TinyStepper
Auburn-haired boy holding a torch with a rabbit shadow puppet cast on the wall

Blanket Peek and Crawl

Drape a blanket over a low table to create a cosy den for peek-a-boo, crawling, and hiding — a classic game for early walkers.

Activity details

12m–2y10 minsmediumindoorNo prepBlanketsCushionsStuffed Animals

Instructions

Get ready
  • Drape a large blanket over a low coffee table or dining chairs, leaving one side open as an entrance.
  • Place a cushion inside to make it cosy and inviting.
  1. Drape a large blanket over a low coffee table or dining chairs, leaving one side open as an entrance.
  2. Place a cushion inside to make it cosy and inviting.
  3. Crawl inside yourself first and peek out at your child: 'Where's Mummy? Here I am!'
  4. Invite your child to come inside: 'Can you crawl in? It's so cosy in here!'
  5. Once they're inside, gently lower the blanket flap and lift it again — 'Peek-a-boo! I can see you!'
  6. Take turns being the one who hides and the one who peeks — let your child lift the blanket themselves if they can.
  7. Encourage them to crawl out, stand up using the table edge, and walk around to the entrance again — the circuit is the exercise.
  8. When they tire of peek-a-boo, leave a picture book and a stuffed animal inside the den for quiet solo play.

Parent tip

Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.

Toddler at a table with a completed puzzle and neatly sorted blocks in a bright aha moment

What success looks like

Intense focus, even briefly. Watch for the small ‘aha’ moment when they figure out how something works.

A blanket draped over a table creates the simplest and most effective play environment imaginable for a toddler who is transitioning between crawling and walking. They can crawl inside for the security of an enclosed space, peek out to check you are still there, and practise standing up by pulling on the table edge. The peek-a-boo element reinforces object permanence and separation-reunion confidence, while the physical transitions between sitting, crawling, standing, and walking give their whole motor system a workout.

Why it helps

Enclosed spaces are deeply calming for toddlers because they reduce visual and auditory stimulation, helping the nervous system regulate. The peek-a-boo game within the den practises separation and reunion — a cornerstone of secure attachment. Developmental psychologists note that children who play frequent peek-a-boo games show greater confidence during real separations, because they have internalised the understanding that the absent person always comes back. NHS early years guidance recognises that emotional development is just as important as physical or cognitive milestones, and it grows best through warm, consistent interactions.

Variations

  • Add a torch or battery-powered fairy lights inside the den to create a magical glowing cave.
  • Play 'post the toy' by passing stuffed animals through a gap in the blanket — one person inside, one outside.
  • For older toddlers, add a 'knock knock' routine: they knock on the table from outside, you call 'Who is it?' from inside.

Safety tips

  • Ensure the table is stable and cannot tip or collapse if your child pulls on the blanket or the edge.
  • Never leave the blanket completely sealed — always maintain a clear opening for fresh air and an easy exit.
  • Stay close by and check on your child frequently, especially during solo play inside the den.

Want to try another?

Peekaboo Scarf Play

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