85+ Creative Activities to Do With Your Toddler​

Sensory Bin Exploration

Introduce your toddler to different textures and objects by creating a sensory bin. This activity helps in the development of fine motor skills and promotes learning through touch and exploration.

Materials Needed:

• A large container
• Rice, beans, sand, or water
• Small toys, spoons, or cups

Steps:

1. Fill the container with one of the sensory materials, such as rice, beans, or sand.
2. Add small toys or objects your toddler can explore. These can include plastic animals, spoons, or measuring cups.
3. Encourage your toddler to scoop, pour, or sift the materials, helping them explore different textures and sounds.

Painting with Nature

Get your toddler outdoors to explore the world of art using natural materials. It encourages creativity while also exposing them to nature.

Materials Needed:

• Leaves, twigs, flowers, or rocks
• Non-toxic paint
• Paper or canvas

Steps:

1. Collect a variety of natural objects from outside like leaves, flowers, and twigs.
2. Set up a painting area with non-toxic paints.
3. Let your toddler dip the nature items into the paint and stamp or create textures on paper.

Bubble Wrap Stomp

This is a fun and active way to engage your toddler in physical activity while making noise! It also helps with motor development.

Materials Needed:

• Bubble wrap
• Tape

Steps:

1. Lay out a large piece of bubble wrap on the floor and tape down the edges to secure it.
2. Show your toddler how to step on the bubbles to pop them.
3. Encourage your toddler to stomp, jump, and run over the wrap to create popping sounds and have fun with the sensory experience.

Water Play with Cups and Funnels

Water play is always a hit with toddlers, and it helps with their hand-eye coordination. This activity is simple and soothing.

Materials Needed:

• A large shallow basin or tray
• Small cups, funnels, or bottles
• Water

Steps:

1. Fill the basin or tray with water.
2. Provide your toddler with various small containers like cups and funnels.
3. Show them how to pour water into different containers and encourage them to explore how water flows.

Shape Sorting

Help your toddler learn shapes and develop problem-solving skills with a shape-sorting activity.

Materials Needed:

• Shape sorter toy or cardboard with holes cut for different shapes
• Different-shaped objects (blocks, homemade paper shapes, etc.)

Steps:

1. Place the shape sorter in front of your toddler.
2. Show them how to match shapes with the corresponding holes.
3. Encourage your toddler to practice inserting the shapes, offering guidance when needed.

Crayon Resist Art

Create vibrant art with this simple technique that combines drawing and painting. It’s an easy way for toddlers to experiment with different artistic methods.

Materials Needed:

• Crayons
• Watercolor paints
• Watercolor paper

Steps:

1. Have your toddler draw shapes, lines, or designs on the watercolor paper using crayons.
2. Once the crayon artwork is finished, paint over the entire paper with watercolor paints.
3. Watch as the crayon “resists” the watercolor, creating colorful designs.

Building with Blocks

This classic activity is perfect for stimulating creativity and problem-solving skills. Toddlers can build structures and experiment with balance.

Materials Needed:

• Wooden or plastic building blocks

Steps:

1. Lay out a flat surface for your toddler to build on.
2. Let your toddler explore building with blocks, stacking them in different formations.
3. Provide guidance by showing them how to balance blocks or make specific structures if needed.

Playdough Creations

Playdough is a fantastic tool for enhancing fine motor skills and creative thinking. This hands-on activity can keep your toddler entertained for hours.

Materials Needed:

• Homemade or store-bought playdough
• Rolling pins, cookie cutters, or plastic utensils

Steps:

1. Set up a play area with playdough and tools.
2. Encourage your toddler to roll, press, or shape the playdough into different forms.
3. You can also suggest creating animals, shapes, or objects, or just let them use their imagination.

Indoor Obstacle Course

A great way to burn off some energy indoors, while also helping your toddler improve their coordination and motor skills.

Materials Needed:

• Pillows, chairs, or soft furniture
• Tape or string for marking boundaries

Steps:

1. Set up an obstacle course using pillows, chairs, or anything safe to climb or jump over.
2. Guide your toddler through the course by crawling under tables, climbing over cushions, or jumping from spot to spot.
3. Adjust the course based on your toddler’s abilities to keep it fun and challenging.

DIY Musical Instruments

Create homemade instruments and introduce your toddler to music and rhythm. This activity is great for auditory development.

Materials Needed:

• Empty containers or jars
• Rice, beans, or pasta
• Tape or glue

Steps:

1. Fill containers with rice, beans, or pasta to make different sounds.
2. Seal the containers with tape or glue to prevent spills.
3. Let your toddler shake the instruments to explore rhythm, creating their own beats.

Animal Parade

Your toddler will love acting out different animals while improving their movement and coordination.
Materials Needed:

• Animal toys or pictures
• Space to move

Steps:

1. Show your toddler animal toys or pictures, then mimic the sounds and movements of each animal.
2. Encourage your toddler to copy you and make animal sounds while moving around the room.
3. Let them pretend to be their favorite animal, hopping like a bunny or stomping like an elephant.

Sticker Art

A simple, clean craft that enhances hand-eye coordination and creativity. Stickers are easy for toddlers to handle and fun to peel and stick.
Materials Needed:

• Stickers of various shapes and sizes
• Paper or cardboard

Steps:

1. Give your toddler a sheet of paper or cardboard.
2. Provide a variety of stickers for them to peel and stick onto the surface.
3. Encourage them to create a design or picture using the stickers.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Take a walk outdoors and make it exciting by hunting for specific items in nature. This activity develops observation skills and curiosity.
Materials Needed:

• A list of items to find (leaves, rocks, flowers, etc.)
• A basket or bag

Steps:

1. Create a simple scavenger hunt list with natural items your toddler can easily spot.
2. Walk together and look for the items on the list, encouraging your toddler to explore.
3. Once you’ve found all the items, discuss what you saw and how the items feel.

Kitchen Sensory Play

Toddlers love exploring new materials, and the kitchen offers endless opportunities for hands-on play.
Materials Needed:

• Spaghetti, rice, flour, or other kitchen items
• Bowls or containers

Steps:

1. Set up a safe area in the kitchen or dining room.
2. Provide a variety of kitchen items like pasta, rice, or flour.
3. Let your toddler explore and play, using spoons or fingers to stir, pour, and mix the materials.

DIY Bird Feeder

Make a simple bird feeder together, introducing your toddler to the natural world and birds. This activity is also excellent for developing fine motor skills.
Materials Needed:

• Toilet paper roll
• Peanut butter
• Birdseed

Steps:

1. Spread peanut butter over the toilet paper roll.
2. Roll it in birdseed until it is well-coated.
3. Hang the bird feeder on a tree or a windowsill and watch for birds to come.

Sorting Colors

This activity helps your toddler practice color recognition and sorting while having fun.
Materials Needed:

• Colored objects (blocks, buttons, or toys)
• Bowls or containers

Steps:

1. Provide your toddler with various colored objects.
2. Show them how to sort the items into separate bowls or containers by color.
3. Encourage them to continue sorting, giving praise as they master each color.

Shadow Play

Explore shadows in a fun and educational way, fostering creativity and curiosity.
Materials Needed:

• Flashlight
• Toys or objects

Steps:

1. Turn off the lights in a room and use a flashlight to create shadows.
2. Place toys or objects in front of the light and observe how their shadows change.
3. Let your toddler interact with the shadows, making shapes and designs.

Simple Puzzles

Puzzles are fantastic for cognitive development and problem-solving.
Materials Needed:

• Wooden or cardboard puzzles

Steps:

1. Present the puzzle to your toddler and show them how the pieces fit together.
2. Encourage them to complete the puzzle, offering help when needed.
3. Let them experience the satisfaction of finishing a puzzle independently.

Storytime with Puppets

Engage your toddler’s imagination by bringing stories to life with puppets.
Materials Needed:

• Puppets (or make your own with socks)
• A short story or nursery rhyme

Steps:

1. Read a story to your toddler and act out the characters using puppets.
2. Let your toddler use the puppets and help tell their own version of the story.
3. Encourage them to be creative with the puppets and interact with the story.

Rock Painting

A fun, creative way to enhance your toddler’s fine motor skills while expressing themselves artistically.
Materials Needed:

• Small rocks
• Paints and brushes

Steps:

1. Wash and dry small rocks.
2. Provide your toddler with paints and brushes, allowing them to decorate the rocks however they like.
3. Once the paint dries, you can use the rocks for decoration or hide them for a fun scavenger hunt later.

Fruit and Vegetable Stamps

Create fun prints while teaching your toddler about fruits and vegetables.
Materials Needed:

• Fruits or vegetables (potato, apple, etc.)
• Paint
• Paper

Steps:

1. Cut the fruit or vegetable in half to expose its surface.
2. Dip the cut side into paint and press it onto the paper.
3. Let your toddler explore stamping different fruits and vegetables, creating fun patterns.

Counting with Toys

This is a simple way to practice counting and number recognition.
Materials Needed:

• Small toys (blocks, animals, etc.)

Steps:

1. Lay out a group of toys in front of your toddler.
2. Count each toy one by one, helping your toddler repeat the numbers aloud.
3. Gradually introduce simple counting games as your toddler becomes more familiar with numbers.

DIY Musical Shakers

Make simple instruments that will keep your toddler engaged and develop their rhythm skills.
Materials Needed:

• Empty bottles or containers
• Rice, beans, or pasta
• Tape or glue

Steps:

1. Fill a container with rice, beans, or pasta to create a shaker.
2. Seal the container with tape or glue to avoid spills.
3. Show your toddler how to shake the bottle to make music.

Vegetable Stamping Art

Engage in a fun, creative activity while learning about different vegetables.
Materials Needed:

• Different vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots)
• Paint
• Paper

Steps:

1. Cut the vegetables into halves or slices to create stamp shapes.
2. Dip them in paint and press them onto paper.
3. Let your toddler experiment with different vegetable stamps and explore various patterns.

Animal Sound Game

Help your toddler improve listening skills while having fun with animal sounds.
Materials Needed:

• Animal toys or pictures

Steps:

1. Show your toddler pictures or toys of different animals.
2. Make the sound of each animal, asking your toddler to guess which animal it is.
3. Encourage them to imitate the sounds and make up their own!

Bubble Blowing

A simple, fun activity that teaches breath control and brings joy to toddlers.
Materials Needed:

• Soap bubbles or bubble wand

Steps:

1. Blow bubbles and encourage your toddler to chase and pop them.
2. Teach your toddler how to blow their own bubbles by gently showing them how to blow air.
3. Let them experiment with blowing, popping, and chasing the bubbles around the room.

Indoor Sand Play

This is a great sensory activity that mimics beach play, and can be done right at home.
Materials Needed:

• Sandbox or shallow tray
• Sand or kinetic sand
• Small toys

Steps:

1. Fill the tray with sand or kinetic sand.
2. Add small toys for your toddler to dig and explore.
3. Encourage them to build, bury, or move objects around in the sand.

Paper Towel Roll Cars

Create fun cars that your toddler can race around with. This enhances fine motor skills and imagination.
Materials Needed:

• Empty paper towel rolls
• Paper, glue, scissors, and markers

Steps:

1. Cut paper towel rolls into car shapes or paint them to resemble vehicles.
2. Attach small circles for wheels using paper or bottle caps.
3. Let your toddler decorate and race the cars on the floor.

Dance Party

Let loose and have fun with a mini dance session! This activity helps toddlers improve coordination and muscle control.
Materials Needed:

• Music (upbeat songs or nursery rhymes)

Steps:

1. Play some lively music.
2. Encourage your toddler to move and groove to the beat.
3. Dance together, showing them different movements like hopping, twirling, or clapping.

Color Mixing

Introduce your toddler to the concept of colors through mixing different hues together.
Materials Needed:

• Food coloring or paints (red, blue, yellow)
• Clear cups or bowls
• Water

Steps:

1. Fill a few cups with water and add a few drops of different colors.
2. Show your toddler how combining different colors results in new ones.
3. Let them experiment with mixing colors and observing the changes.

Bonding and Learning Activities to Do With Your Toddler​ for Stronger Connections

Engaging in Activities to Do With Your Toddler​ that promote bonding and learning can strengthen relationships, deepen understanding, and foster personal growth. Whether with family, friends, or colleagues, these activities create opportunities for meaningful interactions and shared experiences. Below are various activities that promote both bonding and learning:

1. Board Games and Puzzles
   • Encourages teamwork, strategy, and problem-solving.
   • Strengthens communication and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
2. Cooking or Baking Together
   • Teaches new culinary skills while allowing for collaboration.
   • Promotes teamwork, patience, and creativity.
3. Outdoor Adventures
   • Hiking, biking, or nature walks help develop physical fitness while bonding over shared exploration.
   • Teaches environmental awareness and the importance of teamwork in outdoor activities.
4. Book Clubs or Reading Sessions
   • Reading together can spark discussions and enhance understanding of different perspectives.
   • Encourages critical thinking, empathy, and communication

Quiet Time Activities to Do With Your Toddler​: Encouraging Focus and Creativity

Quiet time Activities to Do With Your Toddler​ are essential for helping children unwind, concentrate, and develop essential skills in a calm, focused environment. These activities not only provide a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of daily life but also encourage cognitive and emotional growth. Here are two fantastic quiet-time options that nurture creativity and problem-solving abilities:

1. Puzzles
   • Simple wooden or cardboard puzzles are perfect for young children, offering them a chance to practice problem-solving.
   • These puzzles promote patience as children work through challenges to complete them.
   • Puzzles also help improve fine motor skills and spatial reasoning.
2. Building with Legos or Duplo
   • Small, simple builds or guided play with Legos or Duplo foster creativity and imagination.
   • These activities encourage focus as children work to follow instructions or invent their own creations.
   • Building with blocks promotes critical thinking, hand-eye coordination, and planning.

FAQ

What are some fun indoor Activities to Do With Your Toddler​?

There are plenty of indoor activities to keep your toddler entertained! Some ideas include:

• Building with blocks: Stacking blocks helps improve fine motor skills.
• Arts and crafts: Use non-toxic paints or crayons to let them explore their creativity.
• Indoor obstacle course: Create a safe, soft course with cushions and toys for climbing.
• Pretend play: Set up a pretend kitchen, store, or doctor’s office for imaginative fun.

How can I engage my toddler in educational Activities to Do With Your Toddler​?

To make learning fun, try activities like:

• Reading together: Choose books with colorful pictures and simple words.
• Sorting games: Use different objects (buttons, blocks) to teach colors, shapes, or sizes.
• Simple puzzles: Work on easy puzzles that match shapes or animals to improve problem-solving.
• Counting games: Count toys, steps, or even snack items to reinforce number recognition.

What are some outdoor Activities to Do With Your Toddler​?

Outdoor Activities to Do With Your Toddler​ to burn off energy and develop physical skills:

• Nature walks: Explore parks, identify trees, flowers, and birds.
• Chalk art: Let them draw on the sidewalk or driveway with sidewalk chalk.
• Water play: Use a small kiddie pool or water table for splashing fun.
• Catch and throw: Teach them how to throw a soft ball or play catch.

How can I promote social skills through Activities to Do With Your Toddler​?

Social skills can be developed through group play or guided activities:

• Playdates: Set up playdates with other toddlers to practice sharing and taking turns.
• Role-playing games: Take turns pretending to be different characters (e.g., parents, teachers).
• Sing-alongs: Group songs or simple dances encourage interaction with others.
• Building together: Collaborative building with blocks or Legos promotes teamwork.