Toddler Activity Ideas
Fun & Simple Toddler activity ideas
Keeping toddlers entertained can feel like a full time job! With these simple, fun toddler activity ideas you don't need to look further.
Entertaining toddlers can be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to spark their curiosity and creativity!
With their endless energy and eagerness to explore, having a list of engaging activities ready to go is a lifesaver.
Whether you’re searching for ways to brighten up a rainy day or encourage hands-on learning, these fun and development-friendly ideas will keep your little one happy while creating meaningful moments together. Let’s get started!
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Source: laughingkidslearn.com
1. This simple toddler activity is a great idea and is great for fine motor skills.
A fun, simple activity ideal for multiple ages from 18 month and under 2 yr olds to 3 yrs olds and more.
My toddler loved any sort of threading activity, and when they're younger we liked using "threads" like straws because they're much more sturdy and easier to deal with for tiny hands.
Source: kidskubby.com
2. This toddler activity is the perfect indoor, mess free activity. It's simple and best of all, uses minimal resources which you most likely already have at home.
Honestly mess free toddler activities are my ultimate favourite! I usually look for activities to occupy my younger kids when I'm trying to homeschool the older ones so something like this is ideal because it means I don't have a whole mess to clean up at then end! (It means I don't need to keep an eye on the toddler during the activity - think hand painting and white walls!)
Source: happytoddlerplaytime.com
3. Another super simple toddler activity idea to do at home. A brilliant activity for fine motor skills as well as colour co-ordination.
This activity uses items you already have a home and turns them into educational play.
Keep toddler Activities Simple
Source: busytoddler.com
4. Next up, this activity couldn't be simpler but it's actually so clever!
What a genius way to get your child to practice their fine motor skills. This kind of activity can aid in helping strengthen muscles used for holding a pencil.
I really love the simplicity of this activity. It's definitely one to keep your toddler busy. Why not encourage them to stick the animals down themselves once they've completed it?
Source: www.howweplayandlearn.com
5. I love love love this mess free toddler activity idea!
Pipe cleaners really are the Swiss Army knives of the craft world!
It's so versatile! You can use it to teach shape recognition and colour recognition. And once it's complete you could move on to alphabet and even number recognition.
And with such little materials. What a win!
Source: montessorifromtheheart.com
6. Please tell me why my kid insists they need all 47 of them for bedtime, yet the giraffe and elephant mysteriously disappear when it’s cleanup time. At this point, they’ve formed a tiny kingdom under the couch—and honestly, I’m too scared to check their progress.
A lovely sorting activity for your toddler.
Again, another activity thats changeable as your toddler is able to gasp it.
You can move on to separating animals into land/sea animals. Or insects etc. We really do love any activity which involves animals!
Source: @all.about.the.play on instagram
7. Loom bands: the ultimate escape artists of the craft world! One minute, they’re on your toddler’s finger; the next, they’re infiltrating every corner of your home. Sofa cushions? Full of them. Vacuum cleaner? Clogged with them. Found one in your coffee this morning? Same. Loom bands don’t just multiply—they migrate. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if they started paying rent. My kids have some sort of crazy obsession with them!
So, this simple activity is perfect for letting your toddler go wild with them while also getting some much needed fine motor skills in!
I would argue this activity is a "mess free" toddler activity, however the chances of you ending up with as many as you started with couldn't be slimmer!
Toddler fun in the kitchen
Source: dayswithgrey.com
8. Who needs fancy toys when your toddler can happily whisk the air or create a percussion masterpiece with pots and pans?
Spatulas become swords, ladles turn into telescopes, and wooden spoons? Pure magic wands!
So why not utilise your toddlers love for all things kitchen utensils by creating a fun sorting activity.
Source: modernpreschool.com
9. A brilliant hands on way to teach counting and number recognition.
Straight forward yet highlly effective and oh so exciting for your toddler to be able to create paper confetti!
I love that this activity takes like 2 minutes to set up. It means you can pull it together last minute!
Source: frugalfun4boys.com
10. A genius way to teach your toddler how to spell their name! My kids are obsessed with toy cars so this is a brilliant way to incorporate some learning in without taking away the fun!
You could even colour co-ordinate the parkig spaces to add another little learning element to it.
11. This activity is awesome for many ages.
Play doh is by far the undisputed champion of playtime versatility. One moment, it’s a gourmet pizza; the next, it’s a lopsided dinosaur. For parents, it’s a stress ball; for toddlers, it’s a masterpiece in the making—and for your carpet, it’s an unwelcome guest! (I do love me some wood floors!)
If your toddler is very young, maybe replace the toothpicks with straws to keep them from causing any accidents.
Let them get busy, coming up with different creations while you get a chance to finally finish that coffee!
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