Free learning activities · Ages 3–6

Three little cases
to solve together.

Choose a case and follow your child’s pace. Each activity takes about five minutes. Grown-ups supervise throughout; use large objects that are safe for your child.

Download the free activity pack ↓

7 printable pages · US Letter, or fit to A4 · No email required · Includes drawing pages and grown-up prompts.

CASE 01 / OBSERVATION & MEMORY

The missing thing

You need: a tray, a towel, and four familiar objects such as a large spoon, a sock, a cup, and a toy.

  1. Put the objects on the tray. Take turns describing them: “A blue cup. A soft sock.”
  2. Ask your child to look away. Cover the tray and remove one object.
  3. Uncover it. Ask: “What changed? What helped you notice?”
  4. Swap roles so your child makes the mystery.
Make it fit your child

Start with two objects. To make it harder, move one object instead of removing it. Pointing is a useful answer; naming is optional.

CASE 02 / COMPARING & CLASSIFYING

The odd one out

You need: three large household objects. Try two socks and one spoon.

  1. Ask: “Which two belong together? Why?”
  2. Listen for a reason: soft, matching, used for eating, or the same color.
  3. Ask whether another pair could belong together for a different reason.
  4. Let your child choose the next three objects.
There can be more than one answer

A blue spoon and a blue sock can belong together by color. Two socks can belong together by use. Praise the explanation, not just your expected grouping.

CASE 03 / LISTENING & DESCRIPTION

I found something…

You need: a familiar room and your imaginations. Keep private spaces and unsafe areas off-limits.

  1. Choose something visible without naming it.
  2. Give one clue: “It’s round.” Pause and let your partner look.
  3. Add a clue: “It tells us the time.”
  4. When your partner finds it, switch roles.
Help a quieter detective

Offer two choices, invite a point, or let your child draw the object. Avoid turning the activity into a speed test.

A question to take away

“What did you notice today that you hadn’t noticed before?”

These are informal family learning activities, not developmental assessments or promises of a particular learning outcome.

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