Looking for toddler activities to keep your tot entertained? Here are 10 activities you NEED to try!

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mama, EVERY mama needs to keep a running list of great toddler activities in their back pocket. These toddler activities will keep your baby entertained. I know because my daughter LOVES every single activity on this list.
Engaging in new activities and experiences with your little darling is so magical. Seeing your baby’s face light up when they’re introduced to something new is SO special. I live for those moments.
These activities will keep your toddler both happy and busy! You ALSO probably have most of these materials around your house already! Unless you are like me and bought a toddler tower late. Quite honestly this is a toddler kitchen must-have. So let’s unpack it all.
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Simple & Fun Toddler Activities
1. Sponge Painting
There are so many ways to have fun with painting. Sponge painting is one of my favorites. My daughter’s too! This is a great activity for your next playdate!
You will need the following materials:
PRO TIP: Instead of using sponge painting shapes, you can also buy regular sponges and cut them into strips.
From my experience, covering the table with kraft paper helps contain the mess! Simply cover your table with it, dab a variety of paint colors on the kraft paper (or paper plate if you prefer), and lay out the sponges for your little one to use! The clothes pins are optional. I personally like clipping them onto the sponge to make painting a little bit less messy. Totally up to you!
You might prefer to have your little ones sponge paint directly on the kraft paper. OR you can have them express their artistic side on a separate piece of paper.
2. Create a Face Sticker Book
My daughter is OBSESSED with this book. It includes 32 different cat and dog sticker face pages. It also includes a variety of fun stickers for your toddler to choose from. There are eyes, noses, mouths, AND fun accessories too. Trust me when I say your little one will have a blast with this book! This activity never gets old in my house. Never.
3. Bake Together
Bake something yummy together. Cookies, banana bread, cake, you name it!
Do you have a toddler tower? This makes cooking and baking with your little one SO simple. I honestly don’t know what I would do without mine.
4. Sweep the Letters
I don’t know about your toddler… but mine LOVES to help me clean. She especially loves the broom and swiffer.
Spread these foam letters across your floor and encourage your toddler to spot different letters. Challenge your tot to sweep specific letters. This will give your toddler extra practice learning their letters.
If there are certain letters your child is struggling with, be sure to call those letters out for your toddler to find and sweep. Happy sweeping!
5. Collect Shells on the Beach
Here is a fun outdoor activity for you and your toddler. This is an activity we do often since we live by the beach.
Pack for the beach and don’t forget the bucket! Take a stroll and collect as many shells as your little one desires.
(RELATED POST: 22 Mind-Blowing Beach Essentials For Toddlers)
6. Make A Sensory Bottle
As a former teacher, let me just take a minute to tell you how AWESOME sensory activities are for kids. If you don’t already know, sensory play engages your child’s 5 senses. Sensory play ALSO helps your child’s brain development, language skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, AND can even help calm your child. So don’t skip out on sensory activities. They’re amazing.
I bought this sensory bottle (which my daughter is OBSESSED with). You can easily pick a themed bottle that will interest your child the most. We went with the ocean theme and we were not disappointed. I always bring this along when we are on the go or traveling. It’s wonderful.
You can ALSO easily make your own sensory bottle at home. I am sure you have a clear plastic bottle with a lid in your house. That is step one. You can super glue the lid if that makes you feel more comfortable. Next, you’ll need liquids and solids to add to your bottle.
Here are some liquid ideas:
- Clear glue
- Cooking Oil
- Water
- Baby Oil
Here are some solid ideas:
- Beads
- Glitter
- Sand
- Rice
- Small trinkets (small animals, coins, small toys)
If you are looking for even more ideas on how to make the perfect sensory bottle, check out this super helpful post! The possibilities are endless.
7. Make A Sensory Bin
A sensory bin has the same benefits as a bottle. The best part about making your own sensory bin is that you can totally customize it. For example, you can make it to go along with a story or even a season. Be creative and don’t be afraid to switch it up.
Find a good container. Long under-the-bed containers work fabulously! With these containers, your toddler will be able to easily reach inside. (I ALSO love that these bins serve multiple purposes. I use these to store my daughter’s clothes that she outgrows). Next, you’ll want to decide on a filler.
Here are some filler ideas:
- Colored rice
- Colored pasta
- Sand
- Shredded paper
- Water
Adding fun tools makes sensory play more fun. You may decide to add: tongs, measuring cups, ladles, you name it.
Finally, add your fun accessories into the mix. Some accessory ideas include toy cars, legos, or small sand toys.
Looking for even more ideas for your sensory bin? This post will help you out.
8. Music in the Kitchen
This is an oldie but goodie! Whip out your kitchen pots, pans, and wooden spoons. Encourage your toddler to drum away!
Not only is this a great way to keep your little one entertained while you get some things done in the kitchen, but it is ALSO a great opportunity for your child to learn about rhythm. Did you know that rhythm is a helpful way to strengthen speech?
9. Have a Picnic at the Park
Pack up some lunches for you and your little one, throw them in a basket, pack a blanket, and have a picnic at your favorite local park.
Then let your little one run around and get their energy out at the playground, splash pad, or whatever fun activity your park has to offer.
10. Pasta Play
Pasta is delicious, but it is also so much fun to play with.
Break out the spaghetti and colander and challenge your toddler to slide the spaghetti through the holes. This is a great way to refine your child’s fine motor AND concentration skills. Watch your toddler be entertained for hours with this activity!
You can ALSO make pasta bracelets together. For some extra fun, you can paint the pasta with your little one in advance. Depending on the type of pasta you choose to design with, you can choose string or pipe cleaners to hold the bracelet together.
Don’t forget you can add pasta to your sensory bottles or bins as well!
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