This post contains affiliate links.
Hey, you know what’s really fun to play with? (Hint: it’s not the big toys that my kids found under the tree last month.) What’s really fun is making a robot out of an old box. Or yelling into a paper towel roll. Or banging on a pot with a spoon. I think sometimes we complicate activities for kids, when the simplest often rise to the top of the most-played list.
And a jar full of buttons
Buttons, buttons and more buttons! There’s something about those colorful buttons* that just keeps the kids mesmerized for the longest time. Makes sense, I guess, if you think about how much kids love things like Polly Pockets, Barbie shoes and other tiny treasures.
Even if you don’t go so far as to make a game out of it, sifting buttons through little fingers seems to be a whole lot of fun in itself.
But we did make a game out of it, and it only took about 10 minutes to create. I wanted some way to work on color recognition with my almost-2-year-old, so I took half of a piece of posterboard and covered it with randomly sized colored blocks that would match the buttons for sorting. The perfect button board!
Not too many instructions here: To make the color blocks, I just cut shapes out of peel and stick foam sheets
The board, along with 2 bags of assorted buttons, cost less than $10 overall. I was just aiming for different colors, but a good bag, like this assortment of Blumenthal buttons
This is why my 5-year-old has just as much fun as my 2-year-old when they play with their buttons. My little one sorts by color, while my big guy sorts by number of holes, patterns or just arranges the buttons in size order (like the red ones, above.) It’s a different game every time. Pure gold for mid-January (with a snowstorm approaching!)
Like this activity? Share the love with a pin!
What’s your favorite simple or homemade toy?
*Of course, always supervise little ones closely as buttons can present a choking hazard.
That is such a cute idea.! I love that it helps the, work on motor skills.
That is such a cute idea. It’s perfect for teaching color and working on motor skill.
becca recently posted…Monday Music Moves Me 1-26-15 #Music
Playing with buttons is a great way to practice fine motor skills! And, this is a fun way to start some math skills with mixing, matching, counting, and making patterns!
Jessica Beal Harlow recently posted…Get a free tote bag and water bottle from California Closets!
This is really a cute idea. Perfect way to make learning fun.
Little kids love buttons. My kids are not so little anymore and they still like sticking buttons to things!
lisa recently posted…Four-Legged Stars to Stream on Netflix #StreamTeam
This is such a cute and fun idea for toddlers! Plus, buttons are just fun to play with and look at too. Thanks for this idea! Going to try it at home with my daughter!
Jennifer B recently posted…No More Lost Parts: Poli Sippy Cups Review
What a super cute and fun indoor learning craft for the little ones. I have only ever made memory matching cards.
Kelly Hutchinson recently posted…Cross Country Cafe Monday Flash Sale!
That’s on my list of to-make activities, too!
You can show your kids so many different skills with this board and buttons. What a great activity.
maria @ close to home recently posted…#AD Game Day Buffet Ideas Using Deli Wings
I was really surprised to see how many ways the kids figured out how to play with the buttons all on their own!
That’s such a cute idea. My kids always loved playing with buttons when they were little. I just had to watch that my daughter didn’t put them in her mouth!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…spring cleaning: #40bags40days
Yup, I definitely have to watch that!
That is a fantastic idea. Really fun.
Debbie Denny recently posted…DiCaprio Stars in THE REVENANT Limited Release 12/25/2015!
Buttons can be so colorful and used in so many ways. My daughter loves using them for art projects!
Heather recently posted…Football Fanatic Mint OREO Cookie Balls Recipe
How fun! This button board looks like a lot of fun!
Stacey- Travel Blogger recently posted…Favorite Skincare Products Of A Busy Mom
I have a soft spot for buttons. My gram kept a cookie tin full of ’em and let me indulge in button play from time to time. 🙂
When I was working as a preschool teacher, we used buttons for art projects and sorting. I should really try this activity with my own preschooler!
Trisha recently posted…Comment on Monster Jam Coming to the IZOD Center and Nassau Coliseum! #MonsterJamNYNJ by Trisha
What a simple and fun idea. We played with buttons when my kids were younger too!
Liz Mays recently posted…Managing Finances | A Realistic Look at Saving Money
This is such a smart idea. Small children enjoy yhe visual snd tactile sensation of activities like this one.
I’m pretty sure my toddler would go nuts for this. I should try it out.
Krystal recently posted…Malaysian Black Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
Ok, I need to pick up some buttons! My lil’ lady bean would love this!
This is a great idea for sorting and great craft projects. I bet my 4 year old would love this.
The perfect play activity during a blizzard! So fun!
Anni {Stowed Stuff} recently posted…Weekly Meal Plan – January 25
You know I used to love playing with my mothers button jar when I was a kid. I never thought to give my kids a jar of buttons to play with. They would have loved it.
Debi recently posted…The New Way to Stay Connected While Your Child is at Daycare
I love this idea. What a fantastic way to teach kids about colours, shapes and also counting. I love how affordable it is as well.
Real Talk Moms recently posted…Five Foolproof Ways to cut Onions without Crying
This is really great for their hand-eye coordination. My son would love to separate all the different colors and also put them in order from small to largest. Very cool!
I remember how much fun I had with the jars of buttons my grandmother and aunts had. It was always a pleasure to find the similar ones whenever they were needed. Thank you for sharing!
I didn’t know you could buy a bag of buttons like those. Very fun activity.
Such a clever idea! I want to make some sorting toys for my toddler, and I think in a few months buttons will be perfect for her (for now I think she would just try to eat them). Stopping by from the SITS linkup!
Thanks, Bev! Yeah, this one requires a little supervision if your little one is still eating things. Mine is a the stage where it’s funny to pretend she’s going to eat it just to see Mommy freak out. 🙂
Great idea! I love this!