Play Activity Library
Fun, simple activities for all ages and learning areas
Play Activity Library
Texture Treasure Basket
Age: 6-12 months | Time: 10-15 minutes | Materials: Household items
What to do: Place the basket within your baby's reach during tummy time or floor play. Watch as they explore each item with their hands, mouth, and eyes. Narrate their discoveries: "You found the soft scarf! It's so smooth on your hands."
Why it works: Supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and language development as they learn new words for textures and objects.
Cardboard Box Town
Age: 2-5 years | Time: 20-30 minutes | Materials: Large cardboard boxes, markers, crayons, tape, scissors, small toy people/cars
What to do: Turn boxes into buildings (house, store, hospital) by cutting doors and windows. Let your child decorate them with markers. Set up the "town" on the floor and play together: "Let's take the toy car to the store to buy groceries!"
Why it works: Encourages imaginative play, creativity, and problem-solving. Promotes language skills through storytelling and social interaction.
Pasta Sorting
Age: 18-36 months | Time: 5-10 minutes | Materials: Two bowls, different types of pasta (penne, farfalle, rotini), optional: tongs or spoons
What to do: Mix two types of pasta in one bowl. Show your child how to sort them into separate bowls: "Let's put all the bowtie pasta in this bowl and the penne in that one." For older toddlers, use tongs to practice fine motor skills.
Why it works: Builds early math skills (sorting, classification), fine motor skills, and concentration.
Water Play Station
Age: 1-5 years | Time: 15-20 minutes | Materials: Large bowl or bin, water, cups, spoons, funnels, squirt bottles, plastic toys
What to do: Set up the water station on a towel or outside. Let your child pour water between cups, use funnels, and squirt water. Add ice cubes for extra fun: "Watch the ice melt in the warm water!"
Why it works: Teaches science concepts (volume, temperature, cause and effect) while developing hand-eye coordination and sensory skills.
Story Stones
Age: 3-5 years | Time: 10-15 minutes | Materials: Smooth stones, paint, markers, clear sealant (optional)
What to do: Paint simple pictures on stones (sun, cat, house, car, tree). Once dry, put all stones in a bag. Take turns pulling out stones and creating a story together: "Once upon a time, there was a cat who lived in a big tree..."
Why it works: Enhances storytelling skills, creativity, and language development. Encourages turn-taking and collaboration.