You buy thisGross motor1½–3 yrsAt home
Pounding bench
Loud, legal hitting.
Pounding benchView on Amazon
View on AmazonPrep
0 min
Mess
None
How to play
Hammer the pegs through, flip it over, do it again. Let him find his own rhythm before you show him yours.
What you need
A wooden pounding bench with a hammer.
What it secretly builds
Gross motorHitting a small target with a swinging arm is heavy work plus aim — and for a frustrated toddler it's one of the safest places to put big feelings.
Safety first
Set a rule from day one: the hammer only ever touches the bench.