The Ball Pit

So Widget got an inflatable ball pit for his second birthday last week.  He is OBSESSED with this thing.  He puts the balls in, he knocks them out, he falls into the pit, he crawls around the pit, he sits on the side of the pit, and he falls into the pit again. 

My question is, how can we use this new obsession to foster inquiry and curiousity in the child? 

So far, we’ve talked about colors, and started to “pick up the red ball” when asked.  He can name the parts of the elephant on the side of it.  Mostly.  He likes to keep all the balls in the pit, and that’s a continuing adventure, but what’s next?

Count the balls?  Sort them by color?  Talk about big and little, since the beach ball keeps ending up in the pit too?  What else? 

Or should I just stop thinking for a minute and let him enjoy playing in his own way?