TinyStepper

Taking Turns Tower

At a glance: Build a block tower by taking strict turns — one block each, with a clear 'my turn, your turn' rhythm. A 10-minute, low-energy indoor activity for ages 18m–3y.

Built by a parent of toddlersBest for 18m-3y

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

18m–3y10 minslow energyindoornone mess

Sit facing your toddler with a pile of blocks between you. Take strict turns placing one block at a time: 'My turn — one block. YOUR turn — one block.' Use a visual cue (a small flag, a special stone, or just pointing) to signal whose turn it is. The tower grows as a shared achievement. When it falls, rebuild together. The simplicity of the one-block-each rule makes turn-taking utterly concrete and repeatable — the fundamental social skill practised in its purest form.

Best for this moment

for calmer, lower-pressure moments, especially when you need an indoor option.

Parent tip

Set out building blocks 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.

Instructions

Get ready
  • Sit on the floor facing each other with a pile of blocks between you
  • Explain: 'We take turns. One block each. My turn, your turn.'
  1. Sit on the floor facing each other with a pile of blocks between you
  2. Explain: 'We take turns. One block each. My turn, your turn.'
  3. Place your block: 'My turn — one block. Now it's YOUR turn'
  4. Hand over the turn clearly: point, or pass a small 'turn marker'
  5. Celebrate each addition: 'It's getting taller! We're building it together!'
  6. When the tower falls, laugh together: 'Crash! Shall we build again?'
  7. After several rounds, try with a sibling or friend as a third builder
  8. Count how many blocks high you got together: 'We made it to 8! Can we beat that?'

Why it helps

Turn-taking is the foundational social skill from which sharing, conversation, and cooperative play all develop. The one-block-each rule is concrete enough for even the youngest toddlers to understand and follow. The shared tower provides visible evidence that taking turns produces something better than either person could build alone — a concrete experience of the value of cooperation that is more persuasive than any verbal explanation.

Variations

  • Use a timer between turns for children who struggle with waiting — when the beep goes, it is the other person's turn.
  • Try building with different materials: cushions, books, or food tins for variety.
  • Add a challenge: build with eyes closed, using only one hand, or standing on one foot.

Safety tips

  • Use lightweight blocks that will not hurt if the tower falls onto small hands.
  • Ensure blocks are too large to be a choking hazard for younger toddlers.
  • Avoid forcing participation if your toddler wants to knock the tower down — that is a valid (if frustrating) developmental impulse.

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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