Funnel Pour Practice
What you need
- a funnel
- cups
- a jug of water
- a tray
How to do it
- Set the funnel into the top of an empty cup on a tray.
- Give your toddler a smaller cup of water to pour through it.
- Refill and repeat, seeing how steady they can make the stream.
Why it matters
Aiming a stream into a small opening sharpens hand-eye judgement in a way flat play can't.
What they're learning
- hand-eye aim
- lining the cup up with the funnel's mouth is the same judgement used later for posting letters or filling a kettle.
- controlled pouring
- slowing the tip so water doesn't overshoot builds the control used at the dinner table.
- patience
- waiting for the stream to finish before moving on is early practice at not rushing a task.
What to look for
Notice if they tip more slowly once they see water missing the funnel.
A tip
A tray keeps spills contained, so let a few splashes go without stopping to mop.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: use a wide-mouthed jug so less aim is needed
Harder: line up two funnelled cups and ask them to fill both evenly
More like this
Browse
Fine motor activities · Activities for 18 month olds · Activities for 2 year olds · Toddler activities with cups · Toddler activities with a tray · Toddler water activities