From carrot cutting to art card matching, we’ve got you covered.

It’s important for children to get outside all year long, but sometimes the weather means cutting outdoor play time short. While kids might spend hours outside in the spring or summer, they may be shivering and ready to come in after only 30 minutes. 

This means more time for indoor activities and more planning time. We have a list to get you started, and after you show your child how to complete an activity, put it on a shelf where they can reach it so they can choose and complete it independently. 

Here is a list of 49 Montessori-inspired indoor activities to keep your little ones engaged and learning:

1. Making clove apples or oranges: Provide your child with a small tray with a bowl of whole cloves and an apple or orange to poke them into. The small size of the cloves makes this great for fine motor development and your child will create something that smells beautiful to decorate the house of give to a friend. 

2. Button sorting (not for kids under 3-years-old): Give your child a bunch of buttons differing in size or color and little bowls to sort them in. For example, if you give them red, blue, and green buttons, give them three little bowls to sort them in. Any type of object your child is interested in can be used for sorting! 

3. Carrot cutting: Even kids who don’t like eating carrots love cutting them and preparing them for others. It’s helpful if you provide your child with a tray with everything they’ll need: an apron, bowl for water, scrub brush, peeler, small cutting board, waxy chopper, and sponge or small towel for spills. Show your child how to wash, peel and cut a carrot and then let them try on their own! Tip! For toddlers, use pre-washed and peeled baby carrots so it’s easier to chop. 

4. Apple slicing: Another popular Montessori food prep activity is apple slicing. For this one your child will need an apron, bowl for water, scrub brush, cutting board… Check out the full article by Motherly. read more…