TinyStepper
Toddler throwing a soft ball at a basket target in the garden

Cushion Mountain Climb

Stack cushions into a soft mountain for climbing and sliding practice.

Activity details

12m–18m8 minshighindoorCushionsPillows

Instructions

Get ready
  • Gather sofa cushions and pillows from around the house
  • Pile them in a heap on the floor, away from furniture
  1. Gather sofa cushions and pillows from around the house
  2. Pile them in a heap on the floor, away from furniture
  3. Encourage your child to climb up: ‘Can you get to the top?’
  4. Celebrate when they reach the summit
  5. Show them how to slide or roll down the other side
  6. Rearrange the pile to create different challenges
  7. Add a blanket over the top for a different texture
  8. Let them pull cushions off and rebuild — that’s part of the fun

Parent tip

Set out cushions and pillows before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Child smiling on a cushion after active play with a ball and scattered cushions nearby

What success looks like

Flushed cheeks, big smiles, and a calmer child afterwards. If they want to do it again, you’ve found a winner.

Pile cushions and pillows into a mountain shape on the floor and let your early walker climb up, over, and around them. At 12–18 months, children are driven to climb everything in sight — and a soft cushion pile gives them a safe way to satisfy that urge. The uneven surface challenges their balance and builds the core strength and confidence they need as brand-new walkers.

Why it helps

NHS physical activity guidelines for under-5s recommend at least 180 minutes of activity a day, listing climbing as one of the best forms of active play for this age group. Climbing on uneven surfaces strengthens core muscles and hip stability, which are critical for walking confidence. Figuring out how to get up and over the pile develops motor planning — the ability to sequence physical actions — which is a key executive function skill emerging at this age.

Variations

  • Hide a toy under the top cushion as a summit surprise.
  • Create a slide on one side using a sofa cushion propped at an angle.
  • Add blankets over the pile to make a different texture to climb on.

Safety tips

  • Build the pile on carpet or a rug, away from furniture edges.
  • Keep the pile low — two or three cushions high is plenty for this age.
  • Stay within arm’s reach to catch your child if they topple.

Want to try another?

Balloon Volleyball

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