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Timber Towers

Prep Time: 5-15 min

This playful twist on food stacking invites your child to knock over towers made of stackable foods like cheese cubes, soft veggies, or fruit. It's a fun way to reduce pressure around food while encouraging sensory exploration, cause-and-effect learning, and playful interaction with textures—all without the expectation to eat.

Skills Supported

    Fine Motor

    Gross Motor

Age Range

12-24 Months, 2+ Years

Mess Level

Low Medium High

Supervision Level

Light Moderate Close

Things You'll Need

  • Small cubes of stackable food (cheese, cucumber, watermelon, cooked sweet potato, tofu, etc.)
  • Flat surface (plate, tray, or table)
  • Optional: toothpicks or mini skewers (only with supervision and for older children)
  • Damp cloth for cleanup
  • Plus: a car, animal, or dinosaur for knocking over.

Instructions:

  1. Build a simple stack of 3–4 food pieces (you can build it or let your child try).
  2. Invite your child to knock it over using their hands, a spoon, or a toy.
  3. Repeat and vary: build taller, add sound effects, or count down before knocking!
  4. Let your child explore the fallen pieces—touching, squishing, or tasting if they choose.

 Tips:

  • Make it silly! Add sound effects like “timber!” or “crash!” to boost engagement.
  • Lean into your child’s interest e.g. use cars, dinosaurs, or animals to crash the tower.
  • Model first if your child is hesitant—knock it down together.
  • Use soft, easy-to-handle foods to avoid frustration or mess overload.
  • Great for kids who are unsure about new foods—play builds familiarity and trust.
  • Add a social twist by taking turns building and knocking down.