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Shopping bag helper: a play idea for 12 to 18 months

Carrying and helping make a toddler feel capable, and every item has a name. It takes about 5 minutes and uses unbreakable groceries: a box of pasta, a bag of bread, a roll of paper towels.

Checked October 29, 2026.

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How to play

Shopping bag helper12 to 18 months · about 5 minutes

You need: unbreakable groceries: a box of pasta, a bag of bread, a roll of paper towels.

  1. After shopping, hand your toddler one unbreakable thing at a time.
  2. Ask them to carry it to the cupboard: "Can you bring the bread?"
  3. Name each thing as they bring it.
  4. Say thank you for the help.

Builds: moving and using hands and social and emotional. Carrying and helping make a toddler feel capable, and every item has a name.

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