After each of my baby storytimes, I include a Discovery Time free-play session that encourages parents to talk to one another and to interact with their children. I include a variety of fine motor, gross motor, and sensory activities that appeal to 0-2-year-olds.
A simple fine motor activity, cereal boxes and straws, is always a success. Babies build their finger muscles while placing smoothie straws in pre-cut holes in cereal boxes. This is especially great because it can be easily replicated at home and appeals to a wide range of ages.
How to Make Cereal Boxes and Straws
Materials: Empty Cereal Boxes, Smoothie Straws, Pencil or other poking tool, Packing Tape
Steps:
- Collect empty cereal boxes.
- Tape all sides of the box to make the seams sturdier.
- Punch holes in the front of the box using a pencil or similar tool.
- Test a straw to make sure your holes are large enough for a straw to fit but not so large that it flops over and falls into the box.
- Optional: Make a pattern with your straw holes, such as a letter of the alphabet.
Cost: $0-10
Time to Make: < 10 minutes
Pro-Tip: If you are going to use this activity a lot, consider purchasing reusable straws that can be washed. Smoothie straws can be washed, but tend to get bitten, and the teeth marks show.
Conversation Starters
Start conversations as babies play with this tool by asking questions like:
- How many straws fit in the box?
- Can you take a straw out of the box?
- Can you make a straw fit in the box?
- What color is the straw?
- How does the straw feel?
- What happens if you hit the box with the straw?
Stretch Vocabulary
When talking with little ones, use big words and small words. The more new words a child hears, the larger their vocabulary will be when they start to learn to read.
Consider using some of the following vocabulary words when using this activity:
Fit
Inside
Into
Lay
Length
Lift
Nudge
Outside
Pluck
Press
Pull
Push
Smooth
Stand
Tall
Tight
Tug
Yank