Build this card slot drop activity in seconds!
I always tell people the best activities are the ones that happen totally on the fly. Like this card slot drop that I made my 19 month old. 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 here is the activity to show for it.
I love using recycled items for my activities. Do you? If so, try recycled building, pom pom push or giant building with your toddler.
It only took seconds to make a card slot drop!
Materials:
(this list contains affiliate links)
- Container
- Deck of cards
- Utility knife
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 toddler didn’t mind. Next time we do this activity, I’ll make sure to add a little duct tape reinforcement.
My 19 month old daughter went nuts for this activity! It kept her busy for almost 15 minutes and she’s gone back to play it over and over since I set it up.
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!
There’s so much skill involved in card slot drop!
Even with as easy as this seems, there is a lot of learning and hard work at hand for such a young toddler.
Here’s what my toddler is learning / working on:
- Fine motor skills
- Hand eye coordination
- Dexterity
A game for older tots 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!
This simple card slot drop activity has been an absolute hit at our house! Think you’ll try it at yours? It doesn’t cost a thing to make so why not give it a go with your toddler?
Build a card slot drop for loads of toddler fun!
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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!!!!