If you didn't know already, I am mom to a 4 year old. And like my other children, when they hit this lovely age, I give them their own little toddler nickname. The one you will see in the pictures is, "Tarien the Terror." And as many parents know, keeping a toddler occupied can sometimes be like trying to herd cats—impossible, chaotic, and often involving unexpected messes. Finding activities that are engaging, safe, and easy to set up is key to ensuring that your little one is entertained while you manage other tasks. Here are six simple, low-prep activities that your toddler can enjoy on their own at home...and with minimal mess for you!
1. Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage your toddler's senses and curiosity. They are easy to set up and can provide hours of entertainment.
Materials Needed:
- A plastic bin or large container
- Various sensory materials (rice, pasta, water beads, sand, dried beans, etc.)
- Small toys or household items (measuring cups, spoons, toy cars, etc.)
How to Set Up:
Fill the bin with your chosen sensory material and add a few small toys or items. For example, if you're using dried rice, you might include measuring cups and spoons for scooping and pouring. Encourage your toddler to explore the different textures and objects. This activity not only keeps them occupied but also helps with fine motor skills development.
This can get a little messy sometimes. Especially if your little one has an imagination like mine. Putting a large towel under them can make for easy clean up. But sometimes I like to have him help clean. A lot of toddlers don't mind helping. Mine enjoys sweeping or running the dust pan to the trash.
2. Water Play
Water play is a fun and refreshing activity, especially on warm days. It’s simple to set up and can be done indoors or outdoors.
Materials Needed:
- A shallow basin or plastic tub
- Water-safe toys (rubber ducks, boats, cups, etc.)
- Towels for cleanup
How to Set Up:
Fill the basin or tub with a few inches of water and add some water-safe toys. Set it up in a safe area where spills won’t be an issue, such as the bathroom or outside. Let your toddler splash and play to their heart's content. But always make sure to keep an eye on them to ensure safety during water play.
My little one loves playing in a tub of water. One thing that also keeps him busy for hours is playing with a spray bottle, shooting water on the balcony or spraying his toys down.
3. Building Blocks
Building blocks are a timeless and versatile toy that can keep toddlers engaged for long periods.
Materials Needed:
- A set of building blocks (wooden blocks, Mega Bloks, Duplo, etc.)
How to Set Up:
Simply provide your toddler with a set of blocks and a safe play area. Encourage them to build towers, houses, or anything their imagination conjures. This activity helps develop spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. Plus, it's easy to clean up when they're done.
We have both wooden blocks and Mega Blocks as shown above. My toddler loves that the Mega Blocks are able to connect and allow him to make things like giant robots. Lol.
4. Book Nook
Creating a cozy reading corner can foster a love for books and independent play.
Materials Needed:
- A comfy chair or cushion
- A bin or bookshelf filled with age-appropriate books
How to Set Up:
Set up a little reading area with a comfy chair or cushion and a bin or shelf filled with books your child enjoys. Encourage them to sit and look through the books.
I've set up a little area for my son with his little 'ABC' rug, a little shelf with books, some snacks and he sits & reads books forever. And like many tiny people, his favorite books are anything with 'Paw Patrol.'
5. Educational Card Games
Card games like Concentration and word puzzles are excellent for developing memory, matching skills, and early reading abilities.
Materials Needed:
- A set of matching picture cards for Concentration
- A set of word puzzle cards that form pictures and spell out three-letter words
How to Set Up:
For Concentration, lay out the picture cards face down in a grid. Encourage your toddler to flip two cards at a time to find matching pairs. This game helps improve memory and matching skills.
For word puzzles, provide your toddler with sets of three cards that form a picture and spell a word (e.g., BEE). If your child is beginning to read, flip the cards over to reveal a picture with a short sentence describing it. This activity is a fun way to work on reading and spelling skills while keeping your child engaged.
I love doing both with my son. The pictures are both of the card games we own. He loves them, and grabs them on his own to do. And he's been reading since 2.
6. Coloring or Painting
Toddlers love to get creative with colors, and coloring or painting is a fantastic way to keep them engaged. Here's a simple activity they can do alone:
Materials Needed:
- Coloring book or plain paper
- Crayons, washable markers, or watercolor paints
- Apron or old shirt to protect clothing
- Optional: Stickers, glitter, or other embellishments
How to set up:
Set up a little designated coloring area with a table and chair. Place the coloring book or paper and crayons, markers, or paints within reach. And encourage your toddler to choose a page or create their own drawing., letting them explore the colors and create their masterpiece.
We do a lot of drawing/painting/coloring. In the picture above, I sat him in the high chair with his paper, crayons and some blueberries. I was cooking, and it helped keep him and all of his little stuff in one place. But once your little one is done, take their drawings and hang them in their room, or put on the fridge so they can admire their work. And... it will be great to have and look back at when they get older. Oooh...and what's even cooler is they now have this site that you can change your little ones art work into jewelry! So you'll be able to wear that body-less person with the arms and legs coming out of the head and the squiggly hair that they said was you, forever!!
Keeping your tiny person occupied doesn't have to be complicated or require expensive toys. Sensory bins, water play, building blocks, a cozy reading nook, educational card games & coloring are all simple activities that can provide hours of entertainment and developmental benefits. These are "THIS" mommies proven activities that are easy to set up, require minimal supervision, and can help your tiny person learn and grow while having fun.
Have you tried any of these activities with your toddler? What works best for you? Share your experiences and tips with us in the comments below!