25 Activities for toddlers

Ryder is starting to get to the fun age of being able to do more complex activities. However, sometimes I feel like we don't do anything all day except just play. Which is fine because he is learning. I want to start setting aside time each day (or every other day depending on how it goes) for an actual planned activity. 


With this new goal in mind I have come up with a list of 25 activities for us to do. 

1. Fly Swatter Painting- You could even do this with the sidewalk paint and do on the carport.
2. Finger Painting- Doubles as some new art for the house
3. Playing with beans- scoop and dump for loads of fun!
4. shaving cream- If worried your child will eat it do whipped cream?
5. sidewalk paint- Tons of "recipes" online. Can't wait to try it!
6. colored ice cubes- You could use in kiddie pool, tub, or just bowls of water. Colder the water the longer they last.
7. Oil, water & food coloring- Fun to watch
8. Tin Foil- Let them crinkle it and help them make it into objects. 
9. Paint with different household objects- Find random things around the house, Q-Tips, water bottles, bread, etc.
10. Truck painting- The wheels leave cool marks and kids love it! If you are worried about ruining your childs favorite truck DollarTree sells them in like a 6 pack.
11. vegetable painting- Use potatoes,  celery, you can do fruit too like apples. 
12. Play with cotton balls- These are a nice soft object. Make sure to have a cotton ball fight!
13. Sensory Bins- There are tons of ideas out there! I really like this Ocean themed one
14. Goop- Mix 1lb of Cornstarch with 2C Water, add food coloring if you wish.
15. Homemade fishing game- Looks like so much fun and so easy!
16. Paint with water- We've done this one and Ryder loved it! I just gave him a paint brush and a bowl of water and he painted the sidewalk and the wall. 
17. Mood Sand- mix together 4C sand, 2C cornflour, 1C water
18. Picnic in the living room- A fun way to eat lunch!
19. Build a fort and watch a movie- Maybe I can sneak some snuggles!
20. Pots and Pans Band- Kids love making noise! Gather up some pots and pans and a spoon and let your child create some music!
21. Jumping squares- Place squares or circles around the room and have him jump or step on them. I'm thinking out of felt. paper to me would slip.
22. Magnets- And a cookie sheet. He loves doing this!
23. Body Part Stickers- Pick up some cheap stickers from DollarTree and practice body parts. Have him put the sticker on his nose, ears, head, toes, belly button, etc.
24. Balance Beam- Outside: draw a line with chalk Inside: use tape to make a line or just tape a piece of ribbon. Have child walk along the line.
25. Play with Pudding or Jello- Doubles as a snack. YUM!

Have fun!

~CJ

Do you have any ideas to entertain your kids?