If you have an infant or a toddler, you’ve probably noticed that they like to experiment with putting things in containers or pulling them out. I remember clear as day the time my 10-month-old was suspiciously quiet in the living room, and I turned the corner to find that she had pulled out every last tissue from our tissue box and was sitting in a pile of Kleenex with a gleeful smile on her face! So why not harness that tendency and create some in & out / pulling works for your infant or toddler? Here are some ways to meet that need while also working on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination:
Pom Poms in a Jar
It’s as simple as it seems! Get a clear jar and put a pom pom in it, then let your infant experiment with putting it in and out.
Object Permanence Box
Start with a box like this where the infant drops the ball into a hole and it rolls right out, then move to one with a drawer that the child has to pull open to reveal what she put in.
Popsicle Molds
Popsicle molds are an inexpensive way to practice that in & out motion, and they’re always a hit with young toddlers!
In & Outs with a Colander
Pair with pipe cleaners, some fake flowers, or swizzle sticks to work on putting objects into much smaller holes.
In & Outs with a Cheese Shaker
This also works with a parmesan cheese shaker!
Scarf Pull Box
Fill up an empty tissue box with handkerchiefs/play scarves/scraps of fabric and let your child pull them all out. You can also purchase one like this.
Ribbon Pulling Jar
Use your parmesan cheese shaker again with some ribbons! Thread some ribbons through the holes and tie knots on each end so they can’t come off. Or you can purchase one like this.
Washi Tape Pulling
Tape some strips of washi tape to a tray or the floor and leave one end slightly elevated so your child can peel them off. Repeat!
For more resistance…
If your older child needs more resistance in her pulling work, try using velcro strips or bristle blocks.
