Turn a laundry basket into a shopping cart and give a toddler a simple picture list — an apple, a box, a ball — to find and collect from around the house. Push the cart from room to room, 'shopping' for each item before checking out.
What you need
- a laundry basket
- household objects to 'shop' for
- a simple picture list (optional)
How to do it
- 1Set out a few household objects around the room as 'groceries' to be found.
- 2"Let's go shopping — push the cart and find everything on our list!" Push the basket together at first.
- 3Collect each item into the basket, naming it out loud as it goes in.
- 4'Check out' at a pretend counter, counting the items together before unpacking them back where they belong.
Variations
- If a laundry basket is too big to push easily: a small box dragged on a string works as a lighter alternative.
- How it ends: unpacking the 'groceries' back to their spots doubles as a natural, satisfying tidy-up.
💡 Parent tip
This one doubles as genuine tidying — the 'groceries' can be toys that need to go back to their own rooms anyway.
What your child develops
- Object recognition and vocabulary — naming items as they're collected builds early word association
- Gross motor practice — pushing a weighted cart builds arm and core strength
- Sequencing — shop, collect, check out is a simple repeatable routine
Safety notes
- Ensure the path is clear of trip hazards while pushing the basket.
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