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Toddler · The activity desk

Toddler cup tower

Stack, nest and knock down large cups together on the floor.

Let's play →

A little plan for play

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What you need

Two or three large, lightweight, unbreakable stacking cups made for the child's age

Age: 12–24 months; choose for the individual child.

Set up: Choose a clear floor space and check that the cups are intact, clean and too large to swallow.

Adult's role: Stay within arm's reach, model stacking and let your child explore at their own pace.

Let's make it happen

  1. Place one cup upside down on the floor and invite your child to put another on top.
  2. Watch the tower wobble or fall, then gather the cups together.
  3. Try nesting the cups or build the tower again, following your child's interest.

Make it simpler: Offer two cups to tap together or place one inside the other.

Clean up: Put the cups away and wipe them clean if needed.

Use intact age-appropriate cups without detachable small parts. Stay within arm's reach and stop if a cup becomes damaged.

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