School Readiness Activities for Ages 3–5
Support School Readiness Through Play
TeachEm Box helps busy parents build confidence, independence and early learning skills at home with 45 fun, low-prep activities.
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45 guided activities
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Created by a former childminder
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Low-prep and screen-free
Starting school can feel like a big step
You want to help your child feel confident and capable before Reception — but it’s not always easy to know what to focus on, where to start, or how to fit it into a busy day.
TeachEm Box helps make school readiness feel more manageable, with playful activities that support key early skills in a simple, low-pressure way.
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Not sure what “school readiness” really means?
School readiness isn't all letters and numbers. It also includes confidence, communication, independence, listening and everyday skills.
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No time to prep lots of activities?
Everything is included in the box, with easy-to-follow cards that help you get started quickly.
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Want learning to feel fun, not pressured?
Short, playful activities help your child build skills naturally through connection, curiosity and play.
What is TeachEm Box?
TeachEm Box is a school readiness activity box for children aged 3–5.
Inside, you’ll find 45 guided activities and hands-on resources designed to support early learning, confidence and independence in a fun, manageable way.
It’s made for real family life — quick to set up, easy to reuse, and packed with playful ways to help your child learn at home without hours of planning or prep.
Supports the skills children use when starting Reception
School readiness is about much more than knowing the alphabet.
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Listening & attention
Help your child practise focusing, listening and following simple instructions.
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Confidence & communication
Encourage speaking, joining in, asking questions and trying new things.
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Fine motor skills
Build hand strength and coordination through playful, hands-on activities.
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Early maths
Explore counting, sorting, matching and number recognition in fun ways.
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Letters & mark making
Support early literacy through playful exposure to letters, sounds and drawing.
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Independence & routine
Help your child feel more capable with everyday tasks and simple routines.
How it works
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Open the box
Everything is ready for you to use, with no need to gather lots of extra supplies.
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Pick an activity
Choose from 45 guided cards designed to support school-readiness skills through play.
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Play and build skills together
Enjoy short, meaningful activities that help your child learn, grow and feel more confident.
Loved by parents and little learners
Real feedback from families enjoying TeachEm Box at home:
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My girls get their box out every single day! They absolutely love it! Only needed this as a gift! They play for hours!
Claire
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Great quality item with loads of things to do, all in one box! I’m loving doing these activities with my granddaughter! Easy to follow instruction cards for lots of educational (and fun) activities.
Helen
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LOVE LOVE LOVE! Thank you! Mum guilt gone. Easy life sorted. This is such a clever idea and very well put together. Will last many years to come.
Etsy Buyer
Created by a mum of 3 and former childminder
Hi, I’m Jayne - founder of Pudding & Squidge, former childminder, and mum of three.
I created TeachEm Box because I wanted a simple, practical way to help children learn through play at home without spending hours planning activities or searching for supplies.
I wanted something that felt fun for children, easy for grown-ups, and genuinely helpful when it came to building confidence and early skills before school.
That’s exactly what TeachEm Box was made to do.
Our bestselling school readiness box
Pudding&Squidge
TeachEm Box School Readiness Kit
A hands-on activity box for ages 3–5, designed to help children build confidence, independence and early learning skills before starting school.
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FAQ
What age is TeachEm Box for?
TeachEm Box is designed for children aged 3–5, making it ideal for preschoolers and children preparing to start Reception.
What does school readiness mean?
School readiness is about more than letters and numbers. It also includes confidence, communication, independence, listening, turn-taking and everyday skills that help children feel ready for school.
How long do the activities take?
Most activities are designed to be open-ended, meaning they can play for as long as they like. Our activities are designed to be simple and manageable, making them easy to fit into everyday family life. 5 or 10 minutes is enough.
Do I need extra supplies?
TeachEm Box includes everything you need for the activities, so there’s very little prep involved.
Is this suitable before Reception?
Yes — TeachEm Box is designed to help children aged 3+ build early skills and confidence before starting school.
Does it make a good gift?
Yes — it’s a thoughtful gift for preschoolers, especially children who are getting ready to start preschool or school.
