Building and solving a maze helps a child build reasoning and fine-motor skills. Show several pictures of different mazes and explain how they work. Break children up into groups of two or three. Each group must build a maze out of blocks that is big enough for a ping pong ball to roll through. When each project is finished, switch groups so one group must solve another's maze. If a group solves a maze easily, ask them to make changes to make it more challenging.
Place blocks of different sizes on a table or carpet. Place plastic animals, clay, art supplies and stuffed animals nearby. Give children a half hour of free time to create whatever they want with these materials. The blocks might be used to make a home for the animals or a jewelry stand to display a clay and sequin necklace. Adults must applaud children for whatever they create. This freeform exercise allows children to use their imaginations without boundaries or criticism.
Give children a variety of blocks and ask them to create different shapes. Cube blocks can be combined to make squares and rectangles. If you have a variety of block shapes available, children can create hexagons, octagons or stars. Older children may be able to do this without any further direction, while younger children may need suggestions for shapes they can create. It may also be necessary for adults to create a shape out of blocks and ask children to copy it.
Give children several boxes and containers of different sizes. Ask them to fill the bottom of the container with as many blocks as they can. If the blocks are of different shapes, this activity will challenge them to use critical thinking skills to make blocks fit together with as few spaces as possible. Ask children to count how many of each type of block are in the box and how many blocks in total fit inside.