2–4 years Sound hunter
Listen to the sounds around you and copy them together – a dog, a car, water, a clock.
Details
Step by step Sit somewhere quiet and close your eyes for 10 seconds. Tell each other what you heard: “What was that sound?” Copy the sound together: “woof-woof”, “beep-beep”, “shhh”. Swap roles: your child makes a sound and you guess it. May help develop Careful listening Vocabulary Imitating sounds
Safety: Stay away from very loud noises (building work, sirens) to protect little ears.
2–5 years Telephone game
Make a pretend phone call – say hello, talk about your day and say goodbye.
Details
You will need A toy phone or remote control A soft toy (optional) Step by step Say “Ring ring!” and hand the phone to your child. Say hello and ask simple questions: “What did you eat? Who did you play with?” Take turns talking and wait patiently for answers. Then let your child “call” grandma or a teddy. May help develop Holding a conversation Taking turns Polite words
Safety: If you use a real phone, lock the screen first.
2–4 years Sort by colour
Sort toys or blocks into containers by colour.
Details
You will need Small toys or blocks in 3–4 colours A few bowls or boxes Step by step Put one coloured item next to each bowl as a “sample”. Ask your child to put toys of the same colour into that bowl. Name the colours: “This is red – into the red bowl.” Next time try sorting by shape or size. May help develop Recognising colours Grouping Attention
Safety: Avoid items small enough to fit in the mouth.
2–4 years Big to small
Line up plastic bowls and cups by size and nest them inside each other.
Details
You will need Plastic bowls and cups in different sizes Step by step Put the bowls on the table in a jumble. Ask “Which is the biggest?” and find it together. Line them up from biggest to smallest. Then nest them inside each other or build a tower. May help develop Understanding size Comparing Hand–eye coordination
Safety: Do not use glass containers.
Torn-paper collage
Tear coloured paper into small pieces and stick them onto a picture – a tree, a sun, a fish.
Details
You will need Coloured paper or an old magazine Child-safe glue A sheet with a large outline Step by step Draw a big outline on the sheet (for example, a sun). Your child tears the paper into small pieces by hand. Spread glue inside the outline and let your child stick the pieces on. Hang it on the wall and give it a name together. May help develop Fine motor skills Using colour Patience
Safety: Make sure glue doesn’t end up in the mouth.
2–3 years Animal sounds
Name an animal and your child makes its sound – then switch.
Details
Step by step Ask: "What does a cat say?" Your child makes the sound and you repeat it. Now you make a sound and your child names the animal. After each answer, walk like that animal together. May help develop Imitating sounds First words Listening
2–4 years Picture book chat
Instead of reading, look at the pictures and ask questions – let your child talk.
Details
You will need Step by step Sit comfortably and open a page. Ask: "Who is this? What is he doing?" Expand the answer: "Yes, the cat drinks milk, white milk." Let your child turn the pages. May help develop Vocabulary Attention Love of books
2–4 years Colour hunt
Choose a colour and find 3 things of that colour around you.
Details
Step by step Say: "Let's find yellow things!" Name each thing your child finds together. After 3 things, choose a new colour. For older kids: "Find something yellow and soft." May help develop Recognising colours Attention Vocabulary
2–5 years How many fingers?
Show a number on your fingers – your child counts and claps the same number.
Details
Step by step Show 1–3 fingers (1–10 for older kids). Your child counts them. Then claps or jumps that many times. Swap roles. May help develop Counting Number sense Coordination
Body percussion
Make rhythms by clapping, stamping and patting knees – your child copies.
Details
Step by step Show a simple rhythm: clap-clap-stamp. Your child copies it. Gradually make it harder and change the speed. Then your child makes a rhythm and you copy. May help develop Sense of rhythm Attention Memory
Finger family
Turn fingers into family members and play with short rhymes.
Details
Step by step Name each finger: grandpa, grandma, dad, mum, baby. Raise them one by one: "Hello!" The fingers dance, hide and go to sleep. Your child copies with their own fingers. May help develop Fine motor skills Language Memory
Water painting
Paint with water on pavement or stones – it disappears as it dries.
Details
You will need A bowl of water, a brush or sponge Step by step Pour water into a bowl and wet the brush or sponge. Paint lines, circles or a sun on the pavement. Watch together as the painting disappears. Paint again – bigger this time. May help develop Fine motor skills Creativity Cause and effect
Safety: Never leave your child alone with water.
2–6 years Balloon breathing
Fill your tummy like a balloon and slowly let it out – to calm down.
Details
Step by step Sit comfortably with a hand on your tummy. Breathe in slowly through the nose – the "balloon" fills up. Breathe out gently through the mouth – the "balloon" empties. Repeat 5 times, then ask how your child feels. May help develop Managing emotions Calming down Body awareness
2–5 years Sleepy bears
Everyone becomes a "sleepy bear" and you gently wake them up.
Details
Step by step Your child lies down with eyes closed – a bear hibernating. Say softly: "The bears are sleeping, breathing slowly..." After 30 seconds say: "Spring is here!" – the bear wakes slowly and stretches. Repeat a few times. May help develop Relaxation Self-control Attention
2–4 years Hand-washing song
Sing a short song while washing hands – keep scrubbing until it ends.
Details
You will need Step by step Turn on the tap together and wet hands. Soap up and sing a simple song (about 20 seconds). Scrub between fingers and the backs of hands. Rinse, and let your child dry their own hands. May help develop Hygiene habits Independence Sequencing
Safety: Check the water temperature and don't leave your child alone in the bathroom.
2–6 years Little gardener
Your child waters the house plants or garden plants on their own.
Details
You will need A small watering can or cup of water Step by step Pour a little water so it's easy to carry. Check together which plants are thirsty (touch the soil). Your child gives each plant a little water. Pick a weekly "gardener day". May help develop Responsibility Fine motor skills Caring for nature
Safety: Some house plants are toxic – no leaves in the mouth.
2–4 years Frog jumps
Crouch like a frog, jump forward and say "ribbit".
Details
Step by step Crouch with hands on the floor – the "frog" is ready. Jump forward and say "ribbit". Pick a "pond" (a rug, a tree) and jump all the way there. Alternate big and small jumps. May help develop Leg strength Coordination Fun movement
Safety: Play on a soft surface.
2–4 years Roll into the goal
Make a "goal" from shoes or boxes and roll the ball through.
Details
You will need Step by step Place two shoes apart to make a "goal". Your child rolls the ball from 1–2 metres. When it goes through, shout "Goal!" together. Make the goal narrower or move further back. May help develop Aiming Hand-eye coordination Counting
2–6 years Keep the balloon up
Tap a balloon to keep it in the air – don't let it touch the floor.
Details
You will need Step by step Blow up and tie a balloon. Take turns tapping it upwards. Try to keep it off the floor and count the taps. Make it harder: left hand only or head only. May help develop Coordination Reaction Counting
Safety: Play only with an adult watching; pick up burst balloon pieces right away – they are a choking hazard.
First scribbles
Scribble freely with crayons on a big sheet – your toddler makes their first "drawing".
Details
You will need A large sheet of paper Chunky crayons Step by step Tape the paper to the table or floor so it doesn't slide. Offer 2–3 colours and let your child choose. Draw alongside: "I'm drawing a circle, what about you?" Give the drawing a title and hang it up. May help develop Fine motor skills Colours Self-expression
Safety: Make sure crayons don't go in the mouth.
2–5 years Animal walks
Hop like a bunny, walk like a bear, slither like a snake – which animal is who?
Details
Step by step Say an animal’s name and move like it. Your child copies you, then picks an animal. Change the speed: “slow tortoise”, “fast rabbit”. Finish by lying down to rest like a “tired cat”. May help develop Gross motor skills Balance Imagination
Safety: Choose a space without sharp corners or slippery floors.
2–4 years Pass the ball
Sit on the floor and roll the ball to each other, then gently throw and catch.
Details
You will need Step by step Sit facing each other with legs apart. Roll the ball to your child and let them roll it back. When it goes well, stand up and throw from a short distance. Count each pass: “one, two, three…”. May help develop Gross motor skills Hand–eye coordination Taking turns
Safety: Use a soft ball and play away from fragile things.
2–6 years Freeze dance
Dance while the music plays and freeze like a statue when it stops.
Details
You will need Step by step Put on cheerful music and dance together. Stop the music suddenly – everyone freezes. Whoever moves does a funny move. Let your child be in charge of stopping the music. May help develop Self-control Attention Movement
2–4 years Turn-taking tower
Build a block tower in turns: one block for you, one for me.
Details
You will need Step by step Put the blocks in the middle and say “Now it’s my turn.” Place a block, say “Your turn” and wait. When the tower falls, laugh together and start again. Invite another family member to join. May help develop Waiting for a turn Patience Playing together
2–4 years Sock pairs
Match clean socks into pairs together, then let your child try to put a pair on.
Details
You will need Step by step Tip the socks out onto the floor in a jumble. Look together: “Where is this one’s partner?” Fold the pairs and put them in a box. Choose one pair and give your child time to put them on, helping only if needed. May help develop Everyday independence Matching Fine motor skills
2–5 years Toy tidy-up
Make tidying a game: cars to the garage, dolls home, blocks in the box!
Details
You will need Step by step Put a picture or label on each box: cars, dolls, blocks. Set a timer: “Let’s tidy up before the song ends!” Your child carries toys to the right box. At the end, enjoy the tidy room together. May help develop Responsibility Sorting Everyday habits
