My youngest, Lia, is 17 months old, and she loves transfer activities.
I’m pretty psyched about this fact because transfer activities are so easy to set up and change up.
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What’s a Transfer Activity?
A transfer activity is any activity where toddlers have to take loose parts out of one container and put them in another.
Yup, it’s just as simple as it sounds!
And you don’t have to limit it to loose parts (buttons, pom poms, cereal, etc.). Water is equally fascinating to transfer as well!
What Are Kids Learning?
Kids will be working on hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills with this transfer activity.
There’s a sensory aspect as the gems are so pretty and sparkly. They contrast so nicely with the soft cotton bag and really pop when placed in the wooden bowl.
Plus, the sound the gems make as they get dropped in the bowl, or shaken in the bag is really fun for kids to hear!
How Do I Know My Toddler Will Be Into This?
Honestly, if you’re not sure, just try it!
If they get frustrated, maybe it’s too hard. Make things easier by using larger containers, or larger objects.
Kids who are into the enclosing or transport play schema may be really into this. I know Lia enjoyed carrying her little treasure bag of gems around with her for a while!
How We Did It
Set up was super simple. I filled a little cloth bag (similar) with shiny glass gems and set an empty bowl beside it.
Lia took the gems out of the bag and put them right into the bowl.
And then, she did it again… and again… and again…
Until Big Sis came and took over the activity.
They play OK together… but I have to referee so much (I hate conflict, lol) that it’s too stressful for me to watch.
DId She Try to Eat the Gems?
No. I was vigilantly watching all throughout this activity (her first time with little gems) and she didn’t try eating them.
Lia doesn’t try to put too many things in her mouth. She has a weakness for toothbrushes and (recently) I’ve caught her licking our homemade play dough. Yuck.
I should probably stop making the play dough smell so good.
Anyway, if you’re worried about your toddler eating little things, try an edible alternative like Cheerios, peas, or blueberries.
Another option is to go big. Use a bigger bowl, bigger bag, and wood blocks or those linky toys that aren’t choking hazards.
Your Turn to Try a Transfer Activity
I realize most babies aren’t like mine, and I don’t want anyone to feel discouraged. This idea is just one of many for a transfer activity.
Look around at the stuff you have at home, and substitute for what works best for you and your toddler.
Most of all, I hope you both have fun and that you get a minute to sit back and relax for a minute while your toddlers entertain themselves.
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