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Hand strengthThinking play

Open and Close Station

Toddler opens and closes safe containers, jars, and boxes with different lids, exploring the enclosure schema.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Open and Close Station.
  • Age13 months to 2 years
  • Time5 to 15 minutes
  • EnergyCalm
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors
  • Prep5 min

Your toddler works a small set of containers with different lids, opening and closing each one, a hands-on task that builds finger strength and problem solving.

How to do it

  1. Gather three or four safe containers with different lids, such as a screw lid, a snap lid, and a hinged box.
  2. Set them on a low table or the floor within easy reach.
  3. Let your toddler pick one up and explore how to open it, offering a small hint only if they get stuck.
  4. Hide a safe object inside one container so opening it brings a little surprise.
  5. Let them repeat opening and closing as long as they stay interested.

What you need

  • Containers
  • Safe objects

Make it yours

Younger (12-15mo): Use only snap or hinged lids that pop easily. Older (2-3y): Add a twist-lid jar and let them match lids to the right container. Siblings: Give each child their own container to avoid tug-of-war

Try this with your child.

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