Everyday moments offer meaningful opportunities for children to learn, play, and grow. Little Connections, a new caregiver-facing resource from Great Kids, helps families make the most of those moments through simple, research-informed activities designed to support child development and strengthen caregiver-child relationships.
Available in two volumes, Little Connections provides practical ideas caregivers can use at home, during everyday routines, or alongside support from a professional.
What Is Little Connections?
Little Connections is a set of printed activity cards with QR codes that link to short companion videos. Each volume includes 45 activity cards and 45 optional videos. Each activity is designed to be easy to understand and use, with minimal preparation and little to no special supplies required. The activities draw from Great Kids’ trusted early childhood resources and research foundations, including PACEs.
More than a collection of activity ideas, each card is intentionally designed to support developmental skills while encouraging meaningful interaction between children and the adults who care for them. The videos offer optional demonstrations and brief explanations of each activity’s developmental purpose. Caregivers can use the cards independently without watching the videos.
Caregivers often want to support their child’s development but may not always know where to start. Little Connections makes that first step easier with simple, relationship-centered activities that help caregivers:
- Make play more purposeful by turning everyday moments into opportunities for learning and development.
- Build trust through shared attention and meaningful time together.
- Support early skills through interactions that encourage communication, exploration, and development.
- Feel confident getting started without special supplies or extensive preparation.
- Use optional videos for guidance and see activities demonstrated in action.
Two Volumes, Different Ways to Support Development
Little Connections includes two separate volumes, each with 45 activity cards and 45 companion videos, along with an introduction card and video and a Feeling Faces card.
Volume 1: Age-Based Activities
Designed for caregivers of children from birth to age five, Volume 1 organizes activities into three age groups:
- Ages 0–1
- Ages 2–3
- Ages 4–5
Each card includes an activity and Extend It ideas that offer ways to continue or vary the experience. This structure helps caregivers find activities suited to their child’s developmental stage while creating opportunities for play, exploration, and connection.
Volume 2: Activities for Children with Unique Needs
Volume 2 is designed for caregivers of young children with unique needs or developmental pathways that may not align with traditional age-based expectations.
Instead of organizing activities by age, Volume 2 uses three complexity levels: one, two, and three stars. Each card includes Adapt It options to help caregivers adjust activities for language, cognitive, fine motor, and gross motor development.
This flexible approach encourages caregivers to meet children where they are, build on their strengths, and find meaningful ways to engage through play.
The two volumes are sold separately and feature different activities. Families or programs that purchase both have access to 90 activities in total.
Who Can Use Little Connections?
Little Connections was designed with both families and the professionals who support them in mind.
Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers can use the cards independently to find simple ways to engage with young children throughout the day. Home visitors, parenting educators, family resource center staff, early childhood professionals, and health and social-service partners can also incorporate activities into their work with families.
Organizations may use the decks as welcome-packet items, caregiver resources, program materials, event giveaways, or tools to support family engagement. The cards can be introduced during a visit, used together with a caregiver, or shared for families to explore on their own.
Making Everyday Moments Meaningful
Children learn through everyday interactions, routines, play, and exploration. Little Connections helps caregivers recognize that supporting development doesn’t always require a structured lesson, special equipment, or extensive preparation. Sometimes, a few minutes of playful interaction can create an opportunity to learn something new and strengthen a relationship.
By making developmental support simple, practical, and adaptable, Little Connections gives families and professionals another way to encourage connection, confidence, and joyful learning.
Explore Little Connections and learn more about Volume 1 and Volume 2.
