Pretend Phone Conversation Game
Hand your toddler a toy phone and have a pretend conversation — asking questions, listening, and responding — to practice conversational turn-taking.
What You'll Need
- 12 toy phones (or pretend phone objects like bananas or blocks)
What You'll Need
2 toy phones (or pretend phone objects — bananas, blocks, and empty cups all work great)
How to Play
Grab two pretend phones. Hand one to your toddler.
Hold yours to your ear: "Ring ring! Can you answer your phone?"
Start the conversation: "Hello! How are you today?"
Pause and wait. Treat whatever they say as a real answer.
Respond naturally: "Oh, you had cereal? Yummy! I had toast."
Ask another question: "What are you going to do today?"
Model the talk-pause-talk rhythm clearly. Look expectant during their turn.
End the call: "Bye bye! Can you say bye bye?"
Tips
Something magical happens when toddlers hold a phone to their ear — they talk more. The phone format gives them a clear role (caller/responder) and removes the face-to-face pressure that can make some toddlers clam up.
Don't worry about what they say making sense. "Phone conversations" with toddlers are beautifully random. Just respond as if everything is perfectly logical.
Try calling different characters: "Ring ring! It's Grandma calling!" or "Ring ring! It's a dinosaur!" Different callers inspire different vocabulary.
This is a great activity for toddlers who are just starting to form sentences. The phone format naturally encourages longer utterances because that's what phone conversations require.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 10 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: 2 toy phones (or pretend phone objects like bananas or blocks).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 2-3 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.
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