our favorite toddler activities
Never ever let your toddler get bored! – Our favorite toddler activities
Do you know the feeling when you suddenly realize it is way to quiet?
If you have one of those tiny tyrants we affectionately call toddlers, that feeling is pure and simple fear. Where is she/he and what’s she/he up to now?
These pint-sized adventurers, typically aged 1 to 3, are in a league of their own, navigating the world with wide eyes, boundless energy and an insatiable appetite for discovery.
Sadly, they’re also completely unaware of any dangers, the fact that things can break and that lipstick is not meant for coloring on walls.
Hence the need to never let them out of your sight and to keep them as busy as possible.
Luckily there are a lot of fun activities and I’m going to show you some of our quick and easy favorites.
So let’s dive into the fascinating realm of toddlers, exploring how they learn, why expensive toys might not be the key to their hearts and ways to keep them entertained.
Little learners on the move
Toddlers are at a stage where every moment is a learning opportunity. Their brains are like sponges, absorbing information from the world around them. From grasping language to mastering motor skills, these tiny humans are on a mission to understand the intricacies of life.
Learning through play
One of the most potent tools in a toddler’s arsenal is play. It’s not just about fun; it’s a critical aspect of their development. Whether it’s stacking blocks, pretending with dolls, or splashing in puddles, play allows toddlers to hone various skills, including cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Who needs expensive toys? Not toddlers!
While the toy industry might tempt you with flashy, high-tech gadgets, toddlers often find joy in the simplest things.
A cardboard box becomes a spaceship, wooden spoons transform into drumsticks, and a pile of leaves transforms into a kingdom waiting to be conquered. The imagination of a toddler knows no bounds, and sometimes, the most ordinary items offer the most extraordinary adventures.
Nevertheless, if you’re so inclined to buy your toddler some toys, please feel free to check out my gift guide here. 😉
DIY fun
Instead of breaking the bank on pricey toys, consider DIY alternatives that spark creativity and keep those little minds engaged. Build a fort using blankets and cushions, or an indoor obstacle course, create a sensory bin filled with everyday items like rice or pasta (you can find more about sensory play here), or embark on a nature treasure hunt in your backyard. The possibilities are endless, and the memories made are priceless.
Music, movement, and magic
Toddlers thrive on movement and rhythm. Crank up the music and have a dance party in your living room. Simple activities like singing, clapping, and dancing not only entertain but also contribute to language development and coordination.
Artistic adventures
Embrace the mess with toddler-friendly art projects. Finger painting, playdough sculpting, and sticker collages provide a creative outlet, are budget friendly and keep boredom at bay.
Storytime spectacle
Immerse your toddler in the magical world of storytelling. Use props, funny voices, and interactive elements to captivate their attention and stimulate their imagination.
So, by arming yourself with some entertaining tactics, you can transform the terrifying prospect of a bored toddler into a fun adventure for both you and your little one.
The following activities were some of our favorites and saved my sanity more than once:
Take an old cardboard box, cut a slot big enough to let your little one put playing cards in.
Additionally you can let your toddler paint the box before use.
Make a marble run out of paper rolls and painters tape.
Stick some spaghetti in play dough and let your little one string cereal on.
Some pom poms, tweezers and recycled bottles or boxes and your toddler will be happily occupied.
Make a marble run out of paper rolls and painters tape.
Use a muffin tray and magna tiles to make a fun surprise snack box.
How about a quick paper roll haircut?
Use an old egg case for color sorting. with pom poms and tweezers it’s a great exercise for your little one.
Popsicle stick puzzle with dot stickers.
This is gonna get loud! Let your toddler figure out what kind of sounds she/he can make with different pots, boxes and drum sticks.
Animal rescue! Free the animals from their cages.
LEGO Duplo color sort.
When they’re a little bit older you can also send them to find different toys that match the colors.
Work on those cutting skills!
take the lid out of a mason jar and replace it with cardboard. Make a hole in the cardboard, put some old yarn in the jar and watch your little one snip away.
LEGO match!
Divide the LEGO base plate in half and set a pattern on one side. Then let your little one try to match it.
Car ramps!
Build car ramps and tunnels out of old paper rolls and see what car is the fastest. Ready, set, go!
Toy wrap!
Find some little figures or cars, get some foil and let your little one wrap and unwrap the toys.
Go fish!
Fill a bowl with water, throw some rubber bands in and give your little one a straw to go fishing.
For older kids, let them try to fish the rubber bands while holding the straw with their mouth.
Egg tape!
All you need to do is to put some tape between the legs of a chair, stick some plastic eggs (or balls or pompoms) on it and let your little one experiment with taking them down and sticking them back on.
Sticker peel!
You should always have sticker dots on hand. They are great for so many activities. This one is so easy and fast to set up and will hopefully get you some time for a hot coffee.
Stick some dots on a glass door and let your toddler peel them off.
Car wash!
Get some cars, a bowl, towels and some soapy water and the car wash is open.
Extra points for letting them paint the toys with washable paint first.
Building fun!
Get the blocks out for some building fun! Use shaving foam as mortar and let your little architect get to work.
This is definitely a messy activity, but always a hit. And remember, kids are washable!
Sticker dot color match!
Draw Xs on a piece of paper and let your little one put matching dot sticker on them.
If you are not color matching yet, just let them put sticker on the marks. That’s already a great exercise and sticker are always fun!
Outdoor color scavenger hunt!
This one is fun for a walk with your older toddler or preschooler.
Take an old egg box and paint it in different colors or simply put colored dot stickers in. Hand it to your toddler and let them look for leaves and flowers that match the color.
Free the sticks!
Simply stick some popsicle sticks or straws to the wall or window with painters tape and let your toddler peel them off.
Remember, in the unpredictable world of toddlerhood, creativity and patience are your best allies!
And if you’re having a rough day, I can assure you, it’s getting easier (at least in some ways) and we’re all in this together!
all about play
Playing is your kids most important job!
Learn why and see how we like to play in these posts.
activities & inspiration
Let's get hands on!
Kids will love the crafts, games, sensory play ideas and more that you will find here.
favorite toys
Toys are the tools to unlock your child's imagination!
Find out about our favorite toys and why we love them.