Back to activities
Big movementSensory play

Crash and Land Cushions

Toddler climbs and flops onto a low cushion pile, satisfying the need for big proprioceptive input safely.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Crash and Land Cushions.
  • Age13 months to 2 years
  • Time5 to 15 minutes
  • EnergyVery active
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors
  • Prep5 min

Your toddler climbs onto a low pile of cushions and flops down onto them, a safe way to get the big squishy body input that many toddlers crave.

How to do it

  1. Build a low, wide pile of soft cushions or pillows on the floor away from hard edges.
  2. Clear the space around the pile so there is nothing to bump into.
  3. Show your toddler how to climb on and flop down onto the soft pile.
  4. Stay right beside the pile to steady and spot them as they climb and land.
  5. Let them climb and crash as many times as they like, rebuilding the pile as it spreads.

What you need

  • Cushions
  • Clear floor space

Make it yours

Younger, 12-15 months: Keep the pile very low and hold their hands as they climb. Older, 2-3 years: Add a gentle jump from a low, safe height onto the cushions with you spotting. Siblings: Take clear turns so no one lands on another child.

Try this with your child.

Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.

Try it in the app