6 Ideas to Try Right Now
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#1·10–15 min
Sorting Game
🛒Materials: Mixed small objects (buttons, coins, blocks)
- 1Mix together a variety of small objects.
- 2Challenge: sort by colour, then by size, then by shape.
- 3Discuss why each goes where it goes.
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#2·20–30 min
Cardboard Box Tunnel
🛒Materials: Large cardboard box
- 1Open both ends of a large cardboard box.
- 2Place it on the floor as a tunnel.
- 3Hide a toy at the other end and encourage them to crawl through.
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#3·15 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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#4·10–20 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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#5·5–10 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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#6·10–15 min
Kitchen Whisk Rescue
🛒Materials: Metal whisk, pom-poms or soft toys
- 1Stuff colorful pom-poms or small soft toys inside a metal kitchen whisk.
- 2Show your toddler how to pull them out through the wires.
- 3Helps build fine motor skills.
