6 Ideas to Try Right Now
Dry Rice Sensory Bin
- 1Pour dry rice into a deep tray.
- 2Add cups, spoons, and small figurines.
- 3Let them scoop, pour, and hide things.
Put a sheet under the tray for easy cleanup.
Sticker World
- 1Give your child a large sheet of paper and stickers.
- 2Challenge: 'Can you make a story with stickers?'
- 3No instructions — just let them create.
Activity Bin (Rotate Weekly)
- 1Fill a bin with 5–7 items (spoons, cups, fabric scraps).
- 2Tell your child this is their 'special bin' only for when you work.
- 3Rotate items weekly to keep novelty.
Novelty = 30+ minutes of independent play guaranteed.
Toy Hide and Seek
- 1Hide your child's favorite toy in an easy-to-find spot in the same room.
- 2Say 'Where is Teddy?' and let them search.
- 3Help them with hot/cold clues ('You're getting warmer!').
Building Block Free Play
- 1Set out a bucket of blocks.
- 2No instructions — free build.
- 3Only rule: must name what they built when done.
Peek-a-Boo Sensory Bin
- 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.
