Rotate, Refresh, Repeat: Making the Most of Toddler Play

Welcome to this month’s edition of Toddler Tuesdays! Today, we’re looking at ways to keep toddlers engaged without constantly giving them new toys and materials.

One day, your toddler is stacking the same blocks over and over but then the next day, they won’t even look at them! While it can be a confusing shift to observe, it is a totally natural part of toddler development. Around ages 18–36 months, children are in a sensitive period for order, movement, and refining their senses. When a toy no longer offers the right challenge, they simply move on. That’s actually a good sign because it means they’re growing! But what should you do when a beloved toy gets ignored?

Rotate, Don’t Eliminate

If your toddler has stopped playing with something, don’t toss it right away. Store it out of sight for a couple weeks. You’ll be surprised how exciting it becomes when it returns to the shelf. Toy rotation keeps your space fresh, manageable, and aligned with your child’s current developmental stage.

Create a Fresh Invitation to Play

Sometimes, your toddler just needs a little inspiration, and this can come from something as simple as setting up a familiar material in a fresh way. You could pair our Twist, Turn, and Sort Motor Skills Board with small animal figurines. Our Geometric Shape Matching Set would be fun to mix with colored scarves or sorting trays. For outdoor fun, you could add water play to our Rainbow Play & Learn Set. You would be amazed at how a little novelty can go a long way for toddlers.

Look for Mastery (Not Just Interest)

When toddlers stop using a toy, it may be because they’ve mastered the concept. That’s a great cue to offer the next level of challenge. For example, if your child has mastered color sorting, try our Twist and Sort Value Pack, which adds shape and coordination challenges. Our 4-in-1 Geometric Stacking Set gives multiple opportunities for changing up a toddler’s play and exploration with hours of hands-on learning, coordination, and matching. Montessori emphasized “following the child,” which includes recognizing when they’re ready to move forward. Our Alphabet Elephants continue to build on a child’s early literacy with chunky, toddler-friendly letters. Our Bilingual Number Dropbox is perfect for early number sense and language exposure.

If your toddler starts tossing or misusing toys, they might be craving more challenge. Observe, rotate, and refresh their environment. A well-prepared space invites purposeful play!