educational games for 2 year olds at home

17 Learning Activities for 2-Year-Olds: Teaching Toddlers Through Play

Play-based learning is the best way for your toddler to learn about themselves and their world.

The world of your 2-year-old is full of exciting possibilities. They are developing quickly, and you will find them ready to dive into learning experiences. They are actively looking for ways to assert their independence and test their boundaries (and yours!).

Learning activities for 2-year-olds should look at their development holistically and engage them in new ways of thinking. Toddler learning activities are a fun way for you to connect with your child as you learn and grow together.

Play-Based Learning for Toddler Development

When your 2-year-old is playing, they are learning how the world works. Play ignites their curiosity and gets them to think creatively about simple tasks.

“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning” – Diane Ackerman.

Here are some other ways that play is beneficial for development:

• Practice life skills
• Improves communication
• Develops empathy
• Encourages imagination
• Allows for independence and autonomy
• Fosters problem-solving skills

17 Learning Activities for Your 2-Year-Old

When it comes to educational activities for toddlers, you want to make them hands-on and fun. Learning should be joyful and creative. Fun activities can teach your child and keep them happily immersed in play.

Activities for Gross Motor Skills Development

1. Play Silks and Dancing

There is something magical about watching a child lost in their own world. Play silks are a great way to encourage imaginative movement in little kids. 

Put on some music and let your little one move to the rhythm. This unstructured activity allows them to use any movements they want. The play silks help them move their bodies, become aware of themselves within a space, and embody different characters. 

Fun Tip: Try music that evokes different moods. Watch as your child adjusts their movements to the music.

Benefits: 

• Imagination
• Free movement
• Express emotion

2. Animal Imitation

What toddler doesn’t love pretend play? 

You can use animal cards, toy animals, or even recorded animal sounds for this activity. Help your child think about how each animal moves and then watch as they try to imitate that movement. They can include the sound the animal makes to really get into character.

Fun Tip: Do this activity with your child. Yes, it may seem silly, but they will love it. Play is how our kids communicate with us, and something special happens when we join them in their world.

• Crossing the midline and gross motor skills
• Builds core strength
• Improves focus and attention

3. Mud Monster

Getting dirty is a great way to learn and a fun activity. Not only is mud a fantastic sensory experience, but it contains friendly bacteria that stimulate the release of serotonin . 

To create your mud monster, draw one on a wall with mud or build one around a hula hoop placed on the ground. Your toddler will then make mud balls and have to throw them into the mud monster’s mouth. Your 2-year-old is learning to throw overhand at this stage, and this is a fun activity to practice.

Fun Tip: Let your toddler help you make the mud. The process of mixing sand and water is a valuable learning opportunity.

• Develops tactile skills
• Strengthens throwing motion
• It helps them identify their dominant arm

Activities that Develop Fine Motor Skills

4. Building Blocks

Building blocks are a classic toddler activity that has a multitude of benefits. Simply place a bag of blocks on the floor and watch as your little one begins to create. At this age, your 2-year-old will be able to build a tower of 4-7 blocks, opening up a world of possibilities for them.

Fun Tip: Add other elements such as cars, animals, and wood planks. This will help your toddler play with the blocks in new and imaginative ways.

• Problem-solving
• Early math skills

5. Simple Tracing

Your 2-year-old might not be holding a pencil confidently, but they will enjoy simple tracing activities. They will help them develop tensile strength in their fingers and work on their fine motor skills.

Use simple shapes and lines with an easy-to-follow dot-to-dot pattern. A chunky pencil or marker will work best for your child’s inexperienced fingers.

Fun Tip: Start with sidewalk chalk to encourage large, free-flowing movements. Before starting with a pencil, try a Q-tip and paint to follow a series of dot patterns.

• Hand-eye coordination
• Concentration
• Crossing the midline

6. Paper Washing Line

Reaching the washing line outside might be tricky, but you can create a mini version indoors. All you need is a cardboard box, some twine, and two pieces of dowel rod. You can cut out clothing from cardboard and let your 2-year-old peg them onto the line.

Fun Tip: You can use clothes pegs to hang up art, count, color sort, and paint with. They are a versatile option for 2-year-old development activities. 

• Improve pincer grasp
• Motor accuracy
• Hand preference

7. Playdough Jars

Play dough is fantastic for sensory play and fine motor skills development. Put playdough and loose parts into different jars with the lids on. Then let your toddler open the jars and empty the contents. Opening the jars is good fine motor practice and your toddler is also at a stage where they love to empty containers.

Fun Tip: Ask your toddler to sort the items and place them back into the jars at the end of the activity. 

• Strengthens fingers, hands, and wrists
• Improves concentration

Activities for Language Development

8. Picture Books

Picture books are essential in child development, particularly for emergent language. Reading picture books allows you to foster connection with your toddler while demonstrating a love of reading. Your 2-year-old will also learn to connect the words to the pictures. This will help them understand their meaning better.

Fun Tip: Play a game of ‘spot the x.’ You can help your child learn new words as they associate them with a picture.

• Listening skills
• Strengthen visual thinking skills
• Encourage conversations

9. Mystery Bag

This is a versatile game that you can play with almost any object. Put a selection of things into a bag. Ask your toddler to reach into the bag and try and name an object they feel before pulling it out. This is a fun way to introduce new words to your child’s vocabulary.

Fun Tip: For an interesting variation of this game, draw the outline of your toddler’s body on a large piece of paper. Then ask them to point to and name their different body parts. 

• New vocabulary
• Improved tactile sense

10. Story Cubes

Story cubes have scenes/characters/objects depicted on them. Your toddler can choose the order of the cubes, and you can create a story together. This activity is excellent for teaching toddlers about creative thinking and future scenarios.

Fun Tip: Incorporate tower building into the process. Then start the story from the top of the tower and reverse it. This is a fun way to introduce the concepts of top and bottom while helping your toddler use their imagination.

• Imaginative play

11. Nursery Rhymes

Nursery rhymes are great for teaching 2-year-olds about phonics and help with language development. Keep your rhymes simple and choose ones with repetitive verses.

Some great nursery rhymes for 2-year-olds are Incy Wincy Spider, Old MacDonald, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Humpty Dumpty, and Hickory Dickory Dock.

Try to incorporate rhymes that have corresponding movements. The car is also great for practicing nursery rhymes with your toddler.

• Develop motor skills
• Teach grammar
• Introduce counting, colors, and shapes

Activities for Social/Emotional Development

12. Emotion Cards

2-year-olds are learning about themselves in relation to other children so talking about emotions is vital. Emotion cards work well as they show the picture that relates to a feeling. Start your day with the emotion cards and regularly bring them out. 

Fun Tip: Take a ‘sportscasting’ approach to toddler behavior. That means you observe and repeat the facts of the situation. This allows your toddler to feel and deal with the emotion for themselves.

• Builds empathy
• It helps them learn self-regulation and self-control
• Emotional vocabulary development

13. Simon Says

2-year-olds are starting to copy the behavior they see around them. That makes Simon Says a fun and simple game to play. Your toddler is also becoming more aware of themselves, and Simon Says is a fun way to start teaching them about the parts of their body.

Fun Tip: Use the anatomical names for body parts. Children must know the real names as they become aware of themselves and their bodies.

• Developing body awareness
• Sequencing Skills
• Following instructions

14. Kitchen Time

Your 2-year-old is becoming more independent, and you may find them increasingly defiant. Spending time in the kitchen is a great way to help them feel empowered and capable.

Simple cookies, scrambled eggs, and banana muffins are easy recipes that your 2-year-old can make with you.

Fun Tip: Involve them in the whole process by allowing them to crack, mash, and scoop but also wash up.

• Basic math skills
• Builds independence
• Boosts confidence

Activities for Cognitive Development

15. Puppet Play

Puppet play is an amazing developmental tool for toddlers. Your 2-year-old is starting to engage in make-believe play and new language. Puppets encourage creativity, imagination, and new vocabulary. It also helps develop social skills.

Fun tip: You don’t need fancy puppets. Toddlers love craft activities, so why not make your own out of socks? You know, the ones that make it out of the dryer without a partner?

• Motor skills
• Builds self-confidence

16. Treasure Hunt

A treasure hunt is a versatile learning experience that you can use repeatedly. For example, you can have a color hunt where your toddler has to find items in the house that are a specific color. Or you can stick shapes around the house and ask them to find and sort them.

Fun Tip: Take this activity outside for a diverse sensory experience with different textures.

• Color identification

17. Sorting Basket

Sorting baskets are another fun matching game to help your toddler learn colors, numbers, shapes, and sizes. You can put almost anything in a sorting basket, from leaves and stones to blocks and fabric scraps.

Fun Tip: Mix up textures and color shades to challenge your toddler.

• Develops reasoning and thinking skills
• Encourage categorizing
• Early literacy and numeracy skills

Teaching Your Toddler Through Play

Play-based learning opportunities are the best activities to get your toddler engaged and excited. They allow you to introduce complex concepts through simple play that your 2-year-old can easily understand.

Watching your little one engage with the world around them is a magical time, so get on their level and get playing.

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100+ No-Prep Indoor Activities for 2 & 3 Year Olds

• Preschooler

Updated in 2023 with new no prep toddler activities! Are you looking for fast and easy activities to keep your toddler busy? No prep or low prep activities that are easy to clean up, engaging, education and fun? The you have come to the right place! Here is our ultimate list of the best super easy no-prep or low-prep activities you can do at home with your toddler or preschooler or 2 and 3 year olds .

Most Requested List on Social Media

I first put this list together back when we were all at home but it has quickly morphed into one of the most requested resources on social media. Hundreds of parents struggling to keep their toddlers busy at home message me on instagram requesting this list. These are the go to activities that I did with my 2 and 3 year olds at home and it will quickly become your go to as well.

I have updated the list with new activities and new pictures and more details.

I put this list together from the best kids activity blogs out there and I hope that it will help you through this time while at home. I will be updating this list periodically as I find more easy no and low-prep ideas. So keep checking back for new ideas. They will be at the top of the list.

Tips for Working Parents

If you are a parent who is now working from home, finding ways to entertain your kids all day can seen very daunting but with this list you will have a resource you can turn to that will help you through this tough time.

The best way to use this list is to go through it the night before and choose 2 or 3 ideas you think your kids will enjoy and you feel comfortable setting up. Write them down on stick them on the fridge so you can refer to them the next day.

Keeping the Mess Down

To help keep the mess down when it comes to doing easy painting or easy sensory activities take advantage of your bathtub! It’s a sure fire way to change the mood of any toddler and messy activities when done in the tub can be cleaner up with a turn of tap.

Supplies For No Prep Toddler Activities

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)

For a quick guide to activity supplies check out my Amazon shop .

For more help on how to start to do activities with your kids check out this post for things to buy and save for kids activities.

These activities are things you can set up when your child comes to you and says, “I’m bored”. Most of them will take 5 minutes or less to set up. And although it’s hard to predict how long your child will play with an activities, it’s more than likely that they will play with these ideas for more than just 5 minutes!

Quick No Prep and Low-Prep Activities for Toddler

• 50+ Easy Things to Do at Home by Happy Toddler Playtime is a great list of 50+ super no prep activities to do at home with a 3 year old but can also be done with a 2 year old and even older children. That should be the first place you look for easy no-prep ideas. I created it when I was pregnant with my twins and I had a 3 year at home. It saved me on many many days. Click here to find the first 50 super easy and completely doable low prep activities for preschoolers here !
• Mega Blok Jumping

You’ll need Mega Bloks. Set up an indoor jumping range for your toddler using their Mega Blocks. This is a simple active activity that your toddler can help set up with you!

• Pillow Road

You’ll need pillows and cars or trucks. Create a pillow road for your toddlers favourite trucks and cars.

• Toilet Paper Rolling

You’ll need toilet paper and toys. Take a toilet paper roll, unroll is and place a toy at the end. Invite your little one roll is back up trying to keep the toy from falling off.

• Snack Names

You’ll need snack, paper and a marker. Write their name on a piece of paper with circles below each letter. Invite your toddler to place one snack in each circle and have them identify each letter and its sound. As they remove their snacks and eat them repeat the same thing.

• Sock Puzzles

You’ll need a sock and a wooden puzzle. Put wooden puzzle pieces inside a large sock and have your child put their hand in to find the pieces and complete the puzzle

You’ll need paper, marker and snacks. Count snacks on a piece of paper.

• Free the Animals

You’ll need animals and small ziplock bags. Place the animals inside and invite your toddler to open and free them.

• Dinosaur Bath

Put dinosaur toys in the bath

• Decorate your Diapers

Decorate diapers with permanent markers.

• Painting Bread

You’ll need white bread, food colouring and milk. Paint bread with edible paint and then eat it! Find out more here .

• Ice Sensory Bin – an easy idea that works in winter and summer
• Snowman Towers – build a snowman using paper towel rolls.
• 100+ Low -Prep Activities you can Do in Your Backyard by Little Pine Learners are a great set of fun activities to do outside.
• Paint with Kitchen Tools as Paint Brushes by Busy Toddler or with cotton balls.
• Do a craft together using kitchen tools. Check out this post of super easy crafts using a potato masher .
• Car bowling using bowling pins or toilet paper rolls and a car big enough to knock them over. Line the pins or rolls up and then use the car to knock them down.
• Alphabet Match is fun activity using fridge magnets and can be set up in 3 minutes!
• Tea Bag Water Play is a quick activity using herbal tea bags and water.
• Paper Tunnels and Balls by Toddler Approved can be set up in minutes and is fun for little and big kids.
• Pom Pom Number Sweep can be set up in 2 minutes and is fun for 2 and 3 year olds.
• Pouring Station by Busy Toddler is fun water sensory bin that is sure to entertain for more than 5 minutes!
• MegaBlok Names is a quick set up activity to practice name recognition.
• Foil Puzzle Presents is a great way to use a puzzle and has lots of ways to extend the play.
• Toddler Dot-to-Dot by What We Do All Day is a fun idea for Toddlers
• Build a Book Rainbow is a great way to use your children’s library in a fun way. It will lead to reading a few current favourites and some forgotten favourites as well.
• Sponge Letter Match uses sponges and letters and is fun for 2 and 3 years. It can also lead to lots of extending play.
• Animal Tape Rescue by Busy Toddler is a fun fine motor activity that toddlers will love!
• 10 Salad Spinner Toddler Activities is a list of 10 super easy to set activities to do with a salad spinner using items you already have at home.
• How to Make Paper Airplanes by The Best Ideas for Kids has a great full video tutorial. This idea is great for all ages.
• Spaghetti Drop for Toddlers is a quick activity using dried spaghetti and cardboard tubes. You can set it up in minutes.
• STEM Play Dough Building Challenge by Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds. This is a fun idea that you can set up in less than 2 minutes and great for 4-6 year olds as well.
• Cloud Dough Kitchen uses a quick sensory recipe using flour and oil to create a taste-safe dough that is fun and easy to play with.
• Coin Sorting by Rhythms of Play is a fun sorting activity using coins and can be set up in 2 minutes. Great for 3-5 year olds.
• The Drop Anything Toddler Activity have your toddler drop markers, crayons or anything they can find that will fit down a cardboard tube! You can set this up in 2 minutes!
• Towel Holder and Rolls For Toddlers by Powerful Mothering using paper towel rolls and is great for toddlers.
• Feed the Animals by Little Ones Learn
• Cutting a Banana by Rhythms of Play is a great way to combine snack time and playtime. This is great for 2 and 3 year olds.
• Pom Pom Picnic by Happy Toddler Playtime is a fun pretend play activity that lasted for days in my house.
• DIY Sorter by Little Ones Learn is a fun diy activity using a cardboard box and random items in your house.
• Lego Color Sorting by Lorena & Lennox is a quick set up colour sorting activity that has the potential to lead to lots of free play!
• Colour Mixing Tea Party by Happy Toddler Playtime is a quick early colour mixing activity.
• Water Play for Toddlers – Fishing for Colors and Letters by Active Littles is a fun and easy water play activity for toddlers.
• Cardboard Box Wash & Paint by Happy Toddler Playtime for Toddler Approved is a great way mess free way to use a cardboard box.
• Dinosaur Hunting with Paint by Powerful Mothering is fun for 2 and 3 year olds using water colour paints.
• Pom Pom Water Transfer

You’ll need Pom Poms or sponges and two containers and water. Find out how to set it up here .

• Cookie Sheet Sensory Play by Twin Mom Refreshed is a quick to set up sensory activity.
• Stone Washing by Happy Toddler Playtime is a easy set cleaning activity using stones and shaving. Its not as messy as it sounds and will entertain for more than 5 minutes for sure.
• Wine Cork Push by Happy Toddler Playtime is a great way to use those wine corks you might accumulate while working from home with your kids!
• Paint Animals

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mandisa | Easy Activities for Toddlers & Kids (@happytoddlerplaytime)

51. Elastic Bands Around Feet

Take a few elastic bands and invite your toddler to pull them over there feet. Don’t use too many and remove them immediately after playing. This is great practice for putting on socks. You can also use scrunches!

• Cutlery Sorting

53. Dinner Plate Counting

54. Backyard Toy Painting

More No Prep and Low Prep Toddler Activities

55. Car Letters

56. Hand Sock Painting

• Window Washing

You’ll need sponges , water, soap and sensory bin or bowl.

• Pom Poms Mega Blok Colouring Sorting

Your’ll need Pom Poms, Mega Bloks and tongs. Turn your Mega Bloks upside down and use them to colour sort with Pom Poms.

59. Snack Necklaces

Serving snack? Why not turn it into an activity. All you need is string and a embroidery needle and snacks that are soft enough to thread the needle through or have holes or soft

60. Elastic Bands over Paper Towel

Grab some elastic bands and invite your toddler to see how many they can wrap around the paper towel roll.

61. Ivory Soap Experiment

You’ll need ivory soap, microwaveable plate and microwave. Unwrap bar Ivory Soap, place in the middle of the plate. Place in microwave and heat for 1- 2 minutes (about 1:30 is the sweet spot). Keep watching the entire time because it happens fast!

62. Turtle Boxes

You’ll need a cardboard box. Grab a cardboard box and place it on your toddlers back and pretend to be turtles. Can you hide in your shell? Decorate the outside of the shell with markers

63. Bug Whisk Rescue

You’ll need a whisk and small toys, Pom Poms or socks. Place toys like bugs or LEGO or Pom Poms or socks or cotton balls.

64. Book:  Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy  here .

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

65. Laundry Basket Dump Truck

You’ll need a laundry basket and heavy items like a bag of flour or bottle of vinegar or oil. Place some heavy items into a laundry basket and see if your toddler can move them around like a dump truck.

66. Balloon Bug Tennis

You’ll need a balloon and a cardboard tube like a paper towel roll.

67. LEGO Body Trace Activity for Kids

You’ll need larger butcher paper, LEGO DUPLO or MEGA BLOCKS and marker.

68. LEGO Finish the Animals

You’ll need butcher paper and LEGO and markers.

69. Step Stool Jumping

You’ll need: a step stool. Invite your toddler to climb and jump off the step stool!

70. Feed the Stuffed Animal Ball Relay Race

You’ll need: Plastic balls, cardboard boxes, stuffed animals. Place the plastic ball pit balls into a box on one end of room or backyard and an empty box on the other end. Place their favourite stuffed animals next to the empty box. Invite your toddler to use a spoon to scoop up a ball and walk it over to the box next to the stuffed animals. They can pretend to feed the animals the ball and then place it in the box. Repeat until all the balls have been transferred over.

71. Rescue the Animals

You’ll need pipe cleaners and animals. Wrap elastic bands around your under the sea creatures or farm animals. Invite your toddler to unwrap the animals to free them

72. Stick Ladder

You’ll need sticks. You can use broom sticks or even just painters tape and invite your little one to pretend that it’s a ladder that they have to climb up. Find more ways to play  here .

73. Book Drop

You’ll need: books and a cardboard box and scissors. Does your toddler love to return library books at the library through the book drop? Well all three of mine do so I decided to turn it into a fun activity using a cardboard box!

74. Bubble Wrap Highway

You’ll need bubble wrap, painters tape, sharpie and cars. Use bubble wrap to create a highway for your toddlers toy cars and trucks.

75. Glow in the Dark Bowling

For toddlers use a larger ball so that hitting the balls is not so challenging. Grab some empty large water or pop bottles, fill them with glow sticks. Set them up in your basement or a room that you can make fairly dark and let them try and know them down!

76. Paper Towel Roll Towers

Grab some paper towel roll with the paper towels still on. You can even add some toilet paper rolls with the toilet paper still on. Full rolls for this activity and invite your toddler to stack them like giant blocks! We did activity in the winter and made  snowmen  out of them by adding buttons and a hat. 

77. Fly Swatter Bubbles

You’ll need fly swatter and dish soap, water and a bowl. This bubble making activity is soo easy for toddlers and a great way to get out energy. And bonus no spilt bubble solution!! All you need is a fly swatter! Find out more  here .

78. Clouds in the Sky Picture: Cotton Ball Gluing

You’ll need blue construction paper, glue and cotton balls. Invite your toddler to make a clouds in the sky picture glue the cotton balls to the blue construction paper.

79. Water Pouring Station

You’ll need bowls and cups and water and towel or sensory bin. Fill bowls and cups with water and place them on a towel. You don’t need lots of water to make this fun. Invite your toddler to pour the water in the bowl. If doing this in a sensory bin or outside you can add more water! or even colours with food colouring!

80. Ice Cream Cone Balloon Toss

You’ll need: balloons and brown construction paper. Twist your brown construction paper into a ice cream cone shape and use some tape to secure it. Blow up a balloon. Invite your toddler to toss the balloon in the air using the cone an try and catch it again!

81. Taste Test

You’ll need 4-5 containers and different foods that taste sweet (honey, chocolate), sour (lemon, lime), salty (chips, cucumber with salt) and bitter (kale). Invite your toddler to taste each one. Taste about how it tastes with them. What’s their favourite? Least favourite?

82. Pull the Pipe Cleaners

You’ll need pipe cleaners and a colander or container with small holes. Invite your toddler to insert the pipe cleaners in the colander and them remove them.

83. Spice Container Measuring

You’ll need spice containers. Measure different things using spice containers. My kids loved measuring themselves, stuffed animals and large trucks.

84. Pillow walk

You’ll need pillows. create a path using all the pillows and cushion you have and go for a walk on it!

85. Giant Nail Salon

You’ll need cardboard box, sharpie, ice cube tray washable paint, fine paint brushes or q-tips. Find out how to set it up here .

86. Pom Pom Water Transfer

87. Wash the Toys

You’ll need plastic toys large or small, water, dish soap or bubble bath and water. If indoors use a sensory bin otherwise you can do this outside!

88. Oat Sensory Bin

You’ll need oats, animals and a sensory bin or box or large Tupperware container.

89. UNO Memory Game

You’ll need UNO cards. Choose a match of 3 or 4. Place the card face down. Flip over two cards, if they match you keep them. If they don’t match turn them over and try again.

90. Draw A Farm

You’ll need markers, paint sticks and a large sheet of butcher paper and farm animal toys. Invite your toddler to draw the different habitats of farm animals. For example a mud pit for the pigs, a pond for the ducks, a field for the cows and horses and barn or the chicken. You can draw the outline of item for younger toddlers and let them colour it in or let yourolder toddler create their own farm.

91. Pom Pom Drop

Can’t have a list of easy toddler activities without this classic one. Its a classic for a reason. Its super easy to set up and just plain or fun for toddlers. You’ll need cardboard tube, painter’s tape and Pom Poms.

92. Prepared Playdough Kits

93. Foam Shapes on the Window

You’ll need foam shapes, a bowl and water. Wet the foam shapes and stick them all over a window!

94. Painting with Water and Chalk

You’ll need construction paper, colourful chalk, bowl, water and paint brush. Paint the construction paper with water. Then colour over the water with some chalk.

95. Salad Spinner Art

You’ll need a salad spinner, washable paint and coffee filters or paper and scissors. Place the coffee filter in the salad spinner or cut a circle from white paper to fit inside the spinner. Add a few drops of washable kids paint. Close the spinner and turn as fast as you can. Open the spinner up and see what happened!

96. Pasta Threading

You’ll need penne pasta and pipe cleaners. Thread the penne pasta around the pipe cleaners.

97. Feed the Animals: Puzzle Activity

You’ll need rice, animal puzzle, spoon, bowl and sensory bin or box.

98. Oobleck

You’ll need water and corn starch. Find out how to make it here .

99. Popsicle Bath

You’ll need popsicles and bath.

100. Stacking Challenge

You’ll need flat rocks. Try and stack them as high as you can!

101. Fizzy Experiment

You’ll need baking soda, Tupperware container or sensory bin, bowls, vinegar, eye dropper and food coloring. Spread baking soda out in the sensory bin. Fill bowls with vinegar and a drop of food colouring. Use the eye droppers to apply the coloured vinegar to the baking soda and watch it fizz with colour!

102. Playdough Tool Mark Making

You’ll need paint, paper and play dough tools. Dip the playdough tool in the paint and make prints or marks on the paper.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2learn toddler & preschool programs for curious toddlers.

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers  includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool  which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.  That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These  toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities  will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:  Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book:  Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?  The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years   old and up.

TV Show:  Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to finally share my new crafting TV show  Curious Crafting  which launched July 1 at on  TVOkids  and  TVOkids YouTube !

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE NO PREP & LOW-PREP TODDLER ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER?

Filed Under:

• Three Year Olds
• Two Year Olds

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Top 47 Educational Activities for 2-year-olds At-Home

Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links which I may earn a small commission from if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

Hav fun while learning working your way through this list of top 47 educational activities for 2-year-olds.

Feed your child’s natural curiosity and help them develop a love for learning with these inexpensive educational activities.

They are quick and easy to set up and can provide your child with an environment that is going to superior their development.

The Joy of Learning at Home

I know first hand how the years when our children are 2-years-old are a whirlwind of growth and discovery. 

At this stage, their minds are like sponges, absorbing everything around them. 

Engaging in educational activities not only stimulates their brain but also strengthens our bond with them. 

Integrating these activities into daily routines at home provides a structured yet flexible environment for toddlers to explore, imagine, and learn. 

By presenting learning as a playful and exciting adventure, I help lay a sturdy foundation for lifelong curiosity and a love for learning. 

Be it through sorting shapes or finger painting, each activity is an opportunity to teach valuable skills in a way that feels like play. 

I know that every moment can turn into a chance to discover new skills while nurturing my little ones’ development in a fully supportive and caring home setting.

Even if you just take a handful of activities from this list, you are exposing your child to new things, offering new ways of using old things, making memories and helping your little one be their very best.

The Importance of Play in Learning

Play transcends mere entertainment for toddlers; I consider it an essential component of young children’s development.

Through the act of playing, 2-year-olds engage multiple senses simultaneously, laying the groundwork for robust cognitive growth. 

Sorting shapes, building blocks, and interacting with various textures stimulate neural pathways, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving from a tender age.

More than just words and sounds, language development blossoms as toddlers express their thoughts and comprehend instructions during play. 

Activities like repeating new words, singing simple songs, or naming objects advance their vocabulary and grammatical understanding. 

This interaction solidifies a foundation for future communication skills that they will build upon with each imaginative dialogue and curious inquiry.

Play facilitates motor skill enhancement as toddlers navigate their environment. 

They refine their coordination and balance with activities such as stacking, rolling, or kicking balls. 

As they navigate a play obstacle course or scribble with crayons, they unknowingly sharpen their gross and fine motor skills. 

These physical activities are not just about movement; they integrate learning by doing, which for toddlers is one of the best ways to grasp new concepts and master developmental milestones.

Move the flash cards aside, replace screen time and get ready to bring much fun into your day.

You can use inexpensive activities that inspire the development of important skills all while playing.

Developing Fine Motor Skills Through Play

We all want to set our little ones on a path of successful growth, and developing fine motor skills plays a foundational role in their journey. 

Imagine the delight on your toddler’s face as they grasp tiny pom poms, meticulously sorting them into matching color cups. 

This simple activity not only keeps them engaged but also enhances their ability to coordinate small muscle movements, a critical step toward self-reliance.

Grab an egg carton and craft sticks to make a posting activity.

Your next rainy day can be the perfect time to grab empty water bottles and fill them with pasta shells to make maracas and start a band.

​Reach for your turkey baster to add to some water play.

I love using kitchen items in play.

The second draw down holds the best things for fine motor and sensory play.

So much so in fact, we had to get more of some kitchen tools for the outdoor activities in the kids mud kitchen.

Thrift or op-shops are great for this!

Posting Activities

• Dandelion Posting
• Wooden Cube Posting
• Pop Stick Posting
• Pirate Treasure Posting

Let’s explore the world of play dough together. Play dough play can contribute so much to a toddler’s development.

When your two-year-old rolls, flattens, or sculpts this pliable material, they’re not just having fun; they’re also strengthening their hand muscles and refining their dexterity.

Such manipulation tasks serve as building blocks for future skills, like holding a pencil or buttoning up a shirt. 

Offering a range of tools like plastic scissors, stamps, or cookie cutters can multiply the play dough fun, each tool inviting a new way to mold and shape, thereby stretching their fine motor ability even further. 

In these shared moments of creation, we’re not just shaping dough, but also shaping confident learners prepared for the many tasks of growing up.

Play Dough Activities

• Play Dough Patterns
• Dinosaur Footprint Stamping
• Play Dough and Beads
• Play Dough Robots
• Flossing Play Dough
• Fall Invitation to Play with Play Dough
• Play Dough Monsters

Consider threading beads onto string as another engaging pastime. 

As toddlers concentrate on piercing the string through the tiny bead holes, they build precision and hand-eye coordination. 

This can be a peaceful yet deeply educational time you share, where you may notice their problem-solving skills emerging as they determine how to correct a flipped bead or untangle their string. 

Each little success lays a strong foundation for triumph in larger upcoming challenges.

Other resources that can be used for threading include pasta, cardboard toilet tube rings, leaves, buttons, cotton reels and wooden rings.

For toddlers just starting out, using pipe cleaners for threading makes it easier to navigate. 

By incorporating these simple yet effective activities into daily playtime, you’re not just filling time – you’re carefully guiding your child along a path marked by new abilities and the joy of independent achievement.

Threading Activities

• Leaf Threading
• Beaded Sticks
• Threading beads onto feathers
• Rainbow Pasta Necklace
• Pasta threading

Colour Sorting and Matching Games

I find that one of the best ways to introduce toddlers to the concept of colours, other than incidental learning, is through engaging sorting and matching games. 

These activities not only teach colours but also aid in developing fine motor skills and the ability to recognize different shapes and sorting by attributes. These are both early numeracy skills. 

Let’s explore a few easy activities that you can set up at home.

You can start with a simple colour matching game that involves a muffin tin and a handful of coloured balls or pom poms. 

Show your toddler how to place each colored ball into the corresponding section of the muffin tin. 

For an extra challenge, use tweezers or a wooden spoon to transfer the balls, which will enhance their hand-eye coordination.

Another creative activity is providing your toddler with various coloured objects and a series of containers or buckets labeled with matching colors. 

Ask them to sort the objects into the correct buckets. 

If you’re looking for a sensory play twist, mix in objects of different textures and sizes to broaden their sensory experience.

Lastly, don’t overlook the simplicity and educational value of matching socks by colour. 

On laundry day , I often turn this routine task into a fun learning activity. 

It’s an excellent way for older toddlers to start recognizing different colours and patterns, and they feel proud contributing to household chores.

Through these interactive and educational activities, your toddler will not only have fun but also build a strong foundation for learning new words, different shapes, and essential problem-solving skills.

Colour Sorting Activities

• Gumnut colour sorting
• Colour sorter egg carton
• Duplo colour sorting
• Colour sorting sticky wall
• Pom Pom Colour Sorting
• Apple Colour Sorting Sensory Bag

Enhancing Gross Motor Skills with Movement

I find that integrating movement-based play activities into a toddler’s day is an excellent method to foster their gross motor skills. 

An important thing to understand is that toddlers are not designed to sit still.

Toddlers need to run, jump, play, and interact with their environment to build their muscles and coordination, and learn how there bodies fit within an environment. 

They thrive with movement.

My middle child craves movement more than the rest. 

Even simple things such as shaking her ‘sillies out’ before sitting to have lunch make her body more comfortable and concentrating an easier task.

Gross Motor Activities

Let me share some of my go-to activities for this crucial aspect of their development.

• Balloon Taps:  I blow up a few balloons and encourage my little one to keep them in the air with gentle taps. This simple game helps with balance and coordination while being safe and fun.
• Obstacle Course:  Setting up a mini obstacle course at home is easier than you might think. Cushions to jump over, a hula hoop to crawl through, and a blanket to roll under can make an adventurous playground for a tireless 2-year-old.
• Dance Party:  Music is a fantastic way to get toddlers to move. I turn on some child-friendly tunes and we dance together. Sometimes, I incorporate a ‘freeze’ game where we stop moving when the music pauses, which adds a layer of fun and challenge.
• Animal Walks:  We pick out different animals and try to move like them. Hop like a bunny, walk like a bear, or flutter like a butterfly – this imaginative play helps them learn new words, identify body parts and movements. Animal walks are the best for transitions too. Eg, walking to the car or on the way to the bathroom to brush teeth.
• Ball Games:  Rolling, throwing, and kicking a ball back and forth is an age-old activity that strengthens muscles and hand-eye coordination. I find it also teaches toddlers about taking turns and sharing.
• Bubble Chase:  Chasing and popping bubbles is not only thrilling for toddlers but also encourages them to run, jump, and stretch as they reach for those elusive orbs.
• Simon Says:  A game of ‘Simon Says’ is a delightful way to get a toddler moving and listening carefully. I use it to incorporate actions like jumping, spinning, and stomping.

These activities offer not just physical benefits but also heaps of laughter and joy, making learning through play a beautiful journey. 

Let’s encourage young ones to move their bodies and explore the limits of what they can do as they grow stronger and more confident by the day.

Discovering Patterns with Creative Crafts

I’ve found that one of the best activities for teaching patterns to 2-year-olds involves crafts. 

For instance, making necklaces with beads of different shapes and colours not only hones their fine motor skills but also introduces them to the basic concept of patterns. 

You can start by showing them how to create a simple pattern, like red, blue, red, blue, and then let them take the lead. 

The tactile experience of handling the beads paired with the visual appeal of the colours makes this a delightful learning activity.

Another fun craft to encourage pattern recognition involves stickers. 

Provide your toddler with a variety of sticker shapes and colours, and a piece of paper. 

Show them how to arrange the stickers in a sequence, such as star-circle-star-circle, and watch as they replicate the pattern or come up with their own. 

This activity not only teaches them about patterns but also allows for creativity and choice.

Laying out colorful paper strips and asking them to arrange these into patterns is yet another easy craft. 

They can make alternating patterns, like yellow strip, green strip, yellow strip, or even more complex ones as they advance. 

This simple activity offers an engaging way to strengthen cognitive skills through pattern discovery.

These crafts are interactive methods to introduce young minds to the concept of order and sequence, laying a solid foundation for math and observational skills later on. 

The key is to keep it playful and allow for exploration, as this is when they learn the most.

Pattern Activities

• Toothpick Patterns
• Lego Patterns
• Nature Patterns
• Popstick Patterns
• Playdough Patterns
• Fingerprint Patterns

Letter Recognition and Early Literacy

I find that engaging young minds in letter recognition and literacy can be both educational and entertaining. 

One method I employ involves the use of letter-shaped cookie cutters. 

These tools make it easy to introduce the alphabet during snack time or craft projects. 

You can press them into play dough or use them with cookie dough to reinforce letters and even spell out simple words.

Press them into paint before stamping them onto a sheet of paper.

Similarly, alphabet mats serve as a colourful playground for toddlers to explore the shapes and sounds of different letters. 

They can touch, feel, and visually connect each character, enhancing memory retention. 

I sometimes enhance this activity by challenging them to hop from one letter to another, making learning dynamic and physical.

Incidental Learning

Our local library has a huge alphabet play mat. My little one loves doing letter hunts, running from one to the other.

For hands-on learning, I turn to magnetic letters. 

I place them on a cookie sheet and let the little ones match letters to those on the titles of their books, or cans of food. 

We then moved to their names and having fun with the sounds the letter each represent. 

It’s a playful way to boost their understanding of language structure and phonics. 

In these ways, I transform the daunting journey of literacy into a series of delightful steps that entertain as they educate. 

Learning through everyday play, just little moments that only need be a few minutes add up to greatness.

It’s a gratifying process to watch toddlers grasp new words and take pride in their growing abilities.

The best part is that these fun activities have a huge impact on reading ability well into primary school. You are truly setting up your child to be a successful reader by exploring sounds, and matching them with the letters.

Letter Recognition Activities

• Letter Recognition Flowers
• Sensory Bin Letter Recognition
• Plastic Egg Hunt with letters
• Name Splash Letter Recognition

Sensory Bins for Tactile Learning

I can’t overstate the benefits sensory bins have on a toddler’s tactile learning and language development. 

You can create these bins by filling a container with an array of items that intrigue the senses. 

Here’s a simple way to assemble a sensory bin that’ll keep your 2-year-old engaged:

• Select a Container:  A shallow, plastic storage bin works best. Ensure it’s large enough for your toddler to explore without being too deep.
• Choose a Base Material:  Rice, beans, sand, or even water can serve as a foundation. Add food coloring to the base for a dash of visual stimulation if you like.
• Gather Sensory Items:  Look for objects of different textures, sizes, and shapes. Think smooth pebbles, fluffy feathers, pom poms, or chunky beads.
• Include Tools for Manipulation:  Offer spoons, cups, or tweezers to help your child interact with the materials. These tools aid in fine motor skill refinement while they scoop, pour, and grip.
• Encourage Exploration:  Let your child dive in hands-first. Discuss the items they find, and introduce new vocabulary as they describe their sensory experiences.
• Maintain Safety:  Keep a watchful eye during play to prevent any small items from becoming a choking hazard.
• Clean Up:  Have a quick storage solution ready and involve your toddler in the cleanup process to foster responsibility.

Through sensory bins, toddlers discern the nuances of different objects, learning concepts like soft and hard, big and small, while unconsciously expanding their descriptive language. 

Sensory play allows open ended exploration and for little experiments.

Little hands learn what happens when they pour water from their jug into their water table.

They learn to isolate different sounds as they listen to the rustle of bubble wrap.

Such play doesn’t just entertain; it opens doors to a world of sensory education.

We spend so much time exploring sensory play. It can be such an easy activity to set up and present so many learning opportunities.

What to put into your sensory bin

Other sensory play materials can include:

• shaving cream (supervise as not taste safe)
• whipped cream
• dry corn kernals
• dried chickpeas
• shredded paper
• taste safe sand
• taste safe mud
• taste safe dirt

The great thing about sensory play is that you likely have all you need at home right now to set up fun learning activities in no time.

Boosting Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are a cornerstone in the developmental journey of a 2-year-old. 

We can nurture these skills with activities specifically designed to challenge and engage toddlers in thinking through solutions. 

Simple puzzles are a fantastic place to start, as they help to foster critical thinking and reasoning. 

With puzzles, I introduce just a few pieces at first, increasing complexity as toddlers become more adept at fitting them together.

As your toddler gets more confident, you can enhance the play by wrapping the pieces in foil or adding them to a sensory bin.

Building blocks also offer countless opportunities for toddlers to experiment and solve problems. 

As they stack, balance, and create structures with these blocks, they learn about spatial relationships and cause and effect. 

I encourage them to build towers, bridges, and even simple representations of things they see in everyday life to expand their creativity and understanding.

Give your toddler cardboard boxes and let their imaginations take control. Humble cardboard can become almost anything. We have spent the better part of these school holidays creating all sorts of play things with cardboard boxes.

Finally, shape sorters are exemplary in teaching toddlers how to match corresponding items. 

These come in various forms, from traditional plastic sorters to homemade alternatives using cardboard and household items. 

The act of selecting the correct shape for the proper slot improves not only hand-eye coordination but also problem-solving as kids determine why some pieces fit while others don’t.

Through these activities, young children approach problems with curiosity and develop a sense of persistence. 

They learn to trial different solutions, and in doing so, they build confidence in their capability to overcome challenges, which is a crucial aspect of problem-solving.

Pretend Play for Social Development

I find pretend play to be one of the best ways to support a toddler’s social and emotional development. 

When children engage in make-believe with dolls, they learn to express themselves and understand the complexities of social interactions. 

For instance, I might guide a child to ‘feed’ a doll, which then opens a dialogue about caring and empathy.

By using toy phones, toddlers practice conversational skills. 

I often watch in fascination as they mimic my words and tone, learning how to engage in back-and-forth communication. 

It’s impressive to see their language skills blossom as they chat away on their pretend calls.

Kitchen sets offer a fantastic arena for pretend play. 

I encourage little ones to ‘prepare’ meals, which teaches them about different roles people have and how collaboration works. 

Role-playing as a chef or setting the table, children begin to understand teamwork and the importance of contributing to group activities.

This type of play is instrumental in developing social skills. 

But it’s not all about interaction with others; it’s also about self-regulation and identifying one’s own emotional states. 

As toddlers navigate the pretend scenarios, they face challenges and learn to manage frustrations, which is a key part of emotional growth.

No-Mess Activities for Hassle-Free Fun

I know that keeping things clean with a 2-year-old can be quite the challenge. 

That’s why I’m a huge fan of no-mess activities that still offer tons of fun and learning. 

I’ve discovered some fantastic ideas that require zero prep and leave no trace behind once playtime is over.

Imagine turning your living room into a mini amusement park with  pillow roller coasters . 

Stack pillows in a line and let your child’s toys have the thrill of their plushy lives sliding down. 

It’s a great sensory experience and teaches them about gravity and incline without any spills or stains.

Next, you must try a  zip-lock rescue mission . 

Place small toys or foam shapes inside a zip-lock bag, fill it with hair gel or baby oil, and seal it. 

Your toddler will be captivated, pressing and squishing to move the items around. 

It’s a fantastic way to build fine motor skills and visual tracking, plus you don’t have to worry about tidying up afterward. 

Lastly, an  ice excavation game  is sure to be a hit. 

Freeze small toys or baby-safe object in an ice cube tray and give your little one warm water in a squeeze bottle to rescue them. 

This activity is a solid choice for introducing scientific concepts like temperature and phase changes, and the only thing that gets wet is a bit of water – easy to clean!

These activities are not only easy to set up and pack away, but they also foster creativity, help with skill development, and are genuinely enjoyable for both you and your child. 

So say goodbye to long clean-ups and hello to hassle-free fun that keeps the learning going.

Cultivating Imagination with Storytelling

I find storytelling an incredibly powerful way to spark imagination in 2-year-olds as it invites them into worlds beyond their immediate experiences. 

For an engaging learning activity, grab a colourful picture book and read with your little one. 

But, don’t just read—make it interactive. 

As we turn the pages together, I’ll ask you to pause at the captivating illustrations and encourage your toddler to describe what they see. 

Questions like, “What do you think is happening here?” or “What might happen next?” help them think creatively and predict outcomes.

Role-playing takes this interaction a step further. 

Hand me a stuffed animal or a puppet to represent a character in the story, and I’ll show you how we can use them to act out scenes. 

This not only makes the reading session more dynamic but also deepens your toddler’s understanding of social cues and emotions. 

For words or concepts that seem new, I suggest simple explanations or mimicry to convey their meaning. 

If a character in the book is jumping, we can both stand up and jump, laughing as we bring the story to life.

Turn reading into a fun activity using elements of drama.

Finally, the book’s finale doesn’t mean the end of learning. 

Use open-ended questions to reflect on the story, asking your child how they felt about it, or what they would do if they were in the character’s shoes. 

This nurtures empathy and helps them apply the tale to their own world. 

With these approaches, you and I empower your 2-year-old to not just hear a story, but to live it, learn from it, and love it.

Outdoor Exploration and Nature Play

I always find that getting outside with toddlers opens up a world of learning opportunities. 

Fresh air, sunlight, and the endless curiosities of nature make for a perfect educational playground. 

I encourage parents to make the most of their backyard or nearby park to engage 2-year-olds in playful learning.

One activity I often suggest is setting up a nature scavenger hunt . 

Together, we create a list of natural items to find, such as a smooth stone, a feather, or a flower of a certain color. 

I’ll use pictures or simple words to guide the little ones. 

This kind of interactive play helps children observe details and start to understand the diversity of the environment around them. 

Sidewalk chalk games, on the other hand, offer both a creative outlet and a learning tool. 

We can draw shapes, numbers, or letters on the pavement, turning each into a game. 

“Hop to the circle,” or “Find the letter A,” gets them moving and learning simultaneously. 

Such activities do more than just burn off energy; they also reinforce recognition of different shapes and characters, a key step towards reading and writing.

We mustn’t forget, sensory play can be amplified outdoors. 

I like using water tables or simple containers filled with water. 

Adding cups and spoons allows children to pour and splash, a fun way to develop hand-eye coordination. 

Mixing in food colouring makes for an exciting lesson on colors as they watch the water change hues with each drop.

This is a great activity that we do time and time again. Free play with coloured water engages so many senses and experimental learning.

All these activities foster a connection with nature while building a foundation for lifelong learning. 

Plus, they prove learning can happen anywhere, not just within the confines of four walls.

​Play at home curriculums for toddlers

For some parents, playing with their little kids comes organically. 

For others it can be useful to have a step by step list of toddler activities at their fingertips.

Call it a play schedule or a recipe for play.

If you would like to add some structure to your day, here are some play curriculums designed for 2-3 year olds that are full of developmental activities to do at home.

Using simple supplies that you likely already have at home, these curriculums are loaded with play ideas including:

• fine motor activities
• fun indoor activities
• craft activities
• social-emotional skills activities
• number recognition activities
• exploring science
• expanding on popular children’s books

One of our favourites include

• Playing PreSchool
• Picture Books Play
• Nursery Rhyme

Creative Ways to Say ‘Well Done!’

As parents and caregivers, acknowledging the achievements of our toddlers can reinforce their love for learning. 

It is so valuable to compliment the journey as well as the end result. Highlight how they overcame a problem,and that it was hard but that they can do hard things.

This will encourage your toddler to develop a growth mindset and resilience; both powerful attributes.

Here are some inventing approaches to saying ‘Well done!’ that will not only leave our little ones beaming with pride but also encourage them to keep exploring and mastering new skills.

• Sticker Charts:  Set up a colorful chart where you can add stickers for each accomplishment. Children love the visual representation of their progress, and it gives them something to look forward to.
• Applause Celebration:  Clap enthusiastically after your child completes an activity successfully. This simple gesture can make them feel like a star.
• Happy Dance:  We can do a special dance together to celebrate achievements. It’s fun, energetic, and a great way to express joy.
• Certificate of Achievement:  Create homemade certificates to present to your child for their learning milestones. Personalize them with their name and what they did to make it more meaningful.
• Storytime Shoutouts:  During storytime, insert your child’s name and accomplishment into the story as one of the heroic deeds. It blends creativity with recognition in an exciting way.
• High Five:  A hearty high-five can communicate a job well done instantly and is a tactile way for kids to feel connected and appreciated.
• Show and Tell:  Allow your child to showcase their work to other family members, instilling a sense of pride in their efforts.
• Progress Photos:  Take pictures of their activities and create a photo album showcasing their learning journey. Later, you can look through it together and reminisce about their growth.

Lavishing our toddlers with praise doesn’t need to be elaborate; sincerity in our celebration of their small steps forward makes a world of difference.

These acts of recognition affirm their capabilities and boost their confidence to take on the next challenge with enthusiasm.

Dani is a busy mum, pre-service teacher and and founder of Play Inspired Mum.

Her goal is to inspire creative play ideas, encourage the love of reading, offer tips to make your household eco friendly and remind you that you are not alone on this wild rollercoaster of a journey known as parenting!

She loves houseplants, giant chunky cookies and all things play based, incorporating learning experiences into every day!

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20+ Best Fun Learning Activities for 2-Year-Olds

7 Educational Activities for 2 Year Olds

7 developmental activities for 2 year olds, 8 fun activities for 2 year olds with no prep, no mess, get started now.

We know that parenting a toddler can be both rewarding and challenging, so we’ve put together a list of activities to help your little one learn and grow while having lots of fun. Welcome to our guide of 20+ fun and learning activities for 2 year olds!

From simple crafts and games that help with fine motor skills to more active pursuits that will get your toddler moving, there’s something here for everyone. And the best part is that most of these activities can be done using things you already have around the house, so there is no need to go out and buy anything special.

We hope you enjoy trying out these activities with your toddler and that they help make your days a little bit brighter.

1. Color Sorting

What you’ll need:  Construction paper in different colors, crayons, markers, or paint

What to do:  Cut out different shapes from each color of construction paper. Talk about the different colors with your toddler as they sort the shapes. You can also have them trace the shapes with crayons, markers, or paint.

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting color recognition and fine motor skills. Toddlers also learn about shapes as they play.

2. Letter Matching

What you’ll need:  Construction paper, scissors, crayons, markers, or paint

What to do:  Cut out different letters from construction paper. Talk about the different letters with your toddler as they match them up. You can also have them trace the letters with crayons, markers, or paint.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting letter recognition and fine motor skills. Learning letters early can also help your toddler with reading and writing later on.

3. Pattern Matching

What to do:  Cut out different patterns from construction paper. Talk about the different patterns with your toddler as they match them up. You can also have them trace the patterns with crayons, markers, or paint.

Some patterns that toddlers can work with include stripes, polka dots, and zigzags.

What kids will learn:  This activity promotes pattern recognition and fine motor skills. It also helps toddlers develop their problem-solving skills.

4. Play Math and Reading Games Online

What you’ll need: A computer with internet access

What to do: Many great math and reading games for toddlers are available online. Spend some time playing these games with your toddler to help them learn new skills. Ensure that children aren’t spending too much time looking at screens. For toddlers, 20–30 minutes is enough screen time.

What kids will learn: This activity encourages children to improve their math and reading skills. Toddlers also learn about computer use and basic game skills.

5. Put Together a Simple Toy Train Set

What you’ll need: A toy train set, such as the Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Railway Starter Set.

What to do:  Let your toddler help you put together a simple toy train set. They can connect the track pieces, place the trains on the tracks, and press the buttons to make them go.

What kids will learn:  This activity promotes problem-solving, fine motor skills, and hand–eye coordination. Toddlers also learn about cause and effect as they play.

6. Paint With Watercolors

What you’ll need: Watercolors, paintbrushes, water, and paper.

What to do:  This is a classic activity that toddlers will love! They can experiment with mixing the colors, painting different strokes, and adding water to create different effects.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting art and creativity. Toddlers also learn about colors and mixing different shades.

7. Talk to Your Baby

What you’ll need:  Nothing!

What to do:  One of the best activities for 2 year olds, this is a great way to promote language development. Talk to your toddler about anything and everything. Describe what you’re doing, such as “I’m making lunch.” or “I’m putting on my shoes.” You can also ask them questions and encourage them to answer.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting language development. Toddlers also learn about communication and conversation.

1. Trace the Body

W hat you’ll need:  Paper, a pencil, and some crayons or markers

What to do:  Help your toddler trace their body on a piece of paper. Then, they can decorate it however they like! This is a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting art and creativity. Toddlers also learn about their own bodies and how to use different art supplies.

2. Get Dressed

What you’ll need:  Some clothes, shoes, and a mirror.

What to do:  One of the most important activities for 2 year olds is to learn how to get dressed independently. You can start with simple clothing items, such as a shirt or pants. Show them how to wear clothing and then let them try it themselves. As they get better at dressing themselves, you can add more items, such as shoes, socks, and jackets.

This is a great activity to do when you are vacationing with the family as you can afford the time and patience it needs to help your kids learn how to button their shirts or tie their shoes correctly.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting fine motor skills and independence. Toddlers also learn about different types of clothing and how to put them on.

3. Put Toys Away

What you’ll need:  A toy box or bin and some toys.

What to do:  Show them how to put the toys away in the toy box or bin. As they get better at this, you can add more toys or make it a game by timing them to see how fast they can put the toys away.

What kids will learn:  This is a great activity for teaching toddlers about organization and responsibility. It is also a good way to promote problem-solving skills. Toddlers thus learn about cleaning up.

4. Clap to the Beat

What you’ll need:  Some music or you can clap your hands yourself

What to do:  Help your toddler clap their hands to the beat of the music. As they get better at this, you can add other body parts, such as their feet or head.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting music and rhythm skills. Toddlers also learn about following directions.

5. Read to Your 2 Year Old

What you’ll need: Any good picture books, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or The Cat in the Hat .

What to do:  This activity is great for promoting literacy skills. Sit down with your toddler and read one of their favorite books . As they get better at this, you can start asking them questions about the story or having them point out different objects in the book.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting literacy skills. Studies show that early exposure to reading is linked with higher reading achievement later in life. Toddlers also learn about communication and conversation.

6. Imitate Animal Sounds

What you’ll need:  A video or audio recording of animal sounds, or you can make the sounds yourself.

What to do:  This activity is great for promoting listening skills. Help your toddler identify different animal sounds. You can play a recording of the sounds or make them yourself. As they get better at this, you can start asking them questions about the animals, such as “Where does a lion live?” or “What does a cow eat?”

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting listening skills. Toddlers also learn about animals, their sounds, and maybe their habitats.

7. Play Kitchen Assistant

What you’ll need: A play kitchen, some pots and pans, and some plastic food

What to do:  Show your toddler how to pretend to cook in the play kitchen. Let them help you stir the pots and pans or cut up the plastic food. As they get better at this, you can start asking them to make specific dishes.

Some 2 year old development activities that can be done in a real kitchen include; helping to pour ingredients into a bowl, using a child-safe knife to help cut soft foods, or helping to stir—all with adult supervision!

What kids will learn: This activity is great for promoting imaginative play. Toddlers also learn about cooking and following directions.

1. Pillow Roller Coasters

What you’ll need:  Pillows, blankets, and a lot of space on the floor.

What to do:  Create a pillow roller coaster for your toddler to ride. They will love going up and down the hill. As they get better at this, you can start asking them to go faster or slower.

You could create a smaller pillow road for their toy vehicles. Children can hold a race with their toy cars and make them go up and down the road.

Remote-controlled tanks or any other remote-controlled toy can also be used for this activity.

After your 2-year-old is done playing with the pillow roller coaster, you can just put the pillows, blankets, and toy cars away—no mess to clean up!

What kids will learn:

This activity is great for promoting gross motor skills. Toddlers will also learn about ramps and the energy needed to go up and down the slopes. This basic experiential learning can help them in their future physics classes.

2. Rescue Animals (from zip-lock bags)

What you’ll need: Clear zip-lock bags and small plastic animals.

What to do:  Put their animals in clear zip-lock bags. Now ask them to help the animals get out by using their hands or opening the zip.

You can say, “I see the lion is roaring. It wants to come out. Can you help him?”

You can also put different kinds of objects in the zip-lock bags, like fruits, vegetables, leaves, etc. This will help your toddler learn about different textures and shapes.

After they are done playing with this activity, you can store animals and zip-lock bags separately or throw them in the toy box just as they are.

What kids will learn:  Such games and 2 year old activities help kids learn about animal names, sounds, and textures. It also helps them develop their fine motor skills.

3. Balloon Pop

What you’ll need:  Balloons and a sharp object (like a pin or a needle).

What to do:  Help your toddler blow up the balloon and then let them pop it with the sharp object. Be sure to supervise them closely so that they don’t hurt themselves.

Your toddler will have a blast popping the balloons. The toddlers love the loud noise of the balloons popping and the feeling of popping them.

This activity can get a little messy since the balloon bits will be scattered around. But, it is easy to clean up—gather all the pieces and throw them away.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting gross motor skills and hand–eye coordination. Toddlers will also learn about cause and effect as they see that their actions (popping the balloon) result in the desired outcome (the balloon makes a loud noise and pops).

4. Origami for Toddlers

What you’ll need:  Square pieces of colored paper

What to do: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. There are many simple origami shapes that even toddlers can make.

You can start with something simple like a paper airplane or a boat. Just fold the paper in half and then in half again. Then, help your toddler make the folds to create the shape. Once they get the hang of it, they’ll be able to do it on their own.

We all know 2-year-olds love to display their creations, so be sure to have a spot ready to showcase their origami masterpieces.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting fine motor skills and concentration. Toddlers will also learn about following instructions and different shapes.

5. Magnetic Letters

What you’ll need:  Magnetic letters (you can find these at your local dollar store or online) and a metal surface

What to do: Stick the magnetic letters on the fridge or any other metal surface. Then, help your toddler spell out words with the letters. You can start with simple three-letter words and then move on to more difficult words.

You can even use these magnetic letters to offer clues to your toddler during a treasure hunt or pass on messages like a detective.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting literacy skills and creativity. Toddlers will also learn about the alphabet, spelling, and simple words.

6. Decorating with Clothes Pegs

What you’ll need:  Clothes pegs and containers or surfaces to decorate

What to do: Accept it: Painting with your baby can be a messy affair. Clothes pegs allow you to bring a pop of color and beautiful works of art together. And, with this method, you don’t have to worry about paint stains.

Just let your toddler put clothes pegs around the containers or surfaces. You can even use them to create patterns or shapes.

If you want, you can paint the clothes pegs before your toddler starts decorating or buy cheap plastic clothes pegs in different colors. This will add an extra layer of color and fun to the activity.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting creativity and imagination early in children. They will learn that anything can be turned into a work of art with a little bit of creativity.

7. Transfer Books and Toys From One Box to Another

What you’ll need:  Two cardboard boxes with lids and some toys or books

What to do: You will be surprised how much a toddler loves to help you do a chore and win compliments and hugs from you. It is a great way to keep them occupied while you’re busy with other things.

To set up, put some toys or books in one box and then close the lid. Then, have your toddler transfer the items into the other box. You can even make it a race to see who can transfer the most items in a minute.

You can easily make this a sorting and organizing activity, asking them to sort books, toys, or other objects by colors, shapes, or sizes.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting fine motor skills and concentration in toddlers. It is also a good opportunity for parents to inculcate a sense of responsibility and ownership in their toddlers and build their confidence.

8. Play with Kinetic Sand

W hat you’ll need:  Kinetic sand and some plastic toys

What to do: If you haven’t played with kinetic sand before, you’re in for a treat. It’s a type of sand that’s moldable and easy to shape. And it’s also very therapeutic to play with.

Let your toddler explore the sand and mold it into different shapes. You can even use the sand to make patterns or write words. If you want, you can add some plastic toys to the mix and see how your toddler plays with them.

And it does not create any mess! You can easily store the sand in a container when you’re done playing.

What kids will learn:  This activity is great for promoting creativity and imagination in toddlers. They will also learn about different textures and how they can be manipulated.

Learning activities for 2 year olds must be creative, hands-on, and FUN! Parents must realize that a young child’s attention span can be short. So, the activities must be structured to maintain their interest, even outdoor activities for 2 year olds must be engaging and interesting. The key is to keep it short and sweet.

Do you need some “you” time? Engage your toddlers in one of the fun activities for 2 year olds mentioned above and take that five-minute break. These activities will not only occupy your toddler but also help their overall development.

Here are more online educational resources for kids that will help with their learning experience and make them smarter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to decide which activity is age-appropriate for 2 year olds.

Most two-year-olds can start with sorting shapes and colors, finding things hidden under objects, and doing simple puzzles. They may complete sentences in books they read regularly, follow two-step instructions, and love make-believe games. Activities built around developmental milestones for toddlers can help them progress to the next level.

What are some engaging indoor activities for two year olds that require few or no equipment?

Here are some indoor activities for 2 year olds that don’t require much equipment, if at all:

• transferring books and toys from one box to another
• sorting objects by colors, shapes, or sizes, 
• playing with kinetic sand or clay,
• playing online learning games .

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20 Best Learning Activities for Toddlers to Get Them Ready for Kindergarten

Have fun with letters, numbers, and shapes using these educational activities for toddlers.

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A word of caution though: Even though toddlers and preschoolers seem so big compared to the babies they once were, they still have no common sense at all, so any activity still has to be closely supervised. This is especially true for counting activities or projects that involve small pieces, which may present choking hazards, or anything involving water, which could be a drowning risk (even if it's just a small bucket of water). But with you guiding them through, they'll love these projects so much, the'll forget all about those buzzing, blinking toys in the toy bin.

Clothespin Color Match

Not only does this activity help toddlers shore up their knowledge of colors, it works on their fine motor coordination, since they have to pinch, pull, and place the clothespins.

Get the tutorial at Chalk Academy »

RELATED: 20 Learning Activities for Kids to Entertain Students While Boosting Their Brains

Paper Building Blocks

Paper can't be as strong as a wooden block — can it? For this engineering activity, you can show kids how even a flexible material like paper can become sturdy enough to hold up a weight (like a couple of Oreos!) if you shape it a certain way.

Get the tutorial at Babble Dabble Do »

Water Walking Experiment

A super-easy way to bring a bit of the science lab home, the "water walking" experiment illuminates two concepts: First, the water "walks" over the paper towel bridges (demonstrating capillarity), and then the colors mix to make new ones (the yellow water and the blue water "walk" into the same cup to make green). All you need is cups, food coloring, and paper towels.

Get the tutorial at Fun Learning for Kids »

RELATED: 23 Easy Science Experiments for Kids You Can Do at Home With Everyday Items

Number Pom Pom Challenge

Another activity that uses hand-eye coordination as well as number recognition, this cardboard tube maze is an exciting challenge for little counters. The object is to tilt the box so that the pom pom rolls through the tubes in number order.

Get the tutorial at Raising Dragons »

Shape Scavenger Hunt

Sure, your tot can recognize shapes in block form, but can they find the same shapes out in the wild? Send them on a scavenger hunt to see how shapes are used in everyday life.

Get the tutorial at The Many Little Joys »

RELATED : 22 Fun Scavenger Hunt Ideas to Keep Your Kids Guessing

Adding Boxes

What's 2 + 4? This simple machine will help kids figure it out. Put two poms in one tube, four in the other, and count the total in the box at the end.

Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »

Word Family Houses

For preschoolers who are learning to read, "word families" show how one group of sounds can form different words. Spin the wheel to show how the "-un" word ending can turn from "run" into "fun" or "bun."

Get the tutorial at The Measured Mom »

RELATED: The 20 Best Toddler Activities

Muffin Tin Counting

Muffin tins are perfect for sorting and counting activities, because the whole point is keeping all the pieces neat and tidy. In addition to sorting by number, you can also use them to match colors if you line the tins with different shades of construction paper instead of the numbered circles.

Get the tutorial at Early Learning Ideas »

Craft Stick Names

Teach them to spell the most important words ever: their names. This easy matching activity lets kids practice the order of the letters in their names; if you don't have craft sticks on-hand, clothespins would also work.

Get the tutorial at Play-to-Learn Preschool »

RELATED: 20 Fun Activities for 1-Year-Olds You Can Make With Items You Already Have

Sink or Float

It's an introduction to the Scientific Method: Kids can make a hypothesis about whether or not an object will sink or float in a tub of water, test out their theories, and record their results.

Get the tutorial at the Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide »

Feed the Monster

The monster is hungry! But what does he want to eat? Move the strip of paper below him to reveal his lettery cravings, then have your tot find a block to match.

Get the tutorial at Happy Tot Shelf »

Missing Number Match

If they're counting from 1 to 10, give them a little challenge: Write a number line on a craft stick, but leave a blank space that needs to be filled by one of the numbered clothespins. Once they've mastered the matching game, move on and do 10–20!

Get the tutorial at Planning Playtime »

Felt Board Shapes

Remember Colorforms? Felt shapes can offer the same kind of pleasure, and kids can combine and re-combine the shapes to make different pictures. It's a learning activity and wall art in one.

Get the tutorial at Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home »

Rhyming Dominoes

Traditional dominoes are good for practicing numbers, but with a few tweaks you can also make the game a way to practice rhymes, too. For kids who can't read yet, you can use pictures instead of words and still match up word sounds.

Get the tutorial at No Time for Flash Cards »

Counting Carrots

Part-craft, part-counting practice, this activity gives kids a chance to put the correct number of sprouts on top of a construction-paper carrot. The geometry of this craft is so simple, too, you can also use it as a shape refresher for triangle and rectangles.

Get the tutorial at Housing a Forest »

Shape Match Game

A twist on the classic memory game: Instead of flipping over cards, kids can make matches by pulling craft sticks out of an old egg carton. The great thing about this game is that it's so easy to pack up, it's the perfect activity to bring to Grandma's house.

Get the tutorial at Days With Grey »

"Bear Hunt" Map

Plot out the route that the characters take in the We're Going on a Bear Hunt book (or song ), and teach kids how certain geographical features (water, landmarks) are represented by certain symbols on a map. If they're excited by maps, show them how to make one of their rooms, their backyard, or even their neighborhood.

Get the tutorial at Buggy and Buddy »

DIY Musical Instruments

It's easy to make different percussive instruments out out household items. Experiment to see how different fillers (beans, rice, pebbles) make different sounds, then try using them in different rhythms to sharpen those counting skills, too.

Get the tutorial at Team Cartwright »

Monster Craft

This craft ties in multiple subject areas: After reading the book Love Monster , kids can design and create their own creatures, then count the number of eyes, teeth, ears, and feet.

Get the tutorial at Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds »

Tape Shape Sorting

Combine shape sorting with a scavenger hunt, and use painter's tape to make different outlines all over the house. Then, kids have to take their construction-paper shapes and search high and low to find a match.

Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved »

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30 Learning Activities for 2 Year Olds

Discover fun learning activities for 2 year olds ! From educational activities to arts and crafts, get ideas to do with your toddler.

I don’t stock sensory bins or organize trays of card stock at home. I also don’t like how many toddler activities seemed to focus on the parents’ crafting skills, not necessarily the child’s.

And I’m more interested in child-directed learning, not the “final product.” It’s not so much about creating a beautiful item as it is about allowing kids to be curious and ask questions.

Still, even as a non-crafty mom, I wanted to provide my kids with activities that encouraged their desire to learn and explore. After all, toddlers still have the same curiosity as when they were infants, but with the ability to do more complex tasks.

Below, I’ve listed the best activities I’ve done with my kids when they were this age. I divided them into five categories for a total of 30 activities (which makes for a fun month-long challenge!). These activities are bound to keep your toddler busy and engaged.

That said, I purposefully kept these activities realistic to do as well. You won’t need to buy science toys or craft supplies galore. If you do decide to buy anything, you’re more than likely going to use the materials over and over.

And these activities are simple . We’re all busy, and we know 2 year olds don’t exactly sit still for hours at a time. They can definitely go at their own pace. Hopefully, you can find them useful. As one parent said:

“I don’t even comment on blogs. But I’m trying to introduce new activities that we can do together and this has really helped. I just wanted to say thank you for putting these ideas and resources together!” -Kaitlin

Table of Contents

Craft activities

1. play dough.

Roll play dough into balls and count them one by one as you place them into a pile. Or roll them into long strings and spell the letters of your child’s name. Encourage fine motor skills by allowing her to pinch bits and pieces off of a large ball.

2. Fractions with paper

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Grab a sheet of paper, cut it in half, and explain how the two pieces make up the whole paper. Then, cut those two pieces in half, making quarters. Keep going, making eighths.

After each round of cutting, assemble the paper so your child can see how all the pieces form the original sheet. You can also get these pizza fraction toys to make it even more fun.

3. Matching game

Using card stock or index cards, write two sets of the letters of the alphabet and have your child match them together. Start with a few at a time to avoid overwhelming her with all 26. Either way, keep the letters all the same color so she understands that she’s matching by letters, not color.

4. Glue by color

Cut tiny pieces of colored paper—for instance, blue, red, yellow, and green. Then, on separate sheets of paper, draw two circles per sheet using different-colored crayons. One sheet can have a blue circle and a red circle, while another has a yellow and a green one.

Finally, have your child glue the cut-up pieces into the matching-colored circles (green bits into the green circle, for instance).

5. Mix colors

Using the three primary colors of red, blue, and yellow, show your child how to mix and match to make different colors. A few to try include:

• red + blue = purple
• yellow + blue = green
• red + yellow = orange

6. Count with dot markers

Have your child practice numbers with dot markers . Print two sheets of paper in landscape format, with the numbers 1-10 along the side. Show her how to color the appropriate number of dots next to each letter, counting along with her.

FREE printables: Make these activities even easier with these ready-made printables ! You’ll get a set to play the matching game, sheets to glue by color, printables to count with dot markers, and samples of my workbook, Letters and Numbers.

Grab the printable pack below—at no cost to you. You’ll also get my newsletters, which parents say they LOVE:

“Loved this email, it came precisely when I needed it! Many thanks for sharing your insight and helping me see things differently!” -Alejandra M.

Educational activities

7. sort colors.

Find a set of items and sort them by color. A few ideas include building blocks, magnets, cars—anything you’ve stored in a box! Then, sort them into different piles or place them into empty bowls, one for each color.

8. Count everything

Play a game of counting everything . Count toys like building blocks and pom poms, or snacks like crackers and carrots. Use any opportunity to count. Climbing a set of stairs? Count the steps you take. Pushing her on a swing? Count each time you give her a push.

9. Cut paper strips by size

Play a game of sorting by size, using 10 pieces of paper strips, straws, or pipe cleaners, ranging from one to 10 inches long. For instance, you can have one piece that’s one inch long, then another that’s two inches long, and so forth.

Once you have all 10 pieces, shuffle them on the ground and encourage your child to arrange them in order, from smallest (one inch) to largest (10 inches).

10. Sink or float

Gather a few household materials or toys and experiment to see which ones sink or float. You can do this during bath time, or pour water into a large bowl, water table, or kiddie pool. Find water-safe items with varying weights so your child can see different results.

Tip: Afterward, you and your child can use the water for your plants!

11. Letters in the tub

My kids played with a set of foam pieces of the alphabet , which they used to learn even more about letters and numbers. I’d also show them simple words to spell, or how certain letters come together to form their names.

12. Trace and write letters and numbers

Worksheets like those in my Letters and Numbers workbook are another fun way to introduce your child to the alphabet. Start with large letters and encourage him to “trace” with his fingers, before moving on to smaller letters to trace with a pencil or crayon.

Outdoor activities

13. nature scavenger hunt.

Make a list of items your child might find outdoors and help her collect her findings. A few ideas include leaves, twigs, rocks, pebbles, or flowers. Bring a bag to store the items, and cross the item off your list once you’ve found what you were looking for.

To make this game even easier, task her with finding just one type of item during your nature walk. For instance, my son loved finding baby pine cones, which our local park had plenty of. We’d simply make a pile of pine cones on the base of a tree until we found nearly all of them.

14. Collect and compare leaves

Collect a variety of leaves outdoors, lay your findings in a row, and talk about how each leaf looks and feels. You might talk about the different textures, colors, or shapes, and describe why some are soft and green while others are brown and crinkly.

15. Plant a seed

Plant a seed and watch it grow over the next few days and weeks. Depending on the weather, you can start the seeds in small containers indoors, or sow them directly into the ground outside. And stick to large seeds like sunflowers or bush beans—these are easier to hold and they grow quickly.

16. Bucket of ice

At a children’s birthday party we attended, the kids were intrigued with nothing more than a simple bucket of ice. They had found an empty water cooler with only ice and water. They’d grab pieces of ice and move them to the grass to watch them melt.

You can do something similar by placing a few ice cubes in a bowl and heading outdoors. Allow your child to grab the ice cubes and lay them on the ground. Talk about the differences between how it melts on the grass versus the hot concrete.

17. Mud play

Find a spot in your backyard or park and pour water into the soil. You can even bring pretend cooking items or old kitchen utensils you no longer use for imaginative play. For instance, stir and “bake cookies” on an old baking tray.

18. Sidewalk chalk

Grab sidewalk chalk and head to your sidewalk, driveway, or park. Draw pictures, write words, and practice coloring in shapes. Sidewalk chalk lets her be creative in a way that’s different from the crayons and pencils she probably uses often.

Practical activities

19. sweep into a square.

Encourage your child to do chores with simple sweeping! Using painter’s tape ( we have a bunch of these at home ), make a square on your kitchen floor. Then,  with a child-size broom , have her sweep all the dirt from the rest of the floor into that square.

20. Pour water

Place a bowl and a measuring cup filled with water on a baking sheet. ( I like this Oxo one because it’s lightweight with a rubber grip for easy handling.) Then, have your child pour water from the measuring cup into the bowl.

Using two measuring cups, she can pour the water into one measuring cup, going back and forth easily. She can also pour and scoop small items like dry rice, beads, or sand. Keep a towel handy for easy clean up.

21. Use liquid droppers with water

Using kid-friendly liquid droppers , show your child how to collect water by pinching the dropper and dipping the end into a bowl of water.

Then have her open her fingers, drawing water into the dropper. And finally, she can press the dropper once more, releasing the water into another bowl. This is a fantastic way to develop fine-motor skills.

22. Use tweezers and puff balls

With kitchen tongs ( or kid-friendly tweezers) , have your child collect cotton or puff balls from one bowl to another.

If you use different-colored puff balls, you can also have her sort them by color or number. For instance, all the blues in one pile, or make a pile of one, then two, then three, and so forth.

23. Sort laundry

As much as we dread laundry, you have to admit, it can make for an easy activity to do with your 2 year old. For instance, have her sort laundry by type (like shirts and pants) or by color. She can also match socks or set aside household laundry like napkins and rags.

24. Water plants

Kids love watering plants! Use a simple watering can like this to help your child learn how to water both indoor and outdoor plants. You might even make this part of her weekly chores—something she’ll do every Saturday morning, for instance.

Places to go

25. children’s museums.

Nearly every major city has a children’s museum. I prefer these types of museums because they invite hands-on participation (so I don’t have to holler “Don’t touch!” all the time). In Los Angeles, I love going to Kidspace , California Science Center , Discovery Cube , and Skirball’s Noah Ark .

26. Libraries

Many libraries include activities for kids, from story time and magic shows to arts and crafts. Grab calendars from your local libraries so you can attend events specifically for toddlers. Plus, going to the library encourages you and your family to make regular trips to borrow and read books at home.

27. Nature walks

Explore a new trail or nature walk with your child! You might check out a local hike, the lagoon, or the forests in your area. Bring a magnifying glass so she can observe curious finds along the way.

28. Sandbox or beach

Playing with sand either at the beach or in a sandbox at your local park can be so much fun! Bring sand toys and encourage your child to build, experiment with water, and learn through sensory play.

Don’t want to deal with the mess? Grab a bag of kinetic sand, which is easier to mold and less messy. I keep this in a plastic storage box with a lid for easy clean up.

29. Botanical gardens

I love taking my kids to botanical gardens because they invite so much exploration. The trees and plants are wilder than more polished gardens, and they include streams and even animals like lizards, fish, and turtles.

In Los Angeles, my favorites are the UCLA Botanical Garden and the South Coast Botanic Garden .

30. Aquariums

Discover the ocean and marine world by visiting your local aquarium! Your child can have an up-close opportunity to meet many of the animals who live in the water while learning about ways to care for the environment .

As you can see, these activities don’t need to be complicated or take too much time. Your child can play with mud or mix primary colors, and learn about sizes with paper strips or water volume with measuring cups. And most importantly, she can develop a love of learning.

You can do activities with your toddler—even if you’re not a crafty mom.

Don’t forget: Join my newsletter and grab the printable pack below —at no cost to you:

Nina Garcia is the founder and CEO of Sleeping Should Be Easy, a leading parenting resource and online blog. She has spent the last 14 years creating helpful content for parents through online courses and workshops, ebooks, newsletters, and the Sleeping Should Be Easy website.

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10 Comments

Love your ideas!!

Thanks, Tracey! Glad the article is helpful.

Incredible and helpful ideas

Thank you for letting me know, Lillian!

I enjoy some of the activities to perform with my almost 2 year old granddaughter- I have worked with pre-school for 26 years and teaching on this level is somewhat different for me,

I’m glad to hear it, Charlotte!

I don’t even comment on blogs. But my toddler is going through the only wanting daddy phase and I’m trying to introduce new activities that we can do together during our quality time and this has really helped. I just wanted to say thank you for putting these ideas and resources together!

I’m so glad to hear that Kaitlin! Thanks so much for letting me know.

Very informative, thank you

I’m so glad, Natalie! Thanks for letting me know <3

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Home • Toddler • Play And Activities

43 Easy Learning Activities For 2-Year-Olds

Learning activities are a fun way to aid your two-year-old’s cognitive development.

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Organizing activities for two-year-olds may seem challenging. But, fret not! Children love playing new games, and as they grow up, they become more curious to explore the new surroundings around them. Therefore, parents can figure out various engaging activities that are fun and informative. This also helps them develop cognitive skills at a young age ( 1 ).

When you expose your child to different indoor and outdoor games and activities, it will help create a perfect playing and learning experience. But if you are unsure what activities to introduce to your two-year-old child, this post can help you.

How Can Activities Support A Toddler’s Development?  

Imparting education to a two-year-old is not a difficult task. By altering their play activities, you can introduce them to the world of learning little by little. Here are a few benefits that your toddlers can reap through different activities ( 2 ):

• Imparts problem-solving skills
• Teaches them patience and perseverance
• Helps them recognize and differentiate things around them
• Promotes creativity
• Improves motor skills i An ability to move and control various body parts, especially hands, legs, and fingers.

40+ Activities For Two-Year-Olds

Here are fun and educational activities that can keep your child engaged and explore them to new things.

Educational Activities

1. can it sink.

Image: Shutterstock

The fun bath-time activity boosts reasoning skills among children.

How to play?  

• Fill up their bathtub or a bucket with water.
• Put toys of varied weights in the water.
• Let your child observe the toys sinking or floating.
• Later, you can test your child by asking about different objects—if they float or sink.
• You can also narrate some stories to your two-year-old while indulging in this water play to bolster their interest in storytelling.

What does it teach?  

• Improves their cognitive and reasoning skills
• Gives them a peek into the world of science

2. Match the pair

It is an activity that is fun, educating, and not as complex as it seems.

• Pick a pair of toys or pictures from different categories. These can be animals, vegetables, fruits, or even a few pieces of Legos.
• Separate the pairs by putting them in two baskets or scatter them in the room.
• Ask your child to identify the items belonging to the same category and put them together.
• Give them a high-five or chocolate as a reward.

Wh at doe s it teach ?  

• Improves hand-eye coordination i An important cognitive skill of performing movements with hands while being guided by the eyes.
• Exercises their cognitive skills i All the skills that the brain possess like memory, reasoning, reading, learning, reasoning and paying attention.

3. Puzzle time

Introduce your child to the world of puzzles with this easy-to-solve DIY activity.

• Draw a picture on cardboard and color it.
• Cut the cardboard once vertically and twice or thrice horizontally to get square or rectangular puzzle pieces.
• Shuffle the pieces and ask your child to arrange them.
• You could also make a reference picture to help your child.
• Do not make the shapes too complicated.
• Keep the number of pieces minimal in the beginning and increase as per your child’s convenience.
• Teaches the concept of ‘whole’ and ‘fraction’
• Improves their recognition, patience, and goal-setting skills i This could be inculcated as a method of learning where the motivation is maintained by setting a goal and striving toward it.

4. Color quest

This is one of the memory games similar to matching the pair but includes colors.

How to play?                                                                           

• Use toys or items of the same color. You can use Legos, cars, or color blocks.
• Leave the pile to them and ask them to segregate the items based on colors.
• Helps form the link between words and visual clues
• Improves cognitive and recognition skills

5. Color balls

It is a fun-filled color-related activity for your child.

• Give your child different soft color balls and let them toss them around as per their will.
• You can teach them to catch a ball and ask them to throw a particular color ball.
• Improves their motor skills
• Helps them identify colors
• Improves hand-eye coordination

6. Count ‘em all

The best part of the activity is that you can use anything you can find around the house.

• Put the items in a row and count them aloud by pointing them.
• Let your child repeat after you.
• You can increase the count slowly.
• Introduces them to the world of numbers
• Improves counting and cognitive skills

7. Draw that rhyme

The entertaining activity can be played while singing your little one’s favorite rhymes.

• Pick their favorite rhyme.
• Show them books or pictures related to the rhyme. For example, you can show them cartoon pictures of a bus for the rhyme, “The Wheels On A Bus.”
• Later, draw the picture and show them how it’s done.
• After a few days, give them a piece of paper and crayons and let their imagination run while you sing the rhyme.
• Eventually, you can go with different rhymes during their playtime.
• Improves their recognition and concentration skills
• Enhances hand-eye coordination

Indoor Activities

8. toy hunt.

It is a fun alternative to the hide and seek activity to keep your child excited.

• Hide their toys and let them search. Do make sure to intimate them before hiding their toys.
• You may even give them cues as they hunt for their toys.
• Improves their mobility, coordination, and imaginative skills
• Builds confidence and teamwork when played with others
• Encourages to think and comprehend

9. Charades

A simple activity that lets your child use their creative mind.

• Say a word out loud and let your child enact it.
• Start with simple and basic words such as ‘eat’ and ‘sleep,’ and proceed with more challenging words.
• You can also teach them opposite words in a fun way.

What does it teach?

• Improves vocabulary
• Sparks creative thinking

10. Touch and feel

It is an easy and fun activity for your toddler.

• Place a few items of different textures in front of your child.
• You could use a rock, a few pebbles, dough, or slime—anything you can find around the house.
• Let them observe each of them.
• You can also try this technique with temperatures within their bearing capacities.
• Builds vocabulary
• Improves sensory skills

11. Sorting game

Sorting is a fun way to keep your child engaged.

• You can opt for sorting boxes available in the market or make one yourself. For a DIY sorting box, take a container with a lid and make holes of varied sizes.
• Give your child smaller items of different sizes and ask them to put them into the container.
• You can demonstrate how it’s done in the beginning.
• Leave them with the container and the objects to their calculations.
• Strengthens hand-eye coordination
• Improves problem-solving and motor skills

Jennifer Bly, a mother of two and author, emphasizes the value of everyday activities as learning opportunities for children. She explains, “A simple activity such as putting the dishes away is a fabulous opportunity to teach skills such as sorting and classification. I love watching my 2-year-old put the cutlery into the cutlery tray, and I am amazed at how quickly she mastered the skill of sorting the cutlery into their proper place (i) .”

12. Up the ladder

It is a child-friendly, uncomplicated version of snakes and ladders.

• Draw a ladder placed alongside a building or a tree on a piece of paper.
• Pick your child’s favorite miniature toys and ask them to make them climb the ladder.
• You can dictate simple instructions such as stop, start, top, and bottom.
• Improves vocabulary and hand-eye coordination
• Helps to teach directions

13. Dress up

It is a fun way to boost creativity.

How to play?

• Place a pile of clothes in front of your child.
• Let their creativity run wild while they dress up.
• You may join them too as they make themselves a crown out of their trousers.
• Once ready, you two can play the music and indulge in a fun dancing session to spend quality time together.
• Stretches their imagination

14. Travel diaries

It is an engaging indoor world tour activity for children to enjoy.

• Use any item around the house that can accommodate your child. Maybe a blanket, towel, cardboard box, or their mini-cars.
• Let them travel the world.
• You can tag along and enjoy a house vacation if you wish to.
• Alternatively, you can name the rooms of the house with places they’re familiar with. For example, the kitchen can be London, and the bedroom Paris. Maybe their grandparents’ house or even to a jungle or park for that matter.
• Just say the name of the place and run around the house for an adventure.

  What does it teach?

• Expands their imaginary skills
• Teaches pretend play

Outdoor Activities

15. sandbox.

The activity keeps your children occupied for hours.

• Create a box and fill it up with sand.
• You can also add pebbles, buckets, shovels, and a few of their favorite toys.
• Strengthens fingers and hands
• Improves coordination

16. Gardening

It is a habit that can be started young.

• In the beginning, keep the activity simple.
• You can ask your child to plant a seed.
• Leave the watering task to them, even if it includes a mini-mug pour from time to time.
• Watch their interest in gardening develop as the plants grow.
• Later on, you can teach them to shovel and pick fruits and flowers.
• Teaches them about cause and effect theory
• Makes them responsible
• An early start to nutrition education

17. Ball games

Pave a path for their sports career by letting them play ball games.

• All you need is a softball and any game of your choice.
• Start with simple ball-throws and let them master the act of catching.
• Then you can teach them to toss or kick the ball.
• Ultimately, include bats and see their skills
• Helps muscles development

18. Pour it all!

It is a fun activity but can be super fun for the children.

• Give them a few mugs and a pouring medium of your choice. It could be water, sand, or even some rice.
• Let them pour it from one jug to another.
• Develops their motor skills and hand-eye coordination

19. Simon says

It is a classic game that says it all!  

• Name an activity after stating the words “Simon says.” For example, Simon says touch a tree or Simon says touch red color.
• Let your child run around to complete Simon’s task.
• Improves their concentration and recognition skills

20. Bubble pop

It is a simple yet engaging game that your toddler would love to play.

• Fill up a tray with water and some dishwashing liquid
• Use a wire loop to make blow bubbles. Let your child run around popping them.
• Or you can also let them wave or blow the loop to make bubbles.
• Develops motor skills and strengthens muscles
• Makes them curious about the wonders of science

21. Obstacle course

The obstacle course is a child-friendly game for adventurous play.

• Select an area that is safe for your child to jump around.
• Clean it and remove any rocks or pebbles that may hurt them.
• Draw a path and place several obstacles along.
• The path can be as complicated as you wish to. But make it simple in the beginning.
• Ask your child to reach the other end of the path.
• You can also include other mini tasks such as kicking and hopping.
• Helps them master their motor skills
• Teaches them the act of balancing

Fun And Coloring Activities

22. paint the sheet.

The simple painting activity can let your child’s creative juices flowing.

• You’ll need a large sheet of paper, water paints, and a coloring tool of your choice.
• Give them brushes, sponges, or cookie cutters to make the activity
• Leave your child with the paints and let them fill up the sheet.
• Stimulates creativity
• Improves coordination and concentration skills

23. Mix them up

It is an activity where learning gets fun in few seconds.

• Place a few cups of water and add food colors to them.
• Let your child mix them up and discover the world of color combinations.
• Stretches their observation capacity
• They may start using mathematical reasoning while mixing colors proportionally

24. Rainbow food

It is an activity that can be used to teach your toddler good eating habits.

• Add food colors to their food.
• It may be rainbow pasta, rice, or even smoothies.
• Make sure to add colors in front of your child.
• Let them enjoy the delicacy.
• Teaches them mathematical reasoning and healthy eating habits

25. Color sorting

The color sorting activity is designed to make learning fun.

• Take a sheet and draw circles of different colors.
• You can also take several cups and color them on the outside.
• Ask your child to place objects of similar colors in the circle or inside the cups.
• Improves visual perception, identification, and thinking skills

26. No-mess painting

It is a fun activity, and you need not worry about the mess.

• Take a sealable plastic cover and place a piece of paper
• Fill it up with a few drops of paint.
• Remove the air and seal the bag tight.
• Let your child push the paint in any direction they want.
• In the end, you can remove and dry the paper.
• Stimulates creativity and improves hand-eye coordination

27. Coloring book

A classic approach to coloring will help your child learn about colors and drawing skills from a young age.

• Get a few coloring books or download a few coloring printables online.
• You can buy crayons, sketches or even paints. Make sure that they are child-friendly without chemicals.
• Try to help them color inside the margins. It is okay if they move outside the margins.
• Improves finger grip, eye-hand coordination, and concentration skills

28. Paint them all

It is an activity for children who like messy painting.

• Take a plastic tub outdoors.
• Give your little one a few brushes and let the painting begin.
• You could also attach the paper to the walls and let them paint on it.
• They could also paint bubble wraps, Legos, or whatever you find suitable around the house.
• Introduces them to the concept of colors

Art And Craft Activities

29. color mix.

It is a fun way to teach children about colors and mixing.

• On paper, add colors or paints of your choice.
• Mix them and show how the colors
• Tell them what each color is called.
• You can begin with primary  
• Improves color recognition and vocabulary

30. Playdough

Playing with the dough is simple and engaging. You may even ask your child to mix colors in the dough.

• Get your child to play dough and let them take the lead.
• You can show them how to mix colors and demonstrate a few shapes.
• Develops muscles in fingers and hands
• Improves motor skills

31. Glue art

It is a simple introduction to the world of crafts to make your toddler’s time enjoyable.

• Give them some glue and few paper
• Help them in pasting different coloring pages together.
• You can also draw shapes of different colors and ask them to paste color paper-cuts into those shapes.
• Improves hand-eye coordination and motor skills

32. Zig-zag

It is not as complex as it seems and lets your child scribble anything they want to.

• Draw zig-zag lines on a piece of cardboard or paper.
• Take a few large size buttons and toxic-free glue.
• Ask your child to stick the buttons or paper along the lines.
• Improves motor skills and hand-eye coordination

33. Cotton ball craft  

Learning becomes fun with this activity.

• Draw the outlines of animals, trees, fruits, or vegetables in different colors on paper.
• In a few cups, pour water and add food colors.
• Help your child dip cotton balls in the water.
• Let the cotton balls dry, and then help them sort the balls in the same colored shapes.
• Improves hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity

34. Paper plate crafts

This easy and fun animal intimation activity for the tiny tots can help them enjoy fun learning time.

• Decide the animal you like to make.
• Draw the outlines of the individual parts on different paper plates. For example, if you plan to craft a bird, you can draw the face on one plate and its beaks on the other.
• Color the parts and assemble them with glue.
• You can also use accessories such as buttons, artificial feathers, googly eyes, and much more for decorations.

35. Nature collage

It is a beautiful activity that lets your children fall in love with nature.

• Collect anything from around the house. You can get leaves, twigs, flower petals, buttons, and paper
• Draw random lines on a piece of paper.
• Help your child stick similar category items in each zone.
• Teaches them the concept of patience

Developmental Activities

36. object tracking.

It is an activity that can be their first step towards art.

• Take a paper and place any objects on it. Maybe a few Legos, straws, or even your hand.
• Give your child several colored pencils and let them trace along with the objects.
• Improves motor skills and manual dexterity
• Teaches patience

37. Indoor car race

The activity is a mix of adventure and patience.

• Create a driveway.
• Add obstacles through the way. You can place any object you find around the house—a box, a few more cars, or few Legos.
• Let your child run their trucks or cars through the driveways without touching any obstacle on the side.
• Improves hand-eye coordination and concentration

38. Nature hunt

Here’s an activity you can do the next time you’re outside with your child.

• Name an item and ask them to hunt for it.
• They can collect flowers, twigs, leaves, pine cones, and maybe shells.
• Improves observational and recognition skills

It is an introductory game to the world of words and numbers.

• You can use any building blocks that have letters or numbers on them.
• Help your child stack them as you say out loud what’s on them.
• Eventually, you can ask them to arrange the letters and numbers in order.
• Improves dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and motor skills

40. It’s counting time

The activity can be played anywhere, while on a road trip or when the power goes off.

• Ask your child to count any available item.
• Bowls, carrots, or clips—it can be anything you find around the house. Use it as an opportunity to teach them numbers.
• Builds math skills

41. Tracing alphabet and numbers

It is an activity that sets the course to learning.

• On a paper, dot letters and numbers. You can also download free printables online.
• Give them color pencils and help them trace along with the dots.
• Make sure to speak out the letters or numbers while they trace.
• You can also use this method to teach shapes and patterns.
• Improves fine motor skills

42. Arrange in order

It is an activity designed to teach sizes.

• Take a few straws and cut them into varied sizes. You can also use blocks or Legos of various sizes for this activity.
• Mix them up and let your child arrange according to height.
• You can also use leaves, twigs, petals, or any other object for this activity.  
• Improves observational skills and recognition skills

43. Balloon pop

Balloon pop is a vibrant and engaging activity for 2-year-olds to learn colors, sounds, and coordination. This game is a fun learning activity for children to play and learn simultaneously.

• Inflate several balloons in different colors and sizes.
• Securely tape the balloons at a low height on a wall or let them float with strings attached.
• Encourage your child to pop the balloons by gently pressing or tapping them.
• As each balloon pops, cheer and name the color loudly.
• Repeat the names of the colors with each pop to reinforce learning.
• Color recognition
• Motor skills
• Auditory stimulation

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What cognitive skills should a two-year-old have?

According to the CDC, your child should be able to do the following activities by the time they are two years of age ( 3 ):

• Hold a bottle or container with one hand and open it with the other hand
• Play with multiple toys at the same time
• Try and use knobs or switches on their toys

2. How many hours a day should I play with my toddler?

You should play for at least ten minutes with your child every day initially and increase the timings according to your comfort and skill adjustment. This special playtime also allows you to build a bond with your little one ( 4 ).

3. How can I foster my two-year-old’s imagination with activities?

Reading books, telling stories, acting out nursery rhymes, and exploring new nearby places together can help boost your two-year-old’s imagination. Engaging in pretend play or dressing-up games, playing with puppets, and drawing can also spark your child’s imagination.

4. How can I help my two-year-old develop cognitive skills?

You may aid your child’s cognitive development by engaging in puzzles, problem-solving, reading, and other interactive play activities. Crafts, drawing, playing outdoors, and building activities can also boost their creativity and thinking skills. Additionally, engaging them in age-appropriate tasks around the house and limiting screen time can promote independence and learning.

5. Are there any special considerations I should make when playing with my toddler on a daily basis?

Playing daily with your toddler helps foster a loving, strong bond and keeps them physically and mentally active. However, make safety a priority by removing hazardous objects and securing furniture and electrical sockets. Choose age-appropriate games, engage in interactive play, and do not force them into activities. Furthermore, try to limit screen time when using iPads or TV for educational games. Finally, be patient with your child’s changing moods and try to be flexible to incorporate their ideas of fun.

Channel the energy of your two-year-old in the right direction with the help of these learning activities for 2-year-olds. Children are at their developing stage at this age, so these activities will help you combine learning and fun while keeping your children engaged in something productive. These will not only develop their motor and cognitive skills but also teach them to be patient. With a little bit of help, you will see your child reach their developmental milestones with great levels of creativity and perseverance.

Infographic: Benefits Toddlers Can Reap Through Different Activities

Various learning activities and games can help children acquire knowledge fast and help them develop cognitive, motor, and creative skills. Learning through games is always fun and exciting for children. The infographic below highlights the benefits toddlers may reap through different learning activities.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

• Activities such as Count ’Em All or Counting Time improve toddlers’ mathematical, reasoning, and analytical skills.
• To improve their motor skills, they could trace alphabets and numbers or engage in other object tracking activities.
• Art and craft activities with playdough or nature collages stimulate creativity while teaching color combinations.

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Keeping a toddler engaged in an activity for long is a real challenge for any parent. Here are some fun and easy activities to keep your 1-2 year old entertained at home!

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

1. In Brief: The Science of Early Childhood Development ; Center on Developing Child; Harvard University. 2. Summertime, playtime : Usable Knowledge; Harvard School of Education. 3. Important Milestones: Your Child By Two Years ; CDC 4. Special Playtime ; CDC

• Fact-checker

Dr. Sadhvi Mythili MBBS, Psychiatrist

Bharathi v pg dip (journalism), rohit garoo bsc, mba, apoorva k msc (counseling psychology), latest articles, top 10 kids birthday party places in india.

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75 Sanity-Saving Mess Free Toddler Activities To Do At Home

• Last Updated: February 6, 2023

By Sarah Peerless

Got a young kiddo at home? Suffering severe lockdown fever?  No time for mess?

Sounds like you need some easy mess free toddler activities to do at home to keep them busy (and you sane).

Covid-19 aside, if you have a little one aged 2, 3 or 4, there’s always reason to have a few good at home toddler activities up your sleeve.  (Err, hello Taylors of Harrogate coffee. Yes, I’m a coffee snob.)

You need simple no mess activities to keep your busy 2 year old toddler engaged and out of your hair. 

You need easy activities to do at home for your even busier 3 or 4  year old preschooler to keep them out of mischief, just for a few minutes.  Ideally with zero set-up and with things you already have at home. 

Heck, even easy at home activities to do with your kiddo when you so desire.

And mess free is the name of the game. At home toddler activities that absolutely DO NOT involve cleaning up some hideous mess. 

These are paint-free and glue-free toddler activities that won’t wreck your home….pinky promise.

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Table of Contents

How do you keep a toddler busy at home?

To keep a toddler busy at home, you need to provide them the stimulation and activities that involve things they’re naturally curious about.  You’ve probably noticed that from the age of 2 (and even before), your toddler loves doing the following:

• stacking & sorting
• pouring & scooping
• ripping & throwing
• touching & exploring with their hands
• cutting, posting, packing & unpacking…
• figuring out how things work
• opening and shutting containers, doors, lids….
• getting wet and messy…
• move, move, move!

They’re not merely playing or actually trying to destroy everything they touch.  Whatever it may seem.  They’re learning through each and every activity they’re doing.  

Your 2, 3 or 4 year old is trying to master certain fine and gross motor skills, while also satisfying their desire to explore the world.   

This list of no mess toddler activities is naturally geared towards these tendencies to learn and explore.  It’s full of toddler at home learning activities and opportunities.   

The main aim is to keep your 2, 3 and 4 year old busy and engaged in a constructive way as possible.  Or in a destructive way, but under your terms!

For littles less than 2 years old, check out these simple activities for 18 month olds . 

Let’s define ‘easy’ & ‘mess free’ toddler activities 

My definition of a successful and easy activity for my toddler and preschooler is one which:

• is quick to set-up – let’s say 5 minutes max
• doesn’t require printing or laminating
• doesn’t need fancy or expensive supplies (most are things you already have at home or can easily get the shops) 
• keeps said toddler/preschooler busy for 15 – 30 minutes, often independently 
• can be easily adapted to kids a little different in age (my two are 15 months apart so that wasn’t too difficult)
• allow exploration and experimentation (i.e. hands on activities)
• has minimal clean-up or better still involves no mess at all

So these mess free toddler activities to do at home should tick all of these boxes.  They should be good to keep your little one going while you have a cup of coffee, feed your newborn, cook or catch up on emails…

Mess free toddler activities to do at home INDOORS

Most of these practice fine motor skills in one way or another – there really are endless possibilities – and you don’t have to look hard to see some very common themes…

#1 Posting toy cars into a large bottle

Small toy plus a hole just a little bigger = a mess free toddler activity that can last a loooong time…then there’s all the fun noise your little one can make shaking them around and around and around…

Another task is to shake them all out again… literally a good 30 minutes of fun for a busy 2 year old!

It’s always a good idea to check the toy will come out again, but in the case of toy cars into a 5 liter water bottle, I could easily have cut the bottle up to get them out.

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: plastic baby wipes container also work very well to shove toys (and most other things) into and then pull them out again.

If you’re little one loves vehicles of all shapes and sizes try these Easy Transportation Crafts & Activities .

#2 Dry pasta scooping & sorting

Dried pasta shapes and ice cube trays with a set of plastic measuring spoons.  Or use muffin pans or silicone cupcake liners.  I swear these get used for toddler play a million times more often than for baking. 

Or just use any small plastic container.

EASY EXTENSION : Amp up this activity by mixing different pasta shapes in one bowl and have your toddler or preschooler fill some compartments/cupcake liners just with bows, others just with noodles, others with shells etc.

You can also make this a little trickier by adding in some different means of transferring the pasta.  E.g. salad tongs, ladels or plastic tweezers for kids (check the recommended products section for these).

#3 Puzzle mix-up

Those lovely easy chunky puzzles that used to keep your little one busy as a 1-year-old, are now too easy.  But most other puzzles you end up having to help your toddler with, right?

So take those easy puzzles and dump all the puzzle pieces out together.  Then have your older toddler or preschooler put all the puzzles back together at once.

Easy and fun and normally a good 15-20 minutes of peace in our house!

#4 Blowing pompoms with straws

This is as simple as it sounds…. but in practice was a bit tricky for my 2 year old.  However, my 4-year-old particularly loved this one.

There are any amount of ways you can set this up. I placed a bowl on a chair the other side of our narrow play table and he spent ages blowing pompoms across the table and into the bowl…

This is fun STEM activity for toddlers too. Smaller pompoms move easier but more wildly, and the larger ones are heavier and harder to move, but easier to maneuver.

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: use cotton balls or scrunched up balls of paper to blow.  Can even be done without a straw altogether but for some reason, all kids seem to love straws…

Or why not turn this into a color-matching activity.  Place clear plastic cups on the table, then blow all the green ones into one cup, all the red ones into another and so on.  Mom Brite has a great post with more details.

#5 Cutting straws

Cutting is always a popular activity for toddlers and preschoolers.  They just love to cut anything, especially once they’ve got their first pair of scissors .   And so easy to do at home.

But instead of always using paper, get out some cheap plastic straws for your 2 year old.

(I know these are a big no-no environmentally so I’d like to add that we only use plastic straws for crafts and activities these days where they get used over and over…. very rarely for drinking).

Unlike paper, a straw is easy for a toddler to hold, and is long (or at least starts off long) so there’s less likelihood of them cutting their fingers off.  Bonus.

In addition, plastic straws seem to jump all over the place when cut – much to the hilarity of my two – which does mean a little bit of tidying up but does prolong the fun.

You could argue this isn’t strictly mess free, but grab a dustpan and brush and clean up will be done in a couple of minutes.  Or send your toddler off on a ‘straw treasure hunt’.  This normally does the trick in our house.

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: a good alternative to straws, that isn’t paper, is long narrow strips of thin cardboard, think biscuit or cereal box cut into strips.  Advantage or disadvantage is card doesn’t jump into the air when cut!

Paint-chip cards are also perfect.

UPDATE: Just this morning I found an old jumbled up ball of wool… good for nothing… unless, of course, you have a young kiddo who loves to cut!  Another virtually mess free toddler activity to try at home. 

My 3 and a 4-year-old spent a good half an hour cutting up wool… I’m sure that’ll come in handy for another toddler activity or craft.

(You’ll see me on ‘Hoarders’ any day now.)

#6 Matching tupperwares with their lids

Who said toddlers couldn’t be useful?! Got a cupboard in Tupperware hell?  Haven’t we all. 

Dump them all out and if you have any with lids on, take them off. Then get your 2 year old to match the lids back to the correct Tupperware.

(While you’re at it, you can then throw the ones no longer with a lid away – or add to them to the box of junk really useful stuff for the kids to play with…)

#7 Bottle top posting

There are an endless number of learning opportunities and educational activities for bottle tops (just write letters or numbers on them and you can conjure up all sorts of related activities).

But for this one, you just need LOTS of them and then something to post them into.  I used an old formula tin and cut a few different holes in the top for tops of different sizes to fit through. 

Such a simple mess free activity for 2 year olds at home, but sadly not noise free! 

Using a tin means that the lid makes a satisfying clink when it hits the bottom – that’s a double win for a busy toddler.  

#8 Tower building & then (obviously) tower destroying

Tupperwares, plastic cups, empty cans, small boxes, large ones… you name it!

If your kiddo who loves to line stuff up and for things to be very ordered, then finding lots of things exactly the same is the way to go if possible.  This describes my preschooler to a tee.

So stacking empty (and clean) cans into various orderly arrangements and then knocking them down is his idea of heaven.

Because he loves the knocking down so much, it definitely suits him to use cans, rather than plastic cups – unless you don’t mind them being ruined. 

(He was determined to stamp on the cups having knocked down his cup tower so I swiftly put those away and delved into my stash of empty tin cans.)

#9 Squeeze pouch lids & mini muffin tins

I’ve yet to meet any toddler mom who doesn’t use squeeze pouches once in a while. Great for those early weaning days and also for emergency snacks when out and about.   

No surprise that those pouch lids are worth saving.  They’re the perfect size to fit neatly into the molds of a mini muffin tin, as demonstrated above. Other plastic lids work well too.

Putting them and in and taking them out can keep a toddler busy for quite some time.  So start stashing lids and use them for this simple mess free activity for 2 year olds. 

#10 Rip up egg box cartons

Another activity for destructive little boys.  Babies and young toddlers love to rip stuff – so paper towel, magazines or newspaper.  But for the older toddler and definitely the preschooler that’s just too easy – and can create a lot of mess in minutes.

So for an almost mess free toddler activity and to burn off some destructive energy, egg box cartons are the way to go, my friend.

These ripped up pieces are then perfect for dump trucks, diggers and rubbish trucks to play in (yup, even the rubbish gets reused in our house).

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: old cereal and biscuit boxes.

#11 Tiny toy rescue & recapture

Tape some little toys (toy dinosaurs, cars, ponies, Playmobil characters… anything really) to the side of the fridge with painters/masking tape.

Rescuing the taped toys is an engaging activity for the younger toddler, who will need to work those fingers hard to peel the tape off.  But even the older toddler and preschooler will enjoy it.

I thought my two would be too old for this, but no!

They added in a recapture element and spent a good 30 minutes resticking their Playmobil figures upside down (as in photo above), then making them fall by gently peeling the tape back.  Then they’d re-rescue them and start all over again…

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: Alternatively, stick toys to a table with plastic tablecloth or to a tiled floor.

#12 Screw lids on and off bottles

Another simple no mess activity for toddlers at home similar to the tupperware one above, but this time with bottles and lids.  It’s a bit trickier to screw the lids back on, so excellent fine motor activity for toddlers.

So start hoarding bottles of all shapes and sizes. It’ll provide a 2 year old with hours of fun. 

And if you’re feeling a little creative and have a spare 5 mins, why not make this DIY twist-top board . 

#13 Painters tape peel

You may have noticed your little one attempting to unpeel the sticky top off wipe packets so here’s a simple mess free toddler activity that plays to this desire.

Tape painters tape onto the kitchen floor and allow your 2, 3 or 4 year old to remove.  At first you can make it really easy, with a very definite end to the tape for your toddler to easily grab on to.  As their ability improves, you can stick the tape down more firmly at either end.

EASY ALTERNATIVE & EXTENSION: Try sticking to different surfaces and at different orientations. 

Peeling the tape off the carpet or a rug makes for a satisfying sound and changes the tape from sticky to fluffy.  The removed, and then fluffy, tape kept my two entertained even longer.

Or try taping to the fridge so your toddler has to peel the tape off a vertical surface and use different muscles.

#14 Dot sticker shapes & patterns

Dot stickers are amazing for all sorts of things when it comes to 2, 3 and 4 year olds, especially when it comes to counting practice, number recognition and basic math… So we’ll save those ones for another day.

So for a simple no mess toddler activity focus just on the stickering itself, i.e taking the sticker off and sticking it in a certain place.  Then just draw a pattern or outline of something very simple and have your little one trace it with stickers.

My preschooler – above – asked for a square and a triangle, my toddler asked for a heart.

Such a simple activity for toddlers at home and soooo effective to keep little minds occupied.

#15 Decorate a cardboard box

Decorate a small cardboard box that can become a ‘special’ toy box, baby bed, tiny house or whatever else takes your toddlers fancy.

My two recently wanted to make our new Jack Russell puppies a dog house.  I quickly taped up a small cardboard box and cut out a door and window and my two toddlers  went to town for a good 20 minutes ‘decorating’ it. 

(AKA scribbling with pencils and crayons, stamping with ink stamps and stamping pens.)

Needless to say the puppies are not at all interested in sleeping in it and so my 4 year old decided he’d try to hang it in a tree… Then we switched the sprinkler on and mmm… it’s now even less likely to be used as a dog house. 

But since the real aim was just to keep the two terrors (not to be confused with the terriers) busy for a few minutes, I’m counting it as a win.

#16 Pipe cleaners and a colander…

…and thread. That’s it!  My two loved using the finished articles as hats for their ridiculously enormous teddies and have also pretended they’re enormous spiders.  Fun as a Halloween activity too?

EASY ACTIVITY EXTENSION: Make this activity a lot trickier by challenging your toddler or preschooler to push pipe cleaners through a sieve.

#17 Rubber bands & a can

What is it with toddlers and elastic bands?  Well, give them a job to do with them: putting them on to a can and taking them off again, simple.

Or if putting them on is too much of a stretch (see what I did there?!) then you can put them on and let your toddler take them off.

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: use a plastic bottle or empty cardboard tube for smaller bands or for bigger bands that can go around twice.

#18 Apple or potato poking

This is a fun mess free toddler activity for fall or any time of the year when you have an apple or potato to spare.

Use a felt tip pen to mark dots on an apple or potato and see if your toddler can stick a toothpick into the fruit/veg on the dot.  I was so surprised by how much my two loved this simple mess free activity.

A quick peel and said fruit/veg should still be good to use. 

(Having tried this with both apples and potatoes I’d recommend using the latter, since they’re less likely to bruise when dropped a few hundred times.)

EASY ACTIVITY EXTENSION: if your kiddo has a small toy hammer or you have a lightweight wooden meat tenderizing hammer, you can help your toddler hammer the toothpick in. 

You will probably need to help hold the toothpick (I did) but this is sure to keep them entertained as it’s quite tricky and you need to be gentle – something most toddlers or preschoolers are not good at!

#19 Trace simple pattern with pompoms

This is a little like the dot sticker patterns, but without the stickering part.  Draw any shape, and have your toddler line up pompoms or any other small loose item along the lines.

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: Pasta, cereal or small toys work really well too.

#20 CD/DVD stacking

Got a bunch of old CDs that skip every few seconds?  Haven’t we all… well if you have one of those CD stacker storage thingy-m-bobs then taking the CDs off and putting them back on again could well keep your toddler busy…

Just know that you’ll never be using them for music or film again.

EASY ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY: this is not a direct alternative, but if you have old CDs in boxes that are destined for the rubbish then your kiddo is probably going to love just taking them out and putting them back in again.

It’s actually not all that easy for a toddler to get them in the right place so the box shuts nicely.

#21 Pompom transfer & sorting

Bunch of pompoms in a bowl, a muffin or mini-muffin tray and something to transfer them with.  Salad tongs, ladels or plastic tweezers or just a small spoon.

Sounds suspiciously like pasta scooping and sorting, right? Yup, that’s the beauty with toddlers and preschoolers; virtually the same activity, just with different tools!

Younger toddlers will love the transferring part to create pompom ‘cakes’.  (Stand by imaginary oven.)  Older toddlers and preschoolers tend to gravitate towards sorting colors… Whatever keeps them happy and busy goes as far as I’m concerned.

#22 Encourage toy mixing

As adults, it’s so easy to get caught up encouraging our kids to play with toys in a certain way.  But the mind of a 2, 3 or 4 year old is of course very different. Actively encouraging different toys to be played together leads to a huge number more ‘games’ that can be invented.

My preschooler loves his train set and has made endless additional bridges with duplo blocks and wooden blocks.  He’s made salt dough hills for the track to go around.  We’ve made cardboard houses too…

Mixing and matching those toys keeps it fresh – I highly recommend it.

#23 Marbles and cardboard tubes

Grab a few tubes, some marbles and then something to catch them in and let your toddler or preschooler play.

A very simple mess free activity for toddlers and preschoolers at home that involves a certain amount of problem-solving.  Getting the tube to stay up, and to position the cup, bowl or egg box in the right place to catch the marble and so on.

So a good one for lots of experimentation. 

(We found that egg box cartons work the best to catch the marbles as they don’t jump out as easily as from plastic bows or cups).

You could also make a more permanent marble run by hot gun gluing tubes to a big sheet of cardboard.  I wasn’t all that successful and my two just wanted to move the tubes all the time…

#24 Craft stick & block building

I saw this simple no mess activity on Frugal Fun 4 Boys and knew this would be a hit with my toddler, who loves to build!

If you click here you’ll see the different ways they build and balanced towers, using crafts sticks, blocks as well as plastic cups.  H was intent on the low, wide bridge and ramp pictured above.

Given there’s so much potential in this activity, I can see us returning to it again and again.

#25 Listen to stories on audiobooks

I was hesitant to include this as it’s not a very active toddler activity, but it’s very much no prep and no mess and my two love to listen to audiobooks.  Great for screen-free resting and relaxing, which we do every day after lunch.

We only got into this in a few weeks ago at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic when Audible started offering free audiobooks.  We’ve been listening to The Timeless Tales of Peter Rabbit & Friends and Winnie The Pooh ever since.  And are now signed up forever more…

#26 Sweetie game

What better way to introduce your toddler to a simple board game than with sweets? This is one you’re going to be actively involved in but is fun and no mess all the same.   

Instructions as follows:

• Draw a grid of squares or rectangles
• Each player takes a line. One end is the start, the other the finsih.
• Put your sweetie at the start 
• Roll the die and move your sweetie along the grid, according to the number
• When you’ve reached the end and are finished, you can eat the sweet!

Great for counting practice and everyone’s a winner. 

Indoor WATER PLAY activities for toddlers & preschoolers

Toddlers and preschoolers love to play with water .  Wait, I hear you say, that doesn’t sound mess free?!  Especially if you’re stuck indoors…

Even if you can’t get outside, these water-play activities shouldn’t get out of hand.

These activities are mostly to be carried out at the kitchen sink (or similar) or in the bath.  There are a couple which can be done at a table, well covered with a plastic table cloth.

For plenty of ways to keep little ones busy in the garden or backyard, wet and otherwise, try these simple and fun outdoor activities and play ideas .

#27 Pour and scoop water at the sink

Stool at the kitchen sink, sink full of warm water and some empty yogurt pots/tupperware with some measuring cups… Yes, this is exactly the same as playing with stacking cups in the bath.  Different location, different tools, completely different activity!

#28 Play with ice cubes in the sink

Toddlers and preschoolers alike just love ice. So an ice activity is a must once in a while and I’d definitely argue that this one is a mess free toddler activity, perfect for a 2, 3 or 4 year old.  It can keep my two busy for ages…

EASY ACTIVITY EXTENSION: Add some food coloring to the water before freezing for a bit of color or some pompoms for a hidden surprise.

#29 Wash plastic toys in the sink

As above but make out that your toddlers toys (battery-free of course) need a good scrub.  Let’s face it, you won’t need to ‘make out’ that they need a clean, in all probability they’re fairly grubby.

Just remember to be clear that ‘only Mom or Dad’ can put the dish liquid in though.  And then hide it unless your toddler has an insane amount of self-control.

#30 Play with non-bath toys in the bath

So not regular bath toys, but other water-friendly toys.  Think duplo, plastic animals, plastic characters etc.  Our rule is nothing wooden and nothing with batteries.

Building towers in the water is completely different to building them on dry land. Obviously Mommy because now it’s boat, not a house. Or a houseboat.  Or a submarine. I lose track…

#31 Bottle tops & pipettes

First, fill a few small cups with water – you can add a drop of food colors to each if you want so each cup of water is a different color.  Then lay some bottle caps and jar lids out on the table (preferably on a plastic table cloth or plastic tray, or both). 

Take a plastic pipette and show your toddler how to use it first – this can be quite difficult for a 2 year old.  My youngest struggled with this at first (see the easy alternative below) but now at 3 she’s got it nailed.

Then show them how to transfer water from the cup to the bottle lid – without it overflowing of course.

EASY ALTERNATIVE: if your toddler can’t manage to figure out the pipette, then you can do the same activity using a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon.  You need to use a small teaspoon otherwise those bottle tops overflow very quickly.

#32 Water transfer with pompoms

This activity is good fine motor practice for your little one and can be done at the sink or at the table. 

We’ve tried it at the kitchen counter, with a shallow oven dish full of water and a bowl of pompoms and then a few small bowls and cups.

Younger ones will just enjoy picking them up and squeezing them but an older toddler or preschooler can transfer water from the dish into the cups and bowls by squeezing the pompoms.  Just don’t set the cups up too far away from the dish to minimize water dripping too far.

Mess free SENSORY ACTIVITIES for toddlers at home

This post is all about easy mess free activities to do at home with minimal clean-up.  We don’t need to add to the craziness of life with toddlers do we?

Here are some clean sensory activities for toddlers that are totally mess free.

If and when you’re in the mood for letting your toddler get messy, try this bumper list of sensory activities for 1 year olds and up. 

#33 Create a textured walk

Toddlers love nothing better than to explore with their fingers, but also with their feet.  So in this easy mess free activity for 2 year olds create different sensory opportunities for them specifically for walking on.

They may also want to touch with their hands and crawl over them too but set it up primarily for walking.

Bubble wrap is always a favorite. Tape it to the floor and let your toddler loose! Jumping up and down on it will be a fun experience and will also burn some energy.   

EASY ALTERNATIVE: Rather than tape things to the floor you could set up a sensory bin specifically for walking in.  Simply add lentils or rice for your 2, 3 or 4 year old to walk over. 

#34. Twinkly light sensory bottle

You do need a large plastic bottle with a large opening for this one.  The bottle pictured originally had craft supplies in it but has been used for several different activities and play scenarios since.

Add battery operated twinkly lights to the bottle and screw shut.  A 5 liter water bottle might work too, depending on the battery pack size of the lights.

A fun at home toddler activity that’s safe for tiny tots and involves no mess whatsoever.

EASY ALTERNATIVE:  Add jingle bells and tinsel for a Christmas themed toddler activity or how about acorns and dried leaves during Fall?

For more seasonal sensory fun, try these festive Christmas sensory activities or these fake snow sensory bins .

#35. Water beads mess free toddler activity

Water beads are fun to play with but are not safe for under 3’s or any little one who loves shoving everything in their mouth.  But you can bag them up and make a colorful sensory bag in a jiffy.

This one does need a bit of prep as you need to soak the beads in water overnight.  Then pop in a ziplock back, seal shut with tape and you’ve now got a safe and mess free toddler activity that’s good for tiny tots too.

I tried this with my 10 month old twins (pictured is one of them).  It’s an easy and safe sensory activity for babies .

#36 Play with silks or dance scarves

Play silks/dance scarves make for a fun no mess toddler activity at home and there are so many different ways in which they can be incorporated into play.

Stuffing them into a box or  Oball and pulling them out will keep a 2 year old busy.  Older toddlers and preschoolers will love incorporating them into all sorts of costumes.  Play silks can become a cape or wings or used to create a sea or river in small world play. 

#37 Squishy sensory balls

I tried these squishy balls as a baby Easter activity , because they look like eggs. Sort of.  Regardless of the season, playing with these will keep a toddler who loves to fiddle and touch all the things well occupied.

Using a funnel, simply fill balloons with different dry materials, tie the top and off you go.  The flour filled balloon was my personal favorite –  it feels just like a stress ball, it’s so, so squishable.

My toddlers liked all of them of course.  We’ve tried corn kernels, rice, oats, beads, beans, sand – whatever could be fitted in, went in. Such a fun mess free activity for 2, 3 and 4 year olds and up.  (Including adults!) 

Minimal mess SENSORY ACTIVITIES for toddlers & preschoolers

Here are some dry messy play ideas with minimal mess.  The mess can be fairly well contained and swept up quickly.

Of course, with a toddler at the helm, things can get out of hand pretty quick.  So skip ahead if minimal mess activities are not mess free enough.

Remember to state those boundaries/expectations upfront!

#38 ‘Bake’ with playdough

I could say ‘anything’ with playdough because playdough never ever seems to get boring and can be used in a million and one different ways.  However, I  thought it more useful to name something specific.  So baking it is – a firm favorite and something we do almost weekly in our house.

Our equipment list of choice is:

• playdough, homemade or store-bought
• muffin pans
• silicon muffin cases
• cookie cutters
• toddler sized rolling pin
• cut straws (cake candles, of course)
• some kind of unit that will double as a pretend oven (we use a white plastic kitchen trolley – finishing the homemade play kitchen is still on my to-do list…)

This is a case of less is more – toddlers get easily overwhelmed with too much choice in the cookie-cutter department…

For a winning playdough recipe, mix the following together, heat gently and stir until you have a lump of the stuff – dead simple.  Even works when my 3 and 4-year-old are doing the measuring!

• flour – 2 cups
• salt – 1 cup
• cream of tartar – 4 tsp
• vegetable oil – 1 tbl
• food coloring – a few drops

That’s enough to make 4 different colored decent-sized lumps.

For a more permanent play dough like activity, salt dough crafts are fun.  They make great Christmas ornaments .  

#39 Moon sand sensory bin

Mix flour and oil together (any types will do, whatever you have to hand) in a ratio of 8:1 and you have some lovely soft and fluffy moon sand.

Put it in a large plastic container or crate – at least 40cm by 80cm (think underbed storage container) or use a sand or water table.  Then throw something in:  a bunch of sand toys, little diggers or cups and spoons or small plastic animals.   

Then let your toddlers scoop with it, smush it through their fingers and just play.

My two loved burying their plastic insects in a moon sand mound and then rescuing them with toy diggers… whatever floats their boat, right?!

#40 Rice bins

Very similar to above – a scooping and sensory play activity that is virtually mess free.  Remember, state the rules of play first and stick to them!

Cheap, uncooked rice in a large plastic container, as it is.  Or dyed if you want to get fancy (just soak in food colored water overnight).

You can take this one a bit further and tape some paper tubes to the side and add a funnel or too.

My toddlers loved to put a little dump truck under the tube, pour the rice down the tube and be incredibly excited to watch the truck collect their cargo.  Simple minds, remember!

EASY ALTERNATIVE: Instead of rice use, cereal or small pasta shapes.

TIDYING & CLEANING activities for toddlers at home (no mess)

Who said toddlers and preschoolers can’t be useful?!  If you haven’t got your kiddo involved in a few household activities at home yet, I’d urge you to, for a few reasons:

• toddlers and preschoolers love to feel useful at this age and love to help with things – capitalize on this because it can only last so long, right?
• although most activities will take long with a little one in two but at the same time said toddler/preschooler is busy and out of mischief
• they start to learn the importance of being tidy and responsible and other general life skills
• there are plenty of easy activities for toddlers to try at home that are mess free

Of course, they’re not going to get it 100% right but remember to praise anyway.  (And re-do if necessary.) 

Gradually you could build a few into your schedule and turn them into daily activities for toddlers at home.

#41 Cutting food up

Set your toddler up in the kitchen close by (this is obviously not to be done unsupervised) and hand them a normal eating knife or plastic salad knife .  I bought the latter especially for my toddlers to use.  They’re great for playdough too.

Fruit and veg that work well for us have been potatoes, cucumber and lettuce.  For the first two, cut them lengthways in half first so that they don’t roll around. 

Warning – things will end up very small – fine for cucumber but probably only good if you want mashed potatoes.

#42 Folding pajamas or other clothes

If you’re looking to introducing some fun and easy daily activities for your toddlers at home, then folding pajamas and night blankets is a good place to start. This is now firmly part of our morning routine. 

I do still lay them out so it’s easy for them to get started, but they both love this.  Racing to see who’s the fastest normally motivates my toddlers when they’re dwindling.

A winning mess free activity for toddlers at home that is useful too.

#43 Washing up

Well, if they can play at the sink, why not take it one step further and get them to wash up?

Not glasses, china or sharp knives, obviously… but their own plastic crockery and cutlery, plastic cooking utensils and small metal saucepans are well within a 3 or 4-year-olds capability.  Might be a stretch for a 2 year old but will keep them busy!

They’re probably going to spend much of the time just playing, scooping and pouring the soapy water, but that’s ok. 

If it gives you 15 minutes to clean up the kitchen or think about what to get out the freezer the next day then I’d count that as a win.

 #44 Sorting the clean cutlery back into the cutlery draw

I.e. putting the forks back with the forks, the spoons back with the spoons and so on… A classic matching activity for toddlers to do at home that ticks the mess free box.

#45 Breaking spaghetti

I think you can see that my daughter loves this one!  Super simple virtually no mess toddler activity to do at home with your 2, 3 or 4 year old and surprisingly time-consuming.

It can take little hands a good 10 minutes or so to break up enough spaghetti for a meal for 4.  It also minimises the mess of your toddler or preschooler eating spaghetti if you get them to break it up nice and short…

#46 Toy clean up

If you’re looking for a simple tidyng and cleaning activity for toddlers, then packing away toys is a good one.  The sooner they learn to take care of and keep their toys organised the better. Easier said than done but worth the effort. (I think!)

You can make toy tidying fun too, by singing songs, racing cars onto the shelves and so on.  It also keeps little ones busy, hence is definitely an ‘activity’ in itself.

It can take a good 15-20 minutes plus an additional 5-10 minutes while your toddler or preschooler stops to play with the toys they’re meant to be tidying up. A fun activity that’s all about tidying up the mess.  Win win!

Mess free toddler CRAFT activities to try at home

With a bit of extra time and on my hands, I do love painting (or fingerpainting ) and doing crafts with my toddlers.  

But crafts don’t have to involve sticky glue or paint…. Here are some crafty, creative and simple mess free toddler activities to try at home.

If and when you are in the mood, here are some easy arts and crafts we’ve tried over the years.  And for paint, check these recomended baby-safe non-toxic ones .

#47 Make a pipe cleaner bracelet

Wonderfully engaging toddler or preschooler activity for girls and boys… pipe cleaners are perfect for threading activities because they’re dead easy to poke through a bead without a needle.  Pipe cleaners are super useful for all sorts of toddler crafts .

Related post:  STUPIDLY EASY pipe cleaner spider craft for toddlers (no prep & no mess!)

EASY ALTERNATIVE:  thread noodles or buttons onto shoelaces.

#48 Sticker birthday or occasion card

Everyone loves a homemade card from someone special, particularly when that someone is knee high to a grasshopper.  Making a homemade Christmas card or two is something we’ve gotten into. It’s a favorite Christmas tradition of ours.

So for a very simple mess free craft activity, your toddler can simply decorate a blank card with stickers.  Write a cute message inside and you’re done. 

If and when you don’t mind a bit of mess and you want to make a cute personalised card for someone, check out these handprint birthday card ideas .

#49 Paint with marbles

This may sound a little curious, but painting with marbles is fun process art which can also yield some lovely results.  And yes, it’s a completely mess free activity for 2, 3 and 4 year olds that you can do easily at home.

Simply line a large tray with paper, add dollops of paint (I used our everyday child friendly paint), chuck in some marbles and get them to moving.

If you do want to try and keep the artwork afterwards, I’d advise using some decent slightly heavier weight paper.  Also choose the colors you use carefully, since they will end up mixing.  

To see all the various works of art we created check out the full post here:  Marble rolling: easy art activity you’ll actually want to keep)

#50 Contact paper window mosaics

Tape some contact paper to the window and then your toddler can decorate it with tissue paper shapes, feathers, pipe cleaners and other materials you have to hand. 

A fun mess free activity for toddlers at home that creates cute window decor you can theme to the season.  Pictured is a fall-inspired window mosaic from Mom In The Six which uses faux leaves. 

More simple Fall themed crafts for 2 and 3 year olds here . 

#51 Paper plate wreath craft

Another easy craft activity for toddlers with no mess whatsoever and takes mere minutes to prep.  Yet again, it involves a sheet of stickers or two!

Simply cut a circle out of the paper plate and add stickers of choice.  Of course, wreathes are normally assoicated with Christmas, Easter and Fall.  For some themed wreath inspiration check these toddler Christmas crafts and these Easter crafts .

#52 Make paper airplanes

Since he flew his very first paper airplane as a 2 year old, my eldest hounds me for them day and night. Well, that’s what it feels like! Now his little sister has found the love…

If you’re not sure how to make one, try this simple video tutorial. I tried lots of other that said they were easy, but that was the only one I could follow with said toddler hot on my heels.

#53 Make a simple crown

Toddler love making hats.  And pretending to be a princess, a king, a knight and so on… So for a simple mess-free toddler activity at home, make a simple crown for them to decorate.  The fun doesn’t end once it’s decorated, then it’s time to play!

Don’t be put off by the making part – all you’re making is a headband out of card with some zigzag edges.  Simply size it to your toddlers head and secure with a stapler.  Just be sure to staple so the flat side of the staple is against your childs head.

Here’s an easy paper crown tutorial if my instructions are a little too basic.

#54 Make a noodle necklace

Another deja vu… yup, more jewelry and another threading activity for your toddler or preschooler.  We painted our noodles first but totally not necessary.  Then threaded using some decorative twine – stiff-ish and easy enough for little fingers to thread.

EASY ALTERNATIVE: thread Cheerios for an edible and (probably) short-lived necklace.  Or for a similar non-jewelry toddler activity, stick some spaghetti, toothpicks or wooden skewers into a lump of playdough and create a noodle or cheerio tower by threading them on.

#55 Mess free painting

Tape a piece of paper to a large chopping board, add blobs of paint and then loosly, but securely, cover with plastic wrap.  Then your toddler can paint at home, indoors, mess free.

EASY ALTERNATIVE: Slip paper into a ziplock bag with paint and seal shut.  Use tape if your toddler is good at opening ziplocks!

For more simple, minimal mess toddler crafts of a themed nature, try:

• Fun Fathers Day crafts for toddlers
• Cute Valentines crafts for toddlers to make
• Adorable Mothers Day Crafts for toddlers
• Natvitiy crafts for kids
• Fun & easy Easter crafts for 3 year olds

Simple MUSIC activities for toddlers at home

Music can get everyone out of a funk.  Toddlers and preschoolers are no different so for a different type of no mess activity, try something musical.

#56 Action songs

There are so many fun action songs that will entertain little ones, particularly a 2 year old who’s still experimenting with basic movements like clapping their hands, bending down to touch their feet etc.

Lots of these will also help expand your little one’s vocab and coordination. But best of all they’re plain good fun as well as being very obviously no mess.

Here are some fun and easy action songs you’re sure to know:

• Heads, shoulders, kness and toes
• Row, row, row your boat
• Hokey Cokey

#57 Have a boogie

There’s nothing cuter than the waggling hips of a toddler.  But this one is definitely not just for the onlooker.  Little kids love to have a boogie and normally at 2, 3 or 4 years old have yet to become shy about it, especially if they’re at home.

#58 Make plastic bottle maracas

Add different materials to plastic bottles to make DIY maracas for your toddler. 

Rice, dried pulses and uncooked pasta, sand make interesting and varied sounds.  You can use bottles of different sizes and experiment with the sounds by filling them to different levels.  Seal shut with tape if you need.

Then let your 2, 3 or 4 year old play and experiment with their very own homemade maracas.

#59 Play With Jingle Bells

This one is as simple and easy as the title suggests… your toddler will love shaking and playing with jingle bells. You could also make a jingle bell maraca or use them in your sound experiement, as outlined above.

#60 Play the pot and pans

Use wooden spoons and other baby-safe kitchen utensils as drum sticks.  Upturned pots, pans, plastic containers and old shoe boxes are the drums.

This one never fails to entertain my particularly boisterous and noisy toddler! An easy at home toddler activity that keeps said 2 year old entertained, with zero mess.

EASY ALTERNATIVE & EXTENSION: Experiment with larger items, like teaspoons, metal bottle lids, onions etc in different containers, like a lidded  sauce pan or tupperware and create all sorts of different ‘noise makers’.

Extend this for older toddlers and preschoolers by discussing and testing which ones will make the loudest noise, which will make the most soothing noise and so on.  A simple mess free activity that’ll get them thinking.

#61 Try a dance routine with Just Dance

This one is more for older toddlers and preschoolers as the routines are a little tricky to follow. Let’s just say, I struggle.  But it’s good for a laugh and a 2 year old is sure to still enjoy it.

Wacka Wacka is our favorite Just Dance track at the moment.

#62 Musical statues (or freeze dance)

A classic party game that definitely shouldn’t be reserved for special celebrations and definitely should be started in the toddler years.  Play some music, hit pause, and everyone must stand like a statue or freeze. 

This can also be themed to the season too.  The Monster Freeze would be a fun Halloween party activity .

PRETEND PLAY at home toddler activities 

Toddlers love to play out and recreate scenarious they see in everyday life.  You don’t need many props, as these fun mess free toddler activities prove.  They have an amazing imagination so combine that with a few items you have at home and you should be all set.

#63 Teddy bears picnic

Here’s another classic activity that will never grow old.  Simply get your toddler to gather their favorite teddies and treat them to their very own picnic. Use your toddlers cups and cutlery and add any toy food items. 

If you’re short of anything, don’t worry. Your 2, 3 or 4 year olds imagination will be more than sufficient.  They can help their teddies to sip their tea and eat their fairy cakes.

Remind those teddies of their table manners! 

#64 Build a fort

With large cushions, sofa cushions and blankets build a fort with your toddler.  They’ll love crawling in and out, taking their teddies inside and may even want to take nap their. 

There may be a few cushions to tidy up after, but in the grand scheme of things, I definitely class this as a mess free toddler activity.

#65 Cooking and baking

It’s no secret that toddlers love to pretend to cook and bake.  There is an abundance of choice when it comes to play kitchens and toy food.  But you don’t need to rush out and buy anything for your little one to enjoy this mess free toddler activity.

A small coffee table works well as a toy oven, as does a large cardboard box.  Cut out a flap of cardboard to create your oven, complete with door.  Or simply use a small table with stove tops for your kids to pretend to cook on.

#66 Picnic in the garden or on the carpet

Make preparing for and eating lunch or a snack a fun activity in itself. Pack up food, crockery and a blanket (or foam floor mat as pictured) into a hamper or your toddlers backpack.  Oh yes, take the potty too if you’re going from the house!

#67 Go on a bear hunt

Going On A Bear Hunt is a fun book that my toddlers really enjoy.  In this fun no mess toddler activity to do at home you’re going to act out the book.   My two like to nominate one of their teddies as the bear to be hunted. 

Use an old toilet roll as your monocular and off you go. (Or check this list of toilet roll crafts if you want to make binos.) 

EASY ALTERNATIVE: You can simplify this and just make it a hide and retrieve game.  My two love to go on a dino hunt.  I hide their toy dinosaurs around the garden.  (They’re foraging in the jungle.)  And then they go find them. Simple!

A fun dinosaur activity for indoors and out that involves no mess and takes minutes to prep.

If your toddler or preschooler loves these prehistoric crestures, check out these fun and easy dinosaur crafts and activites .

#68 Make a play house

Cut doors and windows out of a gigantic cardboard box and turn it into a play house.  Decorate or not, as you please.

MOVEMENT GAMES & activities for toddlers at home

Kids of all ages need to move, toddlers perhaps more so than most.  While there are plenty of activities that keep their hands busy and mind engaged there are plenty more that involve full body movement.  These will help develop gross motor skill development, while getting all those wiggles out.  

Several of the mess free activity ideas above, and most of the music activites, involve movement.  But this section here is dedicated fun movement games and activities.  

Not only are these no mess, they’re also no prep too.

#69 Bean bag toss

Learning to catch is a skill which your toddler can start to learn around 2 years old. This simple gross motor activity helps develp visual processing skills and descrimination.  Hand-eye coordination and a good grasp is then needed to catch. 

A simple and fun gross motor activity for toddlers at home, indoors, as long as you have a clearish space and nothing precious in the firing range.  

This would also be fun game for a little one’s birthday party .. 

#70 Balloon keepie-uppies

Playing with balloons is a fun activity in itself. If you have young kids at home, always have a stash of balloons somewhere.

In this easy energy-busting toddler activity to play at home, the aim is simply to keep the balloon in the air.  This is a surprisingly difficult task and another that’s good to develop visual processing, coordination.  It’s also a tiring but fun activity for toddlers and sure to be a hit.

#71 Torchlit hide and seek

This is an absolute favorite game of my two – they ask for this one on a regular basis. 

The only restriction is that it needs to be done once it’s dark outside, so no good for long summers days… Simply hide teddies around the house, in obvious places. Then your 2, 3 or 4 year old must go and hunt for them using their flashlight.

#72 Balloon waddle

Another fun balloon activity, the one more challenging than the last.  See how far your toddler can walk across the room, while holding a balloon between their legs.

#73 Shape tag challenge

A fun way to learn and practise shapes while burning off some energy.  Call “square” and your toddler must find and tag something at home that’s square shaped.

More fun and minimal prep indoor games, try these gross motor activites for 1, 2 and 3 year olds .

#74 Green light, orange light, red light

In this fun movement game, your toddler is driving their imaginary car, zooming around according to the color of the traffic light. 

Call “red light” and they must stop, dead still. “Orange” and they can move slowly and “green”, you guessed it, top speed.

Such a simple activity that you can wear your toddler out with, while staying at home.

#75 Ball wall

Setting up the ball wall does take a few minutes, but is guranteed to keep your toddler occupied for quite some time. 

The ball wall consists of plastic balls, such as ball pit balls or pingpong balls, attached to the wall using masking or painters tape.  Roll it into loops, sticky side out, so one side sticks to the wall and the other to the ball. 

Attach as many balls as you have time for at a height on the wall that makes it tricky, but not tricky, for your 2, 3 or 4 year old to reach.  At the other end of the room, place a bucket.

The game is to grab a ball from the wall and run across the room to place it in the bucket.

Recommended toys to engage toddlers at home

I’m a big believer in less is more when it comes to toys. There are so many toddler toys on the market that don’t keep them busy for very long.  The best toys are ones that can be played with in an open ended way, which means your little ones will continue to find new and interesting ways to play with them.

This is an additional section I’m adding now that my 2 eldest, pictured frequently throughout this no mess toddler activity post, are at school. These are toys the’ve loved since around the 2 year old mark and still play with now, at 6 and 7.

#76 Duplo blocks

There are an endless number of houses, animals, vehicles and towers that can be built with simple building blocks.  Duplo blocks are simple enough for toddlers as young as 2 years old to handle.  That’s when mine started playing wtih Duplo.  I’ve still not put them away, 5 years later…

#77 Montessori Music Instruments

Toddlers love making noise, sorry music. That doesn’t change as they move through the preschooler and early school years!  

Playing with these simple instruments works on hand-eye coordination and other fine motor skills while allowing your little one to experiment with rhythm.  And it’s just plain fun!

Click to purchase music set on Amazon 

#78 My First Purse

I’m not much into purses, but at around 2 years old, my daughter got into them big time.  She just loved packing and repacking her purse of the moment. This is still a favorite activity of hers, 4 years later…

Click to purchase My First Purse set on Amazon 

#79 Farmers Market Set

Click to purchase farmers market set on Amazon 

#80 Shopping cart

Great to accompany the farmers market set, but can be used for a whole host of other things too.  Every toddler needs something to carry all their stuff around in.  Soft toys, books, duplo…. you name it, everything will be transported in this cute trolley.

#81 Magformers

Another fun building toy that has kept our two busy for hours over the years.  This one has the interesting USP of being magnetic, so towers and shapes are built by sticking pieces together. 

Click here to purchase Magformers on Amazon

An advantage over the Duplo and other more traditional building blocks is that it packs down small and comes with a cute carry bag, making this an ideal toy to take when traveling.

For more toy recommendations, try these posts:

• Best toys for 1 year old baby girls
• Best outdoor toys for 1 year olds

Summary SUPPLY LIST for mess free toddler activities

Here’s a list of everything that you’ll need to do these no mess activities at home:

• kitchen implements – salad tongs, ladles, wooden spoons, measuring spoons
• whiteboard/dry erase markers + whiteboard (though the latter you can do without)
• elastic bands
• cocktail sticks
• plastic straws
• masking/painters tape
• printer paper
• crayons, coloring pencils

To add to this – here’s a list of things I’ve begun hoarding in order to use in other mess free toddler activities:

• bottle tops
• toilet rolls
• cardboard tubes from kitchen towel rolls, foil and wax paper
• cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes (if too big to store I flatten them for use for painting projects)
• old tupperwares
• used spice jars

Recommended products for these toddler activities 

And lastly, a few specific items to purchase if you don’t already have. Below are all the links to the recommended products that are included in various places throughout this list of easy mess free toddler activities at home.

All these links are ‘affiliate links’, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

• pipe cleaners
• dot stickers
• toddler scissors
• toddler sized rolling pins and playdough tools
• colored and natural wood craft sticks
• pipettes and other fine motor tools
• jumbo beads
• plastic salad knives (or other kid-friendly knives)

Tips for doing toddler activities at home (for preschoolers too!)

1. be realistic.

If your kids are only 2 or 3 then don’t bargain on more than 20-30 minutes before it’s time to move onto something else.  Even at 4, staying content to do one activity for more than 30 minutes is a stretch, although there have been a few activities which have done the trick.

2. Let your child lead the way

Don’t be restrained by the exact way your toddler is meant to play or do the activity. If he or she comes up with a variation of ‘the right way’ and it’s safe and engaging and keeping them busy, then just go with it.

3. Simple is always best

If your toddler finds something too difficult and is getting frustrated, don’t push it.  Either adjust to make it easier if possible or move on to something else.  I still continue to be amazed at quite how simple things need to be.

4. Keep open-minded

Some of these hands on activities for toddlers might sound the bees knees and get zero love from your toddler… because it’s going to happen.  Don’t be disheartened!

While others you might be a bit skeptical about and are an instant hit.  And you’ll keep coming back to them again and again….

As the saying goes, you just never know until you try.

5. Set and state any necessary boundaries first

There are couple of activities to do with toddlers that could get messy if no boundaries are set.  Or if your toddler is not good at sticking to them.  This can take a bit of practice!  (See above photo…)

Clearly stating the rules and then a firm ‘if we can’t stick to these rules then we’ll have to put these things away’ has worked pretty well for us. Then, of course, you need to stick to what you say.

6. Safety first

Hopefully, this goes without saying, but for any at home toddler activities that involve small parts, watch your little one carefully.  If your toddler is on the younger side and still loves to put stuff in her mouth, then skip those activities altogether.

Adjusting easy toddler activities at home to different ages

Always keep it simple – so set the difficulty level of the activity to the youngest.  Then adapt as you go along. 

Given that it’s through play, that toddlers learn, this post lists toddler learning activities at home.  However, you can easily add in a specific learning concept, such as counting, letter or number recognition in to the mix and turn them into more ‘educational’ activities for toddlers at home.

Do I have to entertain my toddler all day?

Toddlers are pretty good at entertaining themeselves, given the right environment, tools and hands on opportunities. You don’t need to ‘entertain’ them as such, but rather provide them with these opportunities.

This list of easy and fun toddler activities at home will help you do just that.

I started this post back in lockdown, knowing that many people had a sudden need to keep their young toddler busy as a result of lockdown.  Because all the “sanity-saving nurseries are shut”, as a dear friend put it.

Keeping your toddler busy at home is a skill that can be learned!

Keeping 2, 3 and 4 year olds busy with easy activities is certainly not a skill I was born with.  (Like a bunch of other things I kind of presumed would come easily as soon as I became a mom. Silly me.)

But with no playgroups, daycare, softplay, toddler groups or tots classes of any kind where we lived in this beautiful corner of the African bush, I got plenty or practice. 

I got a handle on what makes their little brains tick and how to bust that energy, all while maintaining a certain level of sanity.

(Most days.  As long as the Taylors hasn’t run out.)

So for all those of you who are suddenly or not so suddenly on the hunt for easy mess free activities to do with your toddler at home, you’ve come to the right place.

Ready to try some mess free toddler activities at home?

I hope that’s given you a good few ideas to keep your toddler or preschooler busy at home  and give you a little peace.  I’m sure before you know it you’ll be coming up with more ideas of your own!

You’ve probably figured out along the way exactly what your little one loves doing and gravitates towards.  Remember there’s actually a very real need to practice these things. This is how toddlers and preschoolers master new skills.

So instead of just saying “no”, “don’t do that” and “don’t touch that”, hopefully, this list will give you the means to offer your child that need in a way that you are ok with. 

So pick and choose from these mess free toddler activities at home.  You’ll also begin to see how you can easily adapt activities to the materials you have on hand. 

You can also easily turn many into more specific educational activities.  For example, you can include letter and number recognition dependent on the age and stage of your toddler. 

There are so many possibilities!

Enjoy these special stage of your toddlers development.  And good luck!

_______________________________________

Looking for more preschooler or toddler activities? Check out these posts now:

• 50 Easy Easter Bunny Arts & Crafts Ideas For Toddlers 
• 29 Scarily Easy Skeleton Crafts for Kids
• CRAZY EASY pipe cleaner spider craft for toddlers 
• 41 Easy Christmas Tree Arts and Crafts for Toddlers
• FREE 3d paper Christmas ornament templates for kids

Useful stuff? Want to save it for later?  Want to share with other moms? Click above or pin this image:

Got any comments or questions?

I’d love to here from you.  (Your email address will not be published.)

Or contact me direct at [email protected]

Want to dig a little deeper? Check out these other related posts:

50+ fun (& easy to organize) games & activities for a boy’s birthday party

Cute Valentine’s Day Handprint Craft (Free Templates) for Babies, Toddlers, All Kids!

CRAZY EASY pipe cleaner spider craft for toddlers (no prep & no mess!)

35+ Cute & Practical Nursery Bookshelf & Bookcase Ideas

Simple FREE Printable 3D Paper Christmas Ornaments

35 Mortifyingly Fun & Easy Mummy Crafts for Halloween

A little about me.

Hi, I'm Sarah

Mom of four outrageously gorgeous Littles.  Yup, four!  The twins are now two and that title still brings me out in a cold sweat… Yet I’m just as determined to give them the best without losing my mind.  I reckon it’s possible!  Most days.  

I love a challenge and have to find out they ‘why’, ‘what’ or ‘how to’  –  there are rather a lot of these when it comes to kids… 

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12 Fun Learning Activities for 2-Year-Olds

Looking for ways to entertain and educate your toddler? Check out these expert-recommended indoor activities for 2-year-olds to enhance your little one's development.

After your child celebrates their second birthday, they will experience major intellectual, physical, social, and emotional changes that help them make sense of the world. With that, having a supply of hands-on learning activities for 2-year-olds is incredibly important.

"The stage from 2 to 3 is major because language is really beginning to develop ," explains Robert Myers, Ph.D., a child and adolescent psychologist, founder of the Child Development Institute, and assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. "Children are also starting to recognize that they're independent beings and are actively exploring their world."

Dr. Myers notes that parents can provide encouragement and support that enable the child to master key developmental tasks. "Always layer activities with lots of language, interaction, and imaginative play," adds Roni Cohen Leiderman, Ph.D., dean of the Mailman Segal Center for Human Development at Nova Southeastern University, and co-author of Let's Play and Learn Together . "Child development comes through the portal of relationships with parents or caregivers."

To get started with your little one, try these simple learning activities for 2-year-olds to keep them entertained, engaged, and always growing.

Play Dress-Up

Haul out a pile of old clothes and let your child play dress-up. "You can also participate, but it's great to encourage group play with two or three other children their age," Dr. Myers suggests.

Skills learned: Creativity, imagination, language skills, and social development

Decorate a Crayon Carrier

Cover a table with newspaper, then gather a resealable zipper storage bag, glue stick, pompoms, and crayons. Let your child use the glue stick to coat the bag and help them stick on the colorful pompoms. They can fill the bag with crayons when it dries. Next time you go to a restaurant, whip out the carrier and let them show off their creation. They will be excited to use their creativity again.

Skills learned: Motor skills, planning, creativity

For an easy indoor activity for 2-year-olds, hide a toy somewhere in the house, and ask your child to find it. Explore with them, using cues like "warmer" and "colder" to guide them. You can also use flashlights for the search or hide several objects at one time.

Skills learned: Listening, problem-solving, social skills, and memory

Make a Mailbox

Create a mailbox by decorating an old shoe box or cardboard box and cutting a slit in the top. Fill it with your junk mail for your child to open. "Not only does this develop fine motor skills as they open the envelopes and take out what's inside, but you can also use it to teach your child basic concepts," Dr. Leiderman says.

"Talk about the pictures, colors, and letters; help them sort it by size, shape, or color; or count the pieces. You can also layer in imaginative play by playing post office, or playing store with the coupons."

Skills learned: Develops an understanding of basic concepts, and fine motor skills

Imagine a Boat

Lay out a towel or blanket on the floor and have your toddler sit it, gently pull them around the room. Pretend the blanket is a train or a boat and that you are stopping at different places, like the zoo, the grocery store, or a favorite restaurant. This activity for 2-year-olds at home will also improve balance !

Skills learned: Balance, pretending

Trace Their Body

Have your child lie down on a large piece of paper and trace the outline of their body. "Because the child has to lay still to be traced, they learn self-control ," Dr. Leiderman says. "You can show them where the two eyes, nose, and mouth go, but if your child just wants to color all over it, that's fine. Don't impose anything on them, just let them have fun with it."

Note: If your child doesn't want to lie still, don't force them. Start with tracing just their hand or foot, or tracing your hand or foot.

Skills learned: Sense of self, self-control, and identifying body parts/language skills

Play Simon Says

Start out with simple directions ("Simon says, touch your toes"). Then graduate to silly, more complex routines ("Simon says, tug on your left ear, then your right ear"). You can also encourage your child to jump, skip, catch something, and more. And don't forget to drop "Simon says" every now and then during this learning activity for 2-year-olds!

Skills learned: Gross motor skills, following directions, and receptive language

Try a “Stop and Go” Game

Play games that involve starting and stopping, such as "red light, green light" or "freeze dance." Developing self-control will eventually help children negotiate, compromise, and work out conflicts without losing their temper, Dr. Leiderman says.

Skills learned: Self-control

Craft a Collage

Cut out different noses, eyes, hair, and other features from old magazines, and give them to your child. Encourage them to make funny creatures or silly faces with the features, then glue them onto a piece of paper.

"Talk to your child about the pieces and how to glue them down, but don't be too directive with it," Dr. Leiderman says. "Ask a lot of 'wonder questions,' like 'I wonder what would happen if you put the pieces down without the glue?' and 'I wonder why the glue is getting all over the table?' Childhood is about learning new facts and applying them to theories, so help them make theories."

Skills learned: Creativity, language

Pass a Ball

This fun activity for 2-year-olds requires a play tunnel. Standing at opposite ends with your child, take turns lifting each end to roll a softball back and forth. "This can take some trial and error for your kiddo to get the hang of, but it's great motor planning practice and takes teamwork," says Rachel Coley, occupational therapist, author of Simple Play: Easy Fun For Babies , and founder of CanDo Kiddo .

Skills learned: Motor planning, understanding cause and effect, teamwork

Draw a Song

As you sing one of your child's favorite songs, draw a simple picture of what is happening in the lyrics, then hand your child the paper to draw something else mentioned in the song. For example, Coley would sing "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" to her son, first drawing the spider and then having him draw his version of the rain. Go back and forth until the song ends.

Skills learned: Language skills, creativity, storytelling

Initiate Conversation

Hand over a doll or plush toy, and encourage your child to hold, talk, dress, and take care of it. "Talk to the doll the way you would talk to a child, and encourage your child to do the same," Dr. Myers says. In addition to language skills, this activity for 2-year-olds also teaches creativity and imagination.

Skills learned: Social, language, and fine motor skills, creativity, and imagination

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“is your kid musical do they love to dance around and sing kneebouncers is filled with catchy and memorable songs that will even get stuck in your head. this program offers educational games for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. so, you can stick with the same program even after your little one ages out of their terrible twos and threes., play with purpose.

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KneeBouncers is play with purpose. Our interactive online games and videos are designed to engage, encourage, entertain and educate babies, toddlers and preschoolers. We keep our content age-appropriate, and l earning fun.

KneeBouncers employs a play-based developmental learning strategy to create our games. Specifically, we focus on games that spark kids’ curiosity and creativity , exploration of the world , social understanding , communication skills and movement . Our play-based developmental strategies support concrete learning objectives, including: mathematical concepts , science , language and literacy , social and emotional development , arts and music and social studies .

We strive to create age-appropriate engaging games that promote playing with purpose. Games increase in complexity as a child grows, allowing us to provide learning fun for babies through preschool students.

“Life is more fun if you play games.”

A whole lotta fun for the itty bitty ones.

KneeBouncers.com , a website full of engaging toddler games  and  baby games online. Featuring a collection of fun, interactive online games designed specifically for babies ,  toddlers , and  preschool kids.  

KneeBouncers’ gang of characters will delight your child as they explore the interactive online games that  parents, daycare and preschool teachers have embraced for their fun, simplicity, and age appropriateness. These toddler games are easy to play and your preschool kids can enjoy playing on their own. The goal with all of our interactive games is to make learning more enjoyable for your baby, toddler, and preschooler.  

Download the coloring sheets and continue the fun and learning offline. They’re a great way to learn new skills, or reinforce skills that your little one is learning. 

Check out every episode of “The KneeBouncers’ Show” – ad free! And sing-along with Kiki and her KneeBouncer friends in all the “Kiki’s Music Time” episodes! From classic children songs to our original songs – you’ll kids will be singing and dancing!

“Play gives children the chance to practice what they are learning.”

Fred rogers, learn. practice. repeat..

You learn by doing and repeating. Once your child is introduced to a new concept, it’s important for them to practice and repeat the new skill. And we make the process fun for them!

Cause and effect games are designed as tapping games that respond to the touch of the keyboard or screen. These simple baby games build confidence and encourage further exploration. 

Matching games are designed to challenge your little ones memory skills. Zoo and farm animals to shapes , colors, letters , and numbers matching games will keep your child’s memory sharp. (Yours too!)

KneeBouncers was created to instill a love of learning in babies, toddlers, preschoolers and everyone in your family. We’ve created lots of original baby games , online games for toddlers , preschool games , coloring pages , memory games , keypress games , tap games , point and click games , original animated videos , sing-along songs , nursery rhyme videos , original children songs , and so much more! 

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11 Great Games to Educate and Entertain Your Kids at Home

If you're stuck inside and your kids are climbing the walls, but you aren't yet ready to let them watch Netflix from dawn to dusk, well, I don't blame you. Here are some games that are sometimes called "edutaining." Think of them as fun games that also teach something, but in a way your kids probably won't notice.

I do suggest setting some screen time limits before handing your children a device, but with these options you can at least rest assured that your kids are learning something.

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Ages 6-12 ( Computer , iOS , Android )

Animal Jam is an online virtual world originally created in collaboration with the National Geographic Society. It teaches kids about zoology and ecology with games, adventures, and parties and online social elements. With 160 million registered users, this is one of the largest virtual worlds for kids. If the online play gives you pause, know that the parental controls are pretty good, allowing you to lock down the game if you desire.

Ages 5 and up on Nintendo Switch ( GameStop , Amazon )

By Jaina Grey

By Ryan Waniata

By Brenda Stolyar

By Julian Chokkattu

This is a great game that encourages spacial thinking and unique puzzle solving. Kids can pilot Toad through courses based on the Super Mario Odyssey game while hunting down treasures and solving puzzles.

This math-based role-playing game is free to play. Kids proceed through the game by answering skill-building math questions to earn rewards. There's an interactive element, too; they can go on quests with friends. The difficulty levels increase as your kids make progress in the game.

Ages 3-8 ( iOS , Android )

This physics puzzle game features rolling aliens that teach your kids about acceleration, buoyancy, gravity, and more. Like games of yesteryear, there are no ads, no in-app purchases, and it doesn't need an internet connection.

Ages 4 and Up ( Computer , iOS , Android )

Tinybop has dozens of learning-oriented apps and we've been fans for years . You can purchase them in bundles for iPhone or iPad (Android users there is one Tinybop bundle in the Play Store which has six games.) My kids love the Curiosity Kit ($16) , which includes apps about the human body, animal anatomy, and space. Tinybop is currently offering its Tinybop Schools subscription , which features ten science apps and classroom support, for free through the summer to help out parents and kids while schools are closed (no credit card required).

Ages 4 and Up ( iOS , Android )

Dragonbox games are primarily math-related, though they also partnered with chess champ Magnus Carlsen to create Magnus' Kingdom , a chess-learning game that's been very popular in my house. It uses an adventure-style approach to teach kids about different chess pieces and how to play. I strongly suggest picking up a real-world chess board (I like this no-stress chess board for beginners $18 ) as well. Your kids will ask for it. Trust me.

Ages 3 and Up ( Computer , iOS , Android )

It's time you let delightful animated monsters teach your kids everything from basic ABCs to complex sentences. It has puzzle games with talking letters and well-illustrated definitions to help your child learn to read. Originator, the publisher of Endless Alphabet , has many other games as well , including Endless Reader , which helps kids learn sight words, and Endless Spanish which helped my kids significantly improve their Spanish vocabulary.

Ages 4-6 ( Computer )

This language, arts, and music learning site has dozens of games and activities to help your kids learn to read, add, subtract, and identify shapes.

Ages 4-8 ( iOS , Android )

PBS Kids has dozens of apps, many of them related to the shows on PBS Kids. If your kids like a particular show, they'll probably really engage with its related game, as well.

Ages 4 and Up ( iOS )

Stop-motion animation is a fun form of art that teaches patience. This animation app will help your kids start creating their own little animated masterpieces. The interface is reasonably simple, but it might require the help of an adult the first time through.

All ages ( Apple Podcasts for iOS , Google Podcasts for Android )

Check out our guide to kids' podcasts for some ideas on great podcasts that will keep your kids entertained. If you're a podcast fan yourself, you should try using Pocket Casts (great app). I suggest getting a separate podcast app for your kids, so there's no way they'll accidentally end up listening to any adult content you don't want them to hear.

March 25, 9 am: This story was updated to add links to the Tinybop Android app bundle.

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The Military Wife and Mom

Parenting and motherhood in the midst of military life

50+ Best Simple Games for 2 Year Olds and Up

The ultimate list of games for 2 year olds includes board games, DIY games, classic games, free online games and apps, learning games. All of these can help boost your child’s focus, memory, problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking skills.

Post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.

“For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play.” ~ Penelope Leach

On This Page…

What are the best games for 2 year olds, benefits of games with toddlers..

• Best board games, learning puzzles and toys.
• Fun DIY games (things you already have at home!).
• Top picks for classic games.
• Free online toddler games and apps.

When I’m looking for a toddler game, I’m looking for a couple of things:

1. Is it easy to set up and put away?  If you have a 2 year old not listening , you don’t want a huge mess to clean up.

2. Is it taste safe?  If your child likes to put things in their mouths, this is something to consider.

3. Is it something your child can be successful with?  No need to purposely instigate a toddler tantrum .

4. Does it involve some fine motor or gross motor movement? Young children want to move , not sit still for periods of time.

At first glance, a game seems like a simple way to occupy your child and maybe have a moment of peace.

Surprisingly, you are accomplishing so much more when playing ANY kind of game with a child!

In just twenty minutes of game play with your kids, you can help your child develop:

• color, shape, number, letter recognition
• hand-eye coordination
• increased attention span
• fine motor skills
• gross motor skills
• problem-solving
• social-emotional skills
• imagination
• language skills
• self-control
• critical thinking
• planning skills
• memory skills
• focus ability
• cooperation
• ability to follow instructions

That’s some pretty serious parenting multi-tasking if you ask me!

The  Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University shares that when you play many kinds of games with your kids, you help them develop executive function skills.

Translation: Playing games develops the awesome brain skills listed above.

Let’s dive into the many types of awesome games for 2 year olds!

Best board games and learning puzzles and toys.

1. Coogam Wooden Magnetic Fishing Game

2. Haba First Orchard Cooperative Board Game

3. Interactive Pound a Mole Game

4. Think Fun Roll and Play Game 

5. Stepping Stones Obstacle Course Coordination Game

6. Bean Bag Toss Game for Kids

7. Montessori Shape Sorting Puzzle

8. Animals Sorting and Stacking Game

9. Peaceable Kingdom Monkey Around Game

10. Ladybug Montessori Memory Game (So much fun!)

11. Farm animals barn set board game

12. Stepping Stones Active Movement Game

13. Daniel Tiger’s Welcome to Mainstreet

14. The Elephant Stacking Tower Game

15. Peaceable Kingdom Where’s Bear?

16. Eric Carle Brown Bear, Brown Bear Puzzle Pairs

17. CozyBomB Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game

18. Seek-a-Boo

19. Acorn Soup

20. Gamewright Hiss Card Game

21. The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

22. Mollybee Toddler Scavenger Hunt Cooperative Game

23. Montessori Magnetic Worm Toy

Find a comprehensive list of best board games for 2 year olds here .

Fun DIY Games (Using things you already have at home!)

Many of these are educational games that you can create at home, and most of the time, they are created using things you already have on hand. No need to head to the store.

Bonus: I often find that my kids love a homemade game better than a traditional board game. And they like to help set it up too! When kids help create what they play with, they are naturally more inclined to use it and enjoy it.

Skills often learned during these games include:

• learning different colors / color recognition
• letter and number recognition
• social-emotional skills like taking turns
• imaginative play

1. Montessori Games for 2 Year Olds

2. Sorting Games for Toddlers

3. Alphabet Matching Game

4. Pool Noodle Fishing Game

5. Straw Sorting Game

6. Feed the Bunny Color Game

7. Matching Game with Socks

8. 40+ Painters Tape Games

9. 10 Games Using Only Hands / Voice / Body

10. DIY Emotion Card Games

11. Printable Roll-A-Shape Game

12. Sidewalk Chalk Game

13. Flashlight Games

14. Car-Parking Numbers Game

15. Post It Name Game for Kids

16. DIY Rainbow Game (Printable Board Game)

17. Indoor Scavenger Hunt Game

18. Construction Pom-Pom Sort Game (Super cute!)

19. Fishing Fun Number Recognition Game

20. Pom-Pom Color Match Game

21. Ball Games for 2 Year Olds

22. DIY Printable Dice Game for Toddlers

Top Picks for Classic Games

These are great for preschoolers too!

1. Simon Says

One person is Simon or Elmo or Dora or Spiderman or Teacher or Whoever, and this person is the “leader.” Simon gives a set of instructions and everyone else follows. The person who doesn’t follow the instructions is “out.” And the person who follows the instructions throughout the game, wins Simon Says.

2. Red Light, Green Light

One person is the leader who calls out “Red Light” or “Green Light.” When the leader calls out “Red Light,” everyone stops. When the leader calls out “Green Light,” everyone goes. Anyone who doesn’t stop or freeze during “Red Light” is out.

3. Follow the Leader

Take a walk around your house or outside and whatever you (or the leader) does, everyone else must follow. This is a great game to allow your child to be the leader and have you follow your child. It’s a perfect opportunity to model following directions for your child!

4. Visual Direction “Games”

With kids, visual directions are so important! You can make life simpler and fun using visual directions for your kids, such as  a printable daily schedule for kids .

• Bedtime routine cards
• Morning routine cards
• Mealtime routine cards

5. Scavenger Hunt

You can do a verbal version of this and just tell your child what you’ll be looking for next, or you can find some pictures of items, print it out, and have your child look for these items around the house, and mark them off as they find each item.

6. Dance Party

Turn up the music and have a dance party. 2-year-olds have a lot to teach us when it comes to unhindered dance moves!

7. Count and Clap

Clap for certain number of times while counting aloud. Have your child repeat the claps the same number of times. Keep going with different numbers 1-10.

8. Draw on Back

Draw letters or numbers on your child’s back and have them guess the letter. Then have the child draw a letter or number on your back and you have to guess what it is.

9. Hide and Seek

Have your child hide while you count to 10. Find your child. Then have your child count (if they can’t, it’s okay. Have them pretend) and come find you.

10. Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Music games for 2 year olds are my favorite because they keep a toddler engaged and happy!

You and your child sing the song while pointing to your heads, shoulders, knees, and toes. Speed it up to make it more challenging, and throw in some different body parts—eyes, elbows, mouths, and nose—to mix it up. Or leave out one of the body parts to see your child is paying attention.

Other song games include:

• The Hokey Pokey
• Ring Around the Rosie
• I’m a Little Teapot
• Motorboat, Motorboat
• Punchinella, Punchinella

11. Freeze Dance

Find a great dance song and and your child dances. Stop the music at various intervals and your child has to freeze in whatever crazy dance position they’re in.

12. Sleeping Lions (or Bears)

Ask the kids to lie on the floor as still as they can possibly be. Each person that moves is out. And the person who stays the most still wins.

13. Pretend to Be Animals

Turn on some fun songs and have the kids pretend to be different animals.

14. Keep the Balloon Up

Blow up a few balloons and have your child try to keep them in the air. 

Free Online Toddler Games and Apps

I try to avoid screens as much as possible with a 2 year old. But the reality is this: Sometimes technology comes in real handy when your child is “on the verge” and you need to wait for a long period of time.

Keep these apps as a backup if you need it!

1. PBS Kids Games | iPhone | Android

2. ABC Mouse (Free for first 30 days) | iPhone | Android

3. LEGO® DUPLO® World | iPhone | Android

4. Peek-a-Zoo | iPhone

5.Toca Kitchen Monsters | iPhone

6. Balloon Pop | iPhone | Android

Games Keep Kids Happy and Mom Sane

While I wouldn’t say that games for 2 year olds are my favorite time of day (I prefer naptime ☺️), they are a fantastic way to help your child develop awesome brain skills, break up the day, keep kids engaged, moving and happy.

This is all a huge stress relief to me as a parent.

“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori

Want more on parenting?

• Frustrated with Disciplining Your 2 Year-Old? Try These Ideas!
• 2 Year Old Sleep Schedule That Works Every Time
• 2 Year Old Sleep Regression Explained: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
• 5 Sample Daily Toddler Schedules From Real Moms
• 10 Empowering Ways to Improve Toddler Listening
• How to Get Your Toddler to Follow a Routine Without Reminders
• 2 Year Old Not Listening? Try This Remarkable Tip

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About Lauren Tamm

I'm Lauren, a military spouse and Language of Listening® master parent coach. I write about my crazy parenting adventures, discovering happiness in motherhood and navigating the ups and downs of military life. I spend my days re-heating coffee while chasing my kids around the house. Hang around for a bit and join the fun!

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Ashlee overdick.

Love the listening course and the routine card printables and listening workbook so far. Listening has been our biggest challenge lately. My son was flat out just ignoring our voices. I started implementing the strategies yesterday and it was such smooth sailing all day long. Not only that, but the empathy statements and “turning a no into a yes” actually had my three year old saying “okay, mom” happily and complying right away without fighting or tears, by the end of the day! And it has worked wonders for my mood and frustration level when the arguing and tears are not averted. Trying to keep the 5:1 ratio has made me realize what a bad habit I’d fallen into. It becomes so easy to give commands and warnings and issue no’s, that you forget to take notice of the good! I feel so much better, as a mom, now that I’m intentionally encouraging my kid for his strengths. Thank you so much!

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I have been reading your blog now for a few months and I really respect your advice and ideas. I also signed up for your “better listening” email series and have been learning a ton and working on implementing your advice with my 21 month & 3 1/2 year olds. They are responding well and I am looking particularly forward to working through these strategies with my youngest. He is as sharp as a tack and just coming into his own now. These tools are great and it’s awesome to have been equipped with  them right as he’s coming into the defiance stage. I feel much more confident in my ability to manage the challenges of this stage now. Thank you!

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I picked up these routine cards this week from The Military Wife and Mom because my 3 year old tends to put up a fight when getting ready to leave the house, or go to bed. Or eat a meal. Or start her day. These made a HUGE difference in like one day.

Instead of reminding and counting down and trying to avoid meltdowns, last night we sang the Olaf song as she cheerfully picked out her Olaf underwear and put them on.

This morning she pumped her fist and said, “the last one is ‘comb hair!’” before she came into the bathroom and started brushing her own hair. I’m sold! I truly love these and think any toddler mom could benefit!

I’m loving receiving your emails. What strategies you suggest are common knowledge, but having the time to sit back and think about them is another thing.  I have used the 2 choices a lot this week. It’s amazing how it can work. Our power struggles have decreased, kids have been getting along together better. I know it has been only a week, but it feels like a massive change. I wish I had have signed up for emails 3 weeks ago and used the strategies on their school holidays lol.

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Right before I gave up, I came across your site from Pinterest. My heart sunk and I signed up for your daily email list of listening. Every morning I received an email from you before I got out of the bed for the day, which couldn’t have been more perfect and encouraging to start the days. I immediately put your advice in action. My husband and I saw a different child within minutes . It’s been a few weeks since I started and the list could go on! I’m really grateful I came across your site! It changed my relationship 180°. Thank you said so much! I’ve already shared your link with my family and friends! I think every parent needs to read this!

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The Incremental Mama

Get Organized & Create Routines for Your Family

20+ Super Easy Activities for 2 Year-Olds

By Erin   |   Updated: October 29, 2022   |   3 Comments

This post may contain some affiliate links for your convenience (which means that, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission). Read my  full disclosure policy

While 2 year-olds get a bad rap (i.e. “Terrible Two’s”) I gotta say, I love them. Irrational? Sure. But after driving you nuts, they have a way of throwing their little arms around you and turning you into putty.

They love whole-heartedly, say hilarious things, and are fascinated by basically everything (except vegetables).

The hard part: keeping them busy and engaged, without acting as their sole source of entertainment. 

We’ve got a million things our to-do list. And if planning and organizing elaborate and messy toddler activities is not on that list, you’re in the right place. Because here I’ve stockpiled a list of super easy activities for 2 year-olds that are:

• fun & help develop fine motor skills

Of of these activities are crazy easy to whip up and will keep your toddler busy so you can get stuff done.

RELATED: How to Keep Kids Busy So You Can Get Stuff Done

SUPPLIES YOU MAY NEED

There are a few simple and inexpensive toddler activity staples worth having around the house for on-the-fly fun. Here’s what I recommend:

• Kinetic sand

Other than these few items (which you most-likely have already), you’ve probably got everything else lying around your house. If you don’t have them and don’t want to pick them up, you can whip up a batch very quickly using this easy play dough recipe or this recipe for kinetic sand .

If you wanted to spend a couple of bucks to get a Craft Kit with pipe cleaners, pom-poms, and googly eyes, you’ve basically got everything you need for endless toddler fun.

RELATED: How to Get Stuff Done with a Toddler and a Baby

SUPER EASY ACTIVITIES FOR 2 YEAR-OLDS 

I’ve listed the activities based on the supplies needed to make it easier to scan to find the right activity for your little one based on what you have.

Activities with Play Dough & Kinetic Sand

• Play Dough and cookie cutters – Let your toddler practice smashing dough and using cookie cutters to make shapes or letters.
• Play Dough with small toys – My kids love playing with small toys in play dough. for example, they love making terrain for their little dinosaurs and animals . Or they can imprint the animals and make “fossils.”
• Smash with Tools – Grab a potato masher or other kitchen utensil and let your child explore with smashing the play dough.
• Bug Fossils – This is a simple play dough activity from Plain Vanilla Mom.
• Printable Play Dough Mats – These free play dough mats from Picklebums are beyond brilliant and will let your little one’s imagination run wild (even my older kids like these!).
• Kinetic Sand Lego Stamping – Super simple kinetic sand activity from And Next Comes L.
• Straws, Pasta, and Playdough Activity – This is a fantastic STEAM activity from Raising Dragons.

RELATED: Free Printable Chore Chart for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Activities Using Junk Mail or Recycling

• Rip Junk Mail – Let your child’s destructive instincts let loose by allowing her to rip up junk mail into strips or other shapes. Then you can get your toddler to place the ripped pieces into a trash bin or other container.
• Cut up Junk Mail – If your toddler is ready to use safety scissors , you can let your little one practice cutting up junk mail or scratch paper then putting t in
• Build with Recycling – All the items in your recycling bin (empty cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, etc) make for good building materials for your toddler.
• Paper Ball Toss – After crumpling up paper/junk mail into balls, your toddler can practice trying to throw the balls into the waste basket.

Activities Using Pom-Poms

• Pom-Pom Push  – All you need are pom-poms and old food containers for this activity from Busy Toddler.
• Grab & Sort (from Busy Toddler)
• Pom-Pom Whisk – This activity from Hello Wonderful is perfect for toddlers learning fine motor skills.
• Pom-Pom Pouring – Another easy pom-pom activity from Busy Toddler using stuff you already have around your house.
• Scooping Pom-Poms – A simple pom-pom activity from Buggy and Buddy

Miscellaneous Easy Activities for 2 Year-Olds

• Rainbow in a Bag – A mess-free way for your toddler to explore with paint from Powerful Mothering.
• Laundry Hamper Fishing – from Munchkins and Moms
• Card-Slot Drop from Busy Toddler
• Pasta Jewelry – With tube pasta and pipe cleaners , let your toddler thread the pasta to create pasta jewelry! While you can use ribbon or yarn, using pipe cleaners is much easier for such little fingers.

PERSONALIZE A ROUTINE CHART FOR YOUR 2 YEAR OLD

Kids need engaging activities where they can play and let their imaginations run wild. And they also need routines and schedules that they can expect.

With so much out of their control, kids are happier when they have routines they can rely on. And as a parent, you’re happier when things run smoothly and there are fewer tantrums.

So in addition to keeping an arsenal of activities to keep your little one busy, having set routines also go a long way to keeping your child happy.

With these fillable routine charts , you can personalize your child’s morning and evening routines.

MESS-FREE ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOUR TODDLER BUSY

There you go! Over 20 super easy activities to keep your 2 year-old engaged and busy–without making a huge mess. Occupy your busy toddler so you can get stuff done.

What easy activities does your toddler enjoy?

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Here’s what Allison, a busy mom of 3 said about The Toolkit:

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YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

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Reader Interactions

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Jessica says

April 2, 2020 at 9:36 am

i am def trying these! we are going crazy here in the house. thanks for sharing!

April 3, 2020 at 8:03 am

I hear ya! Stay safe!

May 1, 2020 at 1:06 pm

I will try these ideas with one of my students since we have to provide few weekly activities to his mom. Thanks!

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Hands On As We Grow®

Hands on kids activities for hands on moms. Focusing on kids activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

15 At-Home Learning Activities for Toddlers

Literacy & ABCs Math & 123s Toddlers ABCs Colors Letters Numbers Resources Shapes 11 Comments

Working with your toddler on “school” type work covers the basics. Like, the basic basics: colors, numbers, letters, and shapes.

The focus should really be on play, and not on testing or desk work.

Some basic things an older toddler will start to learn are:

• Differentiating colors
• Differentiating shapes
• Recognizing letters
• Recognizing numbers

I’ve collected a few activities to get your wheels turning on how to help a toddler start to recognize these.

15 At-Home Activities for Toddlers to Learn

Download the FREE Week of Toddler Activities Here!

Color & Shape Activities for Toddlers

Pairing up colors and shapes in learning activities can lead to endless possibilities! Which activity will you be trying first?

Find more 10 indoor toddler activities !

ABCs & 123s! More Learning for Toddlers

Working on letter and number recognition can be super fun, and really easy. Try out these learning activities for toddlers at home together!

Don’t forget to check out these other toddler resources!

• 50 Activities Just for your Toddler
• 30 Creative Toddler Craft & Art Projects
• 10 Indoor Activities for Toddlers

Does your toddler already have a good start at his ABCs and 123s? Check out these additional resources for more advanced activities:

• 40 Awesome Number Activities for Preschoolers
• 50 Incredible Alphabet Activities for Preschoolers
• 35 Name Activities for Preschoolers

I’ve been trying to brainstorm all the areas that toddlers are learning. Everything is a learning adventure for our little ones!

I’m curious about what else a toddler might enjoy (or need to) learn?

I’d love to hear what your toddler is learning with you!

About Jamie Reimer

Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. Jamie needed the creative outlet that activities provided to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Jamie on Pinterest and Instagram !

More Hands on Kids Activities to Try

Reader Interactions

11 comments.

January 28, 2019 at 5:31 pm

Love these ideas of learning. I love playing lets match with different flash cards. we both get 4 cards each and pile the rest. we take turns turning one over if it matches the card we have we take it. we do this till all the cards are matched up. she doesn’t even realize she is learning her colors,numbers,abc Most importantly she is learning, taken turns, sharing and being a good sport.

Lee Orlian says

January 31, 2017 at 3:06 pm

This is super creative and I love it! How important it is to encourage our children to reinvent the way they play and and spark new ideas in their developing minds! Truly inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

Brenda says

October 21, 2016 at 1:57 pm

I like your site, I work with 1 year olds and sometimes I have trouble with ideas to do and make.

Isabell says

September 3, 2016 at 3:40 am

I am a Early Child-hood student with open polytechnic one of my tasks was to plan a play plan for a toddler at my kindergarten as part of my pactruim and work experience I was lost for ideas until I saw your site I have chosen three activities that I will share with a toddler and observe His reaction and how he will be able to learn from this with my help. Thank-you

cassidy says

August 12, 2015 at 11:14 pm

love all these amazing ideas!!!

September 22, 2014 at 3:11 am

I believe some one and a half year olds understand some simple opposites, such as On/off, up/down, sit/stand, in/out….. Just to name a few. When I get my little one year old niece Dressed I say shirt on, and when I take it off I say shirt off, same with her shoes. I think about Things I do on an everyday basis that can help her understand simple opposites.

Nikuita Burke says

June 7, 2014 at 9:20 am

I work in a daycare I need some idea on what to teach one year olds

Deborah says

February 5, 2013 at 12:39 pm

When my children were young, I ran an in-home day-care. One of the things that the children always loved was being involved in the food. I baked all the bread for the day-care children. They loved helping! They also liked having thier own little section of the garden. And starting plants in the window. Picking and eating what they grew was wonderful for them too. We also made snack time an activity; round and square crackers, raisins, grapes, carrot slices, banana slices, peanut butter, sunflowerseeds, just to mention a few. A little dab of peanut butter for glue and anything will stick to a cracker. Decorate like an ornament or faces and eat yummy. Sometimes you can get them to try new foods, just because it looked good on their cracker artwork. ;) Now I provide day-care for my grandson, can’t wait till he can eat peanut butter!

February 13, 2016 at 11:02 pm

What awesome ideas, and you sound like a wonderful grandma and person!

jode@mummymusingsandmayhem says

February 1, 2013 at 6:16 pm

Great collection of ideas…thanks for sharing!

Susanne@babyhuddle says

January 31, 2013 at 6:40 am

Some really fab ideas here, have shared- thank you! x

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50 Awesome Homemade Games for Kids to Play and Learn

Shared by Mary Catherine 6 Comments

Check out this huge collection of homemade games for kids . Games are a great option for activities for preschoolers at home or school! And these games, in particular, have lots of fun learning opportunities that cover math, literacy, logic, fine motor skills, and more.

I’m a big believer in fun learning activities for kids. This ensures that the children are engaged and interested.

And that engagement and interest helps the learning stick more in the children’s brains.

Plus, and this cannot be overstated, learning SHOULD be fun! And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with including games and activities that are fun in your day.

Table of Contents

Homemade Games for Kids

These DIY games are perfect for preschool and elementary classrooms, but they’d be great at home too.

Since there are so many amazing game ideas below, I broke them up into two categories so they’re a little easier to navigate.

The first group is filled with printable games, while the second group has non-printable games to try.

Printable Homemade Games for Kids

Here are some great DIY games that you can make with free printables.

Click on each of the highlighted words to read more about each of the games (and grab each coordinating printable).

The first few game ideas are from Fun-A-Day. I’ve enjoyed playing them with a variety of preschool students, as well as my son.

Pig Math Game for a Farm Theme

Apple Math Game

Printable Snowman Game

Roll A Snowman

Printable Valentine Games  

Make Way for Ducklings Game

More Printable DIY Games

I couldn’t just stop at my own games, though.

Here are more printable homemade games for kids from around the web.

How to Make a Cootie Catcher | The Natural Homeschool

Safari Animals Seek and Find | The Purposeful Nest

Letter Sudoku | Our Family Code

Printable LEGO Challenge Game | Artsy Fartsy Mama

DIY Rainbow Game | Mosswood Connections

Roll to Write Game | Walking by the Way

Mystery Grid Art Challenge | Pink Stripey Socks

Hop the Alphabet Board Game | Mama Smiles

Number Dash Fast Math Game | Gluesticks

Missing Letter Game | Learn with Play at Home

Catch a Bug Free Printable Game | Picklebums

Blueberries for Sal Counting Game | Spark and Pook

Indoor Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids

Sight Word Game | Brain Power Boy

Cars and Trucks Bingo Game | Brain Power Boy

Watermelon Tic-Tac-Toe | Teach Me Mommy

Homemade Games for Kids at Home or School

Below you’ll find even more homemade games for kids. These are games you and the children can make with a variety of materials.

Click on the highlighted text to read more about each of the games.

The first six links are DIY games I’ve played with preschool students (and my son) over the years.

Rhyming Games for Preschoolers

Spring Math Game  

Christmas Math Game with Bells

Seed Matching Game

Bowling with Coconuts

Shell Connect-the-Dots

Creative Homemade Games for Kids

I found even more fun homemade games for kids around the web. Be sure to check them out too!

Easy Sudoku Puzzle | School Time Snippets

Homemade Giant Tangrams | JDaniel4’s Mom

Checkerboard Algorithm | JDaniel4’s Mom

Letter Recognition Drive and Park | Days with Grey

Kindergarten Shape Build-Up | Days with Grey

Minecraft Lego Grid Game | Stir the Wonder

Construction Sorting Game | Stir the Wonder

Roll a Koala Math Game | The STEM Mum

Muffin Tin Reading Games | Growing Book by Book

Superhero Coding Game | Little Bins for Little Hands

LEGO Math Ten Frame Games | LalyMom

Teach Coding with a Deck of Cards | Teach Your Kid to Code

Math Fact Dominoes | Playdough to Plato

Sand and Seashells Writing Game | The Educators’ Spin On It

LEGO Memory Game for Kids | The Educators’ Spin On It

Tic-Tac-Toe Nature Craft | Growing Family

Mystery Sensory Balloons | Edventures with Kids

Oh Snap! Sight Word Game | School Time Snippets

Post It Name Game | School Time Snippets

DIY Math Games with Cardboard Tubes | Artsy Momma

Finding North Hiking Game | Go Science Kids

Origami Paper Cup and Ball Game | Red Ted Art

Popsicle Stick Color Matching Game | Darcy and Brian

I hope all of these homemade games for kids have inspired you! Which of the DIY games will you be trying with the kids first?

If you have any more homemade game ideas, feel free to leave me a comment below and tell me about it.

Materials to Make Your Own Games

Now that we’ve talked games, let’s jump into materials.

Many of the homemade games for kids shared here can be made with just a few items. You might have some of those items on-hand already!

Here are a few ideas to get you set up for making your own games for the kids (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):

Done-For-You Resources

Preschool Teacher 101 has a ton of fully developed early learning resources. If you’re a preschool teacher, be sure to check out our membership options . Click on the images below for more information about each resource.

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February 24, 2014 at 12:55 pm

Wonderful round-up this week – as always, thanks for hosting!

March 2, 2014 at 4:33 pm

Oh, my..I have tons of ideas now, thanks for sharing this 🙂

May 14, 2014 at 11:43 pm

You’re welcome, Renae! Thanks for taking the time to link up. 🙂

October 5, 2015 at 8:15 am

Hey I feel like, creative things done at home can help kids learn better. Now new ideas has started rolling in my mind.

May 21, 2020 at 10:58 am

Such a fantastic resource as we head into summer!

May 23, 2020 at 10:46 am

That was my hope – lots of great ideas to keep the kids engaged and having fun!

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41 Funnest Indoor Games for Kids to Play Safely at Home

Make games fun and educational

Prodigy Math helps make indoor time entertaining and educational, especially with a Membership.

• Parent Resources

Skill-building indoor games for kids

Physical indoor games for kids, indoor party games for kids.

• DIY indoor games for kids

Indoor group games for kids

Finding new ways to keep kids entertained at home can be tough — this year, especially. 

As colder weather approaches, your child will likely be spending even more time indoors. But being inside doesn’t have to be boring! 

For many parents, indoor games for kids might mean board games or other sedentary activities. While these are fun, indoor games can also be used to get kids moving, boost social interaction and inspire a love of learning — all from the comfort of home!

To help you get started, we put together a list of 41 fun indoor games for kids of all ages. 

Find your new favorite below!

What are the advantages of indoor games for kids?

Parents might think indoor activities have limitations. But indoor games offer parents and kids some great benefits:

• They foster learning and teach kids new skills
• They take up less space than those played outdoors
• Kids stay safe at home and under parent supervision
• Weather doesn’t matter — rain or shine, kids can always be fully engaged with fun! 

41 Fun indoor games for kids to play at home

Check out our top 41 indoor games to try with your child, sorted into categories to help you find exactly what you’re looking for! 

Help your child build important skills and develop a growth mindset while they have fun playing games!

1. Prodigy Math

Materials : Electronic device with a web browser or the Prodigy Math app.

Captivate your child for hours with the online math game kids can play anywhere! 

To your child, Prodigy is an exciting video game full of virtual quests, mini-adventures, exciting battles and more. But to you, it’s also an educational tool that promotes independent math practice and helps you support their learning needs with your own parent account. 

Use Prodigy at home to:

• Bond with your child — Help them as they play or get your own account to play together. 
• Keep them occupied — Encourage them to independently play and practice math while you get things done around the house.
• Give them healthy screen time — No more screen-time guilt! While they play, they’re also building important math skills to help them achieve their academic goals. 
• Help them socialize virtually —  Kids can use the Player vs. Player feature to battle their friends, or work together to defeat Titans hiding in different Prodigy worlds.  

2. Family band party

Materials : utensils; plastic bottles, small buckets or empty yogurt tubs. 

Help your child build basic musical skills. Start by tapping familiar songs using utensils on empty bottles or buckets. Then, challenge them to find other household materials to make music with!

3. Card memory game

Materials : deck of playing cards. 

Lay out nine cards on a table and give your child five minutes to memorize the cards. Turn them over and ask your child to remember where they saw specific cards. 

4. Cooking show

Materials : pots, pans and utensils; kid-friendly recipes ; plus a camera to film your show. 

Set up a mock cooking show with your child to teach them safe, basic cooking skills and help them develop a love for cooking.

5. Treasure hunt

Materials : store-bought or homemade prize; treasure map. 

Hide a prize somewhere in your house. Then give your child subtle clues to find it, either out loud or in a homemade treasure map !

6. Reading games

Materials : books ( use this list to help you get started ); a comfortable place to enjoy a good read. 

Motivate your kids to develop a love of literature as they advance through their learning journey. Then play reading games to help them love it even more!

7. Magic show

Materials : magic set or rope, cards and coins. 

Encourage your child to bring out their inner magician. You’ll be dazzled by the results! 

Tip: Give them a head start with one of these five easy magic tricks for kids . 

8. Juggling  

Materials : soft inflatable or plastic balls. 

Your child can learn how to juggle using lightweight and soft items found at home.

Help your child burn off some energy with these indoor games that promote physical activity.

1. Dance contest

Materials : music ( try this kid-friendly playlist ); space to dance. 

Start a family dance competition to get your kids moving to their favorite songs!

2. Indoor obstacle course

Materials : tables; chairs; soft toys; painter’s tape; and your imagination. Use items around the house to mark lines on the floor, then have your child work their way through various activities in the obstacle course. 

Tip: make sure you child-proof the obstacle course to prevent injuries .

3. Balance beam

Materials : colored tape or folded blankets

Help develop kids' balance and motor skills by showing them how to walk straight along taped floors or folded blankets. You can even challenge them to do some easy (and safe) balance beam tricks. 

4. Hopscotch

Materials : cardboard and markers or painter’s tape. 

Here's a time-honored and fun activity for kids of all ages. Try using painter's tape or large pieces of cardboard and colored markers to create a hopscotch game indoors. 

5. Balloon tennis 

Materials : colorful balloons. 

Blow up several balloons and toss them in the air. Ask kids to tap the balloons toward other players to keep them from touching the ground. Not only is it a blast for kids, it also improves hand-eye coordination!

Materials : yoga mat or towel; comfortable clothing.  

Not only is it a fun way to get the body moving, regular yoga practice also reduces stress and builds a sense of well-being for kids. 

7. Three-legged race

Materials : tube socks or a circular piece of fabric. Add an extra challenge to traditional races. Tie kids’ legs together at the ankles and get them to race across the room to reach the finish line. 

8. Potato sack race

Materials : burlap sack or pillowcase.

Use a burlap sack or pillowcase and have kids jump from one end of the room to the other.

9. Land, air or sea

Materials : painter’s tape.

Mark two separate areas in your home with tape. Then call land, air or sea and get your child to jump in that specified area. If they jump in the wrong place, they have to run to a different area and back to continue playing the game. 

10. Target practice

Materials : empty toilet paper rolls; plastic bottles; socks.

Line up toilet paper rolls and empty water bottles. Then have kids throw rolled-up socks to knock over these soft targets.

11. Hula hooping 

Materials : hula hoop.

Hula hooping is a great way for kids to get some heart-healthy exercise. Once they know the basics, they can start learning fun hula hoop tricks!

12. Bowling 

Materials : painter’s tape; blankets; plastic bottles; soft inflatable balls. 

Create makeshift bowling lanes with painter's tape or rolled-up blankets. Use empty plastic bottles and balls to knock them over.

13. Scavenger hunt

Materials : soft toys, pocket-size games and/or chocolate; a timer. 

Kids will have tons of fun searching the house for the colorful and interesting items you’ve hidden. Set a timer to keep them moving! 

Your child's math adventure awaits

Cast spells, rescue powerful pets and go on unforgettable adventures in this epic game for kids.

Bring classic birthday party games to your house — no party required!

1. Hide and seek

Materials : places to hide. 

Make this game more fun by adding a twist to an old favorite! 

When one seeker finds a hider, they work together to find other hiders. Another fun alternative is to ask one person to hide while everyone searches for that person together. 

2. Musical chairs

Materials : music; chairs 

Put your chairs in a circle, with one less chair than the amount of people playing. While the music plays, everyone dances or runs around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must find a chair to sit on. 

The only person who doesn't have a chair to sit on is out of the game. Take away one more chair each round until there’s one winner left! 

3. Broken Telephone

Materials : two or more players. 

Get the entire family involved in this humorous game! 

Whisper a single word or short phrase in the person's ear next to you. They repeat it to the person seated beside them and so forth. Once it reaches the last person, they announce the word or phrase (even if it's distorted). Bonus — it’s a great way to teach kids communication and important listening skills.

Materials : music and a lot of laughter!

Parents and kids dance and play together until someone calls "freeze." Ask your kids to freeze in goofy poses or as their favorite animal.

5. Pictionary

Materials : Pictionary game or a pad of paper and pens, plus a timer. 

This well-known game is played between two people or groups. One player draws an image, while the others try to guess what they drew within the time limit. 

6. Hot potato 

Materials : music; plastic ball (or a real potato!)

Seat everyone in a circle. Pass a ball or potato around as music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the potato leaves the game. The last person left wins!

DIY Indoor games for kids

Promote your child’s creativity with these crafty games and activities.

1.  Play-dough

Materials : Containers of Play-Doh (or make your own ) and your imagination. 

Grab colorful balls of play-dough and watch kids' creativity shine. Teach them how to use cookie cutters, a rolling pin and decorations to make cool art projects!

2. Build a fort

Materials : table; blanket; chairs; boxes; pillows. 

Use blankets, sheets, chairs, boxes and your imagination to create a fun fort with your kids. Then find ways to keep having fun with it, like telling stories or setting up a play with puppets.

3. Family “Guess Who?” 

Materials : “Guess Who?” board game ; a custom game template ; family photos. 

Put a spin on a classic board game and create a “Guess Who?” game featuring your child’s family members, friends or even their favorite movie characters.

Once it’s made, they’ll have a hilarious time playing it over and over! 

4. Bubble-making

Materials : dish soap; water; bubble wand.

Make a water and dish soap solution to blow bubbles with. Now all you need is a wand to make bubble magic!

5.  Craft paint projects

Materials : washable paints; brushes; small tub of water to rinse brushes; smooth rocks; popsicle sticks; a pad of craft paper. 

Let your kids' inner Picasso emerge through painted crafts you can proudly display at home.

Tip: painting on rocks is a wonderful craft kids love! 

6. Origami 

Materials : origami paper, construction paper or printer paper. 

Use books and other online resources to learn how to create origami projects with your child.

7. Sewing projects

Materials : small amount of fabric (30-50 cm in length); thread; sewing machine; a fun sewing pattern . 

Kids can benefit from learning basic sewing skills, like how to sew a pincushion, a tissue holder or an adorable stuffed animal sleeping bag!

Your whole family can enjoy playing these fun team-building games together!

Materials :  Twister board game

One referee spins the wheel and tells players where to place their hands and feet on the colored mat. It’s fun for the whole family!

2. Simon Says 

Materials : two or more players

Get your kids to say or do silly things, but only when you say “Simon says.”

3. Red Light, Green Light 

Green light allows kids to move from one area to another, while red light stops them from moving. If they're caught moving during a red light, they have to go back to the starting line.

4. Mother May I 

Materials : three or more players

Kids stand at the starting line with a parent several feet across the room. Players "call” the parent to ask, "Mother may I?" plus a question. If the child receives a “yes” answer, they can move forward one step. If the parent answers “no,” the child must stay put.  

The first person to the finish line wins! 

Materials : ping-pong balls, plastic balls or small stuffed toys. 

Play a simple game of catch using ping-pong balls, soft plastic balls or other soft toys that are safe to throw inside.

6. Put on a play

Materials : homemade or store-bought costumes; music; homemade stage; a cool story idea. 

Plan a mini-production with your child to entertain the rest of your family members, or challenge the whole family to host one show each!

7. Indoor croquet

Materials : empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls; colorful construction paper. 

Toilet paper rolls, construction paper and other up-cycled items inside the house make for a fun game of croquet. Here’s how to play it.

8. Virtual team-building party

Materials : device with an internet connection; Zoom or Google Meet account; another family to connect with. 

Host virtual parties and set up team-building games for your child’s friends and their parents. It’s a great way for kids to interact, build social skills and have fun at home!

Staying at home is fun with indoor games for kids!

Which indoor game is your child most excited to try? Tag us on social media to show us the games they love to play.

We look forward to seeing your photos!

Looking for an indoor game to help your child love learning?

Prodigy Math is a great way to help your child practice their math skills and have fun at home.

Kids answer skill-building math questions as they embark on an epic journey through exciting virtual worlds. It makes learning fun and rewarding!

The optional Membership will keep your child extra engaged with math and give you more useful tools to support them with your own parent account.

Inspire your child to become a lifelong learner today!

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Top Toys for 2 Year Olds That Will Become Instant Favorites

Unlocking the world of play for your two-year-old can be an adventure in itself. At this age, curiosity is boundless, and imaginations are flourishing. But with a plethora of toys flooding the market, choosing the right ones can feel like navigating a maze. Fear not! In this guide, we’ll embark on a journey through the best toys tailored to stimulate and inspire the budding mind of your two-year-old. From engaging educational tools to whimsical pretend playsets and puzzles, let’s dive into a world where fun and learning intersect seamlessly.

Learning Systems

Qiaojoy kids learning .

Qiaojoy Kids Learning Tablet consists of a tablet specifically designed for young children with flashcards featuring colorful illustrations and clear audio pronunciations, making learning fun and engaging for toddlers. It features interactive games, puzzles, and educational activities. With its colorful touchscreen interface and intuitive controls, it provides a stimulating and engaging learning experience for toddlers and preschoolers. The system covers a wide range of subjects, including letters, numbers, shapes, and basic phonics, helping children develop essential early literacy and numeracy skills.

Check price on amazon: https://amzn.to/4diEuQL

LeapFrog 2-in-1 Leaptop Touch 

LeapFrog 2-in-1 Leaptop Touch offers a fun and interactive learning experience. With its colorful display and child-friendly interface, it introduces toddlers to basic concepts such as letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. The laptop promotes early cognitive development and fine motor skills in toddlers. Its durable construction and compact design make it perfect for on-the-go learning, allowing children to explore and discover wherever they go. The Educational Laptop for Toddlers provides a safe and engaging introduction to technology, making it an excellent choice for early learning and exploration.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3UDedFL

Learnabee Little Genius Kit 

Learnabee Little Genius Kit offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare pre-schoolers for kindergarten readiness. It includes interactive lessons, worksheets, and activities covering essential academic subjects such as literacy, math, science, and social studies. The system follows a structured learning path, allowing children to progress at their own pace while building foundational skills. Its engaging multimedia content, including videos, songs, and animations, captivates young learners’ attention and fosters a love for learning.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/4bgpYam

LeapFrog Scout and Violet 100 Words Book

LeapFrog Scout and Violet 100 Words Book features a collection of educational games and interactive storybooks designed to promote early literacy and language development. Through engaging storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and interactive activities, it cultivates a love for reading and encourages active participation in learning. The system offers personalized feedback and adaptive learning algorithms to cater to each child’s unique learning needs and preferences. Its user-friendly interface make it accessible to young children, fostering independence and confidence in their learning journey.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3wddfXj

Wooden Magnetic Fishing Kids Toys Games

Wooden Magnetic Fishing Kids Toys Games comprises a set of wooden alphanumeric sorting box, wooden magnetic fishing rods, wooden fish and a storage bag.  It is designed to promote hands-on learning and exploration. From building blocks and puzzles to shape sorters and counting beads, it offers a variety of activities to stimulate cognitive development and fine motor skills. The system encourages open-ended play and creativity, allowing children to experiment, problem-solve, and express themselves through play. Its durable construction and child-safe materials ensure long-lasting enjoyment and safety for young learners.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/4aShbfd

Pretend Play/Toys

Vtech drill & learn toolbox.

VTech Drill & Learn Toolbox is an interactive toy toolbox that offers a fun and educational play experience for young children. It includes a toy drill, hammer, wrench, screws, and nails, allowing kids to engage in pretend construction play while learning about tools and building concepts. The toy drill vibrates and plays sounds when used, providing sensory feedback and enhancing the play experience. It also introduces colors, shapes, and numbers through songs, phrases, and interactive play. Helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills along with Encouraging creativity and imagination as kids role-play various construction scenarios.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qk3MnZ

Friction-Powered Construction Toy Cars

This set of vibrant Friction-Powered Construction Toy Cars, including a bulldozer, excavator, and cement mixer, is perfect for toddlers’ pretend play. Powered by friction, they zoom across the floor, inspiring imaginative construction adventures. With moving parts and durable design, they promote fine motor skills and creativity in little ones. Toy cars are made from high-quality materials, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of toddler play. Their chunky size and easy-to-grasp design make them perfect for little hands, encouraging independent play and boosting confidence.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3Uitla4

Liberry Toddler Golf Set

The Liberry Toddler Golf Set is a colorful and engaging set that includes everything your little one needs to practice their swing and develop their coordination and motor skills. Featuring a lightweight and easy-to-hold golf club, toddlers can practice their swings with ease. The club is designed with a soft, oversized grip that’s comfortable for small hands, allowing kids to focus on their technique without any discomfort. The set also includes colourful balls for sensory development and a portable golf hole with a colorful target design, providing a fun and interactive way for toddlers to practice their aim and accuracy. Whether playing indoors or outdoors, this golf set offers endless opportunities for active play and skill development.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/44Bfhxn

Kids Dancing Talking Cactus Toy

The Kids Dancing Talking Cactus Toy brings endless laughter and entertainment to playtime. With its adorable design and quirky personality, this interactive toy dances and talks, captivating children with its hilarious movements and phrases. Perfect for imaginative play and dance parties, the cactus toy encourages active engagement and creativity in young minds. Its soft and huggable design makes it an instant favorite for cuddling, while its lively dance moves and cheerful chatter ensure hours of fun for our little ones.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3UkecFp

LEGO DUPLO Town Steam Train

The LEGO DUPLO Town Steam Train is an exciting addition to any child’s playtime. With its interactive features and realistic design, this set brings the world of trains to life in a fun and engaging way. Little engineers can build their own steam train and railway track, then use the easy-to-use remote control to drive the train forward and backward, sound the horn, and refuel at the station. With colorful DUPLO bricks and child-friendly instructions, building and playing with this set is both educational and entertaining. The Steam Train Set promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities, making it a perfect choice for young train enthusiasts.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3wfLvkN

iPlay, iLearn Remote Control Airplane

The iPlay, iLearn Remote Control Airplane is an exhilarating toy that brings the thrill of flying right into your child’s hands. With its realistic design and user-friendly remote control, this airplane offers hours of high-flying fun. Children can take control of the skies as they pilot the plane through thrilling aerial maneuvers, zooming across the room with ease. Equipped with flashing lights and exciting sound effects, the airplane provides a truly immersive flight experience. Perfect for indoor play or outdoor adventures, it encourages imaginative play and hand-eye coordination while stimulating curiosity about aviation.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3UCiOry

Move2Play Kids Karaoke Microphone

The Move2Play Kids Karaoke Microphone is more than just a fun toy—it’s a valuable tool for child development. By encouraging children to sing along to their favourite tunes, it promotes confidence, communication skills, and creativity. Through interactive play and social interaction, kids learn to express themselves, improve their listening abilities, and foster a love for music that can last a lifetime. Equipped with built-in speakers, adjustable volume controls, vibrant design and easy to use features, the microphone delivers crystal-clear sound quality that will impress audiences of all ages.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/44hKiWN

The Toddler Puzzles Montessori Toy

The Toddler Puzzles Montessori Toy is a versatile educational tool designed to engage children in sensory exploration and shape recognition. With its wooden construction and vibrant colors, this puzzle offers a hands-on learning experience that stimulates cognitive development and fine motor skills in toddlers. By sorting and matching the various shapes, children enhance their problem-solving abilities and spatial awareness while fostering creativity and imagination. This toy is not only suitable for typical developmental stages but also serves as an effective learning resource for children with autism or developmental delays, and is a therapeutic activity for individuals with dementia promoting cognitive stimulation and memory retention.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3JENQZO

Melissa & Doug Wooden Take-Along Sorting Barn Toy

With its charming barnyard design, complete with a flip-up roof and carrying handle, Melissa & Doug Wooden Take-Along Sorting Barn Toy offers both convenience and entertainment for children aged 2 and above. Inside the barn, kids discover various wooden farm animals and shapes, stimulating their curiosity and imagination. As they sort and match the animals to their corresponding slots, they develop essential skills such as hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and shape recognition. The portable design allows for on-the-go play, making it ideal for travel or playdates.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3WjhZ8g

The MAGNA-TILES Safari Animals Magnetic Construction Set

The MAGNA-TILES Safari Animals Magnetic Construction Set offers a wild adventure in creativity and exploration. With its vibrant colors and animal-themed magnetic tiles, toddlers can embark on imaginative journeys through the safari. Each piece features a unique animal print, including lions, giraffes, elephants, and more, sparking curiosity and storytelling. As kids build and connect the magnetic tiles, they develop critical thinking skills, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination. The set’s open-ended design allows for endless construction possibilities, from building safari scenes to creating new animal habitats. Made from durable materials, MAGNA-TILES ensure long-lasting play and learning experiences.

Check out its price on amazon: https://amzn.to/3UchBWs

* This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission on qualifying purchases but it doesn’t cost anything more to you. Your purchases support Smore and help us bring more of these resources to you.

Copyright @smorescience . All rights reserved. Do not copy, cite, publish, or distribute this content without permission.

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Best Educational Websites for Kids: Top Picks for Learning and Fun

Melanie Smith

The best educational websites for kids are so fun that children don’t even realize they’re learning! These platforms typically offer lots of ways to support kids’ classroom learning, and even help them get ready for their first day at school.

Below we’re going to round up the best options for your children to enjoy, including free learning websites for kids and a look at some of the most popular platforms.

The Best Educational Websites for Kids

More educational websites for kids, khan academy.

Credit: khanacademy.org

• For Ages: Pre-Kindergarteners to College Students

Khan Academy is a non-profit platform that offers learners, teachers, and parents a vast library of standards-aligned lessons, videos, articles, and practice questions. You can find everything here from pre-Kindergarten math activities all the way through to college-level programming lessons—and everything in between.

Whether you’d like an introduction to philosophy for your third grader, some science practice questions for your ninth grader, or an internet safety lesson for the whole family, you’ll find an amazing array of resources on the Khan Academy website. All of the content is geared towards kids and designed to be immersive—plus, the personalized learning model means that children can learn at their own pace, without pressure.

Starfall Education

Credit: starfall.com

• Cost: Free basic access, subscription required to access all content
• For Ages: Kindergarteners to Grade Five

This educational website offers games-based learning for kindergarteners to fifth graders and features plenty of resources for parents and teachers to help support children’s learning, too. The focus is very much on fun and accessibility, and it’s quick and easy to get started with the platform.

Starfall was originally developed by teachers and has been operating for over twenty years. It’s founded on the belief that play, exploration, and positive reinforcement are the keys to engaging and motivating kids to learn. As well as helping children develop their reading skills, the platform also provides lessons and resources in languages, arts, and math.

PBS Education

Credit: pbslearningmedia.org

• For Ages: Pre-Kindergarteners to Grade Twelve

Although designed for teachers, this is one of those free educational websites that are super useful for parents and kids, too. The platform offers a wide range of curated and curriculum-aligned lesson plans, interactive activities, and resources on topics including English, maths, science, art, the social sciences, engineering and technology, health and physical education, and world languages.

Topical collections focused on specific learning objectives can also be found on the platform, to help really get your child interested and engaged in a subject. These collections include American Sign Language, the US History Collection, and Election Central.

Credit: logiclike.com

LogicLike is an engaging educational platform designed for children from kindergarten to fifth grade. This website offers a variety of logic puzzles and games that help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way. With a focus on logical reasoning, the platform provides resources for both parents and teachers to support children’s learning journeys.

LogicLike is developed by a team of educators and experts in child development, ensuring that the content is both educational and enjoyable. The platform aims to make learning an adventure, encouraging kids to explore different types of puzzles and challenges that stimulate their minds. From math problems to language puzzles, LogicLike covers a broad spectrum of educational topics that keep children engaged and motivated.

Unlock your child’s potential with LogicLike . Start their journey towards better logical reasoning and problem-solving skills today by signing up for free!

Credit: funbrain.com

• For Ages: Kindergarteners to Grade Eight

The great thing about educational games is that kids are so busy having a blast that they don’t even notice how much they’re learning at the same time! The popular education platform Funbrain hosts a huge range of vibrant games designed specifically to be age-appropriate and support kids’ learning. As well as games, you’ll also find videos, worksheets, and stories on the site, and a math zone and virtual playground for younger children.

Funbrain offers lots of opportunities to support your child’s reading, with a library of online kid-friendly books including Diary of a Wimpy Kid , My Father’s Dragon , The Cat That Broke the Internet’s Back , and Judy Moody Predicts the Future .

ABCYa! Learning Games and Apps

Credit: abcya.com

• Cost: Free, or subscribe to unlock additional content
• For Ages: Pre-Kindergarteners to Grade Six+

ABCYa! is one of the top platforms for educational games and apps, and has been featured in The New York Times , Scholastic , and Parents . You’ll find over three hundred games on the site, all of which have been designed by parents and teachers, and underpinned by the idea that kids learn better when they’re having fun. All of the games are categorized by subject and age, with topics available including math, pattern recognition, typing, and much more.

Kids will love apps such as Create a Car, Donut Drop, and Word Bingo, which are effective ways to solidify school learning and introduce new subjects. Although there is plenty of free content to enjoy, to unlock all the platform’s apps and games you’ll need to purchase a subscription, which starts at $9.99 a month.

National Geographic Kids

Credit: kids.nationalgeographic.com

• For Ages: Pre-Kindergarteners to Grade Eight

Educational websites don’t get much more exciting than National Geographic Kids! Your child will relish exploring the extensive array of resources about countries, cultures, habitats, and animals which include interactive games and maps, articles, video clips, and Homework Help. The latter is a great way to support children with their school projects or research.

The best thing about this platform is that the resources available are continually expanding, so kids will always find new content to delve into. The site is friendly, engaging, user-friendly, and designed to be entertaining, making learning about the world around them a breeze.

Read also: Mastering Milestones: What Do Kids Learn in Kindergarten?

Sesame Street Pre-School Games

Credit: sesamestreet.org

• For Ages: Pre-School

The Sesame Street show has been entertaining young kids and helping them learn for generations, and its online platform, packed with games for pre-schoolers, is continuing the tradition. On the site, kids will find podcasts, games, interactive activities, and much more, all designed to enhance their learning and boost their well-being.

Parents love the fact that they can create their own playlists of videos and games for their kids to navigate, and the podcasts make for educating entertainment even on the go. As well as plenty of content designed to help kids get started with math and reading, there are sections on emotional well-being, autism, and even financial education, all geared specifically to the needs of very young children.

CoolMath4Kids

Credit: coolmath4kids.com

• For Ages: Grades One to Twelve

For kids needing a quick refresher on a math topic they’ve already studied, or an introduction to a new math subject, CoolMath4Kids could be really helpful. The platform boasts loads of math games, activities, quizzes, and brain teasers, and the content covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.

The site developed back in 1994, remains committed to making math enjoyable and fun—and even cool—and over the years has helped millions of visitors get to grips with the subject. The printable flashcards available are also a great resource for kids studying for a test or exam.

Credit: pbskids.org/games

• For Ages: Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Twelve

A veritable treasure trove of educational resources for kids of all ages, PBS Games covers an extensive range of topics from science and math to reading support to world languages to health. The site is extremely user-friendly and searchable by grade and subject, with content also helpfully linked to national and state standards, so you can see exactly how each activity will support your kid’s school learning.

The variety of resource types will keep kids engaged; they can discover videos, lessons, audio recordings, images, games, and other materials on the platform to pique their interest. As a parent, you can curate content for your child, to create a unique learning experience that’s most suitable for them.

• Cost: $16.50 a month, free thirty-day trial period available
• For Ages: Kindergarteners to Grade Two

An eye-popping ten thousand educational activities can be found on ABCmouse including puzzles, games, read-to-me books, songs, and loads more. Subjects covered are reading, math, science, and art and colors and the site has been certified as kid-safe by Coppa, for parental peace of mind.

The platform deploys a step-by-step learning path model that guides and motivates children as they move through the levels, with the rewards system providing further encouragement. Even the most reluctant of learners will be keen to engage with the site’s content. Parents appreciate that there are no distracting ads or external links on the ABCmouse website—and the Adventure Academy offers further learning adventures for older kids who are ready to move on.

Mystery Science

Credit: mysteryscience.com

• Cost: $119 a year for home use

Especially useful for those homeschooling their kids, the Mystery Science platform offers a comprehensive and complete standards-aligned curriculum, designed to teach each subject in full. However, its resources can also be used to support school learning or as a refresher course. Mystery Science really stands out with its innovative approach designed to get kids excited by and engaged in science; it’s all about engaging investigations, fun experiments, and both written and 3D assessments.

Each lesson comprises a combination of hands-on learning tasks and assessments, along with videos and e-books that can be used to continue learning. Shorter videos paired with writing prompts are available, too, as mini-lessons, for ultimate flexibility and adaptability.

TED Talks for Kids

Credit: ted.com/playlists

• For Ages: Kindergarteners to Grade Twelve

TED Talks have long been known for their ability to inspire, engage, and educate, and there’s a whole TED Talk platform specifically geared to kids. The subjects of the talks are dizzyingly varied, and whether you’d like to give your kid a grounding in a new subject or simply open their minds to something entirely unexpected, you’ll find it on this site.

Some of the highlights on TED Talks for Kids include A Performance of Mathemagic, which sees mathemagician Arthur Benjamin have a race with calculators to solve a math problem and tackle a brain-busting mental equation, Hands-On Science with Squishy Circuits, and Underwater Astonishments.

Art for Kids Hub on Youtube

Credit: youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub

• For Ages: Kindergarteners+

Kids will love Youtube’s Art for Kids Hub, for its huge range of how-to videos, guiding them through creating everything from painting a Mother’s Day bouquet to sketching a fun cartoon character. Each video is full of positive energy, and designed to get kids excited about art and confident to try out new techniques. Videos follow a simple, kids’-pace, step-by-step format, with one of the host’s kids usually joining in the lesson, too. Budding artists that are ready for a challenge will find harder videos to try.

Whether you’d like to get your kid interested in art, are looking for a rainy day activity , or are seeking some how-to art videos that you can enjoy as a family, the Art for Kids Hub could be the perfect platform.

How Stuff Works

Credit: howstuffworks.com

• For Ages: Grade 8+

Kids ask the best questions. As parents, we’re regularly caught out by inquiries such as ‘Why are deserts hot?’, ‘What causes certain smells?’ and ‘What’s a subpoena?’ Happily, help is at hand with the brilliant educational website which has in-depth answers to all these questions and hundreds more! The content is largely geared towards older kids, and covers a wide range of subjects from science to engineering, from ethics to culture, and from history to legal systems.

As well as the entertaining articles, kids will also enjoy the videos, crosswords, riddles, puzzles, and quizzes, to help consolidate what they’ve learned and encourage them to keep learning.

And as for why deserts are hot? It has to do with several factors, the key of which is the low specific heat capacity of rock and sand, meaning they retain little heat during the day, causing temperatures to rise quickly once the sun rises.

Credit: resource-bank.scholastic.co.uk

• For Ages: Pre-Kindergarteners to Grade Six

The Scholastic website is packed full of resources for parents to help their kids learn at home, with the aim of developing key skills, boosting their understanding, and reaching their full potential. Topics and areas of learning are clearly organized, allowing parents to easily find the right content for their child.

As well as educational games, standalone worksheets, and arts and crafts projects, Scholastic offers a comprehensive library of resources to help children get ready for school for the first time, designed to build self-esteem and essential skills. Reading lists and book activity packs are also a useful addition, to help expand kids’ classroom learning or at-home studies.

Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids

Credit: almanac.com

• For Ages: Grade Two+

An educational platform with a difference, the Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids is focused on the natural world and our interactions with it. Children will enjoy finding out about things like moon phases, and what to look out for in the night sky month-by-month, how to get started growing their own fruit and vegetables, and exploring the many kid-friendly recipes.

This site is a wonderful way to help kids reconnect with the world around them, and understand how natural cycles fundamentally affect the foods we grow and eat. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been regularly published since 1792 and, in its new digital format, is set to keep going for the foreseeable future.

Gus on the Go

Credit: gusonthego.com

• Cost: $3.99
• For Ages: Pre-Kindergartener and Kindergartener

Young children can dive into a fun adventure learning Spanish, French, Greek, Hebrew, or one of the platform’s other thirty available languages, via the Gus on the Go app. Ten interactive lessons for each language include vocabulary reviews and exciting games to keep kids’ attention on their learning. While the app costs $3.99, the Ingush version, as an endangered language, is free. This is part of the company’s drive to protect vulnerable languages and promote language diversity.

Parents highly rate the educational, intuitive, and interactive nature of the app, reporting that their kids have enjoyed learning via the platform and have been keen to discover more. On the Gus on the Go website, you’ll also find a library of free printables, to further help your child as they gain proficiency in a new language.

Daria — World Music for Children

Credit: dariamusic.com

• Cost: Free, with additional resources available to purchase
• For Ages: Pre-Kindergartener+

This award-winning website is all about making exploring and playing music fun for kids of all ages, from kindergarten to elementary school to middle school and upward! On the platform, children can discover interesting instruments from around the world, and not only have the opportunity to hear how they sound but even make their own versions at home. These include didgeridoos from Australia, box drums from Latin America, and shekeres from Africa.

Daria — World Music for Children may be particularly helpful for bilingual kids or those who are learning another language, as there are many songs on the platform with lyrics in both English and Spanish, Hebrew, Zulu, Yiddish, Arabic, and Quechua.

Credit: storyplace.org

• For Ages: Pre-Schooler

Want to help your pre-schooler start their learning to read adventure? Check out the StoryPlace website to find stories and activities they’ll love, helpfully arranged by theme. The site aims to act as a virtual library for children and, as well as all the fun content on offer for kids, parents can find plenty of information here on early literacy.

To give you an idea of how the platform works, say you choose the Pet theme for your child. They’ll have access to an online story to enjoy, and a related activity, video, and reading list, to keep the learning and exploring going.

To ensure your child’s safety while they explore these educational resources, consider using the Findmykids app . It allows you to monitor their online activity and keep track of their whereabouts, giving you peace of mind. Download Findmykids today and keep your child’s learning journey safe and secure!

Kaspars Grinvalds/Shutterstock.com

Looking for more educational inspiration for your little learners? These websites are also all worth checking out:

• Night Zookeeper , from $9.92 a month. Free trial available.
• Brainscape , some free content, subscription is required to unlock all content, which costs from $9.99 a month.
• Quizlet , limited version free, subscriptions cost from $7.99 a month.
• CodeWizardsHQ , $149 per course.
• LeapFrog , $7.99 a month, free trial available.
• SplashLearn , from $7.99 a month.
• TIME for Kids , free.
• Nick Jr , free.
• Exploratorium , free.
• CoolMath , free.
• DOGOnews , free.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Learning from Home , free.

Get Set for Happy Little (and Big!) Learners

fizkes/Shutterstock.com

The best educational websites are immersive and fuse fun activities with high-quality learning, combining games, videos, interactivities, and more. Whether you want to support your kid’s in-class learning, give them an introduction to a new topic, inspire them, or simply offer them some educational entertainment, use the list above to find the right platform. When kids are motivated, engaged, and having fun, they not only learn more effectively—but are keen to learn more.

Is there a particular educational platform or website your kids use that you’ve been really impressed with? Are there any your child loves that don’t feature in our list? We’d be interested to know about them—drop us a line in the comments box below.

Which website is best for kids’ learning?

While the best educational website for your child will depend on their age, needs, and preferences, some of the most popular are Khan Academy, Starfall Education, and ABCYa!

Which website is best for learning for free?

There are many free educational websites out there, including Sesame Street, PBS Kids, Starfall, and National Geographic Kids. All of these platforms are completely free to use.

What is similar to ABCMouse but free?

Khan Academy is a similar platform to ABCMouse, but parents and kids can access its content for free. PBS Education is also a good alternative to Khan Academy.

Is Khan Academy Kids free?

All of the content, including lessons, videos, and resources on the Khan Academy platform is totally free to access and use.

The picture on the front page: Inside Creative House/Shutterstock.com

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Math Games for Learning Kids 4+

Fun count for baby 2+ year old, oleksandr volodchenko, designed for ipad.

• Offers In-App Purchases

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Welcome to Fun Numbers - Where Learning is Fun! Transform your child's educational journey with our all-in-one app Digital Kids Games! Uniquely designed with the latest teaching methodologies, our app sets itself apart by turning education into an immersive and enjoyable experience for your little one. Say goodbye to traditional learning—welcome to a world where Numbers Games come to life! **Key Features That Make Fun Numbers Stand Out:** **Numbers Made Fun:** Count on us to make numbers exciting! Our app transforms math into an adventure, ensuring your child masters essential numerical skills effortlessly. **Colors Galore:** Watch as your child explores a vibrant spectrum of colors through creative exercises and playful games. Learning has never been so colorful! **Designed for Ages 2-6:** Our app is crafted for preschoolers and kindergarteners, ensuring age-appropriate content that aligns with early childhood development milestones. **Parent-Friendly Features:** Rest easy with our secure environment and parental dashboard. Track your child's progress and witness their learning journey firsthand! **Trusted by Educators:** Inspired by renowned educational approaches, our app delivers a curriculum that guarantees learning through play. **Download now** and unlock a world where your child happily learns numbers — the Fun Numbers way! In order that you can familiarize yourself with our app, some of the content is available in the free version. To get the full version, simply subscribe. Subscription Details You can get access to over 80 educational games after subscription to our app. New added topics and games will be automatically available for all subscribers. You can have a free trial period or can decide to subscribe right after download. After your free trial, your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. We provide different subscription options for your convenience: monthly and annual subscription. If you change your mind at any point, cancellation is easy through your iTunes settings. ● Payment for subscriptions will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. ● Your Subscription automatically renews unless you turned off auto-renewal at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. ● You will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. ● You can cancel your subscription anytime through your Account Settings without any cancellation fee. ● You can use your subscription on any device registered with your Apple ID. ● If you need help, have questions or just want to say “hi!”, get in touch at: [email protected] https://www.freeprivacypolicy.com/live/9fcb8ca7-bcd7-4e10-81b2-957ca0d7e0ff https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

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The developer, Oleksandr Volodchenko , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

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25 of the Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds

W hen it comes to selecting toys for 2-year-olds, you might find yourself wondering what will keep a kiddo who is in the prime of their toddlerhood engaged and interested. Narrowing down the best of the best toys for ever-curious, constantly-growing tiny humans can be daunting. Especially when those little humans tend to be interested in anything and everything. To simplify your search, we’re sharing 25 of our favorite toys for 2-year-olds. We think these are some of the best toddler toys out there.

5 Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Montessori toys are designed with open-ended, independent play in mind. They’re an excellent tool for encouraging 2-year-olds to build real-life skills while promoting creative thinking and problem-solving. Here are our favorite Montessori toys for 2-year-olds.

1. Lovevery Block Set

This beautiful, high-quality block set has everything your 2-year-old could need to build, sort, and thread, among other possibilities. Featuring a solid wood design and vibrant rainbow colors, it comes with 70 blocks plus additional tools, a storage bag and storage box, and an activity guide. Perfect for building spatial, language, and problem-solving skills .

2. Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Dust! Sweep! Mop! Toy Cleaning Set

There’s no doubt that 2-year-olds love to help and be involved in important tasks. This realistic pretend play cleaning set includes a wooden broom, mop, and duster, as well as a dustpan, brush, and organizing stand. It’ll build toddlers’ confidence and sense of responsibility as they practice coordination, fine motor skills, and everyday chores .

3. Wobble/Balance Board

A wobble balance board is an irresistible, multipurpose toy for 2-year-olds. It stimulates the vestibular system, promotes balance and coordination, and can be used for wobbling, lounging, climbing, etc. This one is made from heirloom quality wood and supports up to 480 pounds, making it possible for everyone in the family to enjoy the fun.

4. Ramp Race Track

A car ramp racer allows kiddos to explore motion, direction, and cause and effect while practicing focusing and enjoying imaginative play . This ramp racer features five levels and comes with four wooden cars and two balls in primary colors. It’s made from durable, child-friendly wood, so it’s practical and aesthetically pleasing.

5. Hape Counting Stacker

This counting stacker allows children to practice counting to 10, basic color recognition, and fine motor development through stacking. It includes red, yellow, orange, blue, and green wooden stacking blocks and a stacking stand — all made from child-safe, non-toxic materials. An excellent activity for your 2-year-old’s playroom or the kitchen table.

4 Climbing Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Toddlers are busy people. They’re constantly on the go, exploring their surroundings and testing physical limits and boundaries. If you have a 2-year-old at home, you’ll want to invest in safe, toddler-approved climbing toys made to support gross motor development and foster independence . Here are some of our favorites.

1. Lily & River Little Climber XL

This top-rated Pikler Triangle is built for ages 2-8. It’s perfect for strengthening your little climber’s self-confidence, balance, gross motor skills, muscle growth, and creative /strategy play. This climber is made from natural birch and premium bamboo, durable enough for years. For added climbing fun, you can choose to add on a reversible ladder/slide or reversible rockwall/slide.

2. Lily & River Little Dome

Another beautifully-made toy from Lily & River, this climbing dome allows kiddos to climb, hang, and play to their heart’s desire. With a bit of imagination , it can become a mountain, cave, or monkey bar set. Choose from natural, white-sealed, rainbow-sealed, or other bold color finishes. For additional peace of mind, you can add on beautiful safety mat sets.

3. Avenlur Magnolia Indoor Playground

If you really want to take your playroom up a notch for your 2-year-old, an indoor playground is the way to go. Avenlur’s Magnolia Indoor Playground is a seven-in-one jungle gym featuring a slide, a climbing wall, a rope wall climber, monkey bars, a swing, and ladder climbers. It will provide hours of fun while seamlessly supporting gross motor development.

4. The Original Nugget Play Couch

A fan favorite for many reasons! The Nugget consists of four foam pieces (a base, a cushion, and two triangles) and can be set up in many configurations. The options for play, climbing, crashing, and lounging are endless here. It comes in various appealing colors and fabrics, including microsuede, double-brushed, and corduroy, and it is Greenguard Gold Certified to ensure all materials are child-safe. We think it’s worth the investment over competing play couches.

5 Outdoor Toys for 2-Year-Olds

What 2-year-old doesn’t love being outside ? When given the choice, we’re willing to bet most toddlers would gladly choose the outdoors over being cooped up inside. Sometimes, you just need a toddler-approved outdoor toy or two to make backyard playtime favorable for everyone in the family. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

A little bit of water play can reset almost any toddler’s day. That’s why a water table is a must for every 2-year-old. This one boasts 13 fun accessories, including maze-like spinners, ramps, and buckets, as well as a waterfall tray for a fun rainfall effect. Age-appropriate STEM play has never been easier to come by.

2. Little Tikes Easy Score Soccer Set

Group sports like soccer are an excellent way to build social skills , cooperation, and focus. Not to mention gross motor skills. Whether or not your tiny tot is on a team, this soccer set will quickly become a family favorite. It includes an easy-to-assemble kid-sized net, ball, and air pump.

3. Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set

Another must-have Little Tikes outdoor (or indoor) toy, this basketball set includes an adjustable basketball hoop and stand and three small soft basketballs. It features an oversized rim for simpler scoring (and increased confidence). Plus, you can choose from six heights — so it’ll grow with your kiddo.

4. Little Tikes First Slide

A go-to beginner’s slide! This one is suitable for use inside or out, folds up for easy storage, and doesn’t require any tools for setup. It promotes balance, fitness, and coordination — not to mention fun for your 2-year-old (or any child up to 60 pounds).

5. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand Table

Digging in sand (and dirt) is a rite of passage for toddlers, right? With a solid sand table, your kiddo can enjoy hours of structured sensory play — without all the mess. This one is raised to a height just right for standing and can hold up to 80 pounds of sand, soil, or any other sensory material. It comes with five accessories. It also features molded-in roadways on the lid, which can be used as a race track when covered.

3 Ride-On Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Being a toddler means constantly being on the move. In particular, 2-year-olds never seem to slow down. Because of this, ride-on toys are a must at this age. Here are some we think your child will love to take a spin on.

1. Step2 Up and Down Roller Coaster Toy for Kids

This kid’s roller coaster will bring the action into your home (or yard) with its 9-foot track and ATV-inspired car. It features a high back, a handrail, and footrests for maximum comfort and easily comes apart for convenient storage. While the included steps are helpful for the youngest riders, the coaster holds children up to 50 pounds.

2. Disney My First Minnie Plane

This ride-on plane is for toddlers 1-3 years old, so it’s just right for 2-year-olds. It features rotating propellers with alternating light-up patterns, 360-degree steering ability, realistic lift-off and landing sounds, and a steering wheel and honking horn. It doesn’t get much more adorable.

3. Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Ice Cream Truck

A reimagined take on the iconic Little Tikes Cozy Coupe! Mom or Dad can push this ice cream truck ride-on car, or your toddler can do it themselves with its detachable floorboard. It comes loaded with fun accessories and specs, including play ice cream cones, a credit card reader, and even an ice cream cone speaker that plays modern ice cream truck music.

5 Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Toddler toys come in all forms. When they’re intended to be equal parts fun and educational, you can’t lose. Check out our favorite learning-inspired toys for 2-year-olds.

1. Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set

This 30-piece color sorting set aims to develop color recognition and sorting skills. It offers realistic-looking red, orange, yellow, purple, and green fruits and vegetables, as well as five sorting baskets with labels and an activity guide. It’s an excellent toy for pretend play, language development , and vocabulary acquisition .

2. VTech Alphabet Apple

This learning toy introduces not only the alphabet but phonics, words, time concepts, music, and more — so it’ll easily grow with your child as they develop new skills. Apart from featuring the obvious (all 26 letters and sounds), it boasts 29 songs and melodies. We also love this pick’s carry handle.

3. Melissa & Doug Shapes Wooden Chunky Puzzle

Melissa & Doug offers a wide choice of wooden puzzles for toddlers. When it comes to learning shapes, this one is a must. With its eight chunky, easy-to-manipulate pieces (circle, square, diamond, rectangle, triangle, heart, star, and oval) and bright colors, your kiddo won’t even realize they’re learning.

4. Melissa & Doug Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Toy

Color recognition is an important skill for children to work toward in toddlerhood. This gear toy offers plenty of opportunities for color learning and reinforcement. It also promotes hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It’s a simple pick to occupy and engage your 2-year-old.

5. Learning Resources Primary Science Sensory Tubes

These sensory tubes are highly versatile and made to encourage science exploration, curiosity, and development of the senses. The four durable tubes have dual openings with two solid lids for each, and you can fill and refill them with your choice of objects. The kit includes four vented lids for exploring smells.

3 Other Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Whether you’re shopping for toys for toddler boys or girls, we could go on and on with exceptional options for 2-year-olds. Here are a few more of our favorite picks for this age. You won’t want to miss out on any of them.

1. Turtle Balance Stepping Stones

Honing coordination and balance is an important everyday task for 2-year-olds. These bright-colored, non-slip stepping stones are an incredible tool for doing just that. They’re durable (supporting up to 265 pounds each), stackable for quick storage, and perfect for creating endless obstacle courses. Plus, your toddler can use them indoors or outside. These will be an instant hit for your kiddo.

2. Hape Play Kitchen

A play kitchen is a wonderful addition to any child’s room. This one will surely promote creative thinking , imagination , and real-life skills practice all at once. It features a realistic-looking sink, stove, oven, cabinet, and spice shelf, as well as clickable, turnable knobs.

3. Green Toys Construction Trucks

This set of three toddler-sized construction trucks is an excellent pick for any car-, truck-, or construction-loving 2-year-old. The trucks are made from 100% recycled plastic and meet all international safety standards. You can’t go wrong with anything from Green Toys, as these items are ideal for indoor or outdoor use and can help develop imagination, motor skills, pretend play, language, and cause-and-effect reasoning. They’re even dishwasher-safe.

Toddlers aren’t always picky with their toys, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be. If you’re not selective, toddler toys can end up taking up a lot of space and sitting idle. Quality and longevity are essential when shopping for toys for a 2-year-old. We think you’ll love the items we’ve recommended here!

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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Gojmzo CVC Word Writing & Spelling Flash Cards, Preschool Learning Toddler Activities, Kindergarten Homeschool Supplies, Sight Words Reading Game, Montessori Educational Toys for 3 4 5 6 Year Old Kids

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• ✨CVC Word Writing & Spelling Flash Cards Set✨: Package includes 100 double-sided CVC sight words flashcards (one side is the word, and the other is the picture, fill in the blanks with words) and 4 dry erase markers (2 blue and 2 red) that have the erasers on top. It also comes with a nice drawstring bag and sturdy storage box for safekeeping.
• ✨Fun Educational Activity✨: This set contains cards with just the vowel missing or the beginning and ending letters missing, so both types of practice are included. Different ways to practice means the same type of activity stays exciting longer. The colors and pictures can catch the kid’s eyes and keep their attention, which can help them have fun while learning reading, spelling and phonics skills.
• ✨Preschool & Kindergarten Classroom Must Haves✨: This writing & spelling kit can be used as an excellent teaching tool for class and homeschool. It will also be great learning materials and resources for preschoolers, kindergartners & first graders who have learned letter sounds and are beginning to learn how to read and write cut words.
• ✨Hard Wearing & Reusable Learning Tool✨: This CVC word flash cards set is a hard wearing and reusable learning tool for toddlers and kids. The laminated flashcards are heavy duty and thick enough, so they won’t bend and will last for a long time. They are also very easy to clean but need to wipe away the marks right away and don't let them sit for days otherwise the marks might stain the cards.
• ✨Great Gifts Ideas✨: This CVC words set is an excellent multi-sensory educational toy, which can be a perfect Christmas, Easter, Birthday and Back to School gift for 3 4 5 6 year old boys and girls to learn early language skills.

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CVC Word Writing Flash Cards

This cvc word writing & spelling kit can be used as an excellent teaching tool for class and homeschool.

Number & Alphabet Flash Cards

Gojmzo flash cards set is a perfect educational toy that keeps toddlers learnig through play.

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