6 Ideas to Try Right Now
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#1·15–20 min
Sticker Sorting Game
🛒Materials: Sticker sheets, paper divided into sections
- 1Draw sections on paper (colours, shapes, animals).
- 2Give your child a sticker sheet.
- 3Challenge: put each sticker in the right section.
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#2·20+ min
Tray Play (Quiet & Calm)
🛒Materials: A tray, small objects
- 1Load a tray with 5 interesting small objects.
- 2Place it on the bed or couch next to your child.
- 3Let them explore without pressure.
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Perfect for low-energy days — no movement needed.
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#3·10–15 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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#4·10–15 min
Balloon Tapping
🛒Materials: Balloon, painter's tape
- 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.
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#5·15+ min
Peek-a-Boo Sensory Bin
🛒Materials: Dry rice or oats, small safe toys
- 1Pour dry rice or oats into a deep bowl.
- 2Hide 4–5 small safe toys under the surface.
- 3Say 'Where's the duck?' and let them dig to find it.
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#6·10–20 min
Tupperware Tower
🛒Materials: Plastic containers of different sizes
- 1Stack plastic containers from biggest to smallest.
- 2Let your toddler knock them over — they love it!
- 3Help them rebuild and try stacking themselves.
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The 'knock down' phase is just as developmental as the building phase.
