Looking for a way to entertain a one-year-old? It’s not a pie in the sky dream to keep tabies busy when you have this card slot drop activity. Learn how to make one and the benefits for your one-year-old (and you) with this simple-to-make game.
What is a “card slot drop?”
I always tell people the best activities are the ones that happen totally on the fly. This card slot drop that I made my 19-month-old is the perfect example.
I had just recycled an empty oats container when I saw her messing around with a deck of cards. A light bulb went off and this is the activity to show for it.
I created a life-changing taby activity, and no, that is not hyperbole.
RELATED: Looking for more activities for one year olds? Check out my list of the best of the best.
What is a taby?
I coined the term “taby” and use it interchangeably with one-year-old but let’s define this word.
A taby is my word for THE “not quite a toddler, definitely not a baby” stage that kids hit after their first birthday.
Tabies have all the hopes, dreams, and desires of toddlers… but don’t quite have the motor skills or planning to make their ideas come to life. Baby stuff is too young from them. Toddler stuff is too old.
“Taby” is a small window in childhood – where a child is walking, but not fluently talking. It’s a special time and I love honoring it with its own word. We can’t hold them back in babyhood, but we also don’t need to rush them into toddler life.
Materials
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- Container – I picked an oatmeal one
- Deck of cards
- Utility knife
Any container with a lid will work for this activity. You need a lid that can be cut into and opened/closed. Don’t over think this – use what you have.
The How-to
I carefully cut a hole in the top of the oats container – just wide enough for the cards to fit through.
Of course, I ripped it a little because things aren’t always perfect, but my taby didn’t mind. Next time we do this activity, I’ll make sure to add a little duct tape reinforcement.
RELATED: If you need gift ideas for tabies, I have the best list of toys for one year olds.
What did my 19 month old think?
My 19 month old daughter went nuts for this activity! All I did was dump out a set of playing cards and let her figure out how to slide them into the card slot. It’s been absolutely perfect for her!
It kept her busy for almost 15 minutes – which is basically a lifetime for a taby. I left it on our fire place and she went back and forth to it throughout the day.
It felt like a miracle.
What is a taby learning with card slot drop?
Even with as easy as this seems, there is a lot of learning and hard work at hand for tabies.
And while we don’t need to justify play with learning, it is fun to consider all that is being developed:
- Fine motor skills: this handwork is so good for tabies
- Hand eye coordination: figuring out how to twist and turn the cards to go in
- Concentration: learning to work independently on a project
- Cause and effect: understanding that pushing the card into the slot, drops it
Bonus – toddlers and preschoolers love this too
What I didn’t expect from this on-the-fly activity was the level of interest my 3 year old would have it in. He thinks it’s just as much fun as little sister does. He adds in an element of imaginary play (it’s apparently a mail box) which is fun to watch.
It’s always a bonus to find activities the kids can play together!
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie has written two home learning curricula, Playing Preschool and Branches. Her parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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Leigh says
Love this idea!
Cynna says
I do a version of this with more interaction by using some simple animal flash cards the twins have which I had found in the $1 section at Target a while back. Those were put away for some other project but ended up working perfectly during therapy. When they fit in the Box for storage I just cut the lid, taped it and the rest is history. We use an old Nestle Quick box. They are the same size as playing cards and instead of them getting bored with the playing cards which look uniform (one twin is Autistic and that happens), over time they’ve become curious about the animals. I have also printed out pictures and laminated them to fit in there for next to nothing. Now that they’re almost 2.5 they call out names and make noises for the animals as they put them in the Nestle Quick box donated by their much older brother. I have some Dr. Seuss ABC and 123 cards from Target also which were only $1, some sight words and even math ones. Keep your eye out there! Recycling is a great idea and for just a few bucks we made leaps in learning. The twins do occupy themselves and I can be in another room knowing they are fully engaged when they visit. I can also be in another room asking them “I spy with my little eye… a…. TIGER! RRRAAAAAWWWWRRRR!” Then the set becomes another game.
busytoddler says
Cynna! These ideas are amazing and you have blown my mind!!!
Collette says
Wonderful idea!!! I am going to do this with my six kiddos in my class, but I think I will do a color sorting activity out of it. I will decorate the containers.. one RED, one BLUE, one YELLOW, and so on.. I will laminate colored construction paper with the color words on them, and let my class sort by putting the RED cards in the RED container, and so on. Thank you again for such a wonderful idea!!! Please keep them coming!!!
Michelle @ Lillian Abbey says
I made this for my toddler a couple of weeks ago and she’s still reaching for it every day. So fun and easy! You’ve really got some fantastic ideas on here! I love that they only take a few minutes to make!
busytoddler says
YEAH! That makes me so happy to hear!
Emma says
Brilliant! This is great for fine motor skills, but I’ll admit it – I think my favorite part it that it would give me a few minutes quiet time, lol!
Carrie Ford-Coates says
What a great and simple diy activity! Love it.
Julie says
New favorite website. My 2 year old gets crazy into stuff like this.
busytoddler says
Thank you Julie!!!!