52 Super Fun Things to do with Toddlers [Easy & Fun Activities]

There’s no doubt the toddler years are tough, but guess what? They are actually some of my favorite years! Your little one develops a personality and can really start playing. Take advantage of this and make all the memories you can! Below are some ideas of fun and easy indoor and outdoor activities for toddlers.

52 super fun activities with toddlers [Easy & Fun Activities]

Why I love the toddler stage

Toddlers have an amazing ability to simultaneously demonstrate knowledge of how the world works AND ignorance of their role in it. (Sorry, sweetheart, mom isn’t going to help you move the stove out of the way so you can drive your plastic car through that part of the kitchen.) That means they’re no longer happy with an activity studio on the floor , you are ready for more exciting activities.

Indoor activities for toddlers

Here are some great indoor activities for those days just hanging out at home with your little one. These are also handy when you need to make a phone call or do an online purchase without anyone hanging on your body.

Sit in front of an open closet or drawer full of plastic containers and tinker with it.
Crouching down in an unexpected place, such as in a closet or under a table. Throw a sheet over it to make it special. {Tips for a better ceiling fortification here!}
Squeezing and squeezing play-doh. Afraid of chaos? Keep the modeling clay in a sealed bag while your child handles it.
Drink toddler tea from a real ceramic cup (add lemon or a cinnamon shake to warm water). We love this gender neutral set for role play and real use.
Put pillows and blankets on the floor and then play, the floor is lava!
Playing with magnets on a baking sheet or metal bucket.
Help sweep up with a small dustpan.
From normal shoes to tap shoes and back again.
Applying different lengths of scotch tape or masking tape to paper or the side of a box.
Make something out of one of your leftover cardboard boxes like a fortress or a car.
Glue a railroad track on the carpet. Choo Choo.
Getting silly with finger puppets.
Play hopping inside.
Arrange small items like cheerios in a muffin pan.
Pouring water between containers on the kitchen counter.
Try on all of the hats in the house.
Remove everything from the bookshelves. Maybe you put it back.
Gluing and removing stickers! On the paper, on your shirt, on your cheek. Hooray.
Play in a ball pit from your old pack n play.
Help grind coffee beans (or is that just my child?).
Rip up old magazines or newspapers and make art.
Uncomplicated finger painting.
Find your inner musician! Toddlers love pots and pans banging loudly.
Have a dance party!
Solve puzzles like this easy one.
Practice or yoga time! All of my children loved training with me. They tried all of my yoga moves and then sometimes tried to do their own “versions” of the workout. Be prepared, they’ll get distracted, so keep a bucket full of cars or toys handy for them to play so you can continue your workout.

For even more indoor activities, take a look at our top fun and learning activities with Toddler Post and our favorite toys for 2-year-olds.

Outdoor activities with young children

Discover how chalk works on the floor outside
Play hide and seek with small toys or fruit from the tree. Give your child a bucket to collect the objects that you have “hidden” in the park or in your garden – Easter egg style!
Go on a safari in your garden. Snap photos of tiny insects or grab binoculars and explore the great outdoors.
Throw. This simple act never gets old. “Let’s go to the park and throw sticks at the bushes!”
Go anywhere with a bike trailer.
Collect stones in a container. Stack stones. Aligning rocks. I’m surprised they don’t sell stones at Toys R Us. I bet someone tried.
Water tables – Pouring water in and out of a large container. My daughter could play with water endlessly and loves pouring water in and out of glasses. Here are our favorite water tables!
Run through the sprinklers or a fun unicorn sprinkler
Create a butterfly garden.
Play fetch with stomp missiles or other blast-off and chase toys

Excursions for mothers with small children

Home Depot or other major hardware store. Look at the light switches, the doorbells, the orange pegs. Basically everything your child likes to see in the world around them is sold there. Check out all of these potties!
Public library. Since other people’s toys and books are more fun than your own, this is a place to enjoy them for an hour or two. No obligation to buy!
Go to your local zoo. Time to consider membership mom!
Elementary school playground, see some big kids or test your daredevil.
IKEA. If you’re lucky enough to live near one, here’s a list of why it’s great for parents.
Chase the garbage truck! On some days it is easier to get out of the house if you know your garbage routes.
Children’s Museum (save money on membership if you follow our tips).
Set up a tent at REI or Bass Pro Shops.
Have a coffee in a kid-friendly cafe. (It’s called frothed milk, and they don’t make it too hot if you ask.)
Visit your friend’s house where the toys are fresh and new.
Take trains everywhere. A train is like magic to a toddler and if you can ever travel anywhere by train with your kids, this really is the best way to travel.
Push or pull a dolls pram around the block. Even better, find a friend with a baby in the stroller and let your toddler push their stroller on the slowest walk in the world.
Get cultural with food! Visit an Ethiopian or sushi restaurant where eating with your hands is secular.
Indoor playgrounds with climbing, bouncing, and toys that you don’t have to have at home. I love going to gymboree classes with my little one.
Take a bus ride.
Take a class together.
Botanical garden with leaves to touch and beetles to hunt.
Visiting a local toy store is one of the great things to do for toddlers, but keep your wallet hidden!

Bonus tips for entertaining toddlers on the go!

Getting out of the house with your toddler is great, but sometimes they need a little extra entertainment. Here are some great things to keep in your purse to keep your toddler entertained while they wait in line or do an errand that they don’t like.

Air bubbles– I always have soap bubbles in my handbag. It’s an instant 15 minutes of distraction
Withdraw cars– These are great and will keep your child entertained, but make sure these cars don’t go too far.
Toy characters from a favorite movie – Characters like Mickey or Daniel Tiger are another great way to buy some time if you want to keep your child entertained for 10-15 minutes.

Do you have any questions or need more tips – leave a comment below! Also check out our Rookie Moms Group, where mothers ask questions and offer advice.

Pin for Later – Things to Do with Toddlers [52 Excellent Activities]

frequently asked Questions

What can you do with young children?

Build a fortress
Play doh
Play with magnets on a baking sheet
Give them an old box to play with
Create a sensory container
Finger painting
Mom and me yoga

Should a two year old know colors?

Your child will begin to see colors around 18 months of age, but they may not recognize their names until they are around 3 years old. Two is a good age to play games that are about colors.

Where can I take my two year old for fun?

2 year olds are great little adventurers and can go with you almost anywhere. The park, the zoo, the mall or just a ride.