For a toddler, maybe especially for boys, there is something just so intriguing and so beckoning about a dark, mysterious hole. They are absolutely wired to stick their pudgy little hand in and find out what’s inside!
For a mommy, this idea usually conjures up images of our little ones putting their tasty fingers into a dreaded snake hole! I know that I have found my Rudy’s hand deep inside an ant bed at one time…
But what if we could create a fun activity that satiated our child’s desire to stick their hands into a dark hole, and all the while they were safe and they were learning?!?
This game that I came up with combines several fun components for a typical toddler: putting their hands inside a mysterious bag (or “hole”), discovering a “treasure”, and winning prizes! What better environment for learning success than that?
The point of this game is to test your child’s memory, reasoning and critical thinking skills.
What’s in the Bag?
What You Need:
- 1. A brown paper lunch bag
- 2. Several (at least 6) recognizable, yet random items from around the house. (toothbrush, spoon, toy car, ball, etc…)
Set-Up:
- Open up the paper bag and place one item inside. Set all the remaining items aside. (I find it handy to put them all in a large bowl.
How to Play:
- Call in your child and tell him that there is something inside this special bag. You can be creative with this! Instead of calling it a bag, you could call it a cave, a secret hole, anything to get them excited! You can even decorate the bag if you want to.
- Tell him to put his hand inside, and without looking, try to guess what secret thing is inside. With every right answer, offer him a single M&M.
What could it be??
- Encourage him to take his time with each object. Have him feel all around the secret item in order to figure out what it is.
It’s a fork!!
- After completing the first item, repeat with the remaining objects.
If you anticipate this game being frustrating for your child at first, I recommend that you start with fewer and much more recognizable items. For instance, if your child has a “lovey” stuffed animal or blanket, put that in there! Toothbrushes are also easy, as well as balls and books.
As they get older and more confident in this game, try some more challenging items! Now that Rudy has become quite skilled with this activity, I have started putting in objects like a drinking straw, a rubber band, a quarter; I’ve even put in a cardboard toilet paper roll!
Lots of praise, lots of assistance, and lots of fun will set your child up for a lifetime of actually loving to learn! It is so sad that many children “dread” the demands and challenge of school.
Keep it up with your sing-songy voice and animated manner…it really helps, especially on these more challenging games!
