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The Box Is Empty

Let your baby tip toys out of a box, watch where they go, and compare the different sounds they make when they land.

  • 6 months
  • Quick prep
  • At home
  • About 5 minutes
Focus
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Developmental benefits

  • Cognitive：Pouring out objects that make different sounds encourages your baby to repeat an action, compare the results, and explore simple cause and effect.
  • Movement：Repeatedly tipping toys out of the box gives your baby practice releasing objects and coordinating small hand movements.

Preparation

What You’ll Need

  1. 1

    An open box

  2. 2

    several toys that make different sounds when dropped, such as a shaker, a bell, and blocks

Step 1

It’s Raining Toys

Place one or two toys in the box and tip them out slowly. When your baby notices a falling toy, name it and describe the sound it made.

What to notice

  • Picks up the toy, shakes it, and listens to the sound Exploration and Discovery
  • Stares at the toys after they drop Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)

Tips

  • Before emptying the box, shake it gently so the sound catches your baby’s attention.
  • While gathering the toys, invite your baby to hand one back to you so they can join the reset.
  • Tip out only one or two toys at a time so each falling sound is easier to notice.
  • If your baby does not notice the toy, pick it up and shake it or tap it gently on the floor to draw attention to its sound.

Step 2

Let Me Try

Give the box to your baby and invite them to tip the toys out. Watch their expression, respond to each action and discovery, and share the small delight of seeing what appears.

What to notice

  • Holds the box firmly with both hands and shakes it Fine Motor
  • Shakes and pats the box to explore its weight and sound Exploration and Discovery

Tips

  • If the toys stay in the box, demonstrate the tipping movement again more slowly so your baby can see each part of the action.
  • Give your baby time for repeated attempts. An awkward first movement is part of working out how the box tips.
  • Your baby may invent another way to play, such as shaking or tossing the toy. Follow that interest for a moment, then return to the empty-the-box game when they are ready.

Step 3

Listen to Each Sound

Notice whether your baby follows a toy as it rolls away. If they lose track of it, point toward its new location. After several turns, switch to a toy with a different sound and compare what happens.

What to notice

  • Dumps out the same toy repeatedly and listens to its sound Exploration and Discovery
  • Tracks a toy with their eyes as it rolls away Emergent Mathematical Thinking

Tips

  • When your baby is exploring independently, watch without interrupting. If they ask for help, return the toy and respond with a short phrase.
  • When another toy interests your baby, name it and imitate its sound so they can notice how it differs.

Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026