7 Free Montessori Inspired Home Activities

Updated: May 21

Create actual experiences for your children when trying to entertain them at home with these simple examples

PLEASE NOTE:

Ages are to give an indication only. Follow your child. See which activities keep their attention; remove those that are too hard or too easy.

1. A Timeline of a child’s life Age 4 +

Children can make a timeline of themselves with their parents; this would be a celebration of themselves and the life they lived so far. This is a great introduction to history and based on the children’s interest is a great way to introduce other timelines such as cars, trains or the lives of other family members.

2. Recording Life with Digital Camera – Age 2+

Allow your child to take photos of the most important things or people in their lives and make a little photo book as a keepsake and record of this time in a child’s life. Transcribe why this person or thing is important to them.

3. Sensory Tray – Suitable for baby and toddlers – Age: 6 months to 2 years

Fix using tape a variety of mats with different textures to the floor.

After demonstrating how to slowly step on each, the children can have a go (barefooted) or crawling. The more variety in the textures, the better the sensorial experience.

For older children, it could be made into a zig-zag to make it more challenging.

4. Making Musical Instruments – Age: 1+

Exploring sounds and making music with items found around thehouse is a fun way for children to play and learn.

Here is a link to a video for making wrist and ankle bells out of household items:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfG5M9uxg8s&feature=youtu.be

Bongos/drums (age 2.5/ 3+, may need adult support to make)

http://www.minieco.co.uk/balloon-bongo-rice-shaker-guiro/

Upcycled tambourine (2 + to explore, adult support needed to put together)

A play space created by a thermal blanket from the first aid kit – this is attached to the walls in a corner space of the room, some to cover the floor so babies and small children can crawl /lie on it  ( adult part/ older sibling activity)

Then create a collection box… take a shoebox or a tissue box.  Punch a hole in one end.  Thread a string through ( could be done by an older sibling). Now a box to pull along and collect things.

Let’s look around our home for shiny things to play within our shiny space…

We have collected some spoons, bowls, keys, tins, a snow globe, a ball made from tin foil, some old CD’s, bells, egg cup,  and a dish with small dips in that we put ping pong balls in… could be stones, pine cones or whatever else you have that fits, just enough so one for each space.    What will you find?

For More information on Heuristic Play https://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/learning-library/articles/heuristic-play

After demonstrating how to slowly step on each, the children can have a go (barefooted) or crawl. The more variety in the textures, the better the sensorial experience.

6. Planting – Age 2+

Fortunately, you don’t need to be an expert in gardening and cultivation to introduce kids into the love and care for plants. According to Montessori philosophy, the adult’s job is to prepare the environment. With a bit of guidance, you can set the scene for children to develop their green thumbs.

Planting from seeds is essential. We want children to experience the magic of watching something grow from nearly nothing. Plus, you always want to tell the “whole story” when it comes to studying life.

Use leading questions to allow kids to discover on their own what a seed needs to sprout. Let them come to the conclusion that the seeds needed moisture and darkness to germinate.

7. Boat Fun with Boxes – Age: 2+

By using your delivery boxes to make a pirate ship or Noah’s ark or a rowing boat inspired by Wind in the Willows or Three Men in a Boat. I hope the two pictures will give you an idea of what is possible.