Early Learning for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Toddlers and Preschoolers have so much to learn about the world around them. Seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling – their
five senses are in overdrive all the time as they take it all in.
One fun way to get a little child to focus on their
sense of touch for learning is through the use of a mystery box. You can use any kind of box or even just a paper bag. The idea is to put an object in the box and your child has to try to guess what the object is using only their hands…no peeking!
Make Your Own Mystery Box
You’ll need:
- An old shoe box (I love to recycle these!)
- Wrapping paper
- Felt
- Tape
- Scissors
On one side of the shoe box, cut a hole that is big enough for your child’s hand to fit through. I used a drinking glass to first draw a circle on the box and then cut it out. It was a bit challenging but don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Next use the wrapping paper to cover the box and the lid. This is a fun way to customize the mystery box for you child. Pick a wrapping paper that they like best or you could even wrap the box in aluminum foil for a shiny metallic look. After the lid and box was wrapped, I put some tape over the edges of the hole and other edges of the box and lid just to give the wrapping paper a little more endurance around rowdy little kids.
Finally, I cut out a piece of felt to cover the opening and then cut some vertical slits in it. Be careful to not cut all the way through. You will want these to hang down over the opening so your child can’t peek at what is inside the box. I attached the felt on the inside of the box with tape but I think using a hot glue gun would make it more secure.
Now the fun part!
Put a few objects in the box and put the lid on. Let your little one feel around and try to guess what’s in the box.
Little kids love this activity but even my 8 year old likes to play with a mystery box when I find something really challenging for him.
For more fun early learning projects, take a peek at what the Quirky Mommas have been doing:
What a fun surprise! Great idea.
This looks so fun. I love the little felt curtain. It’s a nice touch. I pinned it to do with my daughter.