47 Engaging Indoor Activities to do at Home with Toddlers

Keeping toddlers entertained and stimulated at home can be both challenging and rewarding. Here are 47 creative, fun, and educational indoor activities to enjoy with your little ones, ensuring they stay engaged and happy while developing essential skills. Perfect for those rainy days or when you just want to stay indoors and enjoy some quality time at home

Arts and Crafts

Engaging in arts and crafts projects with your toddler offers more than just creative fun—it strengthens family bonds and provides a valuable opportunity for one-on-one interaction. These activities help your child develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity, all while giving you a chance to share quality time together. By incorporating DIY art projects into your routine, you can create meaningful moments with your child, making parenting both enjoyable and educational. Plus, seeing your child’s creative growth can be incredibly rewarding for you as a parent. Here are 10 indoor arts and crafts activities for toddlers at home.

1. Drawing together at the kitchen table

Drawing is a fantastic way to encourage creativity and fine motor skills. Set up a comfortable drawing space at the kitchen table, using BoosterMe to raise your toddler’s Tripp Trapp seat for better posture and easier access. Gather a variety of drawing materials like crayons, colored pencils, and markers, and let your child’s imagination run wild.

2. Playdough fun

Make your own playdough or use store-bought varieties. Encourage your toddler to create shapes, animals, and other imaginative figures. Playdough helps develop fine motor skills and provides a tactile sensory experience.

3. Finger painting

Set up a finger-painting station with washable paints and large sheets of paper. Let your toddler explore colors and textures using their hands. This messy but fun activity promotes creativity and fine motor development.

4. DIY Crafts

Engage in simple DIY crafts like making paper plate masks, decorating cardboard boxes, or creating collages. Crafts develop fine motor skills, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment.

5. Nature crafts

Collect natural items like leaves, twigs, and flowers during a walk and use them to create nature crafts. Make leaf rubbings, nature collages, or paint rocks. This activity connects toddlers with nature and stimulates creativity.

6. Making a time capsule

Create a time capsule with your toddler by gathering small items, drawings, and notes. Seal them in a container and bury it in the backyard or store it away. This activity sparks curiosity about the future and creates lasting memories.

7. Handprint art

Use washable paint to create handprint art on paper or canvas. Turn handprints into animals, flowers, or other fun shapes. This activity provides a personal touch to art projects and makes great keepsakes.

8. Stickers and stamps

Provide a variety of stickers and stamps for your toddler to create pictures and patterns. This activity is simple but highly engaging, promoting fine motor skills and creativity.

9. Tissue paper collages

Tear or cut colored tissue paper into small pieces and glue them onto a larger sheet to create beautiful collages. This activity enhances fine motor skills and allows for imaginative expression.

10. Making cards

Create homemade cards for holidays, birthdays, or just to say hello. Provide your toddler with paper, stickers, markers, and other craft supplies to design their own unique cards. This activity promotes creativity and fine motor skills.

Active Play

Transform your indoor space into a dynamic play area to help manage your toddler's energy and support their physical development. Active play activities like obstacle courses and dance parties not only keep your child entertained but also provide a structured way to burn off excess energy, which can lead to smoother daily routines and more restful naps. By incorporating these engaging physical activities, you’re not only promoting your child’s gross motor skills but also creating a healthier, more balanced home environment. This proactive approach to managing energy can make parenting more manageable and enjoyable. Here are 10 indoor active play activities for your toddler to do at home.

11. Indoor obstacle course

Create an indoor obstacle course using pillows, chairs, and blankets. This activity helps burn off energy and improves gross motor skills. Include tunnels to crawl through, lines to balance on, and soft items to jump over, making it a fun and challenging game.

12. Music and dance party

Turn on some music and have a dance party. Dancing improves coordination, balance, and gross motor skills. Introduce simple musical instruments like tambourines, maracas, or a small keyboard to enhance the experience.

13. Hide and seek

Play hide and seek around the house. This classic game enhances problem-solving, spatial awareness, and social skills. It’s also a great way for toddlers to burn off energy and have fun.

14. Yoga for kids

Introduce your toddler to simple yoga poses and stretches. Yoga promotes physical fitness, balance, and relaxation. Use kid-friendly yoga videos or create a fun routine together.

15. Simon says

Play Simon Says to improve listening skills and following instructions. This game is fun and can be played anywhere, making it perfect for quick bursts of activity and focus.

16. Balloon volleyball

Blow up a balloon and play a gentle game of volleyball. This activity helps with hand-eye coordination and keeps your toddler active indoors without the risk of breaking anything.

17. Parachute play

Use a large sheet or blanket as a parachute. Have your toddler hold one end and lift it up and down. You can place soft toys on the parachute and bounce them around. This activity is great for group play and develops teamwork skills.

18. Jumping jacks and hops

Teach your toddler simple exercises like jumping jacks, hops, and stretches. These activities are good for physical fitness and coordination, and can be done in short bursts throughout the day.

19. Animal races

Have fun with animal races by pretending to be different animals. Crawl like a bear, hop like a bunny, or slither like a snake. This imaginative play keeps toddlers active and engaged.

20. Scavenger hunts

Create a scavenger hunt around the house with a list of items for your toddler to find. This activity encourages exploration, problem-solving, and physical activity as they search for each item.

Learning and Development

Interactive educational games and activities are a powerful tool for supporting your toddler’s cognitive development while making learning fun. By integrating puzzles, sorting games, and storytelling into your daily routine, you can foster your child’s language skills, memory, and problem-solving abilities. These activities also offer a structured way to engage your child in meaningful learning experiences, making your role as a parent more fulfilling and less challenging. The benefits of stimulating your child's intellect through play can simplify parenting and create a more enriching home environment. Here are 10 indoor learning and development activities for your toddler.

21. Reading together

Reading enhances language skills, builds vocabulary, and stimulates imagination. Choose books with colorful illustrations and simple stories. Make reading time interactive by asking questions and encouraging your toddler to point out objects in the pictures.

22. Simple science experiments

Conduct simple science experiments using household items. Examples include mixing baking soda and vinegar, floating and sinking objects, or observing ice melt. These experiments spark curiosity and introduce basic scientific concepts.

23. Puzzle time

Puzzles are excellent for cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Start with simple, large-piece puzzles and gradually move to more complex ones. Working on puzzles together teaches patience and perseverance.

24. Color matching

Create a color-matching game using colored paper, cards, or toys. Ask your toddler to match items by color. This activity enhances color recognition, cognitive skills, and visual discrimination.

25. Sorting games

Create sorting games with everyday objects like buttons, beads, or colored paper. Ask your toddler to sort items by color, shape, or size. Sorting games develop cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail.

26. Counting and number games

Incorporate counting into daily activities, such as counting toys, steps, or snacks. Use number cards or simple counting books to make learning numbers fun and engaging.

27. Alphabet hunt

Hide alphabet cards around the house and encourage your toddler to find them. As they find each card, practice the letter's name and sound. This activity reinforces letter recognition and phonics skills.

28. Memory matching game

Create a memory matching game with pairs of picture cards. Lay them face down and take turns flipping them over to find matches. This game improves memory, concentration, and cognitive skills.

29. Shape recognition

Cut out different shapes from colored paper and help your toddler learn their names. You can also use shape puzzles or toys to reinforce this concept, enhancing their cognitive and visual skills.

30. Storytelling with puppets

Use hand puppets or make your own with socks to tell stories. Puppetry enhances imagination, language skills, and emotional expression. Encourage your toddler to create their own stories and perform puppet shows.

Sensory Activities

Incorporating sensory play into your child’s daily routine can create a calming and stimulating environment that supports their sensory development. Activities like sensory bins and water play not only keep your toddler engaged but also help manage sensory sensitivities and improve focus. As a parent, you’ll find that these sensory-rich experiences provide your child with a soothing and enjoyable way to explore their world, reducing stress and enhancing their overall well-being. This approach can lead to a more peaceful home environment and a more harmonious parenting experience. Here are 10 indoor sensory activities for your toddler.

31. Sensory play

Create a sensory bin with various textures like rice, beans, sand, or water beads. Add scoops, funnels, and containers to make it more engaging. Sensory play develops fine motor skills and provides a calming, focused activity.

32. Water play

Fill a bathtub or a small inflatable pool with water and let your toddler splash around. Add toys like boats, cups, and plastic animals. Always supervise water play to ensure safety, and enjoy the sensory exploration.

33. Colored rice play

Dye rice with food coloring and let it dry. Fill a bin with the colored rice and provide scoops, funnels, and small toys for your toddler to explore. This activity stimulates visual and tactile senses.

34. Ice exploration

Freeze small toys or objects in ice and let your toddler explore how to melt it using warm water, salt, or other safe methods. This activity combines sensory play with basic science concepts.

35. Foam play

Use foamy soap or shaving cream for a fun and tactile experience. Let your toddler squish, spread, and play with the foam on a flat surface or in a shallow tray. This activity promotes sensory exploration and creativity.

36. Texture walk

Create a texture walk by placing different textured materials (like fabric, bubble wrap, or carpet) on the floor. Let your toddler walk or crawl over them, exploring the different sensations. This activity stimulates their sense of touch.

37. Sensory bottles

Create sensory bottles filled with items like glitter, beads, or small toys suspended in water. Seal the bottles tightly and let your toddler shake and observe the contents. Sensory bottles provide visual stimulation and calming effects.

38. Magnetic play

Fill a bin with magnetic and non-magnetic items. Provide your toddler with a magnetic wand to explore which items are attracted to the magnet. This activity combines sensory play with early science learning.

39. Oobleck

Make oobleck using a mixture of cornstarch and water. This non-Newtonian fluid behaves both like a solid and a liquid, providing a fascinating sensory experience. Let your toddler explore its unique properties by squeezing, pouring, and molding it.

40. Jelly play

Prepare jelly and let it set in a tray. Allow your toddler to touch, squish, and play with the jelly. You can hide small toys or objects inside for them to find. This activity combines sensory play with fine motor skill development.

Pretend Play

Pretend play offers a unique opportunity to bond with your toddler while fostering their imagination and social skills. Creating role-playing scenarios such as a pretend kitchen or space adventure allows you to engage in your child’s world and support their emotional and social development. These activities not only provide meaningful interactions but also offer a fun and educational way to spend time together. By participating in pretend play, you’re not only enriching your child’s experience but also enjoying quality moments that strengthen your relationship and make parenting more fulfilling. Here are 7 indoor pretend play activities for your toddler.

41. Pretend play

Encourage pretend play with costumes, props, and imagination. Your toddler can become a chef, doctor, firefighter, or superhero. Pretend play fosters creativity, social skills, and emotional understanding.

42. Play kitchen

Set up a play kitchen with toy utensils, pots, and food items. Let your toddler "cook" meals, serve pretend food, and engage in role-playing activities. This play develops social skills, creativity, and imagination.

43. Dress-up box

Create a dress-up box filled with costumes, hats, and accessories. Let your toddler choose their outfits and engage in imaginative play. This activity encourages creativity and role-playing skills.

44. Building forts

Use blankets, pillows, and chairs to build indoor forts. Create a cozy space where your toddler can read, play, or have a snack. Building forts promotes creativity and provides a fun, imaginative environment.

45. Restaurant play

Set up a pretend restaurant with menus, play food, and utensils. Take turns being the chef, waiter, and customer. This role-playing activity enhances social skills, language development, and creativity.

46. Doctor’s office

Create a pretend doctor’s office with toy medical kits, bandages, and dolls. Let your toddler examine and "treat" their stuffed animals. This role-playing activity helps develop empathy and understanding of medical visits.

47. Space adventure

Turn the living room into a spaceship using blankets and cardboard boxes. Pretend to explore outer space, visit planets, and encounter aliens. This imaginative play fosters creativity and a sense of adventure.

Conclusion

With these 47 indoor activities, you can keep your toddler entertained, engaged, and learning while at home. Whether it’s crafting together with the BoosterMe, exploring sensory bins, or diving into imaginative play, each activity provides valuable experiences and cherished moments. Enjoy this special time with your little one, nurturing their development and creating lasting memories.