6 Ideas to Try Right Now
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#1·15–20 min
Indoor Obstacle Course
🛒Materials: Pillows, chairs, tape, blankets
- 1Line up pillows to jump between.
- 2Set chairs as 'tunnels' to crawl under.
- 3Use tape as a balance beam.
- 4Time each run through the course!
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#2·20 min setup + hours of play
Blanket Fort HQ
🛒Materials: Blankets, chairs, clips/pegs
- 1Drape blankets over chairs to make walls.
- 2Use pegs or clips to secure corners.
- 3Add pillows, books, and a torch inside.
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A fort instantly becomes a base for pretend play.
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#3·5–10 min
Dance Party
🛒Materials: None (just music)
- 1Play your child's favorite upbeat song.
- 2Dance together in the living room.
- 3Pause the music randomly and yell 'Freeze!'
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#4·10–15 min
Pillow Mountain Climber
🛒Materials: Sofa cushions, pillows
- 1Pile sofa cushions and pillows on a soft carpeted floor.
- 2Let your child climb over, jump on, or burrow into the pile.
- 3Encourage crawling and balancing.
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#5·10–15 min
Pom-Pom Post
🛒Materials: Empty tissue box or container with hole, pom-poms
- 1Cut a hole in the top of a container (or use a tissue box).
- 2Show your toddler how to 'post' pom-poms through the hole.
- 3Dump them out and repeat — toddlers love the repetition.
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This is a classic Montessori object permanence activity.
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#6·15 min
Sponge Squeeze Tray
🛒Materials: Sponges, shallow tray, water
- 1Soak sponges in water and place in a shallow tray.
- 2Let your toddler squeeze, squish, and pat them.
- 3Add food colouring to water for extra sensory interest.
