🐨 Curious Koala Book – Play Guide

The Curious Koala Book invites children to explore, imagine and problem-solve through hands-on, screen-free play. Each page is thoughtfully designed to encourage fine motor development, early learning concepts and creativity, using familiar themes and playful challenges that grow with your child.

🗺️ Page 1: Map of Australia Puzzle

Core Play: Build the map of Australia using the puzzle pieces.

More Ways to Play:

• Identify where animals or cities might live

• Talk about land, water and directions

• Remove pieces and rebuild the map

• Name colours and shapes within the puzzle

• Encourage independent problem-solving

Skills Developed: Spatial awareness, problem-solving, early geography, fine motor skills

🪼 Page 2: Sensory Jellyfish (Textures & Braiding)

Core Play: Explore the jellyfish ribbons and drawstring.

More Ways to Play:

• Feel and compare different ribbon textures

• Braid, twist and untangle ribbons

• Open and close the drawstring for finger strength

• Talk about textures using descriptive language

• Encourage calm, sensory-focused play

Skills Developed: Sensory exploration, fine motor strength, coordination, language

🦘 Page 3: Kangaroo Colour Matching (Snap Buttons)

Core Play: Match colours and snap the kangaroo pieces into place.

More Ways to Play:

• Practise snapping and unsnapping buttons

• Name colours as you match

• Sort pieces by colour before snapping

• Encourage independence with fastening skills

• Talk about kangaroos and joeys

Skills Developed: Colour recognition, fine motor skills, self-help skills, focus

🧺 Page 4: Laundry Pretend Play

Core Play: Act out washing and sorting laundry.

More Ways to Play:

• Sort clothes by colour or size

• Talk about daily routines

• Practise folding and organising

• Make up stories about whose clothes they are

• Encourage imaginative role play

Skills Developed: Imagination, life skills, language, sequencing

👕 Page 5: Clothesline with Real Pegs

Core Play: Peg clothes onto the line.

More Ways to Play:

• Practise squeezing and placing pegs

• Match clothes by colour

• Count how many items are on the line

• Pretend the clothes are drying in the sun

• Encourage hand strength and coordination

Skills Developed: Fine motor strength, colour matching, counting, independence

🍎 Page 6: Apple Sorting & Colour Matching

Core Play: Sort apples by colour.

More Ways to Play:

• Count apples in each colour group

• Name colours aloud

• Create patterns with apples

• Talk about healthy foods

• Practise removing and replacing pieces

Skills Developed: Colour recognition, sorting, early maths, fine motor skills

🐸 Page 7: Frog Zipper & Fly Catching

Core Play: Zip open the frog’s mouth and use the tongue to catch flies.

More Ways to Play:

• Practise zipping and unzipping

• Count how many flies are caught

• Talk about fast and slow movements

• Encourage pretend play and storytelling

• Build self-help zipper skills

Skills Developed: Fine motor control, coordination, self-help skills, imagination

🦈 Page 8: Baby Shark Lacing Surprise

Core Play: Lace open the page to reveal the baby shark family.

More Ways to Play:

• Practise threading and unthreading the lace

• Sing the Baby Shark song together

• Talk about family members

• Build patience and persistence

• Encourage problem-solving through lacing

Skills Developed: Fine motor strength, sequencing, perseverance, language

🌈 Page 9: Rainbow Zipper

Core Play: Zip and unzip the rainbow.

More Ways to Play:

• Name colours as you unzip

• Talk about colour order in a rainbow

• Practise zipper control

• Match colours to real-world objects

• Encourage independent zipper practice

Skills Developed: Colour recognition, fine motor skills, self-help confidence

❌⭕ Page 10: Noughts & Crosses

Core Play: Play the classic noughts and crosses game.

More Ways to Play:

• Take turns placing pieces

• Talk about winning, losing and fairness

• Practise strategy and problem-solving

• Play cooperatively rather than competitively

• Encourage patience and focus

Skills Developed: Turn-taking, logic, social skills, problem-solving

🏕️ Page 11: Koala Camping (Finger Puppet)

Core Play: Use the koala finger puppet to go camping.

More Ways to Play:

• Create camping adventures and stories

• Talk about nature and animals

• Practise finger isolation with the puppet

• Build expressive language

• Encourage imaginative role play

Skills Developed: Storytelling, language, fine motor skills, creativity

🥪 Page 12: Sandwich Making (Threading)

Core Play: Thread sandwich ingredients to make a sandwich.

More Ways to Play:

• Choose ingredients in different orders

• Count layers as you build

• Talk about favourite foods

• Practise threading skills

• Serve the sandwich in pretend play

Skills Developed: Fine motor coordination, sequencing, counting, imagination

✨ Why Parents Love the Curious Koala Book

• Encourages independent, screen-free play

• Builds fine motor and self-help skills

• Supports early learning through everyday themes

• Grows with your child through multiple stages

• Designed for calm, purposeful exploration