Much as with tape or tissues, it doesn’t take much to keep a toddler busy. For this game, I used an upcycled egg carton and spring-type clothespins for a simple fine motor activity.

Poke a hole into the bottom of each egg carton portion, just large enough for the clothespins to slot in (I poked the initial hole with scissors).

For the first round, I pushed all the clothespins in and presented the egg carton to Veronika, so it was her job to pull them out!

A few of them got a little snagged on the springs but she was very patient puzzling this out, and so proud when they came free.

Once she had a pile of clothespins next to her, of course she had to poke them right back in again.

And again.

And again.

I loved seeing her return to this throughout the day, pausing to insert a few or pull out a few and then heading off to other games. It was a great way to keep little hands busy!