Cushion Mountain Climb for Babies

3-5 couch cushions or firm pillows of varying sizes

A blanket to drape over gaps and edges

A favorite toy to place at the top

Pull the cushions off your couch and arrange them on the floor in a low pile. Start with a gentle slope — you're not building Everest, just a gentle hill.

Drape a blanket over the pile to cover any gaps where tiny limbs could get wedged.

Place your baby at the base of the cushion mountain. If they're not yet crawling, lay them on their tummy at the base so they can practice pushing up on the soft surface.

Put a favorite toy or something that makes noise at the top of the pile. The motivation to reach it is what drives the climbing.

Stay right beside your baby, hands ready to spot. Let them figure out how to navigate the uneven surface on their own — that problem-solving is the whole point.

Cheer every effort, not just the summit. "You're climbing so high!" goes a long way.

Once they've conquered the mountain, rearrange the cushions into a new formation — a tunnel, a valley, or a longer slope.

Let your baby explore freely. Some babies prefer to roll down the slope, and that's equally valuable.

This activity is best for babies who can at least push up on their arms (around 4-5 months and up). For younger babies, a single flat cushion on the floor provides enough of an uneven surface to be interesting.

The uneven, squishy surface is what makes this special. Your baby's muscles work harder to stabilize on cushions than on a flat floor.

Always stay within arm's reach. Cushions can shift and babies can face-plant into soft surfaces.

Try hiding toys in the crevices between cushions for a built-in treasure hunt.

This is a rainy day lifesaver. When you can't get outside, the cushion mountain gives your baby the physical challenge they need.