Build a simple threading station to occupy toddlers
Quiet time activities are kind of my jam lately. I mean, when is a quiet toddler not my jam, but lately these kinds of activities are all I want to create. Maybe it’s my subconscious way of telling me I need a break and a chance to sit in peace.
Either way, my two toddlers (3 years old and 20 months old) are in love with this threading station. What I’m in love with is how they can play it together but in totally different ways.
Putting together a threading station is so easy!
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Step one is to cut up a bunch of straws. It might seem time consuming but it’s not AND you will use cut up straws again and again once you have them. I used them in my poking bin and in play dough faces, for example. You’ll get a full return of time investment.
Add a bunch of pipe cleaners to the storage container that is now full of straw bits. I love using an under the bed type storage container to keep everything…well, contained.
An invitation to play at the threading station
Didn’t take my toddlers more than a hot second to see something was up as I prepped this activity. They were two curious kids! Once I set this bin down for them – they swarmed it!
At three years old, my son worked on making bracelets and assorted jewelry for me. He attempted a few pattern type pieces and worked to connect straws and pipe cleaners into all sorts of creations.
My 20 month old daughter stuck mostly to threading the small straw pieces onto the pipe cleaners. For stability and control, I pushed a few pipe cleaners into a small box to hold them into place while she threaded.
What skills are hit in a threading station?
Don’t be fooled by how simple this activity is! These kids are working on:
- Fine motor skills
- Hand eye coordination
- Spatial awareness (being able to orient the straws correctly)
This threading station has been THE BEST quiet time activity especially since it works for both my toddlers. What a win that is! They can easily sit for 20 minutes playing with the straws and pipe cleaners. It’s amazing how fun a simple quiet activity can be.
Will you create a threading station for your toddler?
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Marcia Mathews says
I work with 3 to 6 year olds, mostly 3’s.