TinyStepper
Toddler gazing at a homemade glitter calm-down sensory bottle

Pom Pom Drop

Drop pom poms into containers through different sized openings.

Activity details

18m–3y10 minslowindoorEgg CartonPlastic ContainersPom Poms

Instructions

Tiny Steps

Get ready
  • Gather pom poms (or cotton balls, or crumpled paper)
  • Provide containers with different opening sizes: wide bowl, empty water bottle, egg carton
  1. Gather pom poms (or cotton balls, or crumpled paper)
  2. Provide containers with different opening sizes: wide bowl, empty water bottle, egg carton
  3. Demonstrate picking up and dropping pom poms in
  4. For younger toddlers, start with the widest opening
  5. Count each one dropped: 'One, two, three!'
  6. Sort by colour: 'All red pom poms in this jar'
  7. Use tongs or tweezers for older toddlers for extra challenge
  8. Dump and repeat—they love the reset

Parent tip

Set out egg carton and plastic containers before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Relaxed child lying on a floor cushion with blanket and pinwheel in a cosy calm corner

What success looks like

A few quiet minutes together without pressure. If your child relaxes even slightly, that’s self-regulation building.

A focused fine motor activity that builds hand-eye coordination and concentration. Aiming for smaller openings challenges toddlers to refine their grip and release timing, and the satisfying moment when a pom pom drops through reinforces persistence. Adding colour sorting or counting turns it into a multi-skill activity that can hold attention for a surprisingly long time.

Why it helps

Aiming for small openings refines the release timing and hand-eye coordination that toddlers need for self-feeding and dressing. Colour sorting introduces early maths concepts, and the repetitive nature of the activity builds sustained attention and patience. Development Matters identifies activities like this as key for developing the hand strength and finger coordination that support later writing.

Variations

  • Use cardboard tubes taped to the wall as chutes for the pom poms to roll through.
  • Swap pom poms for scrunched-up tissue paper balls in different colours.
  • Turn it into a game: roll a dice and drop that many pom poms into the container.

Safety tips

  • Pom poms can be a choking hazard — supervise closely, especially with under-threes.
  • Ensure containers have no sharp edges.
  • Use large pom poms rather than small craft ones for younger toddlers.