Hand-Off Tower
Parent stacks the first block, then hands the next to the toddler, gradually handing off more until the child stacks alone.
- Age12 months to 2 years
- Time5 to 15 minutes
- EnergyCalm
- CostFree
- WhereIndoors
- PrepNone
You and your toddler build a small tower together, with you handing over more of the job as they get the hang of placing blocks one on top of another.
How to do it
- Sit facing your toddler with a small pile of stackable blocks between you.
- Place the first block yourself and say what you are doing in a simple way.
- Hand the next block to your toddler and guide their hand onto the tower if needed.
- Step back a little each round, handing over the block but letting them place it alone.
- Cheer the tower whether it stands or topples, then rebuild together as often as they like.
What you need
- Blocks
Signs it is working
Your toddler takes the block you hand over and moves it toward the tower. They release a block onto the stack, even roughly. They reach for another block or clap when the tower falls
If it is not quite clicking
The tower keeps toppling and frustrates them: Use larger, lighter blocks or keep it to two blocks high. They only want to knock it down: Let them; the crash is part of the fun and the learning. They lose interest in placing: Go back to handing over and guiding their hand for a round
Make it yours
Younger (12-15 months): Stack only two blocks and celebrate each one. Older (2-3 years): Hand over the whole pile and let them build freely, then count the blocks together. Siblings: An older child can be the block-hander for the toddler
Try this with your child.
Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.
Try it in the app