planning, even if they weren’t before. Of course, being on maternity leave leads to even more things to remember to organise – from feeding and clothes to washing and finances. If and when a mum goes back to work, they often still manage all these other tasks as well. This can feel ‘easier’ than explaining it all to someone else.
What Can The Maternal Mental Load Look Like In Practice?
Imagine you’re about to wash your baby’s clothes. But while putting the washing into the machine, you realise you’re nearly out of washing powder. So you start to make a shopping list. You have vouchers to use next time you go shopping and you hunt for those. While digging through the pile of papers on the side, you realise there is unopened post. So you deal with that and file it away – once you’ve paid the water bill. There are a couple more emails you need to reply to, then you go back to the washing machine. There’s a pile of clean washing still in the basket, which you hang up to air. Now the baby’s woken up from their nap and needs a feed. What started as a 10-minute ‘do the washing’ task has actually taken half the morning. Sound familiar?
And that’s not forgetting all the other things we meant to do that morning – book that baby class or start researching nurseries. Is it any wonder that mums often feel burnt-out? Let’s also remember mums who are neurodiverse, have ADHD, executive functioning disorder or are suffering from PND. Here, planning tasks can often feel like an extra challenge anyway.
So what can we do as mums to begin to alleviate the maternal mental load?
What Can I Do To Relieve The Maternal Mental Load?
1. Write Down And Externalise Your Mental Load
The mental load is exactly that – it’s internalised. So perhaps to begin to relieve it, we need to externalise and write it down. As parents Chloe and Stuart say in this article, where they share their humorous but realistic take on a mental load swap experiment, writing it down may feel counterintuitive, but your partner is not a mind reader. They may otherwise not grasp the extent of all the decisions you have to make, or you theirs. So grab a piece of paper or list app on your phone and write down all the tiny decisions you are thinking about in your head right here, right now. Like Chloe and John point out, being open and transparent about the decisions you have to make everyday can help you work out how to share some of this mental load.
2. Agree To Share The Mental Load
Work out a balance where you and your partner can share more of the mental load. Perhaps you can take on one or two of their tasks in return. This could look something like one of you looking after the swim classes and routine (delete the other parent from the emailing system) while the other sorts out playdates and family outings. You can split bedtime duty so one of you does the bathtime, hairwash and nail cutting, while the other does bedtime stories and songs. There might be certain days of the week where your partner prepares (and plans) tea, while you take on other days. Or whoever plans the meals also does the shopping, meaning the other parent can just cook.
There’s never going to be a one-size-fits-all approach so this may take some trial and error. In case you’re wondering, at the end of the mental load swap experiment dad Stuart realises, “I am glad to be returning to my more chore-centric existence, but with an increased appreciation that doing more is different to thinking more.”
If you don’t have a partner, work out where you can cut down on the amount of decisions you need to make in day-to-day life and maybe recruit some help from your wider support network. This could be friends, family, people you’ve connected with through NCT classes or friends you’ve made at baby classes.
3. Use A Planner Or Organiser That Works For You
Hang family calendars or whiteboards up on the wall and use them so everyone can see what’s going on. Some calendars have columns, one for each member of the family, so it’s easy to add playdates, classes and appointments. Or use routine cards with pictures for young children to understand. Some families use Google Calendars. While this can work for adults who have phones, that can create the additional mental load task of having to keep checking and updating your phone. So go old-fashioned with a large wall chart if you’re trying to avoid extra noise and notifications from mobile phones. Wall charts are more visual for the whole family (including any grandparents or people popping by to help).
Perhaps you have somewhere central for a shopping list which you can just add to when something runs out. Some people use black chalk paint on the inside of a kitchen cupboard so they can write on what they need to buy as soon as they notice it.
4. Routinise As Much As Possible – Reduce Your Maternal Mental Load
Barack Obama famously wore either grey or blue suits to cut out the decision of what to wear each morning. While it may sound drastic, the principle is sound. If you remove unnecessary small decisions by making the decision in advance, you have more mental energy to focus on the day ahead and other, bigger decisions that may crop up.
So if you can routinise your days to cut down on decision-making and decision fatigue, go for it. This could be something as simple as a list on the wall or calendar. Mondays – laundry. Tuesdays – baby class and buy food on the way home. Wednesdays – playdate with other mums. Thursdays – swimming. Fridays – go to the library/do a bigger food shop in the evening. Saturday – family time, gardening and DIY. Sunday – relax/lunch with friends or family.
The systemisation example above is basic, but by you/your partner doing certain things on certain days every week, you can take away the mental load of having to even think about it.
5. Declutter Your Space – Reduce Your Maternal Mental Load
It’s amazing how much a decluttered or disorganised space can impact your mental load. Even looking round a room which needs sorting out – what experts call visual clutter – can trigger your brain into trying to make all sorts of little decisions. Exactly the sort of maternal mental load stuff you’re trying to avoid! It can be really difficult to keep up with everyday jobs, let alone declutter a room, when you have a baby, toddler or small child in tow. So this is one you’ll probably have to do in stages – or something you and your partner can work on together. Take a surface, drawer or small area of a room at a time. Even 10 minutes can make a real difference.
To avoid things piling up in the first place, try the technique of having a ‘drop zone’ in different rooms. As Cora Gold explains in her article about home organisation, this could be boxes in the lounge for toys, something by the door for bags and shoes etc.
6. Ask For And Accept Help – Reduce Your Maternal Mental Load
If you have a support network of friends and family, try to use it. If a grandparent is offering to do a school or nursery pick-up, once a week, why not take them up on their offer? This can help add routine for you and your child, and some breathing space for you. Perhaps there’s a certain day or night of the week where you feel you are trying to juggle so many things. Maybe a relative or friend could cook a meal, or bring some leftovers. Often people want to help but don’t know how, so giving them ownership of something can be really beneficial for both of you.
7. Practise Routine-Shadowing
If you’re worried about the ‘handover’ of a childcare routine to a partner or grandparent, why not invite them to shadow you for a part of the day? This will avoid you having to remember to tell them everything/write a long list of instructions. Say you want someone different to pick up your toddler from nursery, ask this person to come with you the day or week before. They’ll learn where the gate is and where to meet the teachers. They’ll also learn the route home (if you’re walking) and the post-nursery routine (perhaps a quick play at the park, a snack, a nap, a craft).
8. Let It Go – Reduce Your Maternal Mental Load
Give yourself permission to let go of the maternal mental load. If your parents have taken care of your children before, try and trust that they will know what to do. And if something unusual crops up, they will ring you.
Maybe give yourself a ‘decision-free day’ (or two) every week where you actively push aside any big decision making. Leave it for another, designated day. If you find this hard, grab a pen and paper to jot down what’s on your mind. Then physically put it to one side.
9. Set Boundaries Around Mobile Phone Use
Having constant notifications popping up on your phone can add to background distractions and add to your maternal mental load. You may half-read every message long before you actually get around to replying as you’re doing something else. But the thought will be at the back of your mind as it’s natural to want to ‘close the loop’ by responding. So turn off those notifications, set a social media app timer and try to only check your phone at certain times of the day. Really hard, we know, but it can get easier with practice.
10. Practise Self Care – Reduce Your Maternal Mental Load
Carve out some time for you every day. This could be a brisk walk (with buggy in tow if needed), Pilates or yoga session, meditation or running. It’s amazing how decompressing it can feel to get out of the house and into nature. If you have childcare during the day, or your partner can look after things in the evening, see if you can get out for a regular class or meet with a mum friend. Again try to make this a routine time so it becomes part of your weekly schedule. You’ll be more likely to stick to it this way.
Some mums find writing in a diary or journal therapeutic. Try this one-line-a-day diary, which is quick to fill in, and can also help reduce some of that mental noise. The act of regular writing will help externalise your thoughts.
11. Attend A Baby Or Toddler Class – Reduce Your Maternal Mental Load
Having that regular time with your baby or toddler in an organised but relaxed setting can help relieve pressure. Use our Happity class finder to avoid searching through multiple sites. Once you’re at your class, this can be a great place to just be with your child in the moment. Add in the other parents you meet there for casual chat and you may have just discovered another place to help alleviate that maternal mental load. Try and walk to your baby class if you can for some of that all-important sleep-regulating daylight. Maybe tag on a trip to the park, coffee with other mums or something on the way home.
12. Practise Saying ‘No’ And Set Your Own Boundaries
It’s absolutely fine to say ‘no’ and set boundaries around you and your family’s time. Try not to overthink these decisions. Perhaps it’s a case of you replying to your own family while your partner responds to theirs. Again, this is something you can decide when you set your own expectations for how to share the mental load.
Disclaimer: Here at Happity we’re not mental load experts. However, a lot of us are mums and have experienced the maternal mental load first-hand. We’ve also done as much research as we can into this topic to bring you a balanced view.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Are you thinking of going to a Mini Mozart class with your baby or toddler and wondering what to expect? We’re joined by Mini Mozart who are here to explain how their music classes are so fun and engaging for parents and children alike.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
Attending a Mini Mozart class for the first time? You and your little one are in for a treat! Whether you’re looking for a fun activity, a way to introduce your child to music, or just an opportunity to meet other local parents, our classes offer a warm and welcoming space filled with live music, interactive storytelling, and plenty of giggles.
If you’re wondering what happens during a session, here’s a little peek into the Mini Mozart experience.
A Friendly Welcome 👋
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by our friendly team. We design our classes so they are relaxed and inclusive. So whether your little one is feeling curious, shy, energetic, or somewhere in between, we embrace all moods and personalities!
There’s no need to prepare anything beforehand. Just bring a small blanket for your baby to sit on if they’re not walking yet, and you’re all set.
Live Music And Magical Storytelling 🎻📖
Unlike many music classes that rely on pre-recorded tunes, Mini Mozart classes feature live musicians playing real instruments. Your little one might experience the delicate notes of a flute, violin, cello, piano, or even a trumpet, depending on the class.
We structure each session around a well-loved story, such as The Magic Flute, Carnival of the Animals, or Peter and the Wolf. As the story unfolds, our musicians bring it to life through music, rhythm, and interactive moments—so your child isn’t just listening, they’re part of the adventure!
Hands-On Fun And Interactive Play 🥁✨
Mini Mozart isn’t about sitting still. We encourage children to clap, stomp, shake instruments, and dance along to the music. Babies respond instinctively to rhythm, and toddlers love the chance to experiment with sound and movement.
We also introduce basic musical concepts in a fun and playful way, helping little ones develop listening skills, hand-eye coordination, and an early love for music.
A Social And Supportive Atmosphere 🤗
Parenthood can sometimes feel a little isolating, but Mini Mozart classes are as much for parents as they are for little ones. Our sessions create a lovely opportunity to chat, connect, and build friendships with other families in your local area.
After class, many parents continue the fun with a coffee or a walk in the park nearby, making Mini Mozart an effortless weekly playdate.
Hear About Mini Mozart From Other Parents 💛
Still wondering if Mini Mozart is the right class for you? Here’s what some of our wonderful parents have to say:
🗣️ “My daughter came to Mini Mozart as a very shy baby but left a more confident toddler. It was wonderful to see her flourish and be stimulated in so many ways!”
– Daniel, Kristie’s mum
🗣️ “We’ve been to lots of music classes, but Mini Mozart is by far the best. My son is quiet during class but talks about nothing else all week!”
– David, Hugo’s dad
🗣️ “It’s not just for the kids—it’s pretty fun for the parents too! The musicians and teachers are brilliant, and we’ve met some lovely friends through Mini Mozart.”
– Sarah, Sam and Henry’s mum
Ready To Try Mini Mozart? 🎼
If you’re looking for an engaging and developmentally enriching class for your baby or toddler, Mini Mozart is the perfect place to start. Whether it’s your first class or your tenth, there’s always music, magic, and new friendships waiting for you.
We can’t wait to welcome you and your little one soon! 🎶💛
Thanks To Mini Mozart
Mini Mozart offers live music classes, with real classical musical instruments, for babies and toddlers. The class leaders are all freelance musicians who love inspiring others with their musical instruments, where every note is played live.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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