Chip Drop

Chip Drop 🌟 For all of you with older babies or toddlers, this is a super simple activity to set up that is superb for fine motor development! 👌🏽 This activity is based on a common Montessori toy, often called an infant coin box. All you need is a cardboard box and some circular chips like poker chips, large fake coins, checkers, or wooden pieces from another toy like I used here. 

Cut a hole in the top of the box slightly larger than the size of the chips. The tighter the fit the harder the challenge. I cut the hole for my 16 month old tight enough that she had to push the chip slightly rather than just drop it in. This shoebox is from some of my child's shoes so it is a nice small size.

Set the box out with the chips next to it. Show your little how they can drop the chip inside then sit back and let them explore!

It may be challenging for them to learn how to turn the chip to orient it correctly. They may discover they can turn the box and the chip and that they can open the box to find the chips once they have dropped them inside.

Bring this back out multiple times. Now you have a toy that was practically free! Remember that all activities should be closely supervised, especially if using small parts. Small parts should be used at your own discretion--avoid them if your child is mouthing.