Last Updated on April 13, 2022
This list of activities for toddlers helps you out when you’ve got a bored little one at home. I aimed to write down toddler activities that don’t require too much work on your part. Most of them are self-explanatory, and you have probably tried many of them. This said it’s helpful to have a list of all the possibilities when you need to come up with something quickly.
You can download the free PRINTABLE LIST of INDOOR ACTIVITIES by clicking this link.
I’ve also added links to tutorials for some activities, although you’ll usually get the idea by just watching the added pictures.
Easy fun Indoor Activities for Toddlers
Here are over 50 activities for toddlers that work well inside.
1. Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are surprisingly fun to make and provide hours of playtime for young toddlers. The only problem is cleaning…
Tutorial: DIY car sensory bin
2. Easy Toddler Treasure Basket
Treasure baskets are perfect for keeping young toddlers occupied. Busy dads can quickly throw old baby stuff (rattles, pacifiers, baby toothbrushes, etc.) into a basket or a bag, and voila…a treasure for toddlers. It worked very well for us when our boy was a little under two years old.
3. Build With Building Blocks
My boy doesn’t like to play alone, so Duplo Legos are perfect for us. I can build something, and he can play a giant Godzilla by destroying my creation:) This said, he also enjoys more simple wooden toys. If you’re a new parent, it may become a surprise that there are now even magnetic blocks available.
Tutorial: Toddler building blocks
4. Cardboard Box Tunnel or Fort
You can use cardboard boxes (I used diaper packs) to make a tunnel for young toddlers or a fortress for older ones. You can also let your little one build something using all the stuff that your wife urged to throw away (good thing that you didn’t listen to her three weeks ago, right?)
5. Playdough
You can buy products like Play-Doh. It’s non-toxic and doesn’t usually cause problems if your toddlers happen to put some of it in their mouths. That said, you can also make edible playdough yourself. Our two-year-old loves Play-Doh, but it’s usually me who ends up doing tiny cars for him.
Tutorial: DIY edible playdough
6. Make a Ribbon Play Basket
There was a period when our boy could spend an hour with a single ribbon. I made this basket when he was already over two years old, and now he barely glanced at it. In conclusion, it can be a perfect activity for a toddler if you introduce it at the right time. You simply attach different ribbons to a basket. Different colors and materials make it more interesting (in theory).
7. Jigsaw Puzzles for Toddlers
Puzzles are easy activities for toddlers, and there are options for all skill levels.
8. Read a Book Together
There are innumerable books for toddlers. A lot of them introduce a certain topic and can come with sounds. Many toddlers enjoy their parents reading to them. Our boy isn’t one of them, though. He likes to look at the pictures and play with sounds. If you’re out of ideas, then it may be fun to visit (yes, really) a bookshop and let your little one choose her favorite.
9. Designate a Drawer for Your Toddler
When our boy was one year old, he loved to empty the drawers in our kitchen. Many parents opt for baby locks, but we left a couple of lower drawers for him. We kept only safe items there, and so when he started his morning routine, we got to sip coffee 15 minutes in peace.
10. Discover Sticker Books
Sticker books are fun activities for young toddlers. Our two-year-old loves them. As a bonus, you don’t have to worry about the mess. An educational sticker book by Roger Priddy is a popular choice (not pictured).
11. Let Your Toddler Discover Shape Sorters
Shape sorters are traditional educational toys, and young toddlers can spend hours playing with them. I’ve seen some parents also make these by using Lego bricks and cardboard boxes. This said, if your goal is to find quick activities, then buy a premade product:)
12. Make Use of Pillows and Blankets
Toddlers like to play with pillows and blankets, and ours is no different. You can arrange the pillows in many different ways (make a tower, for example). This helps to catch the attention of your little one and promotes creative play.
13. Drawing With Washable Pens
Toddlers love to draw so much that even your floors and walls aren’t safe. You can buy washable markers for your little ones to make your life easier.
14. Drawing With Water
Some parents have said that their kids love to paint with water on colored paper. My boy didn’t find that particularly interesting (got bored in less than three minutes), but water-reveal coloring books have been a hit. Books by Melissa & Doug, for example, are beautiful, and you don’t have to worry about the mess.
15. Drawing on an Easy to Clean Surface
Your toddler can use pens, crayons, markers, and paints on paper. But chalkboards and whiteboards offer another excellent option that let you effortlessly clean the mess. Another great option is a wipe-clean book that lets your little one use the same one again and again.
16. Make Bubbles
My boy loves bubbles, so a bubble machine is a good choice even for indoor use. In this beautiful stock photo, you can see a cheaper bubble bottle, but I’m not a fan. My head started to ache after ten minutes of blowing bubbles for my toddler. That said, it can be a good choice for older kids. Another option is to pour dish soap into warm water and let your little ones whisk some bubbles. The last option isn’t kind to wooden floors, though.
Tutorial: Whisking bubbles activity
17. Make a Sensory Bottle
You can find tons of sensory bottle ideas for every season on Pinterest. In my experience, sensory bottles are fun for young toddlers.
18. Play Sand
Play sand lets your kids play with sand even indoors. The sand is moldable and doesn’t dry out. My two-year-old plays with it in a big cardboard box, but some cleaning is still always required. So this is not a mess-free activity.
19. Activity Boards and Tables
Some dads have made cool activity boards for their little ones. But you can also buy an activity table for your kid (click the link to learn about good options).
Tutorial: Finding the best activity table
20. Sink or Float Discovery Station
You need to find a big vessel (a baby bathtub, for example) for water. Fill it with water and try to find many objects that your toddler can throw in. Some items should be heavy and sink, and others should float. You can use regular household items or buy some cool bathtub toys.
Tutorial: Fun bathtub toys for toddlers
21. Make a Play Kitchen for Your Toddler
Some dads can probably make a play kitchen for their little ones, but you can also find good options for every age from Amazon or Ikea.
Tutorial: Finding the best kid kitchen set
22. Fine Motor Skills Alphabet Activity
This is an educational activity for older toddlers. You need to draw numbers or letters on paper and let your little one place small objects (buttons, for example) on the lines.
Tutorial: To activity
23. Hide the Toys Toddler Activity
My boy loved to hide his cars under the rice when I made a car sensory bin for him. So I got inspired and designed a similar activity where the main purpose is to hide small toys under rice.
24. Mini Scavenger Hunt Toddler Activity
You can arrange a scavenger hunt for toddlers, but use pictures instead of words to mark all the items he or she has to find.
25. Make a Ball Pit for Your Toddler
You need plastic balls to make a ball pit. At first, we used a playpen to make a big ball pit, but then we poured one-third of the balls into a small cardboard box. As it turned out, our boy is quite happy even with a smaller version that takes up less space.
26. Pouring Station
Pouring station is a fun water-related activity. Find some metallic and plastic containers and fill them with water. You can use food colors to make this toddler activity even more fun. He can practice pouring skills and see how different colors mix.
Tutorial: To activity
27. Let Your Toddler Break Stuff
Making a breaking box for your little one is a straightforward business- pour crunchy stale food into a big container and give your little one a toddler hammer. And as you can see from the picture..quite often you don’t even have to plan this activity ahead:)
28. Hammering
Toddlers like to pound stuff, so a pounding bench is a great thing to have. Older toddlers can also hit golf tees to anything soft (examples include playdough, styrofoam, and cardboard boxes).
29. Pom-Pom Racing
This is a great activity for toddlers if you have to entertain more than one child. Little ones have to blow through the straw to get their pom-poms over the finish line.
Tutorial: To Activity
30. Sorting and Organizing Stuff
Sorting is fun for most toddlers, but you have to figure out a suitable variation for your kid. Sometimes you can let your little one sort small objects (buttons, poker chips, for example) by colors or other criteria. My kid likes to pour a stack of old bubble gum stickers onto the floor and find all the pictures of cars.
31. Stacking Stuff
Toddlers love to stack different objects. My boy loves to stack small Lego bricks to make as tall a tower as he can. If you have old CD-s or DVD-s lying around, then you can let your kid stack them onto a spindle. You can also buy a stacking ring for younger toddlers (it’s usually more fun for one-year-olds).
32. Wii Games
Video games offer many benefits as long as the games are age-appropriate, and you don’t let your toddler play for more than an hour per day. Wii is an excellent option because it offers many games that require your little one to move around.
Tutorial: Best Wii games for toddlers
33. Board Games
You can play many board games with toddlers. One example is Think Fun Roll and Play, but there are other options for all ages.
34. Make Paper Planes
Make paper planes for your little one or buy some cheap styrofoam planes. You can then use a large sheet of paper and make your toddlers fly planes through holes of different sizes (can also be a fun party game for dads:)
There are many different paper plane designs available (as you can see from the tutorial link), but I prefer the simple dart:)
Tutorial: Different airplane designs
35. Simon Says
Don’t forget this old classic.
36. Nerf Target Game
Nerf guns are fun! Let your kid practice aiming with a cool DIY target game (you can practice yourself when he’s taking a nap). This said this is not the best option for young toddlers as they may accidentally hurt themselves or others.
37. Obstacle Course
Use colored masking tape to make a quick obstacle course into your corridor- a fun activity for toddlers. Your kid has to pass without touching the tape. There are also other options available (the tutorial link takes you to see them).
Tutorial: Different obstacle course ideas
38. Pool Noodle Car Track
Cut a pool noodle in half and make a cool car track for your toddler.
Tutorial: To activity
39. Cardboard Tubes as Car Tracks
You can use long cardboard tubes to make a car track tunnel for your toddler. Another option is to tape many short tubes to a door and let your little one drop different objects through these “tunnels.”
40. Listening to Music With Your Toddler
Listening to music is a fun activity for toddlers, although my little one prefers the sounds of his toy car. There are many ways to incorporate music into your daily routines. You can introduce your little one to different genres (one genre per week, for example). You may prefer to listen to only songs that invite your little one to dance or singalong. Listening to a full album by a particular artist is certainly another good option.
41.Let Them Play With Musical Instruments
We have a small collection of musical instruments for kids. This said it’s not the best option if your goal is to get some work done. Little ones can be quite loud:)
42.Play Catch
This can be a great indoor game for younger toddlers as they can’t yet throw the ball very hard.
43.Mini Golf With Cardboard Box
Use plastic balls and a cardboard box to make your own mini-golf track. It gives you an excuse to buy a full box of beer and provides your toddler with a fun activity. It took me 15 minutes to make one.
Tutorial: More mini golf ideas
44.Bubble Wrap Walk
If you happen to find a big piece of bubble wrap from a package, don’t throw it away. Use duct tape to fasten it on the floor and watch your toddler have fun walking on it.
45.Fridge Magnets
Playing with magnets is interesting for toddlers, but I recommend letting them play sparingly as little ones get bored quickly. You may want to keep magnets as a last resort option for special moments. One cool option is to buy magnetic toddler blocks (yes, these exist).
46.Play With Flashlights
Older toddlers love to play with flashlights. One of the easiest games is to try to guess what others are drawing on the wall with light, but there are also other great options. My two-year-old doesn’t like dark, so this is not my photo:)
Tutorial: Different flashlight games
47.Toy Car Wash
My two-year-old likes to “wash” his toy cars in a drinking cup. But you can make an actual activity around this habit. You need only a couple of vehicles, warm soapy water, and towels. If it’s warm, you may even try to let him wash your family car…
48.Buy Balloons
A couple of balloons can provide hours of activity for toddlers (especially if these are helium-filled).
49.Scotch Taped Toys
This is a simple toddler activity. You attach small toys to a table or floor via scotch tape and watch your little one clean up the mess. I must admit that my boy got quite angry with me for what I had done with his things:)
50. Let Your kid Help Prepare Food
It’s easy to forget that kids are very interested in everything we do. My boy loves to help out in the kitchen, and it’s an excellent way to keep him occupied while also getting something useful done.
51. Ask them to Clean the House With a Vacuum Cleaner
I understand that it may sound like child labor, but surprisingly many older toddlers love vacuum cleaners. You may not know it, but they actually make tiny versions for toddlers that work. These aren’t very powerful, but at least all their small toys don‘t end up in the gadget.
52. Feed the Monster Activity
It takes a couple of minutes to make a “monster” out of a cardboard box. But I considered it a time well spent as my little ones played with it for many hours (spread over a couple of days).
Tutorial: Feed the monster activity for toddlers
53. Fizzing ice Cuves Activity
I included this activity because it’s fun to prepare, and many other dads may also love it. Playing with soda is an excellent option if you want to do something creative. You probably have to keep an eye on your kid though. So it’s not ideal if you wish to get some work done.
Tutorial: Fizzing ice cubes activity for kids
Easy fun Outdoor Activities for Toddlers
You can practice many of the “indoor “activities outside, and the mess is usually easier to clean. One good idea is to make a sensory bin or a treasure basket using stuff that you found in nature. That said, the list of outside activities aims to bring out other options as well.
54.Hiking or Camping
Go It’s easy to hike with babies because you can carry them. Toddlers may want to move around, and they weigh more. This means that it may be hard to hike with toddlers properly, but you can go walking in the forest and camp in your backyard. Toddlers can usually walk approximately their age in km (age x 0,62mi), but you have to do breaks. Enjoy these mini-hikes and surprise your little one with a tent in your yard!
55. Go Running
If you like to run, then you can always buy a jogging stroller and take your little buddy with you.
Tutorial: Cardio training with a toddler
56. Try a new Organized Activity or Visit a Festival
Museums, gyms, theaters, and concert halls offer many courses and organized activities for toddlers. Visiting a seasonal festival is another excellent option.
Tutorial: Finding organized activities for toddlers
57. Enjoy the Water (Including Rain)
Toddlers love to walk and jump in puddles. Instead of trying to keep them away, buy some proper clothes for rainy days and watch your little ones have fun in the mud.
58.Have a Picnic
Picnics are a great way to spend time with your family.
59. Go to a Beach
Enjoy a day in the sun as your toddler is making sandcastles and playing in the water (keep a close watch, though).
60. Arrange a Scavenger Hunt
Arranging a scavenger hunt outside (on the beach, for example) is such a great idea that I had to mention it again. Give your toddler a printed sheet (younger ones will need pictures) and see how many items he can find.
61. Helping out in the Garden
My boy enjoys helping his grandma in her garden. Watering the plants is his favorite activity.
62. Start a Garden
You can start a tiny garden for older toddlers, but such a long-term project isn’t for everybody. Toddlers have short attention spans and will probably get bored after a couple of days. At least this happened to me when I was a little lad.
Tutorial: Starting a garden for kids
63. Teach Your Toddler to Ride a Bike
Toddlers are quick learners:) A three-year-old is perfectly capable of riding a toddler bike. That said, we started when our boy was four years old. It took only a couple of hours as he had had a lot of experience with a balance bike and a smaller trike (as you can see from the picture).
Tutorial: Finding a perfect toddler bike helmet
64. Teach Your Toddler to Catch a Fish
Angling is suitable for toddlers, but kids usually prefer the more active spin fishing. The latter is too technical for most toddlers, though.
Tutorial: Angler academy tips for toddlers
65. Bird Watching
Bird watching can be a great educational activity for toddlers.
Tutorial: Birdwatching with children
66. Buy a Ride-on-Toy
My toddler loves big plastic cars, but there are also other excellent options out there.
Tutorial: Finding fun ride on toys for toddlers
67. Play With Flying Toys
Flying toys are excellent even for toddlers. You may want to start with simple flying rings or with a kite.
Tutorial: Different types of fun flying toys for toddlers
68. Sidewalk Chalk
Your toddlers can draw on sidewalks as much as they like with the sidewalk chalk. And you don’t have to worry about cleaning the mess (hopefully).
69. Arrange a Cool Water Fight
Buy new water guns (and don’t forget to arrange the filling station!). Take an opportunity to teach your older toddlers to make water balloons. Sponge bombs are probably too much…or are they…
Tutorial: Making sponge bombs
70. Go to a Playground
Playgrounds offer so many activities for toddlers- they can practice climbing and enjoy sliding and swinging. Your nearest playground may also have other cool equipment.
71. Ice Cube Activity for Toddlers
Freeze some small toys and let your toddler melt the ice cubs to get them back. My boys’ hands were cold after playing with the ice, and the floor was wet. So it’s an excellent activity for a hot day outside.
72. Jump in Leaf Piles
Jumping in leaf piles is a fun autumn-related activity for toddlers.
73. Nature Memory Match Game
You need sixteen identical boxes and eight different items (two of each) from nature to make this game. Put all things into boxes and close the lids. Each player can open two covers in his or her turn. The purpose is to find two same pieces.
Tutorial: Preparing this activity
74. Visit the Zoo
Visiting the Zoo lets your toddler see different animals and spend a day walking outside. It may be fun to visit outside of peak season (winter, for example).
75. Amusement Park
Don’t forget these old classics when you’re figuring out an activity for your toddler.
76. Play With Snow
The next couple of activities for toddlers have a small prerequisite…snow. If you happen to live in a place with cold winters, then playing in the snow is one of the most natural activities. Let your kid run wild in the snow, and if she gets bored…you can make a snowman, snow castle, or arrange a snow fight.
77. Buy a Snow Sledge
You don’t need a big hill for your toddlers to enjoy sliding. Younger toddlers are perfectly happy with a small one that you made yourself.
78. Go Skiing
I just want to point out that there are skis even for toddlers. I’ve seen four-year-olds who can definitely ski better than me.
Thanks for reading!
