TinyStepper
Child on a step stool stirring a mixing bowl with a parent nearby

What's In the Bag?

Hide familiar objects in a bag — pull one out and ask 'What's this?' — building naming and anticipation.

Activity details

18m–2y8 minslowindoorNo prep

Instructions

Get ready
  • Fill an opaque bag or pillowcase with 5 familiar objects
  • 'Ooh! What's in the bag? Something exciting!'
  1. Fill an opaque bag or pillowcase with 5 familiar objects
  2. 'Ooh! What's in the bag? Something exciting!'
  3. Reach in slowly and dramatically: 'I can feel something...'
  4. Pull it out: 'It's a... CUP! Look, a cup!'
  5. Let toddler hold it, then put it aside
  6. For the next object, pull halfway and PAUSE: 'It's a...'
  7. Wait 5 seconds — see if they name it

Parent tip

Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.

Parent and child sitting face-to-face laughing together in a warm shared moment

What success looks like

Back-and-forth between you — words, gestures, shared pretend. Connection is the real outcome here.

Put 5 familiar objects in an opaque bag. Reach in dramatically: 'What's in the bag? Let's see...' Pull out a spoon: 'It's a... SPOON!' Make each reveal exciting. After a few rounds, pull something halfway out and pause: 'It's a...' WAIT. Let toddler name it or attempt to. The anticipation and reveal format makes naming irresistibly fun.

Why it helps

The anticipation-and-reveal format activates memory and prediction — toddler's brain is guessing before the object appears. When they see the spoon AND hear 'spoon', the word is reinforced through prediction and confirmation. The pause-and-wait technique gives toddlers space to produce the word themselves. Speech and Language UK emphasise that babies need to hear words lots of times to learn them, and the anticipation-reveal format creates multiple exposures.

Variations

  • Let toddler reach in and pull things out — you name them.
  • Add one unfamiliar object each time: 'What's THIS? It's a whisk!'
  • Play with textures: 'It feels soft... what could it be? A SOCK!'

Safety tips

  • All objects must be safe to handle and too large for choking.
  • Use a fabric bag with no drawstring (choking hazard).
  • Check objects for sharp edges.

Want to try another?

Babble Back Chat

Get weekly activity ideas for your toddler

One email a week with practical toddler activities, behaviour tips, and developmental insights. No spam, unsubscribe any time.