TinyStepper
Dark-skinned toddler sorting colourful blocks into teal and pink bowls with a puzzle nearby

Nesting Cup Tower

Stack measuring cups into a tower, then nest them back inside each other.

Activity details

12m–2y7 minslowindoorNo prepMeasuring CupsPlastic Cups

Instructions

Get ready
  • Gather 4–5 measuring cups or plastic cups of different sizes
  • Show your child how to stack them from biggest to smallest
  1. Gather 4–5 measuring cups or plastic cups of different sizes
  2. Show your child how to stack them from biggest to smallest
  3. Let them try — it doesn’t matter if it topples
  4. Demonstrate nesting: ‘This small one fits inside the big one!’
  5. Let them explore both stacking and nesting freely
  6. Count the cups as you build: ‘One, two, three!’
  7. Cheer when the tower falls: ‘Crash! Let’s build again!’
  8. Try hiding a small toy under a cup — ‘Where did it go?’

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.

Give your toddler a set of measuring cups or plastic cups of different sizes and let them stack, nest, and knock them down. The dual challenge — stacking from big to small and nesting from small to big — introduces size comparison and sequencing in a hands-on way that no screen can match. When the tower crashes, they learn that trying again is part of the fun, building persistence alongside cognitive skills.

Why it helps

The EYFS framework identifies early mathematical experiences — including counting, pattern and spatial reasoning — as building blocks for later numeracy skills. Stacking by size teaches seriation — ordering objects from smallest to largest — which is a foundational maths concept. The precision needed to balance one cup on another refines fine motor control and hand-eye coordination, while the crash-and-rebuild cycle teaches persistence and emotional resilience.

Variations

  • Hide small objects under each cup for a ‘find the toy’ memory game.
  • Fill cups with rice or water for sensory pouring practice.
  • Take cups to the sandpit for outdoor digging and moulding.

Safety tips

  • Use plastic or silicone cups rather than ceramic or glass.
  • For younger toddlers, start with just 3–4 cups to avoid frustration.
  • Ensure cups have no cracks or sharp edges.

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