Open and Close Containers (Photo from Leptir)
The beginning of the school year is a great time to start a tradition of open and close baskets for preschoolers. This is an activity you can vary throughout the year according to season, upcoming holiday, unit study, or developmental level.
For my Montessori-Inspired Valentine’s Day Activities post, I used a photo from Counting Coconuts of an open and close basket for Valentine’s Day with Valentine’s Day themed containers and heart-shaped erasers inside each container.
Open and close baskets are amazingly popular with preschoolers and are wonderful preliminary practical life exercises for eye-hand coordination as well as developing concentration and a sense of order. Here are some great examples of open and close baskets you can use at any time during the year.
Leptir (photo at top of post) has an open and close activity with photos and detailed directions.
Confessions of a Montessori Mom has open and close using zippers and snaps. This also has detailed directions.
Open and Close Basket (Photo from Counting Coconuts)
Counting Coconuts typically has an open and close basket, each container holding a small pebble or other small object.
Open and Close Basket (Photo from Discovery Days and Montessori Moments)
Discovery Days and Montessori Moments had miniature farm animals in open and close containers for a farm unit.
Open and Close Activity (Photo from One Hook Wonder)
One Hook Wonder has an open and close activity with a little fish hidden inside.
Mama to 4 Blessings has an open and close tray containing different types of contact lens cases.
Parenting in the Moment has an open and close activity that includes counting glass beads.
To the Lesson! has opening and closing jars included as part of a spooning pony beads activity.
Our Natural Journey has an opening and closing tutorial.
Montessori Primary Guide has directions for presenting open and close bottles.
Here’s a video presentation for opening and closing bottles:
Montessori Primary Guide also has directions for presenting open and close boxes.
Here’s the video presentation for opening and closing boxes:
UPDATE: An Everyday Story has an open-and-close basket for babies.
I’d love to hear about the open and close activities you’ve used! 
Linked with The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions.
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I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
my classroom now has its first ever open / close basket. it’s one of the first “montessori-type” activities my children will be exposed to this year.
Thanks so much for your comment, Lori … that’s great to hear! Have a wonderful year!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Land and Water Forms at the Beach
You’re always so awesome about pulling together a variety of resources for different activities! I’m loving all of the ideas you’ve linked this week
My daughter expressed an interest in opening and closing things as a very young toddler, so I made a simple basket with only lids that lift off. You can see it here: http://teamkemendo.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-materials-for-toddler-montessori.html 
It was a huge hit, but has since been put away and you have reminded me that I need to put out another, scaled to her current abilities. Thanks, Deb!
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Thanks for your kind words, Melissa! I love blogging (and following blogs) – it’s fun to be able to see the change of activities as your daughter grows and reaches new developmental levels!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Land and Water Forms at the Beach
Mine bobos (one is even quite big..) only open things, take and leave them like that. They cant master the closing part…ehem…
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Thanks for your comment, Marlene! LOL – that’s so true of many adults even! Maria Montessori was brilliant in the way she had children learn to follow and complete a series of steps and cycle of activity. I know my kids are much better at naturally completing a cycle of activity than I am!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Land and Water Forms at the Beach
The kids here can’t enough of the Open and Close activity. Thank you for sharing the pictures of all the different containers that could be used to keep the excitement going.
Thanks for your comment! It really is amazing how popular a simple open and close activity can be – and it’s awesome there are so many variations that can be done!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – DIY Bead Bars
Always love the open/close baskets! Thanks for featuring me on your facebook page!
Thanks, Kylie! I’m happy to feature you … you have some great ideas!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – DIY Bead Bars
Thanks for the tip. My son had a good day in the class when I set him up to do his own thing. No tears at all. Where’s the best place to get the tot trays from? Since I didn’t have any yet I used 1 shelf for all of his games, brought in the train table and filled a side up. The other side has craft pieces. I figure for Christmas I’m going to spend on some Montessori toys. In the end I think it just upsets me that he’s learning without me..lol He picked up a green crayon during his class time yesterday and told me it was green. I didn’t get to teach him that =)
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Thanks for your comment, Crisc! I’m glad your son had a good day! It is amazing how much kids can learn on their own with a bit of inspiration!
I’ve heard of a number of people who use trays from Oriental Trading: http://www.orientaltrading.com/easy-clean-flat-trays-a2-62_110-12-1.fltr?Ntt=trays. I’ve also gotten wooden trays inexpensively from a hobby store. I’ve purchased trays at thrift stores and all sorts of places. Good luck!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – DIY Bead Bars