Here is another activity that is quick and easy to prepare. It's totally free using recycled food containers. 

We love open and close activities. Otis learnt to use a screw top really early and now can open just about anything. Closing is a little more complicated but he can now do that with most containers. These little 'fish' containers are just perfect for this purpose.

FYI when observing Otis I notice that he usually does this activity twice, open and closes each container twice and it takes about two minutes before he moves onto another activity. I think we sometimes have unrealistic expectations that toddlers will sit there for long periods of time concentrating on an activity - which DOES happen but not with every activity or every time. Even in this brief period Otis is learning, practising skills, exercising his concentration and using focus. 

Some of these containers below have screw top lids. The seeds, maple syrup and herbs also have flip top lids that are fun to play with. With Otis at 23 months I don't demonstrate this activity but if your child is struggling to work out how a container or lid works a demonstration will help. 

I frequently find Caspar sitting down with these open and close activities too!