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Dad Field Manual · Field card 103 · Toddlers

Toddler pouring station with cups and funnels

Pouring water from one cup to another can hold a toddler's attention longer than most toys. Set up a shallow pan, a few cups and a funnel on a towel, stay within arm's reach, and empty everything when you're done.

Time
30 min
Cost
$0
Ages
1 to 3
Where
Kitchen floor or sink

What you need

  • A shallow baking pan or dish tub, an inch or two of water at most
  • Plastic cups, measuring cups and a small pitcher
  • A funnel and a turkey baster or sponge
  • Two or three old towels
  • A few drops of food coloring (optional)

Before you start

  • Never leave them alone with the water, even for a second. A toddler can drown in an inch or two. Doorbell or phone: they come with you, or the water gets dumped.
  • Stay within arm's reach and give them your full attention. Phone away.
  • Empty every container right after, pan, cups and pitcher, and put them away upside down.
  • Cold or lukewarm water only, and dry floors. Your hot faucet should top out at 120°F. Wipe puddles as you go, and stop if the floor gets slick.

Steps

  1. Lay the towels, then the pan. Towels down, pan in the middle. Phone in another room.
  2. Add a little water. One or two inches of cool water. Test it on your wrist.
  3. Show one pour, slowly. Pour slowly from cup to cup and say "Pour, pour, full." Then hand it over.
  4. Let them explore. Add one new tool every few minutes and name what happens: full, empty, drip.
  5. Dump and dry together. You dump all the water, they help wipe up, and every container goes upside down.

If it stalls

  • If they keep sipping the water, keep it plain tap water: no soap, bubbles or bath products in the pan.
  • If they splash instead of pour, give a smaller cup and less water. Splashing is fine; the floor towels catch it.
New pouring tool they tried
Signed off: can do this.Signed by Date