Are you searching for engaging toddler activities at home to keep your little one entertained and stimulated? Whether it's a rainy day or sunny afternoon, these 34 easy ideas for activities for toddlers offer a mix of indoor and outdoor fun.
From simple arts and crafts for toddlers to educational games and energetic play, these home-based toddler activities promote creativity, learning, and physical development. Perfect for parents looking for things to do with toddlers aged 1-3, all ideas use everyday household items and require minimal setup.
Best Indoor Toddler Activities for Rainy Days
Rainy weather doesn't have to mean boredom—try these indoor activities for toddlers to burn energy and spark imagination right inside your home. These mess-contained options are ideal for keeping active toddlers busy without venturing outdoors.
Flour Snow Tracks
Set up a cleanable surface like a table or tray on the floor. Dust it with flour to mimic snow, and let your toddler drive toy vehicles through it, creating paths and mounds. This sensory play is one of the top rainy day activities for toddlers, especially if you're already in the kitchen.
Indoor Broom Hockey
Use a broom, a sideways laundry basket as a target, and plastic plates as pucks. Encourage your toddler to push the plates toward the goal. This energetic indoor game for toddlers helps release pent-up energy on stormy days.
Recycling Bin Tower Building
Collect empty recyclables like boxes and jugs. Let your toddler stack them into towers or forts, then knock them down. It's a simple, eco-friendly way to practice motor skills among indoor toddler activities.
Arithmetic Math Toy
Designed for kindergarten, ideal for home or classroom use, it promotes hands-on learning, fine motor skills, number recognition, multicolor recognition and arithmetic. We recommend this arithmetic math toy in our store.
Homemade Kitchen Band
Flip pots, pans, and bowls upside down to form drums. Provide wooden spoons for banging. (Tip: Use ear protection if needed.) This noisy but fun activity turns household items into musical instruments for toddlers.
Bubble Wrap Stomp
Tape bubble wrap to the floor and let your toddler jump to pop the bubbles. It's an excellent sensory and physical outlet for indoor activities on rainy days, helping toddlers expend energy safely.
Educational Activities for Toddlers to Boost Learning at Home
Toddlers learn through play, so incorporate these educational toddler activities into your routine. Focused on skills like counting, colors, and problem-solving, these ideas make learning fun and interactive without feeling like lessons.
Colorful Sorting Puzzle
The Montessori Sorting Puzzle, designed for children aged 3+, enhances memory, logic, attention span, and intuition through 25 double-sided inspiration cards that encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.
Shape Hunt Adventure
Hide shape cutouts around the room and have your child find and match them. It's a hands-on way to introduce geometry in home toddler activities.
Number Bean Bag Toss
Label baskets with numbers and toss soft items into them while counting. Perfect for teaching basics in fun educational games for toddlers.
Animal Sound Matching
Play animal noises on your phone and have your toddler mimic or point to pictures. This enhances auditory learning among toddler educational activities.
Letter Tracing in Sand
Use a tray of salt or flour for finger-tracing letters. An engaging sensory method for early literacy in educational toddler ideas.
Counting Everyday Items
Count fingers, toes, or snacks during meals. Integrates math into daily routines for toddlers.
Storytime with Props
Read books and act out scenes with toys. Boosts language development in interactive educational activities.
Nature Item Sorting
Collect leaves or rocks (if outdoors briefly) and sort by size or texture. Connects learning to the environment.
Emotion Face Drawing
Draw faces showing feelings and discuss them. Helps with social-emotional learning in toddler activities.
Creative Activities to Keep Toddlers Busy While You Work
Need toddler activities to keep them occupied independently? These low-supervision ideas engage their minds and hands, giving you a break for chores or remote work.
Busy Box with Lids
Fill a box with containers and lids for matching and twisting. A quiet, focused activity for busy toddlers at home.
Sticker Collage Book
Provide stickers and paper for sticking and peeling. Builds fine motor skills in self-directed play.
Threading Beads on Pipe Cleaners
Safe, large beads on flexible cleaners. Keeps hands busy in toddler busy activities.
Magnetic Tile Building
If available, let them connect tiles freely. Encourages creativity without constant help.
Pom-Pom Drop Tube
Tape tubes to a wall for dropping fluffy balls. A repetitive, entertaining game for toddlers.
Water Play in Sink
Supervised sink play with cups and toys. Sensory fun for keeping toddlers engaged.
Shadow Puppet Wall
Use a flashlight to make hand shadows. Simple entertainment for indoor busy time.
Block Stacking Challenge
Provide blocks for free building. Promotes concentration in activities to occupy toddlers.
Sensory Bottle Shaking
Fill bottles with glitter and water for shaking and watching. Calming and captivating.
Toy Washing Station
Set up a basin with soapy water for "cleaning" toys. Mimics real tasks for busy play.
Fun Arts and Crafts Activities for Toddlers
Unleash creativity with these arts and crafts for toddlers using safe, washable materials. These projects are perfect for developing fine motor skills and self-expression at home.
Finger Painting Masterpieces
Use non-toxic paints on paper. Let them smear colors freely for sensory art activities.
Collage with Magazine Clips
Tear and glue pictures onto cardstock. Easy crafts for toddlers exploring textures.
Playdough Sculpting
Homemade dough for shaping animals or foods. Classic in toddler arts and crafts.
Crayon Rubbings
Place leaves under paper and rub with crayons. Introduces patterns in home craft ideas.
Sponge Stamping
Dip sponges in paint for stamping shapes. Messy but fun art for little hands.
Yarn Wrapping
Wrap yarn around cardboard for simple weaving. Builds coordination in crafts.
Edible Paint with Yogurt
Mix food coloring in yogurt for painting on trays. Safe and tasty toddler art.
Button Sorting Art
Glue sorted buttons onto paper. Combines crafting with learning.
Handprint Keepsakes
Paint hands and print on canvas. Sentimental crafts to do at home.
Final Thoughts on Toddler Activities at Home
Keeping toddlers entertained at home in 2025 can be simple and rewarding with these diverse ideas. From indoor rainy day activities for toddlers to outdoor adventures, focus on safety, supervision, and fun.
Adapt based on your child's interests, and remember that play is key to their growth. For more inspiration, consult reliable sources like pediatric experts. Always prioritize professional advice for child development needs.
