The ultimate toddler activity is easy to set up and keeps your little one entertained for 30 minutes or more – and that is always the goal! These three indoor activities always work for me when I need to keep my toddler occupied. **This post may contain affiliate links. A small commission may be earned.**
One of my biggest goals with these activities is to be able to get a little time “alone” as a stay at home mom. I am all for letting my toddler help me with dishes or cleaning, but there is also a point of the day where I just need the 30 minutes of peace. I used to default to screen time for this (and don’t get me wrong, we still watch TV every day), but there came a point where I wanted to be more intentional with my toddler’s screen time.
I started incorporating a daily activity with my toddler when her baby brother when down for nap. My toddler has absolutely loved this special time as well and looks forward to “something cool” she gets to do everyday. Bonus points, I get to have a little me time without the (unnecessary) guilt of screen time.
I’ll give a quick how to of these activities – if you feel you need more detailed directions I’ll link the blog post that is fully dedicated to them!
- Baking Soda Magic Colors
What you need:
– Cake Tin
– Paint
– Baking Soda
– White Vinegar
– Droppers
1. Paint the bottom of your cake tin with various color paints. You don’t have to create anything, it can be abstract
2. Sprinkle baking soda on top of the paint (you don’t need much, just cover the paint a little)
3. Pour white vinegar into a cup and give your toddler the dropper
4. 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!** - Hide and Seek Shapes
What you need:
– Construction Paper
– Butcher Paper
– Tape
1. Cut a piece of construction paper into 6-8 pieces and draw 6-8 different shapes on the papers.
2. Draw those same shapes on your butcher paper
3. Tape the construction paper pieces around the house.
4. Have your toddler find the “hidden” pieces and match them to the ones on the butcher paper.
This one always has my toddler so entertained. You can make it more challenging for older kiddos by having words and images, numbers, or even math problems! - Ping Pong Scoop
What you need:
– Ping Pong Balls
– Scoop (we just use a kitchen one)
– Cake Tin/Small Storage Tote
– Muffin Tins
1. Fill the cake tin or storage tote with water and ping pong balls.
2. Have your toddler “catch” the ping pong balls from the big container and place them into the muffin tins.
3. If you want to add a color element to this, you can place label stickers at the bottom of the muffin tins to have your toddler match the colors.
This one is so simple and keeps my toddler entertained! - Fizzy Dinosaur Eggs
**This one take a little more prep than the others, but it will often keep my toddler entertained for over an hour**
What you need:
– Baking Soda
– Food Coloring (opt, we use this dye free version)
– Small Dinosaurs (or other figurines, we use the ones from this color sorting game)
– Vinegar
– Pipettes
– Cake Tin
1. Mix baking soda, coloring, and water to create a wet sand consistency. You want this to be able to form an egg shape and hold.
2. Place your tiny dinosaur inside and form an egg shape around it. Place into your cake tin.
3. I typically make 6 eggs and then put them in the freezer for at least an hour (this part is optional but it helps the eggs keep their shape.
4. Pour some white vinegar into a cup and give your kid a dropper. Let them watch as the eggs fizz and uncover their dinosaurs.
5. I let my toddler wash off their dinosaurs in another bowl to keep the fun going.
**Be sure to be near toddler at this part as baking soda and vinegar are not taste safe!**
You don’t need to set up an elaborate craft that you sit and do with your toddler. Find the happy medium where you are able to relax and they are able to explore! Check out dozens more easy toddler activities on the blog. You’re doing a great job. xx Ciara
