6 Ideas to Try Right Now
Shadow Puppets
- 1Darken the room and point a lamp at the wall.
- 2Use your hands to make animal shadows.
- 3Tell a story with shadow characters.
Simon Says
- 1One person is Simon.
- 2Simon gives instructions: 'Simon says jump!'
- 3Only follow if it starts with 'Simon says' — catch everyone out!
Color Matching Relay
- 1Place sheets of colored paper at one end of the room.
- 2Scatter matching colored toys at the other end.
- 3Have your child run, grab a toy, and place it on the matching paper.
Sponge Water Transfer
- 1Fill one bowl with water and leave the other empty.
- 2Give your child a large sponge.
- 3Let them soak water from one bowl and squeeze it into the other.
Feelings Faces Game
- 1Draw 4 faces on paper plates: happy, sad, angry, surprised.
- 2Call out a feeling and your child holds up the right face.
- 3Swap: your child calls it, you hold it up.
This builds emotional vocabulary — one of the best 3–4yo investments.
Marble Run (No Kit Needed)
- 1Tape cardboard tubes (toilet rolls) at angles down the wall.
- 2Drop a marble in the top and watch it travel down.
- 3Experiment with angles to make it go faster or slower.
