6 Ideas to Try Right Now
Family Art Gallery
- 1Everyone in the family makes one piece of art (drawing, painting, collage).
- 2Tape all artworks to a wall or hallway to create a 'gallery'.
- 3Take turns being the 'tour guide' explaining each artwork.
Sensory Texture Hunt
- 1Find something soft, something hard, something smooth, and something rough in the room.
- 2Have your child touch and describe each object.
- 3Repeat with different textures.
Tupperware Tower
- 1Stack plastic containers from biggest to smallest.
- 2Let your toddler knock them over — they love it!
- 3Help them rebuild and try stacking themselves.
The 'knock down' phase is just as developmental as the building phase.
Sticky Wall (Contact Paper)
- 1Tape a sheet of contact paper sticky-side-out to a low wall.
- 2Give your toddler small bits of tissue paper, leaves, or stickers.
- 3Let them stick things on and peel them off.
Great for developing pincer grip — a key pre-writing skill.
Balloon Tapping
- 1Hang a balloon from a doorway at your toddler's head height.
- 2Show them how to tap it with their hand or a paper tube.
- 3Encourage them to reach and jump.
Water Tray Pouring
- 1Put a towel on the floor and set a shallow tray on it.
- 2Fill one cup with a little water and give a smaller cup.
- 3Let your toddler pour back and forth freely.
Toddlers can pour for 20+ minutes. It builds fine motor skills.
