Best Indoor Toddler Activities for Fun at Home

Keeping a toddler busy when you’re stuck inside can be a challenging but if you get creative, it can be really fun!

Whether you’re stuck inside due to bad weather, illness, work, or any other reason, there are plenty of fun and educational activities you can engage your toddler in to keep them entertained and stimulated.

SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER:

indoor toddler activities pin

If you’re looking for other ways to entertain your kids, check out Best Car Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers.

Other helpful toddler articles:
– How to Work From Home With a Toddler
– Navigating Toddler Tantrums at the Grocery Store

How to Keep Your Toddler Entertained at Home

Here are some ideas to get your wheels turning. Keep scrolling for some of our favorite indoor toddler activities and projects you can try today!

Create Indoor Obstacle Courses: Set up a mini obstacle course using pillows, cushions, and soft toys. Encourage your toddler to crawl, jump, and balance through the course. This not only keeps them active but also enhances their motor skills.
Arts and Crafts: Toddlers love to get creative. Provide them with crayons, markers, paper, glue, and child-safe scissors. Let them explore their artistic side by drawing, coloring, or making simple crafts like paper plate masks or finger paintings.
Baking Together: Involve your toddler in the kitchen by baking cookies or muffins. They can help with simple tasks like pouring ingredients, stirring, and using cookie cutters. Not only is this a fun activity, but it also teaches them about measurements and following instructions.
Indoor Picnic: Lay out a blanket on the living room floor and have an indoor picnic. Pack some of their favorite snacks and make it feel like a special occasion. Toddlers love the novelty of eating in a different setting.
Story Time: Read books together. Toddlers love listening to stories and looking at colorful pictures. You can make it interactive by asking them questions about the story or characters.
Puzzle Play: Age-appropriate puzzles are great for cognitive development. Choose puzzles with large pieces that are easy for your toddler to handle. Work on them together, praising their efforts as they complete each section.
Dance Party: Put on some music and have a dance party in your living room. Let your toddler move to the beat and join in the fun. Dancing is not only great exercise but also a fantastic way to bond.
Sensory Play: Create a sensory bin by filling a container with items like rice, pasta, or sand. Add some small toys, scoops, and cups. This tactile experience can be captivating for toddlers and enhance their sensory exploration.
Building with Blocks: Building with blocks or construction toys like LEGO Duplo can keep your toddler occupied for hours. Encourage them to build towers, houses, or whatever their imagination inspires.
Educational Apps and Games: While screen time should be limited, there are educational apps and games designed for toddlers that can be both fun and educational. Look for ones that teach basic numbers, letters, shapes, and colors.
Role Play: Encourage imaginative play by setting up a pretend play area. It could be a kitchen, doctor’s office, or a store. Toddlers love to mimic what they see, and this type of play helps develop their creativity and social skills.
Science Experiments: Try simple science experiments like making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar or mixing colors with food coloring and water. These activities can introduce your toddler to basic scientific concepts in a playful way.

Remember to be patient and flexible. Toddlers have short attention spans, so it’s okay if an activity doesn’t last long. The key is to provide a variety of engaging activities that cater to their interests and developmental stage, ensuring both you and your toddler have an enjoyable time indoors.