9 Fun Toddler Activities to Keep Them Delighted & Developing

What Types of Activities Can I Do With My Toddler?

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is thinking they have to do fancy Pinterest-worthy activities with their toddlers. In reality, toddlers are happy doing simple things; they don't need nearly as many planned activities as we think.

Shifting your mindset away from; "I have to entertain my toddler" to "I'm allowing my toddler to come along for the ride" will help you manage expectations and lower stress.

Benefits of Toddler Activities

Toddlers benefit most from participating in activities that give them a sense of purpose, allow them to get messy, and give them opportunities to play independently. In general, toddlers enjoy practical life activities, sensory play, and activities that give them a sense of independence.

Here Are 9 Things To Do With a Toddler To Help Them Grow While Having Fun

Practical Life Activities

One of the simplest types of toddler activities are "practical life" activities. These everyday tasks help them develop fine motor skills and sense order and sequence. Bringing your toddler along with you throughout your day and including them in whatever needs to be done in the home is a simple and effective way to keep them entertained.

Here are some examples of practical life activities you can involve your toddler in:

Meal Preparation

Children love to participate in meal preparation. Giving them tasks like chopping vegetables, pouring ingredients, and mixing tend to be favorites. Make sure you give them real tools that are child safe, for example, wooden knives or silicone measuring cups.

Putting Away Groceries or Laundry

Letting your toddler help put away groceries or fold laundry is another way to incorporate practical life activities into your day. Toddlers thrive when they are given responsibility, and giving them tasks like carrying things to the pantry or folding socks gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Cleaning Up

Many toddlers naturally gravitate towards helping parents clean–they love to sweep, vacuum, dust, or wipe counters. So don't be afraid to give them a chance to help you with whatever cleaning tasks you are doing at the moment.

Simple Sensory Activities (that don’t involve a ton of preparation)

Exposing children to different sensory experiences in toddlerhood (and beyond) is essential. But, you don't need to feel pressured to create perfectly curated sensory bins. Instead, simple setups will go a long way and help keep your toddler entertained.

Here are three simple sensory activities that we love for toddlers:

Kinetic Sand

Investing in a few bags of kinetic sand (or making it at home) is a simple and easy-to-clean-up sensory activity for toddlers. Add a few hand scoops, a small bucket and shovel, or a mini-rake, and you're good to go. Don't be afraid to have them help vacuum after the fact!

Water Play

Cranky toddler? Just add water. Children naturally find water fascinating, and because of that, it tends to be something that keeps them busy for extended periods of time. Providing access to water in a simple bin or pot in addition to a few cups, whisks, droppers, or spoons is a toddler activity that will keep them entertained for hours.If you’re worried about the mess, you can provide them with only a small amount of water to start. Also consider putting the bin or pot of water over a large towel, on a back deck or patio space. At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is there is no mess that can’t be cleaned.

Playdough

Playdough is great for children because it helps develop fine motor skills. All the squishing, rolling, pulling, and pushing are actually the perfect activities to help develop the muscles needed in the hand for future buttoning, zipping, and eventually writing. It's simple to make your own playdough or check out The Dough Project's playdough made with food-grade ingredients and colored by plants.  

Independent Play (yes, I promise this can be a toddler activity!)

All children, even toddlers, need time and space away from adults to explore their environment and play independently. This type of play is critical for development. It may not seem possible, but given the proper kinds of toys or a simple invitation from you, you will witness the magic of toddler independent play.

Setting up an invitation to play doesn’t need to be complicated–simply put out a few toys that “go together” in the middle of an open space. For example you can put out a few cars, some blocks and road pieces.

Here are three play activities you can set up that will engage them for good chunks of time.

Building Materials

Don't worry if your toddler is in the dumping everything out or destroying anything they build "stage." That's perfectly developmentally appropriate! Give them a set of wooden blocks, some stacking cups or MEGA BLOKS and let them build and destroy, or dump and pick up until their heart's content. Try not to stress about them playing with building materials "the right way" as there is NO right way to play with an open-ended toy.

Art Supplies

No, we aren't talking markers, paint, or glitter. Just a few simple art materials such as construction paper (for them to rip, cut or color on), chunky crayons, and a few dot stampers. Having them get into a practice of having quiet time with art (or books!) is a great strategy, especially when they are going through a sleep regression, but you're not ready to give up nap time.

Obstacle Courses with Gross Motor Toys

Setting up a simple obstacle with gross motor toys like stepping stones, pikler triangles, couch cushions, pillows, and rolled-up baby blankets or towels is a fun way to engage toddlers in an activity that channels their endless energy. If you have a toddler that climbs, these gross motor activities are an easy way to lean into that need for body movement. Make sure to set up your obstacle course in a way that allows your toddler to play without you feeling as if you have to hover.

These toddler activities are a great way to keep your little one entertained while also providing some key developmental benefits.

Looking for more fun things to do with a toddler? Find 15 go-to crafts for kids, how to get kids involved in the kitchen, and the benefits of pretend play.

Alanna Gallo is the founder of Play. Learn. Thrive and Growing up Gallo. She is dedicated to combating parental burnout by empowering parents to move away from Pinterest perfection and embrace a simpler approach to raising children. She is also a mother of four little ones and holds a master’s in teaching from the University of Southern California. You can follow her on Instagram @playlearnthrivekids and @growingupgallo.