The Ultimate Guide to Toddler Activities We Tried and Tested (29 Ideas!)

Looking for toddler activities that are actually fun, doable, and toddler-approved? I’ve got you. Every single activity in this post is one I’ve tried with my daughter Lily – and yes, all photos are from our home and our play sessions.

Some were messy, some were magical, and some were just the perfect excuse to sip my coffee while she played for more than 3 minutes (win!).

I hope these ideas inspire you like they did for us – no pressure for perfection, just play.

29 Toddler Activities

1. Cardboard Playhouse

This took some time to make (not gonna lie), but it was so worth it. Lily loves having her own little spot to play, read, and hide. Add some fairy lights and plastic flowers for extra magic. A cozy toddler hideaway = hours of imaginative play.

2. Oobleck Sensory Bin

Oobleck is one of those magical textures that’s both solid and liquid – toddlers LOVE it. Just cornstarch and water with a bit of food coloring and you’re in business. It’s science and sensory in one.

3. Rain Cloud in a Jar

Lily once asked, “Where does rain come from?” This was our answer. A glass of water, shaving cream cloud on top, and colored water dripped in with a pipette. Beautiful and mesmerizing!

4. Shaving Cream Painting

Messy play + beautiful results = yes please. We swirled paint into shaving cream, pressed thick paper on top, then peeled it off to reveal dreamy textures. After it dried, we added paper cutouts to turn them into a desert and ocean scene.

5. Pool Noodle Wall

The easiest outdoor DIY ever. Just cut some pool noodles, zip tie them to a fence or wall, add funnels, and let your toddler pour water through. Great for motor skills and water play!

6. DIY Activity Journal

A little spiral notebook with toddler-friendly tasks = magic. Matching colors, shapes, textures… it’s learning disguised as play, and they feel so proud to complete each page.

7. Oil & Water Color Drop

Pour some oil in a jar, mix food coloring with water, and drop it in. It separates and dances in slow motion. Lily was amazed – and so was I, honestly.

8. Sponge Painting with Popsicle Sticks

Cut a sponge, slide in a stick, and dip it in paint. Toddlers can stamp away to their heart’s content. You can even cut shapes into the sponge for extra fun.

9. Cardboard Car Ramp

Cut some cardboard, angle it down a chair or table, and let toy cars zoom down. We kept it super simple and Lily loved watching her cars race and tumble.

10. Make Your Own Slime

Slime is always a hit here. Mix glue, a little baking soda, and contact solution (plus food coloring) – and boom, sensory heaven. Want more? Check out our Rainbow Slime and Fluffy Slime tutorials!

11. Ball Roll Box Game

Cut holes in a box, each one a “goal.” Use a stick or bat to roll balls into the holes. It’s a great indoor energy-burner and perfect for hand-eye coordination.

12. Pretend Play Laundry Line

Toddlers love mimicking grown-ups. Hang a string between two chairs and let them hang up old baby clothes with clothespins. Great for fine motor skills and independence.

13. Ice Cream Cloud Dough Bin

Make cloud dough (flour + baby oil), scoop into cones, add sprinkles. It’s pretend ice cream play that smells good and feels amazing. Check out the cloud dough recipe here!

14. Rainbow Pasta Sensory Play

Color dried pasta with food coloring + vinegar or alcohol. So pretty, so versatile. Use for scooping, sorting, stringing, or just pouring! Toddlers can entertain themselves for ages with all the little games they come up with.

16. Magic Color Drop Game

This one went viral on TikTok – and for good reason. Draw colorful jars on paper and slide it in a plastic sleeve. Smear a thin layer of oil over the top. Drop water + food coloring blobs and push them around with a stick. So satisfying!

Want to try it too? You can download a free printable with 3 fun color activity templates designed especially for this drop game!

17. Felt Band-Aid Kit

Make pretend band-aids from felt and Velcro dots. Store them in a felt “first aid box.” Great for pretend play and learning about feelings.

19. Beaded Whiskers Bunny

Cut a cardboard bunny face, poke holes for whiskers (pipe cleaners), and let your toddler string on beads. Adorable and great for fine motor skills.

21. Color Sorting with Loose Parts

We used magnetic tiles and clear colored chips for this, but you can use anything. Set up a rainbow and let them sort! Sorting builds focus, coordination, and early math skills.

22. Rainbow Fizz Cubes

Freeze colored baking soda water into cubes, then let your toddler pipette vinegar on top. Fizzing colors = toddler joy! Check out the full tutorial here!

23. Popsicle Stick Puzzles

Stick a full sticker across two craft sticks, cut it, and mix it up. They’ll love matching the halves again. So simple and satisfying.

24. Giant Color Dot Game

Tape a grid to the floor and cut large cardboard circles in different colors. Draw a “card” with a color combo and let your toddler match them on the board.

25. Q-tip Rainbow Puzzle Box

Poke holes in a small cardboard box, color them with rainbow washi tape, and let your toddler insert colored Q-tips in the matching holes. Great for color recognition and fine motor skills.

26. Emotion Sorting Game

Draw emotions on toilet paper rolls and matching ones on wooden spoons. Toddlers love matching faces – and it’s a great way to talk about feelings.

27. Pom Pom Spoon Walk

Stick zig-zag tape on the floor and have them walk the line with a spoon holding a pom pom. Balancing + concentration = fun challenge.

28. Paper Plate Marble Run

Use the edges of paper plates and paper rolls to make twisty paths on a cardboard box. Drop a marble and watch it go! Great for cause and effect and coordination.

29. Popsicle Stick Bridge

Tape two lines across a gap (like between two low tables), and have your toddler build a “bridge” by laying popsicle sticks across. Balancing, building, and engineering fun.

Final Thoughts

We didn’t do all of these toddler activities in a week – this list is the result of months of play, trial, and a little bit of chaos. But each activity gave Lily (and me) something special: a giggle, a wow moment, or just a peaceful pause. I hope it gives you the same.

Let me know which ones you try!

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