If you’re stuck inside for rain, or snow, or whatever reason – these activities are easy to set up and keep your little one entertained. **This post may contain affiliate links. A small commission may be earned.**
As a mom of two toddlers I know that being stuck inside is not easy. Some days are easier than others, but some days I just need something to entertain my toddler so I can catch a break.
We are by no means a “no screen family” but I do notice a lot of behavioral changes when we are in stages of high screen time. When my daughter was just 2 and I had a newborn baby, I really started to feel like the screen ended up being more of a problem than a help. I knew I wouldn’t be able to cut it completely from our routine, but I could definitely cut down on the amount of screen time I used.
Now, our typical day will only have 20-30 mins of TV or screens and this will be when I am putting the baby down for a nap. This doesn’t mean I never do more than that, but typically I use it to keep her occupied while I get little brother down. After he is down, we usually spend our one-on-one time with an activity. My (now 3 year old) daughter calls it “something cool” and loves this special time.
Some days I do the activities or crafts with her, but a lot of the days I just set it up for her. I really enjoy the low effort activities because they give me a little time to breathe or work on something that I’d loike to do “alone.” These three activities are so easy to set up and she doesn’t need much help to do them.
Tissue Paper Drawings
What you need:
– Tissue Paper
– Cardstock
– Glue
- On your cardstock draw whatever picture you want. We’ve done ghosts and bats for Halloween, butterflies, flowers, you can basically do whatever your kiddo is into right now!
- Cut the tissue paper into squares (approx 1 inch – 2 inches)
- Crumple the tissue paper squares into little balls
- Let your toddler glue the tissue paper balls onto their picture
*If your toddler isn’t old enough to do the glue themselves you can create the dots for them or you can have a little pile/pool of glue for them to dip the balls into before they place them on their picture - Let it dry and you have these cute tissue paper 3D art pictures!
Baking Soda Magic Colors
What you need:
– Cake Tin
– Paint
– Baking Soda
– White Vinegar
– Droppers
- Paint the bottom of your cake tin with various color paints. You don’t have to create anything, it can be abstract.
- Sprinkle baking soda on top of the paint (you don’t need much, just cover the paint a little)
- Pour white vinegar into a cup and give your toddler the dropper
- Drop vinegar over the baking soda and watch all the magic colors appear!
**Be sure to be near toddler at this part as baking soda, paint, and vinegar are not taste safe!**
Magic Pictures
What you need:
– White Crayon
– Cardstock
– Watercolors
– Paintbrushes
- Draw whatever pictures you’d like on your white cardstock with white crayon.
- Have your toddler paint all over the cardstock with watercolor paints to reveal your picture!
It’s crucial to use water colors here – the wax repels the white wax and leaves your magic picture. If you don’t have water colors, just water down some tempera paint and let your toddler paint with that.
If I’ve learned one thing in this adventure of parenting it’s that we’re all winging it. The Pinterest perfect activities and crafts you see aren’t real and you are doing a great job. My whole goal with most of the activities I choose and create is to get a little me time or a little break to drink my coffee hot. I aim for low effort and easy for my toddler to do indepently.
Of course I dabble in the beautiful crafts, but those usually require a lot more from me – and I’m really not in that stage of life right now. At the end of the day, I hope these activity ideas keep you and your toddler occupied and entertained while you’re stuck indoors! Don’t forget to check out dozens more toddler activities here. And in case no one has told you today – you’re doing a great job. xx Ciara
