Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under
Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under is a calm early concepts activity for toddlers aged 13–22 months (corrected age). A stuffed animal goes up high, down low and under a blanket while you narrate, so your toddler hears position words tied to a toy they love. It takes 3–8 minutes, needs no prep and works indoors.
Updated
Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under
A stuffed animal goes up high, down low and under a blanket while you narrate, so your toddler hears position words tied to a toy they love.
- Ages (corrected)
- 13–22 months
- Time
- 3–8 min
- Prep
- No prep
- Where
- Indoors · Calm
You need
- a favorite stuffed animal
- a light blanket or towel
Steps
- Sit on the floor facing your child with the stuffed animal between you.
- Lift the toy high and say 'Up!', then bring it to the floor and say 'Down.'
- Slide it under the blanket, say 'Under', and pause to see whether your child looks or lifts the blanket.
- When they find it, cheer and name what happened: 'Teddy was under!'
- Hand them the toy and copy whatever position they choose, naming it as you go.
Safety first
- Choose a stuffed animal with stitched eyes and no ribbons, buttons or loose parts that could be pulled off.
- Use the blanket to hide the toy only, never over your child's face or head.
No level picked yet. The 0–4 scale is a learning log, not a test.
Not yet: show it once, then let them explore
Watch for the first sign: looks up or down when you say the word.
Not yet is information, not a verdict. Do it once yourself while they watch, pause, and offer it again in a few days.
Simplify one step
Next time: use only 'up' and 'down' and leave the blanket out until those two words feel familiar.
Give the least help that works: wait first, then point or show, and guide hands only briefly.
Repeat the same version and fade your help
As you step back, watch for: lifts the blanket to find the toy.
Pause a few seconds longer before you model, and swap showing it for a point or a gesture.
Offer it once more, then add one change
When it is easy again: ask 'Can teddy go up?' with a pointing gesture and let your child move the toy.
Change only that one thing and keep everything else the same.
Ready for one step up
Ask 'Can teddy go up?' with a pointing gesture and let your child move the toy. Or carry it somewhere new: name 'up' and 'down' on the stairs, on the slide and when you lift your child into the high chair.
Starting it on their own or using it in a new place is the strongest sign. Still change one thing at a time.
Stop and rest this one
In 2-3 days, come back with the simpler version: use only 'up' and 'down' and leave the blanket out until those two words feel familiar.
End with something calming together. One hard moment never means a delay.
Stop on a good note
Keep this version and keep it short next time: 3 minutes is plenty.
They can do it, but it was not fun today. Add difficulty only once it feels easy and enjoyable again.
How to play Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under
5 steps, about 3–8 minutes of focus time, no prep.
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Sit on the floor facing your child with the stuffed animal between you.
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Lift the toy high and say 'Up!', then bring it to the floor and say 'Down.'
-
Slide it under the blanket, say 'Under', and pause to see whether your child looks or lifts the blanket.
-
When they find it, cheer and name what happened: 'Teddy was under!'
-
Hand them the toy and copy whatever position they choose, naming it as you go.
What you need for Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under
| What you need | A favorite stuffed animal and a light blanket or towel |
|---|---|
| Prep | No prep |
| Focus time | 3–8 minutes |
| Where | Indoors |
| Energy | Calm: good after active play or before a nap |
| Ages (corrected) | 13–22 months |
| Domains | Early concepts, Language |
| Low-prep menu | Yes: no prep and 10 minutes or less |
| Fits the day | In the calm hour before bed or as a quiet moment |
Easier and harder versions
Change one thing at a time. Drop to the easier version when Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under stalls; move one rung up only once it looks easy on a few different days.
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Easier
Use only 'up' and 'down' and leave the blanket out until those two words feel familiar.
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As written
The 5 steps above, for 3–8 minutes.
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Harder 1
Ask 'Can teddy go up?' with a pointing gesture and let your child move the toy.
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Harder 2
Ask the same question with words only, no pointing.
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Hardest
Add one new place, such as 'on the chair' or 'in the box', once 'under' is easy.
What to watch for
The signs of progress in Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under, mapped to the 0–4 learning scale the family plan uses (a tracking aid, not an assessment).
| Level | What it looks like here |
|---|---|
| 2 · After a model | Does it right after you show it or point. Watch for: looks up or down when you say the word. |
| 3 · Independent | Does it when offered, with no demonstration. Watch for: lifts the blanket to find the toy and moves the toy up or down when asked with a gesture. |
| 4 · Spontaneous | Starts it unprompted or in a new place. Watch for: moves the toy when asked with words only. |
Try it somewhere new
Level 4 means the skill travels. Once Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under is easy, change the place, the person or the material:
- Name 'up' and 'down' on the stairs, on the slide and when you lift your child into the high chair.
- Try it at bedtime with another caregiver and a different toy.
Words to model
During Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under, say “up”, “down”, “under” and “where's teddy?” at the moment they happen, one at a time, then pause so your child can answer with a look, a gesture, a sign or a word.
Safety for Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under
- Choose a stuffed animal with stitched eyes and no ribbons, buttons or loose parts that could be pulled off.
- Use the blanket to hide the toy only, never over your child's face or head.
Why it works
Following a direction given with words and a gesture is on CDC's 15-month checklist, and following one without a gesture appears by 18 months; this game offers both without quizzing. Position words themselves are an enrichment goal, not a milestone.
Evidence rating: Consensus: sensible practice in line with pediatric guidance. Cited: CDC milestones by 15 months and CDC milestones by 18 months.
Skills and ages
Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under practises spatial words, following one-step directions and simple pretend play and fits ages 13 to 22 months. Each month below opens more activities for that age.
Skills practised
Activities by month (13–22 months)
Milestone checklists nearby
Activities like Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under
In and Out Basket Climb is the closest match: it also practises spatial words. It suits 12–20 months, takes 5–10 minutes (a little longer than Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under) and needs no prep. For a younger child, In and Out Basket Climb starts at 12 months; for an older child, Hoop Island In and Out runs to 28 months.
Ranked by shared skills, materials and ages
Frequently asked questions
What age is Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under for?
Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under suits 13–22 months, using corrected age for a child born early. For a younger or hesitant child, start with the easier version: use only 'up' and 'down' and leave the blanket out until those two words feel familiar.
How long does Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under take?
About 3–8 minutes of focused play over 5 steps, with no prep. Stop while it is still fun and repeat it on another day.
How do I make Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under harder?
Change one thing at a time. First: ask 'Can teddy go up?' with a pointing gesture and let your child move the toy. Then: ask the same question with words only, no pointing. Hardest: add one new place, such as 'on the chair' or 'in the box', once 'under' is easy.
How do I keep Teddy Goes Up, Down, Under safe?
Play it only with an adult within arm’s reach. Choose a stuffed animal with stitched eyes and no ribbons, buttons or loose parts that could be pulled off. Use the blanket to hide the toy only, never over your child's face or head.
Related
More with the same materials
Cited guidance
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.