Hands & independence

Lift-and-find board

Lift permanently attached tabs on a purpose-made toddler activity board.

5 minutes

What you'll need

Purpose-made under-3 activity board with large permanently attached non-cord tabs

Before you start

Can grasp and release a large object

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

How to play

  1. Inspect the board and place it flat on the floor.
  2. Lift one attached tab slowly.
  3. Let your child lift and close the tabs while the adult holds the board.
Make it easier

Leave one attached tab partly lifted.

Standard

Lift permanently attached tabs on a purpose-made toddler activity board.

Extend it

Choose which attached tab to open next and name what appears.

What you might notice

Pincer use, stabilising with the other hand and persistence.

Keep it safe

Use no adhesive tape, stickers, loose tabs or cords. Confirm every tab is permanently attached and cannot fit the choke-check tool; stay within arm's reach, stop mouthing or pinching, and store the board.

Why it may be useful

This everyday task offers practice with hand control, two-handed coordination and growing independence.

practice guidance

Provides practice opportunities; it is not a therapy or assessment of motor development.

Raising Children Network (2025) — Toddler play: ideas, games and activities

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