Simple Toddler Activities You Can Do Indoors At Home!
We have all had those days where we have simply run out of things to do with our toddler. Whether it’s a rainy day or you are just stuck at home, these toddler activities you can do indoors at home will keep your little one occupied for hours! Most of these activities are simple and can be set up with a few items you probably already have around the house. These activities will ignite your toddler’s senses and creativity! Have fun without leaving the house!
Play-Doh
Your toddler may not know what to do with Play-Doh at first so give them some direction. Give them ideas of things to build or get your own and show them how it’s done! Let them try cutting the Play-Doh with safety scissors for a new way to play!
Coloring
There are so many different ways to color, switch it up from day to day. They can color blank pages, coloring books, plates and more! They can color with markers, crayons, colored pencils and chalk! These printable coloring pages are perfect for teaching toddlers shapes and numbers!
Building
There are SO many opportunities to BUILD around the house! Your toddler can build with blocks, cups, bowls, buckets, my son loves to build with our coffee K-cups! Anything that stacks can be used to build. Build a fort or an obstacle course! Get creative and have fun with it!
Reading
Reading is a great way to help expand your toddler’s vocabulary. Books will help introduce new words that your little one may not hear on a regular basis. Talk to your toddler about what’s on each page, ask them what colors they see, and let them practice turning the pages.
Puzzles
Get a few toddler friendly puzzles to complete with your toddler. My little man loves this one that sings the baby shark song when he puts the pieces in!
Painting
Whether you finger pain or paint with a brush your toddler is sure to have tons of fun! Sure, you can paint on paper but you can also paint other things too! Our favorite thing to paint is rocks! Choose a few different rocks from your yard to paint and make designs with the painted rocks when they are dry!
Play With Lids
It is amazing how long a set of bowls with mismatched lids can entertain a toddler. Choose a few bowls or cups and let your little one figure out which lid goes where. They will be so proud of themselves when they find a match!
Make Instruments
Collect things around the house to make “instruments”. Fill a cup with beans to shake, use your pots and spoons as drums, wrap rubber bands around an empty box of tissues to make a guitar! Your little one will have a blast making their own music!
Dancing
Crank up the music and have a dance party! This is a great way to get their energy out without leaving the house. A perfect indoor toddler activity!
Running
Some may disagree with me on this one if they don’t like running in the house but it’s one of the only ways I can get my toddler to nap when we are stuck inside. He has so much energy and needs to be active before he can settle himself down. Chase your little one around a safe area in your home or count while they run back and forth tagging each wall in a room. My son calls this game Fast Shark! If you have an active toddler like mine I highly reccommend a small trampoline like this for getting some indoor exercise on a rainy day.
Do-A-Dot
These Do-A-Dot markers are mess free and mom approved! It’s a marker/paint hybrid, allowing your toddler to paint without the messy brushes and water. My son spills the water EVERY time!
Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are popular amont toddler activities you can do indoors at home. I am pretty basic with my sensory bins. It doesn’t take much to stimulate your toddler’s senses. Fill a bowl with a few small toys, rocks, or any other knickknacks you have around the house. Avoid choking hazards when filling your bin. Pour some uncooked beans, noodles, or rice over your bin and give your toddler a few cups and spoons to move things around. Enjoy your break because they will be busy for a while!
Baking
My little man loves to help me bake cupcakes! All you need is a stool or chair for your little one to reach the counter! Beware! There will be a mess with this one!
Tearing Paper
Tearing paper is a great way for your toddler to strengthen their hands while exploring their creativity. Give them different colored paper so they can tear them up and mix the colors together!
Scavenger Hunts
One of my favorite toddler activities you can do indoors at home! Scavenger hunts are such a fun way to explore your home with a brand new set of eyes! This toddler scavenger hunt is great for teaching numbers, colors, and shapes and this one is made specfically for 2 year olds to use indoors!
Scissors
Safety scisors like this will help your toddler practice cutting while having fun! Give them different types of paper and other items to cut like plates, Play-Doh, coffee filters, paper towels, etc. Your toddler will love this indoor activity!
Glue Stick
My son has so much fun with a simple gluestick and piece of paper. Sometimes he glues things to the paper but other times he marks the paper with the gluestick and watches it disappear!
Stickers
Toddlers LOVE stickers! Choose a book featuring your child’s favorite charachters like these Paw Patrol stickers!
“Cooking”
Let your toddler pretend to cook in the kitchen! Pull out a few pots and give your little one noddles, water, a spoon and watch them cook like Mommy! Keep your toddler away from hot appliances, I just let my son “cook” in the kitchen floor or at the table.
Yoga
Try out toddler yoga! You can find fun yoga videos on YouTube created for toddlers!
Chores
Let your little one help you around the house! Who knew chores could be a fun toddler activity?! Artie’s favorites are starting the laundry and emptying the dishwasher! You can find more ideas here!
Water Play
Toddlers love to play with water! Fill a few bowls or cups with water, or get some special toys and let them play in the tub! These bath crayons are the perfect way to entertain your toddler while they are taking a bath!
I hope you found some new ways to have fun on this list of toddler activities you can do indoors at home!
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