TinyStepper

Mummy/Daddy Comes Back Game

At a glance: Parent hides briefly behind furniture and always returns with a big greeting. A 7-minute, medium-energy indoor activity for ages 12m–2y. No prep needed.

Built by a parent of toddlersBest for 12m-2y

Field-tested ideas shaped by direct parenting experience and advice from reputable sources, including NHS Best Start in Life and NSPCC child development research.

12m–2y7 minsmedium energyindoornone messNo prep

A structured, gradual version of peekaboo for toddlers working through separation anxiety. Hide behind a sofa or door for a few seconds, then reappear with a warm 'I came back!' Gradually increase the duration. Each repetition teaches the most important lesson: when someone leaves, they come back. The game format keeps it playful and gives the child predictability and control.

Best for this moment

when your toddler needs focused engagement, especially when you need an indoor option.

Parent tip

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

What success looks like

A good outcome is a few minutes of engaged play, some back-and-forth with you, and a small sign of progress in cognitive skills.

More help for this situation

Instructions

Get ready
  • Start visible: 'I'm going to hide, and then I'll come back!'
  • Duck behind the sofa for 3-5 seconds
  1. Start visible: 'I'm going to hide, and then I'll come back!'
  2. Duck behind the sofa for 3-5 seconds
  3. Pop back up with a smile: 'I came back! I always come back!'
  4. Repeat, gradually extending the hiding time
  5. Add distance: hide behind a door in the same room
  6. Then briefly step into the next room (keep talking so they hear you)
  7. Always return with warmth: a hug, a smile, 'Here I am!'
  8. Let your toddler hide too — role reversal builds confidence

Why it helps

This game helps build the emotional certainty that a departure always leads to a reunion. Each successful 'return' strengthens the connection between leaving and coming back. The gradual increase in duration teaches the child's nervous system that longer separations are also safe. Keeping it playful prevents the anxiety response from activating during practise.

Variations

  • Use a blanket to hide under instead of furniture.
  • Call out from your hiding spot: 'Where's Mummy? I'm still here!'
  • For older toddlers, add counting: 'Count to five and I'll be back — one, two...'

Safety tips

  • Never hide for so long that your toddler becomes genuinely distressed.
  • Stay within earshot and respond immediately if they cry.
  • Keep hiding spots safe — behind furniture, not in enclosed spaces.

When to pause and seek extra support

Stop if your child becomes distressed, unsafe, or consistently frustrated by the activity. If play, behaviour, or development worries keep showing up across settings, check in with a qualified professional.

Get weekly activity ideas for your toddler

One email a week with practical toddler activities, behaviour tips, and developmental insights. No spam, unsubscribe any time.