More Toddler Activities

A Velcro dressing frame. Montessori dressing frames can be purchased pretty cheap but I decided to make one since I had a wooden frame available already. I used leftover flannel (from a previously made flannel board), which is nice and soft to use. The rest was made with the sewing machine and staple gun.


First folding cloths. My daughter has used it a few times. It was one of those activities she repeated a number of times before putting back on the shelf. It is a challenge and she has a lot of interest in it.


Color box 1. I haven't introduced it yet because she hasn't shown interest but it is on the shelf.


I Spy Bottle. My daughter likes the weight of the sand as compared with rice. The cap is taped on and I put in about six objects. She rolls it back and forth on the rug. This could be a help in preparing her to roll a rug soon.


Pouring beans. Because I give direct supervision when we are in the Montessori room I have provided beans. They are easy to pick up if spilled.

Toddler Montessori Shelf

I recently created a toddler corner in our Montessori room. My daughter will be 2 in October and until now I have been rotating two activities on a shelf in our living area. Lately, she has wanted to be in our Montessori room so much that we had to change to a doorknob with a lock because the childproof handle no longer works on her. Here are the activities I have put on a long low shelf in the room.


Transferring water with a sponge. Not new for her, but still interesting and needed, as she continues to want to and tries to clean tables in the house. Before starting I fill one bowl with a small amount of water and she uses an apron.


Open and Closing. I discovered she is more interested in it when I put these dolls inside. Each container has a doll and she says "Night, night" as she closes them.


She really enjoys these stacker pegs and peg board made by the company Lauri. Pegs are great for this age group and she will sit and use these for a longer length of time than other activities.


She also has been introduced to getting out a rug for every activity and placing all activities on a rug. The rug defines her space as her own and keeps materials from getting lost or stepped on. She puts it on the floor and I usually unroll and roll it for now, but her initiating it's use is progress enough.

I am working on some materials for the second shelf . With any age, a child starting out does not need too much on the shelves. Too many activities is over stimulating. Activities can be added little by little and removed as mastered. The focus right now is the work cycle of getting out a rug, choosing an activity, using it, and returning it to the shelf. The goal is with each use the attention span lengthens and concentration grows. Allowing her to choose her activities is also important. Self-motivation is one of the fundamental skills needed to be a successful learner.

Toddler Activity: Matching Object to Picture

Matching is a great activity for young children. Introduce matching starting with object to object-making sure they are the exact same objects. Once the child can match object to object, introduce object to picture, and lastly picture to picture. Introducing matching this way allows the child to begin with the concrete and gradually work towards the abstract.

I have seen great matching sets available, but I made this one easily with my printer. I gathered some of our animals from around the house and found the pictures on-line from retailers advertising. I then laminated it.


I tried to make the photos as close to the size of the actual animal figure as possible. I opted for four pictures on a paper to make it a little more manageable for my daughter, but individual cards would also work as a floor activity. To introduce the activity, I put out only one set. I chose an animal and said "Where is the dog?" (knowing my daughter would know this animal). She touched the picture and I set the figure on the picture.

Toddler Activity: Containers and Lids

I just put this out on my toddler's activity shelf this week. To introduce it, I took off one lid and took out the block. I set them on the mat and did the same for the next container. After all three were opened I showed how to put in a block and find the lid.


This jar has a twist lid and I wasn't sure how difficult it would be. She puts the lid on and pushes on it and it seems to stay on without the twisting. When I see her using the activity I try to casually model the twisting.


The square lid is a challenge putting on. Sometimes she gets it, sometimes not. A younger child would do better with all circular lids as they are the easiest. (A younger child may also need to start with just one container w/ lid) She has no problem pulling all of the lids off.


Another aspect of this activity is the one-to-one matching. (One block for each one container.) One-to-one is a very important pre-math concept that is needed for when a child starts counting. I am always trying to find ways to incorporate this skill into my toddler activities.

Toddler Activity: Water Jug

Another water activity for my toddler (going on 21 months now). I know some parents might cringe at the thought of giving their toddler a water activity, but I find water to be the least messiest. It wipes up easily, even cleans as it spills and clothes only need to be changed but don't get stained or dirty. Of course, this can always be done outside too.
The materials needed are shown, with the exception of an apron and a towel for under feet. The jug was prepared by cutting a large hole in the side of the jug and cutting off the top.

I filled the jug to almost the bottom of the side hole and demonstrated using the funnel by scooping water out from the bottom of the jug and pouring into the funnel at the top.


My daughter also experimented with removing the funnel, which worked just as well.

Toddler Activity: Alternative Use For Puzzle Pieces

We have lots of wooden knob puzzles in our house. Right now, my oldest daughter is no longer interested in them because they are too easy and they are still a little too difficult for my youngest daughter. For a new activity, I turned the pieces into magnets for my youngest daughter to practice using the knob pieces.

For the activity I used a metal pan and taped on a landscape photo. Even better would be to match the photo to the group of pieces (a farm photo for farm animals, etc). I demonstrated how to pick up one piece using the knob and attach it to the pan. Using the knob was a new skill for her, as she naturally went to grab the entire piece. She quickly caught on and has been using the knobs ever since. These types of knob puzzles are very good for developing the pincer grip which is needed for writing and drawing as they get older.

To make the pieces magnetic, I securely duct taped a magnet on the back of each piece.

Toddler Activity: Using A Strainer and Water

Catching Rubber Ducks With A Strainer

I put this activity together for my youngest daughter. The materials needed are shown on the tray, in addition, we use an apron and two towels (one for under the tray and one for under her chair). The strainer/sieve comes from Montessori Services (sidebar of blog) and I must say if you happen to be looking for a strainer, I highly recommend it, it works well for a variety of activities. An older child could use smaller objects and if you don't have a strainer, you could always use a fish net, or slotted spoon.

After setting up the towels and putting on an apron, I showed my daughter how to carefully and one at a time, place the ducks into the water. (I do keep towels and the apron in an accessible spot for her, so that she can get them by herself when needed.)

I demonstrated scooping up one duck and putting the duck into the bucket with the strainer. Then, I offered my daughter a turn. She really enjoyed it and the activity was just at her skill level.

This picture shows how I typically set up for a water activity. When she is done, we clean-up together by dumping out water, drying materials, returning the activity to her shelf and hanging up the apron.

Nesting Dolls

Nesting dolls are a wonderful addition to a child's toy collection. My oldest daughter has used this nesting doll for a long time now and she still has interest in it. She delights in opening the last doll to find the "baby" inside. Recently, I added the two largest dolls to my youngest daughter's (19 months) activity shelf.

She is able to open and put the dolls back together and is working on the "nesting" part of it.

Homemade Toddler Toy

It was time for a new activity for my daughter's shelf. I put this together using a large spice container (with holes in the lid), the lacing beads, a dowel and a rock. The rock provides stability for the container so that it doesn't tip when she is using it. I pushed the dowel through one of the holes in the lid and since it is a tight fit it stays put. She has really taken an interest to it and it provides just the right challenge while developing eye-hand coordination.

Pumping Water: Toddler Activity

All that is needed for this activity is a used soap pump, a tub or large bowl and a towel for under the tub. Fill the pump container with water and place it in the bowl for the toddler to practice pumping with.

It took a little practice for my daughter to learn the pumping motion but she was successful. She used it for a few minutes, but not as long as the pouring activities, I think because it takes a lot of arm strength. Despite this, it's a keeper for her activity shelf, and I think as she develops more she will really enjoy it.

Homemade for Toddlers

My youngest daughter is now 18 months. With both my children I found it challenging to find engaging toys for this age. To provide her with a new activity, I put this together. The wooden pieces came from a stringing beads activity we have. She has been using it often and since it cost me nothing to make, I consider it a success!

Toddler Activities

Loud and Quiet Shakers: I put these together to offer an exercise in discriminating between sounds and tried to gear them towards loud and quiet. I have them out on a tray and my daughter shakes them one at a time.

Water Transfer With a Sponge: This is a traditional lesson for a 3-6 year old class. My oldest daughter used it early on and so we don't use it in our Montessori room anymore. I was interested to see how my youngest daughter would do with it. I use a sponge cut in half for her smaller hands and she wears an apron for this work. I began by filling the bowl on the left with water about 1/4 full.

I demonstrated by placing the sponge in the water and carefully lifting it and moving it to the other bowl. Holding my hand about level with the edge of the bowl, I slowly squeezed the sponge and waited for the last drop to fall. I then returned the sponge to the bowl on the left and repeated. My daughter transferred the water from one bowl to the other and back using the sponge. Of course, it all ended with her picking up a bowl and beginning to pour. We cleaned up together (as best she could) using the towel provided. Initially, I thought about putting the bowls in a plastic tub, which would contain any pouring that goes on.

Toddler Water Transfer

This is a new activity I put together for my youngest daughter (17 months).


I found these little metal buckets at Walmart for a dollar. The activity stays on my daughter's shelf and I fill one bucket 1/2 full when she is ready to use it.

She wears her apron and uses the scoop to transfer the water from one bucket to the other. When she is finished we dump it into the bathtub and wipe up with the towel. She then puts the towel in the designated spot and gets a new one for the tray. She really enjoyed it and was very focused.


Recent Update Activity:

This one is very popular and has been on her shelf for awhile now, and she still loves it. With this set up she can scoop the water into the small bowl and then pour the small bowl into the bucket. It satisfies her need to scoop and pour.

Toddler Activities

I have been experimenting a bit with ideas for my youngest daughter, now 17 months.

I used clothespins and different sized dowels- length and width. The dowels fit into the container openings. The smallest opening (the salt shaker) requires one thin dowel, while the rest can take a changing number of dowels depending on the sizes chosen. This lesson uses eye-hand coordination and the pincer grip (the grip used for holding a pencil). My daughter enjoyed this activity.

Pouring is a lesson used in the 3-6 age group, however it should also be available to young toddlers. Pouring without handles was easier for my daughter than pouring with handles.

I used cereal because it is safe if she chooses to put it in her mouth. Everything in Montessori is usually done in 5 or 10's, so when it comes to choosing an amount I usually use 5- in this case I put in 5 pieces of cereal. She naturally picked them up and put them in the containers if she had a spill.

I also introduced this spooning cereal. A word of experience- only introduce one of these at a time, otherwise they will most likely get mixed together. To introduce the activity demonstrate slowly and carefully spooning one cereal from the left to the right.

My daughter surprised me with how well she did. I wasn't sure if it would be too difficult. Here she is using the spoon.

Now she has decided to pour. = )

And then use her hands =) I don't correct her because it could discourage her from trying again or using it at all as well as hurt her self confidence. I put this away when she was done (because we had the pouring out) but next time I will encourage the use of the spoon by simply demonstrating it again using the spoon.

Toddler Fill and Pour

This is an introduction in pouring. (Purposeful) pouring is a skill that a very young child can master if given lots of practice. Giving a child the opportunity to develop this skill will greatly increase their independence and self-confidence. As adults, we seem to take the act of pouring for granted, it looks simple enough. For the child to master pouring, they must develop the eye-hand coordination, hand muscle strength, and concentration. I plan to have lots of pouring activities for my daughter, with this being the first.

The toddler fills up the container.

It is poured out and the tray confines the objects to the space.

Opening and Closing For Toddlers

Opening and Closing Activity For Toddlers
I just put this together after a quick look around the house. Opening and Closing (a traditional Montessori lesson) is great for young toddlers, too. I am always checking out stores and flea markets for new open/close items. I rotate the items every now and then.

Toddler Mitten Puppets and Baby Safe Paint

Felt Mitten Puppets
I traced a mitten onto felt, and hand stitched it together. These felt puppets were very simple to make. When making, just make sure to add width to the mitten because unlike a typical mitten, the felt doesn't stretch. I think I will make some for my older daughter too, and let her cut out and glue on facial features.

We also did a painting activity made with flour, water and food coloring. After searching online I found a recipe for baby safe "paint". It is completely safe for them to eat, however, judging from the look on my daughter's face it doesn't taste very good! The recipe calls for: 2 cups of flour, mixed with cold water until a paste is formed-free of large lumps. Thin to desired consistency with hot water. Divide into bowls and add food coloring. Very simple. I will say it is pretty wet on the paper and should be cleaned up before drying. Messy- but fun!

Montessori for the Youngest and Play

We haven't been in our Montessori room for a few days, but here is what we're up to in the rest of the house.

I just made this for my youngest daughter. Cubes/Squares are a good challenge for her right now. Sometimes she gets the cube in the square at first try other times it can take two or three. I always find the multi shape boxes sold in stores, too overwhelming for children. I think the Montessori method of one shape at a time works best.


I liked the idea of her feeling for the shape (peeking too perhaps) but to give the activity a sensory element. The box is taped together.


I always like tips from others about what toys they use and toys that last the test of time. Here's one of ours: I bought these Melissa and Doug ice cream cones awhile ago. Everyone loves them and they are used all the time. They are magnetic- on the cone and with the scoop. Lots of fun.

I just love seeing my children play. My oldest daughter (and maybe because she had time being an only child) will play for an hour easily without stopping. I love hearing the little voice making her dolls talk and the toys out and arranged in her special way. I think play is so important. At this young age I like the mix of structured activity with educational value (like our Montessori time) and a lengthy play time. I think they are equally important.