DIY Travel Sorting Game for Toddlers
Traveling with toddlers can be a real challenge. Having engaging and educational entertainment along with you for the trip and the stay can make the whole difference. This DIY travel sorting game for toddlers is a great, budget-friendly solution.
M. loves this toy, and therefore so do I. He plays with it at home, and we will take it along for our very long journey this month. While he has not yet mastered the skills involved, it still keeps him busy, and he will learn them with time.
This game teaches various skills. It aids fine motor development and grasping skills. It teaches sorting, colors, shapes, and size. It is very portable, easy to make, and as an upcycled craft it’s eco-friendly too.
I used a makeup tin to contain it. You can use a candy tin, or you can purchase one (I’ll link to one in the supplies list below). I do enjoy having one with a lid attached, as it’s more contained. You can also use any shallow container with a cover.
Supplies you’ll need:
- Wooden shapes in six different sizes and/or shapes
- Acrylic paints in rainbow colors, white, and black. You can get primary colors instead of the whole rainbow and then mix your own.
- E-600o glue (to be handled by adults only)
- A metal tin, or a shallow cardboard box
- Jar caps – a few smaller ones like the ones on baby food jars, and one larger one, as in the ones on a jar of salsa.
- Paintbrush
How to Make the Sorting Game for Toddlers:
- Paint the inside of your tin black.
- Paint the jar lids in the colors of the rainbow. Paint the large one white.
- Choose a shape and size to match each color (besides the white) and paint a few of them accordingly. For example, small hearts are red, large hearts are purple, small squares yellow, etc. I did nine of the smaller ones, and five of the larger ones to allow for missing pieces.
- Glue the jar lids open side up onto the cover of your tin. Make sure to allow enough space around the edge so the lid can close. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
- Store the pieces inside the tin and place them into the white lid for play. Your child can now sort the shapes according to color, and name the shapes while playing.
The white backdrop allows the child to find the right color easily. The black inside of the tin keeps it looking as fresh as possible. It makes a great travel toy as it is self contained and will provide hours of entertainment.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
If you liked this, you’ll love:
- Kitchen Sensory Bin
- DIY Crayola Busy Bag for toddlers
- 11 Mom to Mom Naptime Tips for Toddlers
- Modesty Misunderstood: How I Plan to Teach My Son
- 20 Upcycled Jars and Cans crafts for moms
Follow along with the rest of the Traveling with Toddlers series by clicking on the image below:
This is a great idea and very educational. My daughter loves shapes and colors so I’m sure this would be the perfect activity for those times when mom needs a few minutes to cook or clean. Spending time together learning is our favorite activity! Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea! I will definitely have to try this!
So fun! My baby loves to sort things, so I am sure he would love this and it would keep him entertained for a while!
interesting,didnt know that you could actually make your own so easily
This looks like a fun game. It also seems really easy to make.
My son will love this!
This looks like a lot of fun. It would work well for my 5 year old. I would add magnets to stop the pieces from rolling all over the car.
I have never made travel games for the kids but it is a great idea. I think the kids would have fun helping make the game.
This is a great toy for kids and you can make it yourself. I an going to make this.
wow the idea is fantastic and very creative. The children learn to distinguish between colors like this and they get much smarter too.
These activities look easy for me to do with my son! Thank You for sharing it!
Nice idea. I can think of lots of variations on the theme that would keep this interesting.
These are cute ideas and I love the great shapes and colors of them as well. My grand kids would enjoy playing with them.
I think this is such an excellent idea.I love anything with a learning concept for me to do with my grandson.I will have to make this the next time he comes over,it’s so easy and affordable to.Thanks so much for sharing.
I like how portable it is and how easy to make. Thanks for the info.
I sometimes struggle to come up with fun and educational activities for my daughter. This looks like one she’d really like, and I love how you can take it with you! Thanks!
I love this! What a fun project for my nieces to make for my granddaughter when she’s old enough to do this. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I really like this idea I love that it’s affordable and easy to make. Also anything that can keep a toddlers attention and help them learn is wonderful.
i love this idea. this would be great for my toddler to have fun while learning her shapes and colors
Fun and easy to make. i am sure my niece would enjoy helping to make this for Brea.
What a cute idea! You can bet I will be trying this out on our next road trip.
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What a cute idea! This would definitely keep my littles busy