Cracking eggs with your child

Cracking eggs takes a bit of training, but it’s a great Montessori practical life activity you can start around 3 years old. Kids love to practice tapping the eggs on a hard surface, breaking them open with their thumbs, and later crushing the shells with a mortar and pestle.

What you need

Some eggs you can dedicate to the project—plan to cook the cracked eggs within about 24 hours
Two bowls—one for the eggs and the other for the shells; preferably one with a hard “sharpish” edge
A whisk or fork
Mortar and pestle if you have one for grinding the shells

Some tips

Plan on using at least 6 eggs to give your child enough practice
Portion out the eggs you are going to use and leave them in the carton (your child will love to take them out of the carton like you do)
Incorporate math learning by counting the eggs, then counting them again after your child takes each one away to crack
Show your child the two bowls and demonstrate how to tap the egg; they might be more timid on this step so hand-over-hand can help⁠
Show them how to use their two little thumbs to put pressure on the crack and pull the shell apart⁠
Designate one bowl for shells and a second one for the eggs –a wet cloth is handy for wiping hands ⁠
Be prepared to fish out the shells⁠
For more fun, have your child crush the shells with a mortar and pestle after they’re done cracking them

Author

Team Lovevery

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Posted in: 18 - 48 Months+, Playtime & Activities, Playtime & Activities

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