Activities for Toddlers
Developmental play is fun for toddlers! Find creative games and activities to help you entertain and stimulate your 1½, to 3-year-old child. For more ideas, visit our searchable Activities Center.
4 Easy Homemade Musical Instruments for National Music Week
National Music Week is the first full week in May. It's a great opportunity to introduce your kids to the art of making music. To start, here are four homemade musical instruments you can make with your child. If you have four kids, you can make one of each and start your own garage band! read more
5 Awesome Mess-Free Crafts for Kids
If you're tired of wiping paint off of your table or vacuuming glitter out of the rug, try out these mess-free crafts to keep your kiddos creative and occupied. Paper Plate Masks read more
6 Hiking Tips for Families With Toddlers
Hiking is a wonderful way to get some fresh air and enjoy nature. But what if you've got a toddler in tow? Don't fret! The following hiking tips for families with toddlers will help you make your journey enjoyable for adults and toddlers alike. read more
6 Homemade Playdough Recipes
Everyone seems to have a favorite playdough recipe, and many old favorites have been included here. Some require cooking and some don't; some are meant to be eaten and some are not. Choose the recipe that best suits your needs and the ingredients you have on hand. Store playdough in a covered container or Ziploc bag. If it sweats a little, just add more flour. For sensory variety, use playdough warm or cool as well as at room temperature. read more
8 Fun (Mess-Free) Activities for Toddlers
Toddlers seem to have boundless energy and a healthy curiosity that can, at times, create some pretty big messes around the house. You can stay one step ahead of the game by putting together a few fun activities for toddlers at home that will keep your little ones entertained for hours. read more
Adopt a Tree
Adopt a TreeTime 20 to 30 minutes Materials TreeTape measurerPaperPencil Directions Find a tree that you both think is special and adopt it.Explore it by touch. Measure its circumference.Research its variety and particular needs for optimal growth, and devote some regular time to caring for it. Extensions read more
Adventure Walk
Adventure WalkTime 20 to 30 minutes Materials None Directions Why walk on the same old route when you can head out on an adventure designed by your child? Let your child give directions for the route and follow along agreeably. Extensions read more
All-About-Me Book
All-About-Me Book Activity for an individual child Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 45 minutes Materials: Light-colored construction or bond paper Markers Magazines Scissors White craft glue Your child can create a lasting memory. He will enjoy "reading" it as much as he did creating it. You can bind the pages together with a stapler or by punching holes in the sides and attaching the pages with a yarn bow. read more
Animal Dress-Up
Animal Dress-UpTime 15 to 20 minutes Materials Some of your toddler's clothesLarge stuffed animals Directions To give dolls and stuffed animals a new look, dress them up in your toddler's clothes.Talk about how nice they look, and thank your toddler for helping out. Extensions read more
Animal Dress-Up
Animal Dress-UpMaterials Stuffed animals or dolls Christmas ribbon, bows, or fabric Directions When decorating your home for the holidays, encourage your child to do some decorating of his own. Dress up your child's favorite dolls or stuffed animals with some Christmas ribbon or big bright bows or use Christmas fabric to create scarves or kerchiefs. Display the animals on a shelf in your child's room or on a mantel in a more prominent part of your house. read more
Apple Candlesticks
Apple CandlesticksTime 20 to 30 minutes Materials Paring knifePlastic wrapPotato peelerLemon juice2 Rome Beauty apples2 candles Directions read more
Apple Shake-Ups
Apple Shake-UpsThese treats aren't very nutritious, but toddlers will love to help make their own colorful snack. Materials Apple Knife Sugar Cinnamon Ziploc bag Directions read more
Apple Smile
Apple SmileMaterials Red apple (unpeeled) Peanut butter Miniature marshmallows Directions Cut a crisp apple into wedges. When laid on its side, each wedge should look like a lip. Spread one side of an apple wedge with peanut butter. Add three or four miniature marshmallow "teeth" along the edge. Spread another apple wedge with peanut butter. Place it on top of the marshmallows for a big, toothy grin. read more
Artwork Display
Artwork DisplayHere's a way to display your child's artwork on the refrigerator without having to cover it up with magnets to keep it there! Materials Wooden ruler (12-, 18-, or 24-inch) Magnet strip (same length as ruler) Glue gun Clothespins, spring-type (at least 2) Directions read more
Balloon Fun
Balloon FunTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Package of balloons Directions This activity helps your child to explore force and motion. Inflate the balloons and tie them off with the string.Suspend them from the ceiling just low enough to be reached, and hit them gently with the palm of the hand. Extensions read more
Balloon Kites
Balloon KitesFlying a kite is difficult and frustrating for toddlers and preschoolers. These "kites" are guaranteed to fly, even on days with light wind. Materials Large, round helium balloons Kite string Paper streamers (optional) Directions read more
Balloon Magic
Balloon MagicTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Balloons Directions read more
Bathtime Bubbles
Bathtime Bubbles Materials Bubble solution Bubble blower Directions Blow bubbles for your child while she sits in the bath. Have her try to catch them in her open hands or clap her hands together to pop them. read more
Bathtub Finger Paints
Bathtub Finger Paints Activity for an individual child Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 15 minutes Materials: 2 tablespoons liquid soap 1 tablespoon cornstarch Food coloring Most toddlers love to get messy. What better place for a messy activity than the bathtub? read more
Beach-Blanket Fun
Beach-Blanket FunTime 15 to 20 minutes Materials Large blanket or towel Directions Your toddler will enjoy feeling the pull of gravity from the middle of a large blanket that you drag slowly around the floor. Talk about what you are doing and how it feels as you go. Extensions read more
Beanbag Races
Beanbag RacesMaterials Beanbag Directions Place a beanbag on your child's back while she's in a crawling position. Have her crawl around the room until the beanbag falls off. Two toddlers will enjoy playing this game, with one crawling and the other picking up the beanbag when it falls. Older children can play with a friend or sibling, seeing who can keep the beanbag on her back the longest. read more
Bedtime Buddy
Bedtime BuddyMaterials Roll of drawing paper Pen or marker Old sheet Scissors Sewing machine or needle and thread Cotton batting Fabric paint Directions read more
Big Mouth Game
Big Mouth Game Materials Cardboard box Markers Scissors Newspaper or tissue paper for decorating Glue Tennis balls or a rolled-up pair of socks Directions read more
Bird in the Cage
Bird in the Cage Activity for an individual child Age group: 30-40 months Duration of activity: 1 hour Materials: read more
Block Printing
Block PrintingMaterials Small blocks of wood Rickrack Glue Liquid tempera paint in a shallow pan Paper Directions read more
Blown Pictures
Blown Pictures Activity for an individual child Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 10 minutes Materials: Tempera paint Plastic spoons Light-colored construction or bond paper Plastic straws This is a fun way for your child to learn about the power of an invisible force such as the wind. read more
Body Parts Activity
Body Parts ActivityTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Nose tissues Directions There are so many body parts and so many new words to learn, but this activity makes it fun. As you call out body parts (ears, eyes, nose, knees, back, etc.), put the tissues on that spot on your toddler. Extensions read more
Bottles and Lids
Bottles and Lids Materials Collection of bottles and lids of varying sizes Directions Save small plastic bottles with screw-type lids. Your toddler will have lots of fun matching lids to bottles, putting the lids on, taking the lids off, and starting all over again. A bottle collection is also great fun for the bath, or for water play outdoors. read more
Brush My Hair
Brush My HairTime 5 minutes Materials Hairbrush Directions Show your toddler how to brush your hair and express your enjoyment and appreciation with these early attempts to give you pleasure. Extensions Pull out a hand mirror and say, "See how pretty!"Add a short spray of cologne to each of your heads to make your hair smell nice.Go together in front of a mirror and admire the work. read more
