K is for Keys: Themed Activities

There is a Melissa and Doug house with 4 dolls and 4 doors and each door has it's own doorbell and it's own key to open the door.  I adore this toy and its versatility in play.  It is definitely a good 'key' toy!

Another one is a square shape sorter that has a key attached for use to unlock the box and open the door to get all the shapes out again.  This is also a popular toy with a key and shape sorters are classic toys so definitely worthy to be on your list of activities to do that include a key. 

Using a key to open a toy cash register as part of a shopkeeper or banker activity is fun too.

Of course, a set of keys that shake and make different car sounds is a popular toy for infants that comes in a variety of designs and materials. 

Oh! and there are also 'key cars' that use a key to cause them to propel forward. I forgot about them!

My next thought is of a book, Goodnight Gorilla because the zookeeper's keys are prominent in the story as they are used to let each of the animals out of their cages as a part of the story.

I know there are do it yourself activities too.  For example, you can get a set of locks and keys that are colour coded and the child can work to find the correct colour match, using both academic and fine motor skills to complete the task.  I believe there is also a premade set like this that Montessori schools use. Some match dotted locks to numbered keys (●●●=3)and others have locks and key with matching pictures or letters of the alphabet (A-a) so you can find a set that matches the skill you want to work on or you can make your own by adding images to your dollar store selection.

If you are a DIY person, design a board with different real items on it like a latch, a hook and eye and a lock and key. Practicing these real life skills is fun and motivating for children and sure to entertain.

Old keys can be dangled on strings and hung from a hook of sorts to create a windchime.

They can also be used to cut playdough and/or make patterns in the clay as a real life tool for play.

And while there may be many more ideas, my next thought goes to paper activities.  Like matching shadow images of keys to pictures of real keys, ordering pictures of keys by size and matching keys to locks by colour matching.  Many of these activities can have one set (the locks) glued onto a file folder and the other set (the keys) laminated and cut out for an activity that can be used over and over.  Clear sticky contact paper can be used if you don't have a laminator or the dollar store also sells credit card size self-laminating pockets that you can use for the paper keys. Many designs can be found with a quick search. Select the one that best matches your child's developmental level.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was going to do for keys. I was thinking to talk about keys to open doors in life or keys to success, but this fits my format better. I think this is a decent list to start you off on this theme. I invite you to share any other ideas you came up with in the comments section!

In conclusion, the key to success with your child is to take time to play with them in things that are interesting to them and build on their skills. Perhaps these key toys will be a part of that process! Enjoy!

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