Board the Lifeboat Bravely
Each successful boarding makes the pretend lifeboat smaller, challenging the family to change positions and keep every teammate aboard.
- 3 years
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 15 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Movement：Adjusting posture as the lifeboat becomes smaller gives your child practice coordinating movement and maintaining balance.
- Social/Emotional：Working within a close, trusted family group gives your child practice helping teammates stay aboard.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
Mattress
- 2
several toy figures
Step 1
Board the Lifeboat
Place a mattress on the floor and imagine it is a lifeboat. Add toy animals around it to set the scene. Family members board one at a time. Explain that a turn ends if a hand or foot touches the floor outside the mattress.
What to notice
- Balances on the mattress after boarding the pretend lifeboat
Gross Motor - Keeps their hands and feet off the floor while following the game rule
Attending and Understanding
Tips
- Choose a mattress size that fits the number of players while keeping the crossing challenge manageable.
- Describe the pretend surroundings together. Adding story details makes later challenges more engaging and also supports #LC-CnS.
Step 2
The Boat Is Getting Smaller
After everyone boards successfully, fold the mattress to make the space smaller and try again. If a teammate begins to lose balance, invite your child to think of a way to help.
What to notice
- Shows concern when it looks as though you might fall from the pretend lifeboat
Relationships with Adults - Adjusts their posture to balance after the mattress becomes smaller Gross Motor
Tips
- Match the blanket size to the number of players. If it is too large, fold it into a smaller area.
- Demonstrate one way to help, such as holding hands, then encourage your child to invent another.
- Count each fold and notice the relationship: more folds create a smaller standing area.
Step 3
Keep Everyone Aboard
Continue shrinking the space and give your child opportunities to solve the new problem. The family might stand differently, hold one another, or carry a smaller teammate so nobody touches the floor.
What to notice
- Asks for help when they are about to lose balance: “Mom, help me.” Relationships with Adults
- Thinks of a way to keep everyone aboard the lifeboat
Reasoning and Problem-Solving
Tips
- Clear the surrounding floor so an accidental step or tumble is less likely to cause an injury.
- If your child needs an idea, ask, “Would it work if I held you?”
- Add toy animals that also need space on the lifeboat to increase the challenge.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026