40 Activities for Toddlers to Do at Home: Indoors and Outdoors

Sensory Bins

Tools Needed:

• Large plastic container
• Dry materials (rice, pasta, beans)
• Small toys (animal figurines, cars)
• Scoops
• Cups
• Small objects for hiding

Implementation:

1. Fill the large plastic container with dry materials such as rice, pasta, or beans.
2. Add small toys like animal figurines and cars into the container.
3. Include scoops and cups for your toddler to dig and pour with.
4. Hide small objects within the dry materials for your toddler to discover as they explore different textures and have fun.

DIY Playdough

Tools Needed:

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Spoon or spatula
• Food coloring
• Glitter or essential oils (optional)
• Cookie cutters
• Rolling pin
• Plastic knives

Implementation:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of salt.
2. Gradually add 1 cup of water and mix until a dough forms.
3. Add a few drops of food coloring to the dough and knead it until the color is evenly distributed.
4. For sensory appeal, mix in glitter or a few drops of essential oils.
5. Provide cookie cutters, rolling pins, and plastic knives for creative play with the playdough.

Indoor Obstacle Course

Items Needed:

• Pillows
• Chairs
• Blankets
• Painter's tape

Instructions:

1. Place pillows on the floor to create a jumping area.
2. Drape a blanket over chairs to form a tunnel.
3. Use painter's tape on the floor to outline a "balance beam" for walking.
4. Arrange the items to create a course that involves jumping, crawling through tunnels, and balancing on the tape.
5. Encourage your toddler to navigate through the course, promoting physical activity and imaginative play.

Puzzle Time

Tools Needed:

• Age-appropriate puzzles with large, chunky pieces

Implementation:

1. Select age-appropriate puzzles with large, chunky pieces for your toddler.
2. Sit with your child and guide them to match shapes and colors in the puzzle.
3. Offer encouragement and praise their efforts to help build their confidence as they complete the puzzle.

Building Blocks

Tools Needed:

• Wooden or plastic blocks

Implementation:

1. Provide wooden or plastic blocks for your toddler.
2. Encourage them to build towers, bridges, or houses with the blocks.
3. Challenge them to stack the blocks as high as they can before enjoying the fun of knocking them down—this activity is sure to be a hit!

Storytime with Props

Tools Needed:

• Favorite book
• Stuffed animals, puppets, or household items for props

Implementation:

1. Select a favorite book for the storytelling activity.
2. Gather stuffed animals, puppets, or household items to act out the story.
3. Use the props to bring the story to life, such as using a stuffed bear for "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."
4. Engage your child in the storytelling process, making it interactive and entertaining.

Color Sorting

Tools Needed:

• Toys or objects in various colors (e.g., red blocks, blue cars, yellow balls)
• Piles or containers for sorting

Implementation:

1. Gather toys or objects in different colors.
2. Provide piles or containers for sorting.
3. Ask your toddler to sort the items into matching piles or containers based on their colors.
4. Engage with your child during the activity to make it fun and educational.

Hide and Seek

Tools Needed:

• No specific tools required

Implementation:

1. Play a simplified version of hide and seek with your toddler.
2. Hide behind furniture or under blankets and let your toddler find you.
3. Encourage your toddler to take turns hiding while you search for them.
4. Make the game engaging and fun by celebrating each other's hiding spots.

DIY Musical Instruments

Tools Needed:

• Empty water bottles
• Rice or beans
• Pots
• Wooden spoons
• Music player

Implementation:

1. Fill empty water bottles with rice or beans to make shakers.
2. Use pots and wooden spoons as drums.
3. Turn on music to create a lively atmosphere.
4. Have a family jam session where everyone can play their instruments and make music together.

Painting with Water

Tools Needed:

• Small paintbrush
• Cup of water
• Construction paper, cardboard, or sidewalk

Implementation:

1. Provide your toddler with a small paintbrush and a cup of water.
2. Encourage them to "paint" on construction paper, cardboard, or the sidewalk with the water.
3. The water will evaporate, leaving no mess behind.

Sticker Art

Tools Needed:

• Variety of stickers
• Blank sheet of paper

Implementation:

1. Provide your toddler with a variety of stickers and a blank sheet of paper.
2. Show them how to peel off the stickers and stick them onto the paper to create their own artwork.
3. Encourage their creativity and let them explore different ways to arrange the stickers on the paper.

Dance Party

Tools Needed:

• Music player with upbeat music

Implementation:

1. Play upbeat music to create a fun atmosphere.
2. Dance together with your toddler to the music.
3. Add a twist to the dance session by playing "freeze dance"—pause the music randomly.
4. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in place until the music starts again.

Sorting Socks

Tools Needed:

• Pile of socks

Implementation:

1. During laundry time, provide your toddler with a pile of socks to match and fold.
2. Teach them how to match the socks based on color or pattern.
3. Encourage them to practice their fine motor skills by folding the matched socks together.

Felt Board Stories

Tools Needed:

• Cardboard
• Felt
• Scissors
• Felt shapes, animals, or characters

Implementation:

1. Cover a piece of cardboard with felt to create a felt board.
2. Cut out shapes, animals, or characters from felt material.
3. Let your toddler arrange the felt pieces on the board to create stories and scenes.
4. Encourage imaginative play and storytelling by moving the felt pieces around on the board.

Bubble Wrap Stomp

Tools Needed:

• Bubble wrap

Implementation:

1. Tape a sheet of bubble wrap to the floor securely.
2. Encourage your toddler to stomp, jump, or crawl on the bubble wrap to pop the bubbles.
3. The sensory feedback from popping the bubbles is exciting and engaging for little ones.

Indoor Camping

Tools Needed:

• Blankets
• Pillows
• Furniture (chairs, tables)
• Flashlights
• Stuffed animals
• Cotton balls

Implementation:

1. Build a fort using blankets, pillows, and furniture to create a cozy space.
2. Bring in flashlights for a sense of adventure and mystery.
3. Add stuffed animals for company and comfort within the fort.
4. Pretend to roast marshmallows by using cotton balls and imaginary fire.

Cooking Together

Tools Needed:

• Mixing bowl
• Ingredients for baking or cooking
• Cooking utensils (spoons, measuring cups)
• Cookies or other treats for decorating

Implementation:

1. Allow your toddler to help with simple tasks like stirring batter, pouring ingredients, or decorating cookies.
2. Provide a mixing bowl, ingredients, and cooking utensils for them to use.
3. Supervise and guide them as they assist in the kitchen.
4. Engaging your toddler in cooking activities can be a fun and educational bonding experience.

Shape Hunt

Tools Needed:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Basket

Implementation:

1. Cut out shapes (circles, squares, etc.) from colored paper.
2. Hide the shapes around the house in various locations.
3. Give your toddler a basket and ask them to find all the hidden shapes.
4. Encourage them to match the shapes they find with the corresponding shapes on a reference sheet if needed.

Water Play

Tools Needed:

• Shallow plastic bin
• Water
• Cups
• Spoons
• Small toys
• Towel

Implementation:

1. Fill a shallow plastic bin with water.
2. Add cups, spoons, and small toys to the water-filled bin.
3. Place a towel underneath to catch spills and keep the area dry.
4. Allow your toddler to splash, pour, and play with the water and toys in the bin.

Alphabet Hunt

Tools Needed:

• Letter of alphabet

Implementation:

1. Choose a letter of the alphabet.
2. Ask your toddler to find objects around the house that start with that letter.
3. For example, if the letter is "B," they might find a ball, book, banana, etc.
4. Encourage your toddler to explore and identify items that begin with the chosen letter.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Tools Needed:

• List of items to find
• Small bag or container for collecting treasures

Implementation:

1. Create a list of items to find, such as a pinecone, a yellow flower, or a smooth rock.
2. Give your toddler a small bag or container to collect their treasures.
3. Go on a scavenger hunt together in your backyard, a park, or any outdoor space.
4. Encourage your toddler to search for and collect the items on the list.

Sidewalk Chalk Art

Tools Needed:

• Colorful chalk
• Sidewalk or pavement area

Implementation:

1. Use colorful chalk to draw pictures, write letters, or create hopscotch grids on a sidewalk or pavement area.
2. Show your toddler how to trace their hands or feet with the chalk for extra fun.
3. Encourage your toddler to get creative and join in the drawing and writing activities.

Bubble Blowing

Tools Needed:

• Bubble wand or a straw for making bubbles
• Soapy water

Implementation:

1. Use a bubble wand or make your own by dipping a straw into soapy water.
2. Encourage your toddler to chase and pop the bubbles created by blowing through the wand or straw.
3. Create a fun and interactive bubble-popping activity for your toddler to enjoy.

Gardening

Tools Needed:

• Small shovel
• Child-sized watering can
• Plants (flowers or vegetables)
• Soil

Implementation:

1. Give your toddler a small shovel to help plant flowers or vegetables in a garden or pot.
2. Show them how to dig holes and gently place the plants in the soil.
3. Provide a child-sized watering can for your toddler to water the plants.
4. Encourage your toddler to take care of the plants by watering them regularly.

Water Table Play

Tools Needed:

• Plastic bin
• Water
• Toys (boats, cups, sponges)

Implementation:

1. Fill a plastic bin with water.
2. Add toys such as boats, cups, and sponges to the water-filled bin.
3. Allow your toddler to splash, pour, and explore in the water.
4. Supervise your toddler while they play with the water and toys.

Ball Games

Tools Needed:

• Ball (e.g., soccer ball, soft ball)
• Cones or sticks (for setting up mini soccer goals or boundaries)

Implementation:

1. For Catch or Kick Ball:

• Use a ball suitable for your toddler's age and development.
• Play catch or kick the ball back and forth with your toddler.

2. For Mini Soccer Goal Setup:

• Use cones or sticks to set up a mini soccer goal or boundaries.
• Encourage your toddler to kick the ball into the goal or play within the boundaries.

3. For Younger Toddlers:

• Practice rolling the ball back and forth with your younger toddler to develop coordination skills.

Bug Hunt

Tools Needed:

• Magnifying glass

Implementation:

1. Equip your toddler with a magnifying glass.
2. Explore the backyard together to find insects like ants, beetles, or butterflies.
3. Encourage your toddler to observe the bugs closely and talk about their characteristics.
4. Discuss where the insects live and their habits as you explore.

Outdoor Obstacle Course

Tools Needed:

• Hula hoops
• Cones
• Jump ropes

1. Implementation:
2. Set up a course using hula hoops, cones, and jump ropes in your backyard or a spacious area.
3. Guide your toddler to hop through the hoops, run around the cones, and jump over the rope.

Picnic in the Yard

Tools Needed:

• Picnic blanket
• Snacks or food items
• Plates, cups, utensils

Implementation:

1. Pack a snack or meal along with plates, cups, and utensils for the picnic.
2. Lay out the picnic blanket in a suitable outdoor area.
3. Involve your toddler in preparing the food and setting up the picnic area.
4. Enjoy a relaxing picnic together, savoring the food and the outdoor ambiance.

Sandbox Fun

Tools Needed:

• Sandbox
• Sand
• Shovels
• Buckets
• Molds (for shaping sand)

Implementation:

1. Fill a sandbox with sand, ensuring it is at an appropriate depth for your toddler to play comfortably.
2. Provide shovels, buckets, and molds for your toddler to use in the sandbox.
3. Demonstrate how to build sandcastles or dig for "treasures" in the sand.
4. Encourage your toddler to explore and create with the sand and tools provided.

Nature Collage

Tools Needed:

• Paper
• Glue
• Leaves, sticks, flowers (collected during the walk)

Implementation:

1. Go for a walk with your toddler to collect leaves, sticks, and flowers from the surroundings.
2. Provide paper and glue for creating the collage.
3. Encourage your toddler to arrange and glue the collected natural items onto the paper to make a nature-inspired collage.
4. Display or preserve the collage as a keepsake of your outdoor adventure.

Bike or Tricycle Ride

Tools Needed:

• Toddler's bike or trike
• Safety helmet

Implementation:

1. Ensure your toddler's bike or trike is in good condition and the area is safe and flat for riding.
2. Have your toddler wear a safety helmet before starting.
3. Encourage your toddler to practice riding their bike or trike while cheering them on.
4. Support and guide them as they gain confidence in their riding skills.

Shadow Play

Tools Needed:

• Chalk

Implementation:

1. Wait for a sunny day to create shadows on the ground.
2. Use your bodies to make different shapes and forms for shadows.
3. Trace the shadows with chalk on the ground to preserve the shapes.

Outdoor Painting

Tools Needed:

• Easel or large sheets of paper
• Washable paints
• Paintbrushes

Implementation:

1. Set up an easel or tape large sheets of paper to a fence or outdoor surface.
2. Provide washable paints and paintbrushes for your toddler to use.
3. Encourage your toddler to unleash their creativity and create a masterpiece on the paper.
4. Allow them to explore different colors and painting techniques freely.

Sprinkler Fun

Tools Needed:

• Sprinkler
• Water toys (e.g., water guns, water balloons)

Implementation:

1. Set up a sprinkler in the yard, ensuring it is secure and pointing in a safe direction.
2. Add water toys such as water guns or water balloons for extra excitement.
3. Let your toddler run through the sprinkler and play with the water toys.
4. Join in the fun and encourage active play and laughter.

Rock Painting

Tools Needed:

• Smooth rocks
• Bright-colored paints
• Paintbrushes

Implementation:

1. Collect smooth rocks from your surroundings for painting.
2. Provide bright-colored paints and paintbrushes for your toddler to use.
3. Encourage your toddler to paint the rocks with vibrant colors and creative designs.
4. Once the paint is dry, use the painted rocks to decorate the garden or incorporate them into pretend play games.

Bird Watching

Tools Needed:

• Bird guide book or bird identification app

Implementation:

1. Find a quiet spot in your yard or a park to sit and observe birds.
2. Use a bird guide book or a bird identification app on your phone to help identify the bird species you see.
3. Observe the birds' behaviors, colors, and sounds to make identification easier.
4. Take notes or sketches of the birds you spot for future reference.

Leaf Rubbing

Tools Needed:

• Leaves
• Sheets of paper
• Crayons

Implementation:

1. Collect different leaves from your surroundings.
2. Place a leaf under a sheet of paper, ensuring it is flat and steady.
3. Use a crayon to rub over the paper where the leaf is placed.
4. The texture and shape of the leaf will be revealed on the paper through the rubbing.
5. Encourage your toddler to explore different leaves and colors to create beautiful leaf rubbings.

Kite Flying

Tools Needed:

• Kite

Implementation:

1. Choose a windy day to fly a kite in an open area.
2. Bring your toddler along and help them hold the string of the kite.
3. Assist your toddler in launching the kite into the air and watch it soar together.
4. Enjoy the experience of flying a kite with your toddler, encouraging them to feel the excitement of the wind catching the kite.

Stargazing

Tools Needed:

• Blanket
• Stargazing app (optional)

Implementation:

1. On a clear night, lay a blanket on the ground in a comfortable spot.
2. Point out the moon and stars to your toddler, discussing their shapes and patterns.
3. Optionally, use a stargazing app on your phone to help identify constellations and learn more about the night sky.
4. Encourage your toddler to look up and appreciate the beauty of the moon and stars.