Keeping toddlers entertained can feel like a full-time job, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little creativity, you can fill the day with activities that keep your toddler engaged and active, all while keeping things fun for both of you. Here’s a list of 76 unique toddler activities that you can easily pull together at home or when you’re out and about.
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Indoor Activities for Rainy Days
When you’re stuck indoors, it’s important to have a few fun toddler activities up your sleeve. Here are some easy ones to try:
1. Build a Fort with Blankets
Use blankets and pillows to create a cozy fort. Toddlers love the idea of having their own secret space.
2. Sticker Art
Grab a pack of stickers and some paper. Let your toddler’s imagination run wild as they decorate with stickers.
3. Sensory Bins
Fill a plastic bin with rice, beans, or pasta and let your toddler explore. Add cups, spoons, and small toys for extra fun.
4. Make a Paper Plate Tambourine
All you need are two paper plates, some dried beans, and tape. Put the beans between the plates, tape them together, and you’ve got a homemade tambourine.
5. Indoor Obstacle Course
Use pillows, chairs, and other soft objects to create an obstacle course. Challenge your toddler to crawl under chairs or hop from pillow to pillow.
6. Pretend Picnic
Lay out a blanket, grab some snacks, and pretend you’re having a picnic in the living room. This can make snack time more exciting.
7. Paper Towel Roll Bowling
Set up empty paper towel rolls as pins and use a soft ball to bowl. It’s simple and toddlers will enjoy knocking them over.
8. Dance Party
Turn on some music and have a mini dance party. Let your toddler groove to their favorite tunes.
9. Play with Flashlights
Turn off the lights and hand your toddler a flashlight. They’ll love shining it around the room and chasing the light as it bounces off the walls and furniture. This simple but exciting toddler activity can entertain them for quite a while, encouraging movement and curiosity as they follow the beam of light. You can make it even more fun by pointing out shadows or seeing how the light changes when it hits different objects. This is a perfect way to engage their imagination and burn off some energy without needing much space or special tools.
10. DIY Puzzles
Cut a picture from a magazine into several pieces and let your toddler try to put it back together like a puzzle.
Outdoor Toddler Activities
If the weather is nice, there’s no better way to burn off some toddler energy than heading outside. Here are a few outdoor toddler activities:
11. Chalk Drawing on the Sidewalk
Hand your toddler some colorful chalk and let them draw to their heart’s content.
12. Bubbles
Blowing bubbles never gets old. It’s an easy and magical way to entertain toddlers outside, and it never fails to bring smiles and excitement. Watching bubbles float through the air, toddlers love to chase after them, pop them, or simply watch them drift away. This toddler activity also encourages movement as they run and jump to catch the bubbles, making it a great way to burn off energy while enjoying the outdoors. You can even experiment with different bubble sizes or wands to keep the fun going even longer. It’s a simple, yet timeless, outdoor activity.
13. Ride-on Toys
Bring out a tricycle or other ride-on toy and let your toddler zoom around the yard or driveway.
14. Water Play
Fill up a small bucket or tub with water and let your toddler splash around. Add some plastic cups and toys to make it even more fun.
15. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things you might find outside, like leaves or rocks, and go on a hunt with your toddler to find them.
16. Sandbox Fun
If you have a sandbox, grab some shovels and toys, and let your toddler dig and build.
17. Collect Sticks and Leaves
Toddlers love to gather things. Encourage them to find interesting sticks, leaves, or rocks while you take a walk.
18. Hopscotch
Draw a hopscotch board with chalk and show your toddler how to hop from one square to the next.
19. Sidewalk Painting
Use water and paintbrushes to “paint” on the sidewalk. It’s a mess-free way to let your toddler get creative.
20. Toddler Gardening
Give your little one a small shovel and let them help you dig in the garden. Planting flowers or veggies can be a fun way to bond.
Arts and Crafts for Toddlers
Crafting with toddlers doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple ideas that are toddler-friendly and fun:
21. Finger Painting
Use washable paint and let your toddler paint with their fingers. The mess is worth the fun!
22. Playdough Creations
Break out the playdough and let your toddler make shapes, animals, or anything their imagination comes up with. This toddler activity is perfect for encouraging creativity and fine motor skills, as little hands work to squish, roll, and mold the dough into various creations. Whether they’re forming simple balls or trying to shape their favorite animal, the possibilities are endless. You can even join in and create something together, turning it into a fun bonding experience. Add in a few tools, like cookie cutters or plastic utensils, to take the playdough fun to the next level, keeping your toddler engaged for longer.
23. Make a Paper Chain
Cut out strips of paper and show your toddler how to glue them together in a chain.
24. Crayon Rubbings
Place a piece of paper over a textured surface, like a leaf or coin, and rub a crayon over it. The texture will show up on the paper.
25. Nature Collage
Gather leaves, flowers, and other natural items outside, then help your toddler glue them to a piece of paper.
26. Paint with Water
Give your toddler a cup of water and a brush, and let them “paint” on the sidewalk or wooden fence.
27. Stamping with Sponges
Cut sponges into shapes and let your toddler dip them in paint to stamp onto paper.
28. Egg Carton Animals
Turn an empty egg carton into a caterpillar, turtle, or another animal with a little paint and imagination.
29. Button Sorting
If you have buttons lying around, let your toddler sort them by color or size. It’s great for fine motor skills.
30. Pipe Cleaner Sculptures
Give your toddler a handful of pipe cleaners and let them twist and shape them into whatever they can think of.
Sensory Activities for Toddlers
Sensory activities help toddlers develop their senses while also keeping them engaged. Here are some ideas:
31. Play with Shaving Cream
Spread some shaving cream on a table or tray and let your toddler squish and smear it around.
32. Ice Cube Fun
Give your toddler a bowl of ice cubes and let them explore the cold sensation. Add some spoons and cups for extra fun.
33. Jello Play
Make a batch of Jello and let your toddler explore the texture with their hands.
34. Rice Bottle Shaker
Fill an empty bottle with dry rice and let your toddler shake it like a musical instrument. This simple toddler activity is not only fun but also helps them develop their sense of rhythm and sound. The homemade shaker can be used during playtime, while listening to music, or even during a family dance party. Toddlers will enjoy the noise they can create by shaking the bottle and may even try to follow along with songs. You can also experiment by filling bottles with other items, like beans or pasta, to explore different sounds and textures, making this activity endlessly entertaining.
35. Scented Playdough
Make homemade playdough and add a little vanilla or cinnamon for a fun sensory experience.
36. Cloud Dough
Mix flour and baby oil to create a dough-like substance that’s soft and crumbly. Toddlers love the texture.
37. Bubble Wrap Popping
Let your toddler pop bubble wrap. The sound and feeling of the bubbles popping will keep them entertained.
38. Cotton Ball Scoop
Give your toddler a bowl of cotton balls and a spoon, and let them scoop the cotton balls into another container.
39. Water Bead Play
Soak water beads until they’re plump and squishy, then let your toddler explore their unique texture.
40. Edible Finger Paint
Make finger paint with yogurt and a bit of food coloring. Safe and fun for toddlers who tend to put everything in their mouths.
Learning Activities for Toddlers
These toddler activities are not only fun but also help with learning and development. Here’s how you can make learning fun:
41. Color Matching
Cut out circles of different colors and let your toddler match them to objects around the house.
42. ABC Hunt
Write letters on pieces of paper and hide them around the house. Let your toddler search for them and call out the letters they find.
43. Shape Sorting
Use blocks or cut-out shapes and have your toddler sort them by shape.
44. Counting with Snacks
Snack time can also be learning time. Count crackers, raisins, or grapes with your toddler as they eat.
45. Name the Animals
Show your toddler pictures of animals and ask them to name the animals or make the sounds they hear.
46. Stack the Blocks
Block stacking isn’t just fun—it’s also great for hand-eye coordination.
47. Sing Songs with Actions
Songs like “Wheels on the Bus” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It” are not only catchy but get your toddler moving and learning at the same time.
48. Counting Steps
When walking up or down stairs, count the steps out loud with your toddler.
49. Puzzle Play
Age-appropriate puzzles are a great way for toddlers to learn problem-solving skills.
50. Magnetic Letters
Use magnetic letters on the fridge and encourage your toddler to play with them while learning new words.
Quiet Toddler Activities for Restful Days
Sometimes, you need quieter toddler activities for days when your little one is feeling tired or needs some downtime. Here are a few ideas:
51. Reading Together
Sit down with a few picture books and let your toddler flip through the pages as you read.
52. Stuffed Animal Tea Party
Invite some stuffed animal friends to a quiet tea party with your toddler.
53. Threading Beads
For a more focused activity, give your toddler a piece of string and some large beads to thread.
54. Lacing Cards
Lacing cards are great for fine motor skills and can keep your toddler quietly busy for a while.
55. Quiet Coloring Time
Set out some coloring books and crayons, and let your toddler quietly color.
56. Soft Toy Hide and Seek
Hide a soft toy in a room and encourage your toddler to find it.
57. Playdough Press
Use cookie cutters or stamps with playdough to create shapes. It’s simple and quiet fun.
58. Build with Soft Blocks
Use soft building blocks for some quiet construction time.
59. Finger Puppets
Put on a quiet puppet show with finger puppets, or let your toddler put on the show.
60. Felt Board Fun
Create a felt board with different shapes and characters your toddler can arrange to create their own stories.
Physical Activities for Toddlers
Toddlers have so much energy! These activities will help them move around and burn off some of that energy:
61. Jump on Pillows
Stack some pillows on the floor and let your toddler jump onto them. It’s a soft, safe way to get the wiggles out.
62. Balance Beam
Place a strip of tape on the floor and encourage your toddler to walk along it, practicing their balance.
63. Balloon Toss
Blow up a balloon and play a game of keeping it off the ground.
64. Freeze Dance
Play music and freeze when it stops. Toddlers love this game!
65. Simon Says
Play a game of Simon Says to get your toddler following directions and moving their body.
66. Rolling Balls
Roll a ball back and forth to your toddler and see how long you can keep it going.
67. Tunnels and Tents
If you have a play tunnel or tent, set it up for your toddler to crawl through and explore.
68. Follow the Leader
Walk around the house or yard and have your toddler copy your movements.
69. Trampoline Time
If you have a small indoor trampoline, let your toddler bounce around for a bit.
70. Yoga for Toddlers
Simple yoga moves, like stretching and balancing, are a fun way to keep your toddler active.
Indoor Toddler Trampoline
The 36” Mini Folding Toddler Trampoline is designed for ages 2-5, featuring a no-gap mat and thickened coil springs for safety and support. It has a foam handlebar and non-slip tips for extra stability. Easy one-person assembly makes it ideal for indoor active play.
Fun Toddler Activities for Family Bonding
Here are a few toddler activities you can do together as a family, making the most of your time together:
71. Family Movie Night
Pick a toddler-friendly movie and snuggle up on the couch for some family time.
72. Cook Together
Let your toddler “help” you in the kitchen. Stirring, pouring, or just watching can be a fun experience.
73. Build a Tower
Use blocks or empty boxes to build the tallest tower you can. See how high it can go before it tumbles down.
74. Family Walks
Go for a family walk around the neighborhood, pointing out interesting things along the way.
75. Play Board Games
Find simple toddler-friendly board games that everyone can play together.
76. Photo Album Fun
Flip through old photo albums with your toddler and talk about the pictures.
These 76 toddler activities can help keep your little one busy, entertained, and learning throughout the day. Whether you’re stuck indoors or enjoying the great outdoors, there’s always something new to try with your toddler!
