6 Ideas to Try Right Now
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#1·15 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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#2·10–15 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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#3·10–15 min
20 Questions (Car Edition)
🛒Materials: None
- 1One person thinks of something (animal, place, food).
- 2Others ask yes/no questions to guess what it is.
- 3Maximum 20 questions — then they must guess!
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Start with easy categories for younger kids: 'I'm thinking of an animal.'
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#4·10 min
Simon Says
🛒Materials: None
- 1One person is Simon.
- 2Simon gives instructions: 'Simon says jump!'
- 3Only follow if it starts with 'Simon says' — catch everyone out!
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#5·10–15 min
Shadow Puppets
🛒Materials: A lamp (or phone torch)
- 1Darken the room and point a lamp at the wall.
- 2Use your hands to make animal shadows.
- 3Tell a story with shadow characters.
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#6·15 min
Paper Origami
🛒Materials: Square paper
- 1Search 'easy origami for kids' and pick one design together.
- 2Follow along step by step — pause and check at each fold.
- 3Make a few different designs and display them.
