• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books
  • Games
  • Activities
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Play Activities / Motor Skills / Toddler Hammering Activity: Pounding Practice

     

    Toddler Hammering Activity: Pounding Practice

    148 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The never ending quest to distract your toddler when they start to get whiny sometimes leads to the strangest activities. Now, there's nothing new about a toddler's love of using a hammer, but when what starts out as a fun hammering activity turns to poking dress shirt collar plastic tabs into styrofoam, that's when you realize you'll do anything to keep your toddler entertained.

    Toy wooden hammer and toddler pounding activity

    Giving your toddler something to pound is a sure fire hit (pun!). After 2 years of parenting, you already know you don't need a fancy pounding or hammering play set to entice your 2 year old to start hitting objects. So you'll easily be able to put together a hammering activity that will channel their energy in the right direction.

    MORE: 42 Indoor Activities for Toddlers

    This hammering activity is not just a humble boredom buster, however! It also requires toddlers to work on their fine and gross motor skills, as well as works hand-eye coordination and strength.

    Note: this post contains affiliate links

    Materials:

    Toy hammer or pounding tool. You might have a toy hammer in your toy box, but if not, look for a large wooden spoon or even a tin can that they can wield as a pounding tool.

    Something to pound. I suggest golf tees.

    A base to pound into. We used a piece of styrofoam from a package, but if you don't have that, you can use a piece of corrugated cardboard, a foam block, or a cardboard box.

    MORE: Toddler dot to dot for fine motor development and hand-eye coordination

    Child pounding golf tees into foam block

    Hammering Activity Instructions

    1. Before your toddler begins hammering away, poke the golf tees into the base. You'll want to make sure they stand up straight, but don't push them in so far they can't be hammered down further.

    2. Next, give your toddler the hammer. In the unlikely event you need to show them how to bang the top of the golf tee, demonstrate the action. The more likely scenario is that they will grab the hammer away from you before you can say, "Have at it."

    Now, you're probably wondering where the plastic tabs for dress shirt collars come into all this. For some reason we had a bunch of them in the same container as the golf tees. Our 2 year old decided it would be fun to poke them into the styrofoam and pound them. too.

    Whatever keeps them busy!

    MORE: DIY toddler lacing activity for fine motor skills

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « Books like Alex Rider: Thrilling Adventures!
    DIY Whirligig Toy for Old-Fashioned Childhood Fun »
    148 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MaryAnne says

      November 16, 2011 at 6:49 pm

      This has been on our "to-do" list for ages, but I have neither golf tees nor styrofoam... Or even shirt tabs!

      Reply
    2. Sarah says

      November 16, 2011 at 9:08 pm

      That's a cool idea with Christmas coming up and the potential for lots of left over packing plus we have handwriting issues due to weakness so I'm always looking for fine motor hand activities.

      Reply
    3. Preschool Math Games For Kids says

      November 17, 2011 at 4:45 am

      Innovative idea..!!

      Reply
    4. Raising a Happy Child says

      November 18, 2011 at 3:21 am

      Someone buys styrofoam? Gah indeed!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 19,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site
    • No AI

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 19,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.