what your baby is really doing when they play with a household item

(And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

If your one year old has ever sat quietly, turning a household container over in their hands, tapping the lid or trying to fit something inside again and again, you are not alone. This kind of focused, repetitive play is a powerful way for babies to explore, practise and learn through their own curiosity.

At 1curiosity, we spend a lot of time observing how babies naturally interact with objects. We see the same thing over and over. They’re drawn to everyday items like containers, bottles and brushes. Not because they’ve been taught to play with them, but because these objects offer just the right mix of challenge and possibility. There’s something to hold, something to touch, something to figure out. And that’s what keeps them engaged.

Of course, most household containers aren’t designed with babies in mind. They can be sharp, fragile, too small, or contain materials that aren’t safe. This is where the 1curiosity toy range comes in. We’ve taken inspiration from the types of objects babies love most and reimagined them to be developmentally appropriate, durable and safe to explore. No lights. No noise. Just well-designed, open-ended toys made for curious hands.

When a baby plays with a container, they’re testing ideas. What happens when I put this in? Can I take it back out? Does it make a sound? Can I fit something else inside? They’re exploring texture, shape, space and cause and effect. And they’re doing it through trial and error. That process of repeated experimentation helps build memory, focus, fine motor control and confidence.

Parents often tell us they want to encourage their baby’s curiosity, but also worry about safety. That balance between nurturing exploration and setting limits is something we heard from families around the world. It also shaped our design process at 1curiosity. The toys reflect what babies are naturally drawn to, but in a way that gives parents peace of mind.

The key is not to rush it. When your baby is fully absorbed in something, whether it’s a container, a ball or a simple lid, resist the urge to move them on. Instead, take a moment to observe. Ask yourself, what are they trying to figure out? What’s holding their attention? These quiet moments are where real learning happens.

At selected Busylizzy clubs, you’ll now find 1curiosity toys available during short, unguided play sessions for one-year-olds. These sessions give babies the chance to explore freely, while parents observe how their child plays, experiments and discovers. It’s not about outcomes or achievements. It’s about letting children lead and giving curiosity the space to do its work.

So next time your baby spends time playing with a household container, know that they’re doing exactly what they need to be doing. They’re learning how to learn.