Montessori Activity: Mystery Box

Inspired by My Montessori Moments

Age: From 1.5 years old

Activity Duration: 5 - 10 minutes

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Objective(s):

1. To gives your child a fun way to practise in identifying and naming objects only through the sense of touch.

Materials:

1. 1 tissue box with a hole (I use a shoe box instead and covered the hole with a felt "curtain" to conceal the objects).

2. 2 sets of different objects such as apple, orange, animal figures, geometric objects such as cube, a pyramid, a prism, etc.

Directions:

1. Show your child the objects and name them one-by-one.

2. Put them in the box and close the box.

3. Ask your child to put his hands inside the box and try to find the item you name just by feeling it. He is not allowed to look inside the box.

Here is another variation of the game - the Mystery Bag

Video Demonstration:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4940979_matching-mystery-bag-montessori-activity.html

Additional Information:

J (3Y3M3W3D) tried this game today, and he enjoyed it. He was too quick at it, and picked one wrong item, but we had a good time laugh together.

References:

- Montessori Play and Learn by Lesley Britton
- http://mymontessorimoments.com/2011/04/19/your-tissue-box-repurposed-into-a-mystery-box/
- http://www.suite101.com/content/the-montessori-mystery-bag-a182138