JACK IN THE CAN

Jack in the can is quite fun for many kids. However, prior to the age of 8 or 10 months, it may still be scary for most babies. This shouldn't disappoint you. You can make one baby friendly version at home using the materials you have around the house. A homemade version will be much more enjoyable for babies before the age of 10-12 months!

This game not only aims to entertain your baby but is also great for object permanence skills which they need to acquire. If your baby has an older sister or a brother, let her/him get involved too both in making it and in playing. It is another great way to make them two siblings enjoy something together and have a bond.

Now, you can use your imagination and materials that you already have at home. What I will list here is only to give you some examples.

Materials needed:

• A little tub (yoghurt/icecream/individual sized cereal), a little box, a can or a large paper cup
• A stick, chopstick or a pencil
• A finger puppet or some sort of a small object (preferably colourful) or a toy
• Glue or tape

 As you might have guessed by now, all you need to do is to make a little hole in the middle of the bottom of the can/tub/cup and insert the stick. Glue or tape the little puppet/toy on top of it and have fun using your hand-operated pop-up toy by pulling the stick up and down. When the stick goes down, the object disappears (or so the baby thinks) and then when you quickly push it up, it is there again!

You may use your by-now-well practiced skills to make some funny noise to accompany the game or the puppet can greet the baby. You may have one made for your older child as well and in front of the baby, the two jack-in-the-can toys can interact if you like. Just go crazy with your imagination and use it the way you like. After all, it is all about what makes you and your baby happy. Any variation that works for you is great!