Block Play

One more block… how many now? 

You don’t need a worksheet to explore math with your child. A handful of blocks offers chances to count, compare, and discover together.

Count each block as you stack, then wonder aloud: “What happens if we add one more?” Let your child try it and see!

Find more ways to bring math into play with our Count as You Build guide: https://go.unl.edu/block-math

Will one more block make it tumble? 

That little moment of “Let’s find out!” is where science begins.

As your child builds, ask, “What do you think will happen if we put this on top?” Give them time to predict, test, and discover. Even a fallen tower gives you something new to explore together!

Spark your child’s curiosity with the activities and questions in our What Happens If..? https://go.unl.edu/block-science

“My turn!” “I wanted that block!” Sound familiar? 

Sharing and waiting take practice. Building together gives your child a chance to practice those skills with your support.

Start with one shared creation and take turns choosing the next block. When different ideas—or big feelings—show up, pause and ask, “How can we work together?”

Find simple ways to practice cooperation and talk about feelings in our Building Together guide: https://go.unl.edu/block-socialemotional

Those little hands are doing BIG work! 

Every time your child picks up, carries, and balances blocks, they’re practicing coordination and strengthening muscles used for everyday tasks—including holding a pencil.

Try taking turns adding blocks to a tower. Can you build it high? What happens when you make it wide?

Open our Building Strong Hands guide for an easy activity, playful questions, and a book to enjoy together: https://go.unl.edu/block-physical   

A castle? A grocery store? A home for a tiny dragon? 

Your child’s blocks may hold a whole story—and one simple invitation can help you hear it: “Tell me about what you built.”

Talking about their creation gives children practice using new words and sharing ideas. Try asking, “Who lives here?” or “What happens inside?”

Open our Tell Me About Your Build guide for playful ways to encourage conversation, imagination, and early reading skills: https://go.unl.edu/block-language

Can cleanup become part of the fun? 

Try inviting your child to gather blocks by color, shape, or size. Ask, “How did you decide where these go?” You might be surprised by their thinking!

Sorting and talking about blocks helps children explore early math and learn words like tall, short, wide, and narrow.

Open our Tall, Short and Everything in Between guide for simple building and sorting activities to try together: https://go.unl.edu/block-vocab

Big learning starts with little blocks! 

When your child stacks, sorts, builds, and rebuilds, they’re practicing skills for learning and everyday life—and you can join the fun.

Our Block Play guides give you simple activities, questions to spark conversation, and books to explore together. No complicated setup needed. Start with the blocks you have and follow your child’s imagination!

The tower fell. The learning keeps going! 

When your child changes a plan, tries again, or dreams up something new, they’re practicing problem-solving, focus, and persistence.

Block play brings movement, math, science, language, and social skills together. Let your child lead, then ask, “What could we change?” or “What do you want to build next?”

Explore our Blocks = School Readiness guide and try a simple activity during your next playtime: https://go.unl.edu/block-schoolreadiness