Play is the heartbeat of childhood, but in today's busy, technology-driven world, parents and educators are often struggling to find ways to keep kids away from screens without introducing expensive toys.

Former primary school teacher Kayla Muscat has come to the rescue with The Play Lab, an activity-packed book with over 70 exciting sensory play activities that are easy to create, and just as easy to clean up! Inside, you'll find activities to suit babies, toddlers and primary school kids, with ideas to vary the set up depending on your child's interests. You'll discover activities to create jelly slime, a fizzy ocean, bubble foam, ice building blocks, yoghurt playdough, magical mermaid water, chocolate mud, DIY lava lamps and many more.

Kayla also explains the skills your child will develop through these activities and offers clean-up tips and ideas for other ways to play. There are also icons to highlight which activities suit which age groups, and tips for creating your own play kit with minimal and inexpensive items.

With vibrant photography throughout, The Play Lab is an incredible resource for rich, childhood playtime experiences, and some well-earned moments of calm among the chaos.