The Simple Play Idea That Helps Toddlers Learn Without Them Even Realising

selected LEGO® DUPLO® sets are currently up to 25% off at Very until 16th September.

You don’t need complicated activities or a perfectly planned playroom to support your toddler’s development. Sometimes, sitting down with a handful of bricks and seeing what they create is enough.

There is a particular kind of pressure that seems to arrive with toddlerhood. Suddenly we’re thinking about fine motor skills, language development, sensory play, independence, confidence and whether we should have organised some sort of educational activity before 9am.

Meanwhile, your toddler has spent the last 20 minutes putting the same three things into a cardboard box.

The good news? Play really doesn’t need to be complicated to be valuable.

Some of the best learning happens when children are simply given the opportunity to explore, build, knock things down and start all over again.

And that’s exactly why LEGO® DUPLO® sets have remained such a favourite with families of preschoolers.

Designed for little hands and big imaginations, LEGO DUPLO play gives toddlers the freedom to take an idea and make it completely their own. Even better, selected LEGO DUPLO sets are currently up to 25% off at Very until 16th September.

Let’s start building

One of our favourite things about playing with toddlers is seeing where their imagination takes something.

With LEGO DUPLO creative play, parents can start the activity without needing to control where it goes next. You provide the bricks, perhaps build the first few pieces together, and then let your child take over.

For parents, it creates an easy opportunity to sit down and connect.

For children, it’s a chance to experiment, make choices and discover what happens when they try something new.

Why LEGO DUPLO bricks work so well for toddlers

Anyone who has watched a toddler determinedly trying to do something themselves will know how important the phrase “I do it” becomes.

LEGO DUPLO bricks are designed specifically with younger children in mind. They’re larger than traditional LEGO bricks, making them easier for little fingers to pick up, hold, connect and pull apart.

And all that seemingly simple building is giving those little hands plenty of practice.

Picking up bricks, positioning them, pressing them together and separating them again can help children practise the hand and finger movements involved in developing their fine motor skills and coordination.

Different shapes, colours and ways of connecting pieces also give toddlers plenty to explore through touch and movement.

Play that encourages independence

Toddler independence can be wonderful.

It can also mean waiting ten minutes while somebody attempts to put one welly on.

But giving young children opportunities to try things for themselves is an important part of growing up. Open-ended building gives them a space where there isn’t necessarily a “right” answer.

Making those little decisions, trying an idea and seeing what happens can encourage curiosity and give children the confidence to experiment independently.

And because LEGO DUPLO sets are designed for preschool play, it’s something they can increasingly take ownership of as they grow.

As children get older, LEGO DUPLO play can evolve with them. Building together can naturally create opportunities for conversation and storytelling. Children might invent characters, act out familiar situations or recreate something they’ve seen during their day.

When siblings, friends or parents join in, play can also become a chance to practise taking turns, sharing ideas and creating something together.

What age is LEGO DUPLO for?

The LEGO DUPLO range includes sets created for different stages of preschool development, including options suitable from around 18 months through to 3 years and beyond.

That means you can choose something appropriate for where your child is now, rather than expecting them to play in a way they’re not quite ready for.

A younger toddler might be completely absorbed by stacking, sorting and taking bricks apart.

As their imagination and skills develop, those same building experiences can become increasingly elaborate, with more storytelling and pretend play appearing naturally.

It’s one of the reasons LEGO DUPLO toys can have such longevity in a family playroom.

Carol Recommends: why we love LEGO DUPLO for preschool play

We’re always drawn to toys that don’t dictate exactly how children should play with them.

LEGO DUPLO gives you enough structure to get started, but plenty of freedom for children to decide what happens next.

And for parents wondering whether they’re doing enough to support their preschooler’s development, there’s something reassuring about that.

Save up to 25% on selected LEGO DUPLO sets at Very

If you’re thinking about adding something new to your little ones toys, Very currently has up to 25% off selected LEGO DUPLO sets until 16th September.

Whether you’re looking for a first set for an 18-month-old or something to encourage more imaginative play as your preschooler gets older, there’s a wide range to choose from.

So perhaps this week’s activity doesn’t need planning after all.

Let’s start building.

Sponsored content. Save up to 25% on selected LEGO DUPLO sets at Very. Offer ends 16th September. Always check the recommended age and product information for the individual set before purchasing.