Looking for quick & easy toddler activities?
Explore these simple, low-prep activity ideas below! You’ll discover screen-free options perfect for independent play.
Keeping a toddler entertained doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive! Here are five simple activities my son loved during from 13-16 months. Each one is easy to set up, uses items you probably already have at home, and helps support important developmental skills.
1. Pom Poms in a Jar
What You Need: An old jar (I used one from my breastfeeding days) and pom poms (dollar store find).
How It Works: Let your child drop pom poms into the jar and then take them out again.
Benefits:
- Fine Motor Skills: Picking up and placing the pom poms helps develop finger strength and coordination.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Lining up the pom poms to fit into the jar opening is a great early precision task.
2. Ball Sorting in a Muffin Tin
What You Need: A muffin tin and small balls (or any small items you have on hand).
How It Works: Your child places balls into the muffin tin cups, then transfers them into a bowl.
Benefits:
- Sorting and Categorization: This introduces the concept of organizing items, even if they’re not formally sorted by color or type.
- Problem Solving: Moving items between the tin and bowl helps toddlers learn about space and object manipulation.
- No Extra Cost: You can use household objects like lids, blocks, or even toys!
3. Painter’s Tape Ball Pull
What You Need: Painter’s tape and lightweight balls. I used some cheap ball pit balls I found on amazon.
How It Works: Tape balls to a door or wall, and have your child pull them off.
Benefits:
- Gross Motor Skills: Pulling requires coordination and strength.
- Sensory Exploration: The act of pulling and the resistance from the tape provides sensory feedback.
- Easy Cleanup: Painter’s tape won’t damage surfaces, making it mom-friendly!
4. Popsicle Stick Push Through
What You Need: A cardboard box and popsicle sticks.
How It Works: Cut slits in the box and have your child push the popsicle sticks through.
Benefits:
- Fine Motor Development: Pushing the sticks through small slits builds dexterity and hand strength.
- Cause and Effect: If you have a thin box (cut through both sides). They see the stick go in one side and come out the other!
- Imaginative Play: The popsicle sticks can later become wands, fences, or anything they imagine!
5. Water Play with Scooping
What You Need: A tray of water, kitchen utensils, and small waterproof toys or animals.
How It Works: Your child scoops water and attempts to scoop up the toys. My son mostly poured the water all over himself, but he was having fun! We haven’t quite figured out scooping up the animals, but it’s a great time to start practicing.
Benefits:
- Sensory Play: Water provides a calming and engaging sensory experience.
- Motor Skills: Scooping and pouring help develop hand control and coordination.
- Persistence and Focus: Even if they can’t scoop the toys, the process encourages concentration and persistence.
These simple, affordable activities kept my little one engaged and learning without the need for fancy toys. Which one will you try first?