Looking for fun things to do with toddlers? Our list of crafts and games will fire their imagination — and keep them busy until nap time!
The toddler years are a lot of fun — but they’re not without their challenges!
And finding new ways to keep your tiny tot entertained is one of the biggest.
That’s where we come in.
Our list of 21 fun things to do with toddlers is jam-packed with ideas that will both engage them and stimulate their development.
In this article: 📝
- What can I do for fun with my toddler?
- What fun things can you do with a 2-year-old?
- What do you do all day with a 2-year-old?
- How do I entertain my 2 and 3-year-old?
- The best things to do with toddlers
What can I do for fun with my toddler?
Toddlers might be passed the stage when a simple activity mat keeps them entertained for hours.
But that doesn’t mean you need complicated games or expensive toys to get their attention.
There are loads of fun things to do with toddlers that need minimal prep.
And lots of them use items you’ll already have around the house.
Indoor activities
- Playdough: Buy it, or make your own with flour, water, and food coloring. Toddlers love the stuff, and it’s a great way to get their creative juices flowing.
- Reading: Even young toddlers will appreciate being read to and looking at the pictures in a book.
- Coloring: They might not keep within the lines, but a coloring book with big, bold pictures is still great fun for little ones.
- Finger painting: Lean into the mess because toddlers love finger painting! A disposable tablecloth, an apron, and newspaper or a wipe-clean mat on the floor are your friends here.
- Sponge painting: Don’t think sponges will be any less messy. But they’re a fun variation on the theme. And they create some pretty magical pictures for your fridge.
- No-mess painting: Yes, this is possible! Squeeze some paint into a zip-lock bag and seal it tightly. Add some tape along the end for extra security. Then give your toddler a cotton bud to draw lines through the plastic.
- Macaroni necklaces: When your little one’s motor skills are more developed, threading macaroni on a string is great fun.
- Off and on (or in and out): Toddlers learn by repeating things. And simple actions like placing books on a shelf and taking them off again can offer fantastic entertainment! The same goes for putting things in a bag and taking them out. Just make sure whatever objects are involved are toddler-friendly, with no sharp edges.
- Sensory boards: These are a great way for your toddler to experience new sensations. You can buy them or make your own.
- Indoor tent: There’s something about creating a secret indoor play space that pretty much all kids love. And it can be as simple as a sheet hung over the back of a couple of chairs.
- Balance beam: You don’t have to go outside to get physical! Stick some painter’s tape on the floor and get your toddler to walk along it. It will help them develop their balance too.
➡️ You might also like: 21 Indoor Activities for Kids
Outdoor activities
- Balloon toss: You can do this inside too, but there’s less danger of knocking over Aunt Mabel’s heirloom vase outside. A balloon is light and slow, which makes it perfect for your toddler hands and feet.
- Sock toss: This variation can be played indoors as well as out. Ball up a pair of socks and let your toddler practice throwing them into a laundry basket.
- Hopscotch: Check the rules if you want to. But your toddler will just have fun jumping in the colorful squares!
- Picnic: Lay an old sheet on the ground and enjoy eating al fresco. And if the weather’s bad, an indoor picnic works just as well.
- Sand pit: Toddlers love the sensation of sand between their fingers.
- Take a train or a bus: Either will provide loads of new sights and sounds for your little one to enjoy.
- Take a walk: Pop your toddler in the stroller and take them for a walk around the block. Getting some air and exercise can give you a lift too.
- Head to the public library: Find new (and free) books and games to entertain your little one.
- Water play table: Toddlers love splashing around! A water play table offers them a safe way to do it.
- Blowing bubbles: Keep a bottle of bubble liquid to hand to enthrall your toddler at a moment’s notice. And you can go even bigger and get a bubble machine.
➡️ You might also like: 18 Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers
What fun things can you do with a 2-year-old?
Most 2-year-olds will be able to run and jump.
They can play with more than one toy at once.
And they can start to sort colors and shapes.
But the best toddler activities for 2-year-olds don’t require advanced coordination skills.
Activities like exploring your yard, getting stuck into simple crafts, and easy games like balloon toss work brilliantly.
Just keep your little one under close supervision.
At this age, everything goes into their mouth!
What do you do all day with a 2-year-old?
Even the most varied list of things to do with toddlers can get monotonous if you’re doing them in the same place all day.
A change of scene can work wonders for your toddler’s mood — and yours!
That needn’t mean a complicated excursion.
Even a walk along the street or around your yard, if you have one, can provide exciting new experiences for your 2-year-old.
And if you’re lucky enough to have family or friends nearby, why not pay them a visit?
How do I entertain my 2 and 3-year-old?
If you’ve got more than one toddler, they’ll often play together.
But there are some things for toddlers to do that 3-year-olds may find easier than younger siblings.
By the time your little one hits three, they’ll be talking more and can be easily understood by people who aren’t mama!
They can understand more complicated stories too.
And they’ll find it easier to coordinate their movements.
So the door is now open to more challenging crafts.
Time for that macaroni and string!
The best things to do with toddlers
Time with a toddler is hugely rewarding — but it isn’t always easy.
Tears and tantrums are part of the deal as your little peanut explores the world and their place in it.
But the hours you spend playing together can create beautiful memories you’ll treasure forever.
A list of things to do with toddlers can be a godsend for moments when inspiration runs dry.
And you don’t have to be a crafting or sporting genius to keep your little one entertained.
So get out that playdough/picture book/ toilet roll and have fun.
You’ve got this, mama!