Words & communication

Basket choice words

Choose visible familiar toys from a shallow open basket and name or act them out.

5 minutes

What you'll need

Wide shallow rigid basket with no lid, handle, cord or closing mechanism · Three large one-piece toys labelled suitable for children under 3

Before you start

Can attend to a shared object briefly

Best fit: either · calm energy · low caregiver effort · low mess

How to play

  1. Place the visible toys in the adult-held basket.
  2. Name the toy your child chooses.
  3. Use it in a tiny pretend action.
Make it easier

Offer two visible toys side by side without the basket.

Standard

Choose visible familiar toys from a shallow open basket and name or act them out.

Extend it

Describe one visible toy and invite your child to select it without testing them.

What you might notice

Whether touch, function or naming holds the most interest.

Keep it safe

Use no bag, lid, handle, cord or hidden object. Stay within arm's reach, inspect each under-3 toy and the rigid basket, stop mouthing or throwing, and count and store every item after play.

Why it may be useful

This activity creates an easy moment for back-and-forth communication, shared attention and hearing useful words in context.

strong

Applies to caregiver-led language opportunities; it does not predict an individual child's language trajectory.

Jeong et al. (2021) — Parenting interventions to promote early child development in the first three years of life: A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Dowdall et al. (2025) — Home-based shared book reading and developmental outcomes in young children: a systematic review with meta-analyses

More moments like this

Find an idea that fits right now.

Little Now matches practical play ideas to your time, setup and your child’s current interests—without an account, advertising or tracking.

The iPhone and iPad app is awaiting App Store approval.

How it works
  • Little delivery mission

    Help your child pass or slide one large lightweight toy to a nearby person or floor basket.

  • Sound hunt

    Pause together to notice and name sounds around the house or outside.

  • Choice of two

    Offer two real options and wait for a look, gesture, sound or word.

Browse all play ideas