playground

ESPjr is committed to telling Caribbean stories.

Our island home is a really exciting place to explore. We’ve loaded this section with lots of fun things to do. Come learn, colour, draw, and create with us!

Meet our characters

Leatherback turtle

Leatherback Turtle

Trinidad and Tobago supports one of the largest leatherback nesting populations worldwide, with an estimated 6,000 visiting its shores annually. Leatherbacks, like all sea turtles, start out as eggs buried in sandy nests. As they scamper seaward, the hatchlings face many predators. It is estimated that only one in a thousand leatherback turtles survive to adulthood.
Coconut

Coconut

The coconut is a versatile fruit enjoyed in Trinidad and Tobago. A vendor staple, the top is chopped off, and the “water” inside enjoyed straight from the shell. Splitting it, you can use piece of the shell to scoop the sweet gelatin-like jelly inside. The hardened jelly of older nuts is used to make sweet treats, such as ice cream and sugar cake, or is pureed to create coconut milk – a staple for oil down, curries and calalloo. Even the last bit, the husk and the shell, can be used in agriculture, as potting material.
Blue Crab

Blue Crab

This hard-shelled crustacean dwells in swamps around Trinidad and Tobago. Blue crabs have eight (8) regular legs, and two (2) claws or gundys (local name). Crabs typically walk sideways, but in Tobago they also race sideways. A jockey ties a string to the crab’s gundy, and uses a pole to coax it towards the finish line. Blue crabs are also a component of Tobago’s popular “Crab and Dumpling”, a dish.
Snow cone

Snow cone

A snow cone is a refreshing treat made of ice shavings, smothered in sweet, fruit syrup. Vendors in Trinidad and Tobago operate from trolleys. They use a shaving machine to grind down large blocks of ice. The colourful syrup is made from tropical fruits, such as guava, tamarind, and pineapple. For extra sweetness, you can add a topping of condensed milk. Snow cones are perfect on a sunny day, and are a favourite cool-down, during the heat of Kiddies Carnival.

The Caribbean is home to some of the sweetest treasures in the world. We’re made up of hundreds of small islands, chock-full of exotic animals, food, sites, folklore, culture, and festivals.

Each island is a different adventure in itself, with lots to see, do, and learn.

Meet the loveable characters who make us smile.

Download Fun Stuff!

We’ve stocked this area with loads of original freebies to print and play. All our ESPjr™ printables are original artwork, made with love in the Caribbean. They’re full of fun, lessons, and a sprinkle of warmth.

Colour

Calling all budding artists! Download, print, and colour to bring our characters to life. Email us your finished artwork, and we’ll proudly post it in our gallery!

Coming-Soon

Activities

Coming soon – Mazes, puzzles, word games, and more. Here you’ll find brain-stimulating and fun activities, all based on Caribbean themes.

Coming-Soon

Craft

Coming soon – Time to get creative! We’ll combine our printable step-by-step instructions, your imagination, and everyday,recycled materials to make really neat stuff!

Kiddie Art Gallery!

We want to show off your art! Send us your children’s drawings of our “Island Babies” characters, and we’ll upload them to our gallery for the world to see. We will also be doing random giveaways. *wink wink*