Play, including active play and games, is critical for children’s healthy development. Through this simple game, children build language/conversational skills and large motor muscles/eye-hand coordination.

Materials Needed:

• Clean household sponges
• Dishpan, bucket, or bowl of water

Participants: This activity is intended for adult/child interaction or more than one participant.

Directions:

1. Dip a sponge in water and wring it out lightly. Stand about 12 feet from your child. Ask your child a question, such as “What is your favorite book, vacation place, memory, food, color, etc.”
   
2. Toss the sponge to your child after they answer the question.
   
3. Let your child ask you a question. Answer the question and catch the sponge your child tosses.
   
4. To make the game more challenging (and wetter), don’t wring the sponge out as much—or at all! Or, try moving further apart before tossing the sponge.