6 Ideas to Try Right Now
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#1·10–15 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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#2·15+ 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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#3·5–10 min
Sensory Sound Shaker
🛒Materials: Plastic bottle, dry rice or pasta, tape
- 1Fill a clean plastic bottle with dry rice or pasta.
- 2Tape the lid shut securely.
- 3Let your toddler shake, roll, and make noise!
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Use different fillings (beans, bells) for different sounds.
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#4·15 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.
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#5·10–20 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.
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#6·10 min
Crayon Scribble Art
🛒Materials: Large sheet of paper, thick crayons
- 1Tape a large sheet of paper to the floor or table.
- 2Give your toddler 2-3 thick crayons.
- 3Let them scribble freely, building arm strength.
