Wrap a Box Together
What you need
- a small box with something inside to give
- a sheet of wrapping paper or brown paper
- sticky tape
- a few stickers
How to do it
- Choose together who the present is for and put something small inside the box, like a drawing or a toy.
- Stick a few pieces of tape along the table edge so they are easy to grab.
- Put the box in the middle of the paper, fold one side over and hold it while your toddler presses a piece of tape on.
- Fold the other side and the ends, and let them press on a piece of tape each time.
- Let them add stickers all over, then hand the present over together.
Why it matters
Pressing tape onto a fold is real two-handed work, and handing the present to someone they love shows them what giving feels like.
What they're learning
- Pinching and pressing
- Peeling tape and pressing it flat works the small muscles in their fingers.
- Helping
- Pressing while you fold is real teamwork on a real job.
- Giving
- Choosing who it is for and handing it over is thinking about someone else.
What to look for
Watch for them pressing the tape down with a flat hand, then smoothing it again.
A tip
A box is far easier to wrap than a soft toy. Tear the tape pieces off yourself so no scissors are needed.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: wrap the paper round the box like a blanket and press on just one piece of tape
Harder: let them peel each piece of tape off the table edge and choose where it goes
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Fine motor activities · Activities for 2 year olds · Toddler activities with paper · Toddler activities with a cardboard box · Toddler activities with masking tape