Stack pillows and cushions into a wobbly tower, then take a running (safe, controlled) charge to knock it flat. Rebuild together and go again, testing whether a taller or wider tower survives the charge better.
What you need
- pillows and cushions
How to do it
- 1Stack pillows and cushions into a tower as tall as it will safely balance.
- 2"Take a running charge and knock it flat — ready, set, go!" Mark a clear run-up lane first.
- 3Rebuild the tower together, trying a different shape — wider base, narrower top — to compare.
- 4Let each child take their own charge in turn if there's more than one player.
Variations
- If a running charge feels too chaotic indoors: a big jump from standing still gives the same crash-and-rebuild satisfaction.
- How it ends: one final 'biggest tower yet' build and charge gives a memorable closing round.
💡 Parent tip
Clear a genuinely wide run-up lane before the first charge — this is the one safety step worth double-checking.
What your child develops
- Gross motor release — a sanctioned, safe way to run and crash indoors
- Basic structural comparison — noticing which tower shapes hold up longer
- Repetition and rebuilding — practicing resilience by remaking something that just fell apart
Safety notes
- Clear all hard furniture and sharp corners from the charge lane. Supervise closely with more than one child charging.
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