Fish the toys out of the water

How to try it

Put a plastic bin or dishpan on a towel on the floor and add a few inches of water, then drop in some plastic toys. Give your child a spoon, a small sieve, and a cup, and let them figure out how to get each toy out. Ask what worked best.

Materials

• Plastic bin or dishpan
• Towel
• Plastic toys
• Spoon
• Small sieve
• Cup

Safety note

Stay within arm's reach and keep your eyes on your child the whole time, even with only a few inches of water, because a small child can drown in very little. Do not use the bathtub, keep the water away from outlets and cords, wipe up splashes so the floor is not slippery, and empty the bin as soon as you finish.

Why it matters

Trying a few tools on the same job is how your child learns to test an idea and change it.

Benefit

Problem solving