Sock games | Tākai

Why do it?

Sock games make for a fun, simple, everyday learning activity when sorting and folding the washing.
They provide an opportunity for a matching activity (find the sock pair or are their two red socks?).
Socks are soft and light, and are good for practising throwing and catching which also involves practice at taking turns.
‘Sock balls’ can also be aimed and thrown into the laundry basket, which helps gross (big muscle) motor skills.

See if a toddler can help find the matching sock. — ask, ‘Where is Dad’s other sock?’
Make the pair into a sock ball.
See if your toddler is interested in catching, throwing or rolling the sock ball.
Play with each other back and forth, or have a target to aim for, like the laundry basket.
Repeat the game with other pairs of socks.
Turn a sock into a hand puppet by adding eyes or nose with a pen or stickers.

Te reo Māori	English
Tōkena	Sock
Paoro	Ball
Ōrite	Matching
Kei whea tērā atu tōkena o papa?	Where is Dad's other sock?
He rite tonu te tae ō ēnei tōkena	These socks are the same colour
Taurite	To be alike, matching
He rerekē ēnei tōkena	These socks are different
Mahia he paoro	Make a ball
Whiua te pōro	Throw the ball
Takahuri te pōro	Roll the ball
Whiua te pōro ki roto i te kete	Throw into the basket
Whiua te pōro ki a Pāpā	Throw the ball to Dad
Kete kākahu	Clothes basket
Homai te pōro e te tau	Give me the ball my darling
Anō	Do it again
Nōku te wā	My turn
Nōu te wā	Your turn
Kei hea te pōro?	Where is the ball?
Kei raro i te tepu	Under the table
Kei muri i te tūru	Behind the chair
Keretao tōkena	Sock puppet
Ngā karu	Eyes
He ihu	A nose
Kino kē koe e te tau!	You're awesome my darling!