Looking for quick & easy activity ideas for your toddler?
Scroll down to check out these simple, no-prep activity ideas! You’ll find screen-free suggestions for independent play, as well as fun and easy ways you and your little one can play together.
No preparation, hard-to-find materials, or stress required ❣️
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18 No-Prep Activity Ideas (to Keep Your Toddler Busy!)
Independent play
Need to keep your toddler busy for a few minutes while you cook dinner, tackle some laundry, or just sit down for a minute? Try an activity your child can do on their own, like one of these…
1. Explore kitchen tools
Bang on pots and pans. Stack Tupperware. Match lids to the right pots. Nest a set of measuring cups. Play with silicone whisks, wooden spoons, or anything else that seems like fun!
2. Rip and tear paper
Here’s a quick and easy fine motor activity: Give your child junk mail, catalogs, or old newspaper to rip up. You can even save the scraps for later and make a collage.
3. Paint with water
All you need is a (sturdy) piece of paper, a small cup of water, and a paintbrush. Keep a sponge or dish rag nearby for spills.
4. Dance!
Put on your little one’s favorite songs — even if it’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” for the hundredth time — and let them jump, twirl, and move to the music.
5. Play with stickers
Choose easy-to-peel stickers your toddler can use without help, like dot stickers. To keep things interesting, try a different kind of paper next time: Large poster board, old greeting cards, or butcher paper taped to the table.
6. Explore the recycling
Color on —or inside! — a cardboard box. Stack empty yogurt cups. Build something new with whatever recyclables you have on hand: Cereal boxes, egg cartons, milk jugs, and more.
7. Work with playdough
All you need is a ball of playdough and a cutting board. Extra tools, like a rolling pin, or natural materials (stones, flower petals, seashells) can be fun too. Your toddler can play on their own, but you may want to stay nearby to prevent the playdough from wandering off. 😉
8. Pack a bag
Here’s a fun pretend play activity: Give your child a backpack, suitcase, tote bag, or cardboard box to “pack” with books, toys, or other belongings. Definitely give this one a try if your toddler is exploring the “transporting” play schema!
9. Coloring
Try crayons, colored pencils, or Do-A-Dot markers. Drawing with sidewalk chalk and “painting” with water are a few fun outdoor options.
10. Practice making a snack
Cut a banana with a butter knife. Spread jam, hummus, or mashed avocado on toast. Squeeze a clementine (or two) to make “juice”. Then enjoy!
Play together
Want to spend time with your little one but don’t have a lot of time or energy to spare? Here are a few ideas!
11. Go “camping” indoors
Grab a flashlight, turn out the lights, and “camp out” in the living room. Keep it simple! Read stories, sing songs, or lay out a blanket and have a snack.
12. Gardening
Work together to water the plants, inside or outdoors. If you have a garden, ask your little one to help pull weeds or pick ripe fruit and veggies.
13. Play “I Spy”
Gather a few nearby objects and place them in front of your child. Then, choose a single feature to focus on: Color, size, shape, etc. “I spy something red. Can you find something red?” Give extra hints as needed.
14. Learn a new yoga pose
Invite your toddler to practice a new yoga pose (or two) with you. Keep it low-pressure and fun. These sturdy yoga cards are a great resource!
15. Make bathtime fun (with glow sticks!)
Need to check bathtime off the list? Add a few glow sticks to the tub and get splashing.
16. Smell spices
For a simple sensory experience, try exploring the spice cabinet together. What are your child’s favorite spices? Least favorite? (Here are more easy sensory activity ideas you might enjoy!)
17. Build a fort
Break out the sofa cushions, throw pillows, and blankets, and construct a cozy fort. Make sure to let your little one take the lead. This is a great way to help your child develop spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills.
18. Practice blowing bubbles
Bubbles aren’t just fun. When your child blows a bubble, they’re also strengthening the small muscles in the mouth that help them talk and eat.
So try teaching your toddler how to blow a bubble — and give them plenty of chances to practice. Check out this cool, no-spill bubble set perfect for little ones!
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