Make Room for Every Toy
Turn cleanup into a small problem-solving game. When the toy box looks full, let your baby try different ways to make room for one more toy.
- 12 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 15 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Cognitive：Encountering a toy that does not fit and trying a different action gives your baby experience changing their approach to solve a simple problem.
- Language：Hearing short directions and descriptions while acting gives your baby practice connecting familiar words with what they do next.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
Toy storage box
- 2
several toys
Step 1
What If It Won’t Fit?
After play, invite your baby to help “send the toys home.” Put one toy in the storage box, then offer another for your baby to try. If it does not fit, wait before helping and see what your baby does.
What to notice
- Tries to put a toy in the box after hearing, “Put the toy in”
Attending and Understanding - Pauses and looks after a toy does not fit
Memory
Tips
- Keep language short for a 12-month-old baby: “Put it in” or “Try again.” Pair the words with a simple demonstration when useful.
- Your baby may put a toy in, take it out, and put it in again. They are exploring the in-and-out action, not disrupting cleanup.
Step 2
Let Your Baby Try
Watch and describe your baby’s actions. If they push the box over or try something that seems unrelated, pause before correcting it—the action may be a new attempt to solve the problem. Follow what they do and offer one small cue if needed.
What to notice
- Tries more than one action to make the toy fit
Reasoning and Problem-Solving - Continues trying after the toy does not fit
Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)
Tips
- Describe the effort instead of giving general praise: “You’re pushing hard to make it fit.” This connects the action with what happens.
- If repeated attempts lead to frustration or lost interest, treat that as a request for help and join in.
Step 3
Show Another Way
If the toy still will not fit, demonstrate one new strategy: shake the box to reveal a gap or move a toy already inside. Let your baby try the final step. With repeated experience, they may use the strategy when another toy gets stuck.
What to notice
- Uses a previously tried strategy when another toy does not fit Reasoning and Problem-Solving
- Smiles after getting the toy into the box
Emotional Functioning
Tips
- Your baby does not need to learn the new method immediately. Repeating the same problem and action is part of becoming familiar with it.
- After you make a gap, leave the final “put it in” action for your baby so they can experience completing the task.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026