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When the weather keeps you indoors, finding ways to keep your toddler entertained and active can be a challenge. Whether it’s a rainy day, cold weather, or you’re simply staying home, finding activities that are both fun and educational is key to avoiding boredom and meltdowns. Toddlers are full of energy and curiosity, so it’s important to have a variety of activities on hand that can engage their minds and bodies. Below, we’ve compiled a list of exciting indoor activities that will not only keep your little one busy but also help them develop important skills—all while having a blast!
1. Indoor Obstacle Course
This is a classic that we’ve all enjoyed in our childhood! Create an obstacle course using pillows, blankets, and furniture. Have your toddler crawl under tables, jump over pillows, or balance on a taped line on the floor. This activity helps with gross motor skills and burns off energy.
2. DIY Sensory Bins
Fill a plastic container with items like rice, dried beans, or pasta. Add in small toys, spoons, and cups for scooping and pouring. Sensory bins are great for fine motor skills and imaginative play.
Don’t feel like shopping for all of the different sensory items you need? Check out this sensory bin kit that comes with a bunch of different options so you have all the tools you need to make your kiddo fun sensory bins right at your fingertips.
3. Storytime Theater
Turn storytime into a performance! Act out your toddler’s favorite story with props or puppets. This activity encourages language development and creativity.
4. Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Hide objects around the house and give your toddler simple clues to find them. You can make it educational by asking them to find items by color, shape, or size.
5. Arts and Crafts Station
Grab your washable markers and washable paints for this one! Set up a craft station with paper, crayons, stickers, and glue. Encourage your toddler to create their own masterpiece. This activity fosters creativity and improves fine motor skills.
6. Toddler Yoga
Introduce your toddler to yoga with simple poses like “downward dog” or “tree pose.” Follow along with a kid-friendly yoga video. Yoga helps with balance, coordination, and relaxation.
7. Kitchen Helpers
Get your toddler involved in the kitchen with simple tasks like stirring, pouring, or mixing ingredients. Cooking together can be both educational and fun, teaching them about measurements and following instructions. Depending on the age of your tot, you could also help them use this toddler-safe kitchen cutting set to really immerse them in the world of cooking!
8. Music and Dance Party
This is my toddler’s personal favorite! Put on some lively music and have a dance party! Give your toddler a tambourine or maracas to play along. Dancing is a great way to improve coordination and burn off extra energy.
9. Build a Fort
Another cherished childhood classic – use blankets, pillows, and chairs to build a cozy fort. Once inside, you can read books, play with toys, or even have a picnic. Fort-building encourages problem-solving and imaginative play.
10. Toddler Science Experiments
Try simple science experiments like mixing baking soda and vinegar or watching food coloring spread in water. These activities spark curiosity and introduce basic scientific concepts.
11. Indoor Bowling
Set up a bowling alley in your hallway using empty plastic bottles as pins and a soft ball. Let your toddler roll the ball to knock down the pins. This activity helps improve hand-eye coordination and introduces the concept of cause and effect. Don’t feel like pulling items together from around the house? Grab this adorable bowling set from Amazon! Psst – it’s a great gifting option, too!
12. Color Sorting Game
Create a color sorting activity using items like colored paper, buttons, or toys. Lay out sheets of colored paper and have your toddler match objects to the corresponding color. This is a simple yet effective way to teach color recognition and sorting skills.
Our toddler is obsessed with this animal color-sorting game right now.
13. Animal Parade
Gather all of your toddler’s stuffed animals and have an “animal parade” around the house. Encourage your toddler to make the sounds of each animal and walk them in a line. This imaginative play is great for language development and learning about animals.
14. Balloon Volleyball
Most toddlers love balloons! Blow up a balloon and have a gentle game of volleyball by tapping it back and forth across the room. This game is perfect for improving hand-eye coordination and getting some physical activity in a small space.
15. Puzzle Time
Introduce your toddler to simple puzzles that involve fitting shapes or matching pictures. Puzzles are excellent for developing problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.
These large tooth animal puzzles are not only adorable but are great for honing fine and gross motor skills! They are a little step up from the more simple wooden puzzle.
16. Shadow Play
Use a flashlight in a dark room to create shadows on the wall. Show your toddler how to make different shapes with their hands or use toys to cast shadows. This activity sparks imagination and helps toddlers understand light and shadows.
17. Simon Says
Play a game of Simon Says to teach your toddler how to follow directions. Start with simple commands like “Simon says, touch your nose” or “Simon says, jump up and down.” This game is not only fun but also helps with listening skills and body awareness.
18. Indoor Gardening
Plant a small indoor garden using pots, soil, and seeds. Let your toddler help with watering and caring for the plants. This activity teaches responsibility and introduces basic concepts of nature and growth.
19. Interactive Storytelling
Use toys or finger puppets to create an interactive story. Encourage your toddler to add their own ideas to the story, making it a collaborative and engaging experience. This activity fosters creativity and helps with narrative skills.
20. Indoor Trampoline
If you have the space, consider an indoor trampoline. Let your toddler bounce safely while you supervise. Jumping is an excellent way for toddlers to get exercise, let out some energy, and develop balance and coordination.
Keeping toddlers engaged and happy indoors doesn’t have to be a challenge. With a little creativity and planning, your home can transform into a hub of fun, learning, and exploration. From imaginative play like building forts and interactive storytelling to physical activities like indoor obstacle courses and balloon volleyball, there’s an abundance of options to suit every toddler’s interests and energy levels. These activities not only provide entertainment but also contribute to your child’s cognitive, motor, and social development. So the next time you’re faced with an indoor day, refer back to this list and watch your toddler thrive in a world of indoor adventures!
What are some of your toddler’s favorite indoor activities?
XOXO,
Katie
