Thinking & solving

Cup nesting puzzle

Explore how sturdy cups fit inside, on top of and beside one another.

8 minutes

What you'll need

Three one-piece nesting cups labelled suitable for children under 3

Before you start

Can manipulate large household objects

Best fit: indoors · medium energy · low caregiver effort · low mess

How to play

  1. Place the cups together.
  2. Try one relation such as inside.
  3. Step back and let your child test combinations.
Make it easier

Use two cups with an obvious size difference.

Standard

Explore how sturdy cups fit inside, on top of and beside one another.

Extend it

Hide a large object under one cup and track where it moves.

What you might notice

Size comparisons and repeated combinations.

Keep it safe

Use intact purpose-made under-3 nesting cups with no detachable handles, valves, lids or sharp rims. Stay within arm's reach, stop mouthing, damage or finger trapping, and count and store all cups.

Why it may be useful

This gives your child room to explore while you add just enough help to keep the puzzle interesting.

moderate

Guided-play evidence is stronger in preschool samples; toddler activities should remain simple and child-led.

Jeong et al. (2021) — Parenting interventions to promote early child development in the first three years of life: A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Weisberg, Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff (2016) — Guided Play: Principles and Practices

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