Tall and Short Tower Building Contest
Build towers of different heights with blocks and compare them — which is taller? Shorter? A playful measurement activity that introduces comparison vocabulary.
What You'll Need
- 120+ building blocks (wooden, foam, LEGO, or DUPLO)
What You'll Need
20+ building blocks — wooden, foam, LEGO, or DUPLO all work
How to Play
Build a short tower (3 blocks) and a tall tower (8 blocks) side by side.
"This one is SHORT. This one is TALL!" Use big gestures — hand low for short, hand high for tall.
Ask: "Which is taller?" Let your child point or answer.
Their turn: "Can you build a tower taller than mine?"
Count blocks in each tower: "Yours has ten, mine has eight. Yours is taller!"
Challenge: "Build the shortest tower you can. Now the tallest before it falls!"
Line up three towers of different heights. "Which is tallest? Which is shortest? Which is in the middle?"
Why It Works
Comparing heights is pre-measurement — your child is developing the concept of "more" and "less" in a physical, visible way. Counting the blocks connects quantity to height, which is an early unit-of-measurement concept. The building challenge adds problem-solving: tall towers wobble and fall, teaching structural reasoning through natural consequences.
Tips
Build side by side so the comparison is visual and immediate. Towers across the room from each other are hard to compare.
Use vocabulary consistently: tall, taller, tallest. Short, shorter, shortest. These comparison words matter.
When a tall tower falls, ask "Why did it fall?" This invites early engineering thinking.
Try building towers on different surfaces — soft carpet vs. hard floor. Which holds a taller tower?
Introduce a measuring tape once the concept clicks. Measure each tower in inches for an extra math layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 15 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: 20+ building blocks (wooden, foam, lego, or duplo).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 2-4 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
Ratings & Reviews
Sign in to leave a rating or review.
Add to Your Weekly Plan
Schedule this activity into your family's week. It takes about 15 min.
Free account required to save plans
Explore More
Love this activity?
Create a free account and add it to your weekly planner. Discover hundreds more activities matched to your child's age.