Looking for some exciting and entertaining toddler activities for your little one to do at home? Well look no further. Here is a list of 25 amazing and educational toddler activities to keep your child off of the screens and engaged in play at home all day long.
This post was created by Marra Robert, OTD, OTRL, and contains affiliate links.
Are you tired of hearing the constant request to watch TV from your toddler? Well, fret no more! We’ve got the solution you’ve been searching for. In this article, we’re about to set off on a thrilling adventure of 25 engaging toddler activities that will transform your home into a wonderland of fun and learning.
From sensory play that will ignite their senses, to DIY arts and crafts that unleash their creativity, and even treasure hunts that will have them on a thrilling quest, we have it all covered.
Picture the joy on their faces as they delight in indoor picnics, groove to music, and explore the wonders of science experiments. Get ready to banish boredom and create cherished memories as we dive into the world of toddler entertainment.
Hi! My name is Marra and I’m a mama and a pediatric occupational therapist who has years of experience working with children with a variety of developmental needs and helping their parents navigate the ups and downs of child development.
I loved being a support person for parents learning about child development and play. I found many parents have forgotten how to play and that some children need their parents to teach them how to play.
I would often recommend toys or different activities to families to help improve their child’s sensory processing and developmental skills. I’d like to share these activities with you in this post.
This post is all about the top 25 super fun toddler activities to do at home to support developmental skills and endless entertainment . Let the laughter, learning, and pure childhood delight begin!
25 SUPER FUN TODDLER ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME
1. Sensory play
One way to engage and entertain your toddler is through sensory play. Exploring the senses can be a is so important for young children, as it allows them to engage with the world around them in a unique and exciting way.
Not only is sensory play incredibly fun, but it also has numerous developmental benefits, such as improving fine motor skills, stimulating brain development, and enhancing language and social skills. It is in the first few years of a child’s life, when their sensory systems develop.
There are many different types of sensory play activities that you can try with your toddler. For example, you can create a sensory bin filled with various materials such as rice, beans, or water, and let your little one explore the different textures and sensations.
Or, if you want to get a bit messy, you can set up a finger painting station where your child can use their hands and fingers to create colorful masterpieces.
2. MAKING homemade play Dough
Another addition to our great sensory toddler activities is making homemade play dough. Not only is it a fun and tactile experience, but it also allows your toddler to use their imagination and creativity. You can even add scents, such as lavender or peppermint, to make the play dough even more engaging.
Playing with play dough is so much fun and has so many amazing developmental benefits to it. As mentioned before, it is an excellent sensory activity. It also strengthens fine motor skills, creativity, problem-solving, and imagination. This activity will likely keep your toddler’s attention for some time.
3. Heavy work Activities
Heavy work activities are some of my favorite toddler activities and are an incredible way to help regulate their nervous systems and calm their bodies.
Heavy work activities are any activity that requires use of big muscles similar to working out. When we use the big muscles in our bodies we activate the proprioceptive sensory system.
The proprioceptive sensory system is our sense of deep pressure and calms our bodies and regulates our nervous system. Some of these activities involve carrying heavy items, pushing, pulling, and dragging items. Check out the post below for more heavy work activities.
4. Puzzle scavenger hunt
Puzzles scavenger hunts are great toddler activities. For this one you can either use one puzzle or multiple puzzles. First you take all of the pieces and you hide them around the room.
Then your toddler goes to look for the puzzle pieces. When they find a piece, then they locate the correct board and put it in the correct puzzle spot.
This is a great activity because you can make it more or less challenging based on your toddler’s skills level. This toddler activity works on visual scanning, problem-solving, fine motor skills, memory, and attention skills. It also provides their active bodies with structured movement sensory input.
5. Singing and Dancing
Music has a magical way of igniting the senses and bringing joy into our lives. It’s no different for toddlers, who are naturally drawn to the enchanting sounds and melodies that surround them.
Whether it’s singing, clapping, or simply swaying to the beat, music can be a wonderful tool for stimulating your little one’s imagination and creativity.
Turn up the volume of your favorite tunes and have a dance party right in your living room. This is one of my favorite toddler activities to do with my daughter at home, especially if one of us has a tough day.
This is more than just a fun activity; it’s an opportunity for your toddler to develop their motor skills, coordination, and balance. Encourage them to sway, twirl, and stomp their little feet, letting the music guide their movements.
If your toddler is more inclined towards making music rather than dancing, introduce them to a variety of kid-friendly instruments. From drums and shakers to xylophones and tambourines, these instruments can bring out the rhythm in your little one’s heart.
Encourage them to experiment with different sounds and create their own musical compositions. Who knows, you might just witness the birth of a musical prodigy!
6. Window Painting
Painting windows! Now what toddler wouldn’t love this activity. These paints make window painting mess-free and easy to clean up.
Sometimes it’s fun to get creative, add some decorations to the room, whether it’s for a birthday party or a holiday, and add some paint to the windows. Your toddler will have a blast!
7. Hide and Seek
Apple, peaches, pumpkin pie, if you’re not ready, holler “I”! Hide and seek is an oldy but goody and one of my daughter’s favorite toddler activities.
This game is excellent for family and friends to strengthen your child’s social skills. The best part about hide and seek is that you can play it anywhere without needing toys or supplies.
8. Pretend Play
Pretend play activities are such essential toddler activities. This is where they have an opportunity to be creative, and their imagination explodes. Pretend play is also great for toddlers to work through problems or emotions.
You can join in their play and add to the stories they create. If there’s a big new event or a change in your child’s life, you can act it out through pretend play first to help them process it.
There are endless amounts of pretend play toys and activities. That’s the beauty of it. The possibilities are up to you and your toddler. I put this cute kitchen down below for you to check out. My daughter plays with her toy kitchen every day.
9. Drawing with chalk
Drawing with chalk is another excellent toddler activity. Not only does this activity unleash their creativity, but it also enhances their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development.
With the freedom to explore and experiment, toddlers can express themselves fun and engagingly. Plus, chalk drawing can be done indoors and outdoors, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play and sensory exploration. Get ready for hours of artistic fun!
10. Tunnels
Playing with tunnels is are great toddler activities and provides a valuable opportunity for sensory integration. As your toddler crawls through the tunnel, they engage their senses uniquely and meaningfully. The enclosed space creates a sensory-rich environment where they can explore different movement, tactile, and deep pressure input.
This multisensory experience fosters the development of their sensory integration skills, which play a crucial role in their overall growth and development.
By maneuvering through the tunnel, your toddler constantly receives sensory input from their surroundings. These sensations help them become more aware of their bodies and the world, enhancing their sensory processing abilities.
Sensory integration is the brain’s ability to process and respond effectively to information received through the senses. Your child’s sensory integration skills are strengthened and refined through regular exposure to tunnels.
As they navigate the passage, they learn to coordinate their movements, balance themselves, and interpret sensory cues accurately. This, in turn, improves their overall body awareness and spatial perception.
11. Obstacle Courses
Tunnels are a great option to add to our next set of toddler activities, obstacle courses. As toddlers eagerly explore their world, it’s crucial to provide them with activities that entertain and nurture their development by providing them with different forms of movement.
That’s where obstacle courses come in. These dynamic challenges offer far more than just fun for your little one. They can be a secret key to unlocking hidden benefits for your toddler’s growth and well-being.
From promoting physical fitness and problem-solving skills to boosting confidence and resilience, obstacle courses create an enriching environment for exploration and growth.
For more information about the benefits of obstacle courses and how to design one for your toddler at home, check out the post linked below.
12. Painters tape
There are so many fantastic toddler activities that you can do with painter’s tape. You and your little one can let your creativity explode here. Engaging your little one’s imagination and fine motor skills has never been more accessible or more exciting.
From creating a cityscape on the floor and obstacle courses to maneuvering and taping designs on the floor to designing a DIY race track, each activity promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development while providing hours of entertainment. So, grab your painter’s tape and get ready to watch your toddler explore, imagine, and have a blast.
13. Board games
We often think of older children when we choose board games to play with friends and family, but board games can be great toddler activities as well.
So what if they don’t play by every single rule or have a challenging time taking turns? Most board games for younger children can be modified and adjusted to fit the child’s developmental skills.
Board games can provide toddlers many benefits, including social skills, turn-taking, problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention. I’ve linked my favorite board game for toddlers below, but there are many great ones to choose from.
14. Coloring
Coloring activities are wonderfully beneficial toddler activities that captivate their imaginations and foster crucial developmental skills. As an occupational therapist, I can’t stress enough how valuable coloring is for your little one’s growth.
Not only does it encourage fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, but it also helps toddlers practice holding and manipulating crayons or markers, strengthening all of the little muscles in their hands.
Coloring promotes creativity and self-expression, allowing children to explore and communicate their emotions in a fun and non-verbal way. It’s an excellent way to develop their cognitive abilities as they learn to recognize and differentiate colors and shapes.
Additionally, coloring sessions can be a fantastic bonding experience for parents and toddlers, fostering quality time together and providing opportunities for positive reinforcement. So, go ahead and provide your child with a box of crayons and some coloring sheets – it’s a simple yet effective way to support their early development while having a blast.
15. Reading books
Reading books are wonderful and enriching toddler activities that offers a multitude of benefits for both children and parents. First and foremost, it fosters a strong parent-child bond, providing quality one-on-one time for connection and shared experiences.
Additionally, reading helps toddlers develop essential cognitive skills, such as language comprehension, vocabulary expansion, and early literacy. It also stimulates their imagination, curiosity, and creativity, opening the door to new worlds and ideas.
So, whether it’s a bedtime story or a daytime adventure, reading books with your toddler is an investment in their growth and a delightful way to strengthen your relationship.
16. Cleaning and chores
Encouraging toddlers to participate in household chores can be rewarding and beneficial toddler activities for both parents and their little ones. It might seem like a messy endeavor at times, but involving toddlers in age-appropriate tasks fosters their physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
It instills a sense of responsibility and independence from a young age while promoting fine and gross motor skills as they practice tasks like picking up toys or helping set the table. It is also a tremendously active and heavy work activity.
Involving toddlers in everyday chores helps establish routines and fosters a sense of teamwork, reinforcing the importance of working together as a family.
As a bonus, it can also boost their self-esteem and give them a sense of accomplishment, leading to increased confidence and a more harmonious family dynamic.
So, while it may require a bit of patience, the benefits of involving toddlers in household chores are numerous and will lay a strong foundation for their future development.
17. Playing Dress up
Playing dress up is not just fun; it’s another one of our incredibly beneficial toddler activities. This imaginative play allows your little ones to explore their creativity and self-expression safely and excitingly.
Dressing up as different characters or roles helps them develop essential cognitive and emotional skills. It fosters their communication skills as they narrate their adventures and encourages problem-solving as they figure out how to put on different costumes.
Additionally, dressing up can boost a child’s self-confidence and self-esteem, as they often take pride in selecting their outfits and pretending to be someone else.
They get to practice their independence by putting clothes on and off without the pressure of the morning routine or being over-tired when it’s time to get PJs on for bedtime.
So, the next time your toddler reaches for that costume box, know they’re not just playing; they’re actively learning and growing through the magic of dress-up!
18. building with Blocks
Building with blocks is another incredibly beneficial toddler activity beyond play. As an occupational therapist, I can’t stress enough how this seemingly simple playtime activity can foster a wide range of developmental skills in your little one.
Block play enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness and encourages problem-solving, creativity, and imagination.
It’s a fantastic way for toddlers to explore concepts like balance, stability, and gravity, all while refining their cognitive and social skills. Plus, block play helps build confidence as children experience the joy of constructing something with their hands.
So, parents, encourage your toddlers to stack those blocks high; it’s not just play – it’s a valuable learning experience that lays a strong foundation for their future development.
19. Yoga
Yoga is another one of my favorite toddler activities with my daughter. It can be an incredibly beneficial practice for toddlers, offering many physical and developmental advantages that can significantly enhance their well-being.
Beyond its well-known benefits for adults, yoga is adapted to suit the needs of little ones, helping them build strength, flexibility, and balance. It’s an ideal way to encourage body awareness and coordination early.
Additionally, yoga promotes relaxation and helps toddlers develop mindfulness, which can be especially valuable in today’s fast-paced world. Teaching your child yoga at a young age can instill lifelong stress management and self-care habits, laying the foundation for a healthier, more resilient future.
Yoga can be a fun and interactive activity for parents and toddlers to share, fostering bonding and trust in a playful, nurturing environment. So, whether you want to enhance your child’s physical development or nurture their emotional and mental well-being, introducing yoga into their routine can be an excellent and rewarding choice.
20. dauber bottles
I love Dauber Bottles! Painting with Dauber Bottles can be one of the wonderfully beneficial toddler activities on many levels. This engaging and hands-on experience allows them to explore their creative side and promotes the development of fine motor skills.
They enhance their hand-eye coordination and dexterity as they grasp the Dauber Bottles and manipulate them to create colorful masterpieces. The tactile sensation of squeezing the bottles provides sensory input, aiding their sensory processing and exploration.
Beyond the physical benefits, painting encourages self-expression and boosts a child’s self-esteem as they see their ideas take shape on paper. It’s a fantastic way for parents to bond with their little ones, fostering communication and imaginative play.
Plus, the mess is contained within the bottles, making cleanup a breeze. Overall, painting with Dauber Bottles offers a fantastic avenue for toddlers to learn, grow, and express themselves in a fun and developmentally enriching manner.
21. Sensoy Scavenger Hunt
If you want a sensory activity incorporating nature, you can do a sensory scavenger hunt in your backyard or a nearby park. Create a list of different textures, smells, and sounds for your child to find and explore.
This encourages them to use their senses and helps them develop their observation and language skills as they describe what they discover.
22. Arts and Crafts
When it comes to toddler activities, DIY arts and crafts are a surefire way to spark your child’s imagination and unleash their creative spirit. Not only do arts and crafts keep little ones occupied and entertained, but they also offer numerous benefits for their development.
Engaging in arts and crafts activities allows toddlers to explore different materials, textures, and colors, stimulating their senses and enhancing their cognitive skills.
Whether it’s finger painting, collages, or making homemade play dough, the possibilities for creativity are endless. Plus, creating something with their hands gives them a sense of accomplishment and boosts their self-esteem.
23. Making Paper Plate Masks
Another fun and mess-free option is making paper plate masks. Give your child paper plates, markers, and craft materials like feathers, pom-poms, and googly eyes.
Let their imagination run wild as they decorate the plates and transform themselves into their favorite animals or characters. This activity will entertain them and allow for pretend play and storytelling, boosting their language skills and creativity.
24. Treasure Hunt
Treasure hunts are a perfect way to unleash your toddler’s imagination and ignite their sense of curiosity. These adventures can occur right in your home, transforming ordinary spaces into captivating worlds of wonder. Your little one will feel like a true explorer as they embark on their quest to find hidden treasures.
To get started, create a simple map or set of clues that will guide your toddler from one location to the next. You can use pictures or words, depending on their age and reading abilities. Hide tiny treasures or treats along the way, ensuring each discovery brings accomplishment and excitement.
As your toddler follows the clues and searches for the hidden treasures, please encourage them to use their problem-solving skills and critical thinking. They’ll have to use their imagination to interpret the clues and figure out where to go next. This not only keeps them engaged but also helps to develop their cognitive abilities.
For an added element of fun, consider creating themed treasure hunts. Whether it’s a pirate adventure, a princess quest, or a dinosaur hunt, tailoring the treasure hunt to your toddler’s interests will make it even more thrilling. Dress up in costumes, decorate the search locations, and play background music to set the stage for an unforgettable adventure.
Remember, these treasure hunts aim not just to find hidden treasures but also to enjoy the process of exploration and discovery. Take the time to celebrate each successful clue solved, and treasure found, building up the excitement for the next leg of the journey.
25. Indoor Picknick
Imagine transforming your living room into a whimsical picnic spot, complete with a cozy blanket spread out on the floor. Set the stage by inviting your toddler to help you gather all the necessary picnic essentials. Let them choose their favorite stuffed animals or dolls to join in the fun, and maybe even dress up in their fanciest attire just for the occasion.
As you prepare the menu, consider incorporating some of your toddler’s favorite finger foods and snacks. Think bite-sized sandwiches, colorful fruit skewers, and cheese cubes that are perfect for little hands.
To add an extra element of surprise, try packing the goodies in small, reusable containers or lunch boxes. Your toddler will love opening each one and discovering the delightful treats inside.
As you sit together on the picnic blanket, encourage conversation and storytelling. Ask your toddler about their day, or share funny anecdotes and silly jokes to keep the laughter flowing.
Use this time to strengthen your bond and create lasting memories, finding joy in the simple act of sharing a meal together.
These 25 engaging toddler activities are the key to banishing boredom and sparking joy in your little one.
Whether you choose to explore the senses through sensory play, unleash their creativity with DIY arts and crafts, embark on thrilling treasure hunts, indulge in indoor picnics, dance to the rhythm of music, or unleash their curiosity through science experiments, each moment spent together will create cherished memories.
So, take the plunge and unleash the fun today – your toddler’s happiness and development await. Remember, the days may feel long, but the years are short. Embrace each moment, for these simple activities are the building blocks of a happy childhood.