Best for this moment
when your toddler needs focused engagement, especially when you need something flexible indoors or outdoors.
My Turn, Your Turn Bubbles
At a glance: Take turns blowing and popping bubbles — practising patience and turn-taking with instant, joyful reward. A 10-minute, medium-energy both activity for ages 18m–3y.
One person blows bubbles, the other pops them — then swap. Use a sand timer or count to ten for each turn. Bubbles are the ideal sharing activity because both roles are equally fun (blowing and popping), turns are short, and the reward is instant and visual. The low-stakes nature means sharing failures do not matter — you just blow more. This builds the turn-taking muscle in the safest possible environment before applying it to higher-stakes situations like toy sharing.
Parent tip
Set out bubbles before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.
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 emotional regulation.
More help for this situation
Outdoor adventures
Outside time
Fresh air, muddy hands, and big movement — perfect for burning energy and exploring nature.
Try Nature CollectionInstructions
- Take the bubbles outside or to a space where spills are fine
- Explain the rules: 'I blow, you pop. Then we swap!'
- Blow a round of bubbles while your toddler pops them
- Count to ten or use a timer to signal the swap
- Hand over the bubble wand: 'Your turn to blow!'
- Pop their bubbles enthusiastically: 'I got three!'
- Swap back and forth, keeping turns short and equal
- Celebrate the sharing: 'We're taking such good turns!'
Why it helps
Turn-taking is the developmental precursor to sharing, and it requires three executive function skills: inhibitory control (waiting), working memory (remembering the rule), and cognitive flexibility (switching roles). Bubbles make turn-taking irresistible because both roles provide immediate sensory reward — the visual spectacle of bubbles satisfies the waiting child while building tolerance for delayed gratification in a context that feels genuinely fair.
Variations
- Add a third player (sibling, friend, teddy) so the turn-taking circle grows.
- Use different bubble wands — big ones, small ones, multi-hole ones — and swap wands as well as roles.
- Play 'bubble freeze' — blow bubbles, then both freeze until they all pop before swapping.
Safety tips
- Use non-toxic bubble solution and supervise to prevent drinking.
- Wipe up spills on indoor floors to prevent slipping.
- Ensure the bubble wand has no sharp edges and is size-appropriate for small hands.
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.
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