5 Fun Activities to Do with Your Toddler (That They’ll Love!)

If you’re on a mission to keep your little one engaged while sneaking in some learning and bonding time, you’re in the right place. Toddlers are tiny balls of energy and curiosity, which means they need activities that are hands-on, creative, and (most importantly) FUN!

So, let’s dive into five delightful activities you can enjoy with your toddler—activities that spark creativity, encourage exploration, and make your everyday moments extra special. One of my personal favorites?

Making floral dough with real flowers! 🌸

Let’s get started.

🌸 Create Floral Dough with Natural Flowers

What’s more magical than playdough? Playdough infused with real flowers! This activity combines sensory play, nature exploration, and creative fun—all in one!

What You’ll Need:

✅ 2 cups flour
✅ 1/2 cup salt
✅ 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
✅ 1 cup warm water
✅ 2 tablespoons oil
✅ Edible flowers or petals (like rose, lavender, chamomile, or pansies)
✅ Natural food coloring (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add warm water and oil and mix until it forms a dough.
3. Sprinkle in the flower petals and knead the dough until everything is blended.
4. Optional: Add natural food coloring for an extra pop of color!
5. Play away! Let your toddler squish, roll, and shape their very own floral playdough.

Why It’s Awesome:

🌿 Encourages sensory play
🌿 Introduces kids to nature
🌿 Smells AMAZING
🌿 Easy to store and reuse

Floral dough is not just a fun activity—it’s a full sensory experience that will make your home smell delightful while giving your toddler endless entertainment!

🎨 Mess-Free Painting in a Ziplock Bag

Let’s face it—toddlers LOVE making a mess. But what if I told you they could have a blast painting without getting their tiny hands (or your walls) covered in color?

Enter: Ziplock Bag Painting!

What You’ll Need:

🎨 Ziplock bag (gallon-size works best)
🎨 Washable paint (multiple colors)
🎨 Cardstock or thick paper
🎨 Tape

How to Do It:

1. Place a piece of cardstock inside the Ziplock bag.
2. Squirt different colors of paint on top of the paper inside the bag.
3. Seal the bag and tape it down to a table or window.
4. Let your toddler squish, press, and swirl the paint with their hands.

Why It’s Awesome:

🖌 Zero mess (hooray for easy cleanup!)
🖌 Enhances fine motor skills
🖌 Teaches color mixing in a fun way
🖌 Can be reused over and over

Pro tip: Tape it to a window for a fun “stained glass” effect when the sunlight hits it!

🏗️ Build an Edible Construction Site

If your little one loves trucks, dirt, and snacks, this one is a must-try!

You’ll be creating an edible construction site where your toddler can dig, scoop, and (most importantly) munch!

What You’ll Need:

🏗️ Graham crackers (for “bricks”)
🏗️ Crushed Oreos or cocoa powder (for “dirt”)
🏗️ Pudding or yogurt (as “mud”)
🏗️ Toy trucks, diggers, and scoops
🏗️ A large tray or baking dish

How to Set It Up:

1. Spread pudding or yogurt on a tray as the “mud base.”
2. Sprinkle crushed Oreos on top for a dirt effect.
3. Place graham crackers around as bricks.
4. Let your toddler use their toy trucks to dig, scoop, and “build.”

Why It’s Awesome:

🚜 Combines play and snack time
🚜 Encourages imaginative storytelling
🚜 A fun way to explore textures
🚜 Completely safe (and delicious) to eat!

This is one activity where playing with your food is totally allowed!

🌱 Nature Scavenger Hunt

If your toddler loves the outdoors (or if you’re trying to get them outside more), a scavenger hunt is the perfect activity!

This is a great way to help them connect with nature while improving their observation skills.

How to Set It Up:

1. Create a simple list of things to find (draw pictures if they can’t read yet).
2. Give them a small bucket or bag to collect treasures.
3. Go on a walk around your backyard, park, or neighborhood.
4. Encourage them to describe what they find (color, shape, texture).

What to Look For:

🍂 A smooth rock
🌼 A yellow flower
🍃 A leaf with holes
🐜 An ant or bug
🦋 A butterfly

Why It’s Awesome:

🌿 Encourages curiosity and exploration
🌿 Gets them moving and engaged with nature
🌿 Strengthens language and observation skills

Bonus: If they collect cool leaves and flowers, you can press them in a book to keep as souvenirs!

🎶 DIY Musical Shakers

Get ready for a mini-concert in your living room!

Making musical shakers is a fantastic way to introduce your toddler to rhythm and sound while getting some energy out.

What You’ll Need:

🥚 Empty plastic Easter eggs or small bottles
🥚 Rice, beans, pasta, or lentils (for different sounds)
🥚 Tape or glue to seal

How to Do It:

1. Fill each container with different materials (rice for a soft sound, beans for a louder one).
2. Seal it tightly (hot glue works best for long-term use).
3. Shake, shake, shake! Play music and have a dance party!

Why It’s Awesome:

🎶 Introduces rhythm and music appreciation
🎶 Improves motor coordination
🎶 Super easy to make and customize

Try playing different types of music and seeing how your toddler moves to the beat!

Final Thoughts

There you have it—five exciting, easy, and creative activities to make life more fun (and less chaotic!) with your toddler. Whether you’re making floral dough, creating art without the mess, or turning snack time into playtime, each of these ideas is designed to spark joy, curiosity, and quality bonding.

So, which activity are you trying first? Let me know how it goes! And remember—parenting is an adventure, so have fun with it! 💕