6 Ideas to Try Right Now
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#1·15–20 min
Sticker Sorting Game
🛒Materials: Sticker sheets, paper divided into sections
- 1Draw sections on paper (colours, shapes, animals).
- 2Give your child a sticker sheet.
- 3Challenge: put each sticker in the right section.
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#2·20+ min
Tray Play (Quiet & Calm)
🛒Materials: A tray, small objects
- 1Load a tray with 5 interesting small objects.
- 2Place it on the bed or couch next to your child.
- 3Let them explore without pressure.
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Perfect for low-energy days — no movement needed.
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#3·10–15 min
Toy Hide and Seek
🛒Materials: Favorite stuffed animal or toy
- 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!').
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#4·30+ min
Building Block Free Play
🛒Materials: Lego, Duplo, or any blocks
- 1Set out a bucket of blocks.
- 2No instructions — free build.
- 3Only rule: must name what they built when done.
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#5·20–30 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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#6·10–15 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.
