Turn taking games – Toddler

Turn taking games give toddlers opportunities to learn important social and emotional skills.

Did you know?

Turn taking is a skill that needs to be learnt and practiced. Waiting and taking turns can be difficult for toddlers.

Building towers, blowing bubbles, pushing a car back and forward, and putting shapes in a shape sorter can all be made into good turn taking games for toddlers. Keep the turns short because toddlers only have short attention spans.

Add language

Turn taking is a fundamental part of communicating. Use verbal cues to prompt turn taking e.g. “Mummy’s turn”, “Daddy’s turn”, “Josh’s turn”. Using names rather than the pronouns “my” and “your” is less confusing for young toddlers.

Other development

Taking turns at copying each others actions e.g. clapping, stomping, jumping etc. is a fun way to learn about body awareness, and develop balance and gross motor skills.

Variations

Turn taking can be built into just about any play activity e.g. taking turns on swings and slides; stacking blocks; ball play; scooping sand into a bucket; stirring the cake mix etc.

Turning the pages during book sharing is another good opportunity for turn taking.

Across the ages

All the activities listed on our “Play Ideas” page can be applied across different age groups. Check out turn taking games for babies, children and playgroups.

Activities listed under “baby” are suitable for children under 12 months. This age is largely about babies exploring their own bodies and the world around them from the safety of a close relationship with their caregiver.