70 Indoor Activities to Try With Your Toddler Today
Ever found yourself staring at your energetic toddler while raindrops streak the windows, wondering how on earth you’ll survive another indoor day?
You’re definitely not alone in this daily parenting puzzle!
It could be that it’s stormy weather, nap time constraints, or simply a need for a change from the playground routine; keeping little ones happily occupied indoors can feel like an Olympic sport.
The good news? Your home is a treasure trove of entertainment possibilities!
This collection of simple, engaging indoor activities will convert those “I’m bored” moments into creative experiences.
These aren’t complicated Pinterest projects requiring fancy supplies – just fun, safe ideas using everyday items that’ll keep your toddler engaged while giving you those precious moments to breathe.
Why Indoor Activities Matter for Toddlers
When outdoor experiences aren’t possible, indoor play becomes crucial for your toddler’s development!
These activities aren’t just time-fillers – they’re essential building blocks that strengthen fine and gross motor skills through hands-on manipulation and movement.
Creative indoor play stimulates brain development, builds problem-solving abilities, and expands language skills as toddlers learn new concepts and vocabulary.
Additionally, structured indoor activities help establish routines and teach patience while unstructured play encourages independence and imagination.
Most importantly, shared indoor playtime creates meaningful parent-child connections, builds trust, and provides opportunities for you to observe and support your toddler’s unique interests and developmental milestones in a safe, controlled environment.
Creative & Crafty Fun Indoor Activities for Toddlers
Turn your home into an art studio with these mess-friendly craft ideas that spark creativity and joy!
1. Finger Painting
Let your toddler get delightfully messy with safe, washable finger paints. Spread out large sheets of paper and watch them swirl, smear, and mix bright colors using just their fingers.
This sensory art activity sparks creativity, strengthens fine motor skills, and offers a fun, free way to learn textures.
2. Playdough Sculpting
Hand your toddler some colorful playdough and simple tools like plastic knives, cookie cutters, and rolling pins. They’ll love squishing, flattening, and shaping pretend cookies, animals, or silly shapes.
This hands-on activity builds finger strength and dexterity, encourages pretend play, and keeps busy hands happily occupied indoors.
3. Paper Plate Masks
Turn plain paper plates into fantastic animal or superhero masks. Help your toddler cut eye holes, then decorate with markers, paint, and yarn for whiskers or hair. When finished, let them wear the masks and act out playful characters.
This craft blends creativity and dramatic pretend play beautifully.
4. Sticker Art
Toddlers love stickers! Provide a big sheet of paper and an assortment of colorful stickers—animals, shapes, letters, or stars. Watch them peel and stick freely, creating their own fun scenes.
This quiet, no-mess activity builds hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and encourages independent, focused creative expression.
5. Homemade Collage
Gather old magazines, newspapers, or junk mail and child-safe scissors. Let your toddler tear or cut out favorite pictures, then glue them onto a large piece of paper or cardboard.
This craft develops cutting and pasting skills, inspires imagination, and results in a unique piece of toddler art.
6. Edible Finger Paint
Make worry-free edible finger paint by using yogurt or pudding tinted with a bit of food coloring. Spread paper on a tray or highchair and let your little artist swirl, dot, and splatter safe paint with their fingers.
It’s a perfect sensory craft for toddlers who still taste everything!
7. DIY Shakers
Recycle small plastic bottles by filling them with rice, dry pasta, or beans. Secure the lids tightly and let your toddler decorate the bottles with stickers and tape. Once done, shake to the beat of a favorite song.
This simple craft makes music playtime more exciting and hands-on.
8. Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix basic salt dough using flour, salt, and water. Roll it out and help your toddler cut fun shapes with cookie cutters. Bake until hardened, then paint together once cool.
This craft builds fine motor skills, encourages creativity, and makes sweet keepsakes or homemade gifts for family and friends.
9. Decorate Cardboard Boxes
Hand over crayons, markers, stickers, and a big cardboard box—then watch magic happen! Toddlers can turn boxes into cars, rocket ships, houses, or cozy hideouts.
They’ll crawl in and out, draw on the sides, and let their imaginations run wild. It’s open-ended play that lasts for hours.
10. Tissue Paper Sticking
Cut colorful tissue paper into squares. Stick a piece of contact paper to a window or table, sticky side up, and let your toddler cover it with tissue paper pieces. When finished, seal with another piece of contact paper.
It creates a bright, cheerful sun-catcher perfect for windows.
11. Foam Sticker Play
Buy soft foam stickers in different shapes, animals, or letters. Provide a piece of sturdy cardboard as a base. Toddlers will love peeling the foam stickers and pressing them down to create a colorful, bumpy craft project.
This strengthens fine motor skills and gives them a satisfying sensory experience.
12. Painting with Sponges
Cut kitchen sponges into shapes like stars, hearts, or circles. Dip them in washable paint and show your toddler how to stamp them onto paper.
They’ll enjoy dabbing, pressing, and layering colors. This craft combines painting and stamping, offering a new way to create bold, textured art.
13. Pasta Necklaces
Dye dry pasta in fun colors using food coloring and let it dry. Give your toddler a piece of yarn and help thread the pasta to make a bright necklace.
This classic craft boosts hand-eye coordination, teaches patterning, and leaves them with a wearable piece of toddler-made jewelry.
14. Bubble Wrap Printing
Recycle bubble wrap by turning it into a fun paint tool. Help your toddler paint one side of the bubble wrap, then press it onto paper. Lift it to reveal bumpy, dotted textures.
It’s a simple process art project that teaches patterns, textures, and cause and effect—plus it’s satisfying!
15. Paper Towel Roll Stamps
Flatten the end of a paper towel roll or cut shapes into it, like hearts or triangles. Dip the shaped end in paint and stamp it onto paper. Toddlers love seeing the shapes appear.
It’s an easy DIY craft that encourages creativity and gives painting a fun twist.
Learning & Skill-Building Games for Your Toddler
Boost brain power through play with these educational games that make learning colors, shapes, and numbers irresistibly fun!
16. Color Sorting
Gather colorful pom-poms, blocks, or large buttons and a few bowls or cups. Show your toddler how to sort by color, dropping each item into the matching container.
This simple game strengthens color recognition, sorting skills, and focus while feeling like play. It’s perfect for quiet learning time.
17. Shape Hunt
Turn your house into an experience by hunting for shapes! Call out a shape like “circle” or “triangle” and help your toddler find objects that match—clocks, plates, or picture frames.
This activity sharpens observation, teaches shape recognition, and turns an ordinary day into an interactive learning quest.
18. Alphabet Puzzle Time
Use a chunky wooden or foam alphabet puzzle to teach letters in a playful way. Guide your toddler to pick up each piece and say the letter’s name and sound.
Fitting each letter into the right spot builds problem-solving skills, fine motor strength, and early letter familiarity.
19. Number Hopscotch
Use painter’s tape to make a simple hopscotch grid on the floor and label each square with a number. Show your toddler how to jump from number to number while counting aloud together.
This energetic activity boosts number recognition, coordination, and balance while channeling indoor energy.
20. Matching Game
Create or buy simple picture cards with familiar animals, foods, or shapes. Lay them face down and show your toddler how to flip two cards at a time to find matches.
This classic memory game builds concentration, visual memory, and patience in a fun, giggly way.
21. DIY Flashcards
Make homemade flashcards using index cards and markers or printed pictures. Draw animals, common objects, or colors and practice naming each with your toddler. Shuffle and repeat often.
This DIY learning tool helps expand vocabulary, improve word recognition, and turn quick moments into educational mini-games.
22. Story Sequencing
Draw or print a simple story in three or four steps, like planting a flower or feeding a pet. Mix up the pictures and help your toddler arrange them in the correct order. Talk through each step.
It’s a playful way to build logical thinking and early storytelling skills.
23. Name Recognition Art
Write your toddler’s name in large bubble letters on paper. Hand them crayons, markers, or stickers to decorate each letter. Spell out the name together as they craft.
This personal art project helps toddlers recognize the letters in their own name while encouraging creativity and pride in their work.
24. Sorting Laundry
Turn chores into a learning game! Ask your toddler to help sort laundry into piles—light and dark colors, or by family member. They can match socks too.
This practical task builds sorting and classifying skills, teaches responsibility, and gives toddlers a sense of helping out at home.
25. Counting Toys
Pick a favorite group of toys like cars, blocks, or stuffed animals. Line them up and count each one aloud together, pointing and touching each toy as you go.
Repeating this builds early counting skills, helps toddlers understand one-to-one correspondence, and sneaks math practice into everyday play.
26. Texture Walk
Lay out a “texture path” with towels, bubble wrap, aluminum foil, and soft rugs. Let your toddler walk barefoot along the path and describe how each surface feels—bumpy, soft, squishy, or rough.
This sensory game builds body awareness and introduces descriptive language through playful exploration.
27. DIY Sensory Bottles
Fill clear plastic bottles with glitter, sequins, colored water, or small beads. Secure the lids tightly (hot glue if needed). Show your toddler how to shake and roll the bottles.
Watching the swirling contents is calming, encourages visual tracking, and introduces cause and effect in a safe, mess-free way.
28. Animal Sound Game
Make silly animal noises—bark like a dog, moo like a cow—and see if your toddler can guess the animal. Take turns so they can try making sounds too!
This giggly guessing game builds listening skills, sound recognition, and vocabulary while providing lots of laughter and bonding.
29. Name That Color
Point to toys, clothes, or household objects and ask your toddler to name the color. Cheer and clap for each right answer. You can switch it up by asking them to find something of a certain color too.
This quick, flexible game reinforces color words and sharpens observation skills.
30. Shape Sorting Puzzle
Give your toddler a chunky wooden shape sorter with different cutouts. Show them how to fit each shape into the right slot. Watch them try, twist, and succeed!
This classic toy builds problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and shape recognition, making learning feel like pure playtime.
Active & Energetic Play for Your Toddler
Burn off boundless energy indoors with these movement-packed activities that get little bodies jumping, dancing, and giggling!
31. DIY Obstacle Course
Change your living room into an experience zone! Use couch cushions for climbing, cardboard boxes for tunnels, and painter’s tape to make balance lines or hopscotch squares.
Guide your toddler through the course, encouraging them to jump, crawl, and wiggle. This helps burn off energy and build strength and coordination indoors.
32. Indoor Bowling
Set up empty plastic bottles or paper cups as bowling pins at one end of a hallway or living room. Give your toddler a soft ball to roll and knock down.
They’ll giggle at every strike or spare! This simple game improves hand-eye coordination and motor planning.
33. Dance Party
Turn up some favorite toddler songs and clear a safe dance space. Dance together freely or play freeze dance—stop the music and freeze in silly poses.
It’s an easy, energetic way to boost mood, develop rhythm and balance, and release wiggles, especially on rainy or cold days.
34. Pillow Jump
Stack pillows, cushions, or a folded blanket pile on the floor to create a soft “landing zone.” Let your toddler safely jump, flop, and roll on them. Supervise closely for safety.
This playful indoor jumping spot builds leg strength and balance while satisfying a natural urge to bounce!
35. Balloon Volleyball
Blow up a balloon and show your toddler how to keep it from touching the ground by tapping or batting it gently. Play back and forth or together as a family.
This light, safe indoor game sharpens coordination, reflexes, and brings lots of laughter without breaking anything.
36. Simon Says
Classic but always fun—give simple commands starting with “Simon says”: touch your toes, spin around, hop like a frog. If you don’t say “Simon says,” they shouldn’t move!
This listening and action game builds focus, following directions, and self-control, all while moving and laughing together.
37. Animal Walks
Turn your hallway into a mini zoo experience. Call out animal moves: waddle like a penguin, stomp like an elephant, slither like a snake, or hop like a bunny.
Toddlers love pretending to be animals, and this playful activity improves balance, gross motor skills, and creativity all at once.
38. Bubble Stomp
Blow bubbles inside (a clear space or bathtub works well!) and encourage your toddler to chase, catch, and stomp on them before they pop on their own. T
he excitement keeps little ones moving while boosting coordination and balance. It’s a perfect way to combine sensory fun with exercise.
39. Yoga for Toddlers
Spread out a yoga mat or a soft rug and try simple poses together: tree pose, butterfly pose, or happy baby pose. Use animal or nature themes to keep them interested.
Toddler yoga gently builds flexibility, body awareness, and calm focus while creating peaceful bonding moments with you.
40. Follow the Leader
Become the leader and walk around the house doing silly moves—march, tiptoe, spin, crawl. Your toddler copies every action. Take turns being leader and follower.
This easy game blends movement, listening, and giggling, and it’s a great way to sneak in extra physical activity while indoors.
41. Parachute Play
Hold a bedsheet with your toddler (and siblings if available) and lift it high, then swoop it down gently. Place lightweight toys or balls on top and watch them bounce.
Parachute play teaches teamwork, builds arm muscles, and creates exciting, gentle indoor fun for toddlers without any fancy equipment.
42. Hula Hoop Roll
Show your toddler how to roll a hula hoop across the room and run after it to catch it before it falls. You can also roll it back and forth together.
This simple indoor activity promotes coordination, balance, and turns your living room into a giggly running track.
43. Teddy Bear Picnic
Spread a blanket on the floor, gather stuffed animals, play food, or real snacks, and sit together for a pretend picnic. Toddlers can crawl, feed their plush friends, and share pretend tea.
This sweet activity sparks pretend play, encourages sitting still, and adds gentle movement for indoor days.
44. Indoor Race Track
Use painter’s tape or masking tape to make roads, curves, or a full racetrack on the floor. Drive toy cars or push trucks along the taped roads.
Toddlers love racing vehicles, and this activity develops imagination, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills while letting them move around the room.
45. Bubble Wrap Hop
Lay a long strip of bubble wrap on the floor and encourage your toddler to hop, stomp, and wiggle across it. Each pop is a reward!
This silly activity combines sensory input with movement and balance practice, giving little feet an irresistible reason to jump and giggle indoors.
Calm & Quiet Time Activities for Your Toddler
Wind down with these peaceful activities perfect for naptime prep, rainy afternoons, or when gentle play is needed.
46. Storytime
Curl up together with a stack of favorite picture books. Read slowly, using funny voices and dramatic sound effects to make the story come alive.
This special quiet time strengthens language skills, builds attention span, and creates warm, comforting moments that toddlers cherish before nap or bedtime.
47. Puppet Show
Gather hand puppets or make simple ones using socks with drawn-on faces. Sit with your toddler and act out short stories or favorite nursery rhymes. Let them take turns “directing” or making silly puppet voices.
This gentle, imaginative play boosts storytelling skills and keeps little ones calmly entertained.
48. Stuffed Animal Hospital
Set up a cozy pretend vet or hospital for stuffed animals. Help your toddler “bandage” a teddy’s paw or check a bunny’s heartbeat with a toy stethoscope.
This soothing pretend play encourages empathy, caregiving, and quiet focus as they comfort and “heal” their favorite plush friends.
49. Bath Time with Toys
Make bath time more than just washing up! Add floating toys, measuring cups, or plastic spoons for scooping and pouring. Toddlers love to watch water flow and splash gently.
This calm water play helps unwind after busy playtime, promotes sensory exploration, and makes cleaning up fun.
50. Soft Music Relaxation
Dim the lights, snuggle up with blankets and favorite stuffed animals, and play soft, calming music. You can hum or sing along quietly.
This peaceful moment helps toddlers relax, teaches them how to wind down, and creates a soothing atmosphere perfect for transitioning to nap or bedtime.
51. Quiet Puzzle Time
Lay out a simple toddler-friendly puzzle with large, chunky pieces. Sit together and help them match and fit each piece while naming colors or animals.
This gentle activity improves problem-solving skills, patience, and concentration, offering a calm break from energetic play while still engaging the mind.
52. Window Watching
Sit by a large window with your toddler on your lap or beside you. Point out passing cars, birds, trees swaying, or clouds drifting by. Ask simple questions: “What color is that car?”
This quiet observation time slows things down, sparks conversation, and soothes restless moods.
53. Magnet Board Fun
Stick magnetic letters, shapes, or animal magnets on the fridge or a magnetic board. Let your toddler move them around freely, make simple words, or group similar ones.
This silent play encourages fine motor skills, shape and letter recognition, and gives a gentle, screen-free break during the day.
54. Sensory Play with Playdough
Offer your toddler a ball of soft, non-toxic playdough and a few simple tools like a rolling pin or cookie cutters. Encourage slow squishing, rolling, and gentle shaping.
This repetitive sensory play calms busy minds, strengthens hand muscles, and lets toddlers unwind while still creating something fun.
55. Colouring Books
Hand your toddler a few crayons and an age-appropriate coloring book. Sit nearby as they fill in pages at their own pace.
Coloring is a peaceful, self-directed activity that builds focus, creativity, and fine motor skills. It’s a go-to quiet time idea for rainy afternoons or pre-nap wind-down.
56. Snuggle & Sing
Cuddle together in a favorite chair or cozy blanket fort. Sing classic nursery rhymes or lullabies softly. Let your toddler join in or simply listen and relax.
Singing together nurtures connection, language skills, and provides a comforting routine that gently signals it’s time to rest or settle down.
57. Soft Toy Tea Party
Gather a few stuffed animals and set up a pretend tea party with toy cups, saucers, and snacks. Pour “tea” (pretend or water) and help your toddler serve each plush guest.
This calm role play builds social skills, polite language, and keeps little ones entertained in a gentle way.
58. Pretend Library
Create a mini library at home by stacking books on a low shelf or in baskets. Show your toddler how to “check out” and “return” books. Play librarian and help them pick a “new book” to read quietly together.
It sparks love for books and teaches early library habits.
59. Bedtime Story Basket
Fill a special basket with favorite bedtime books. Each night, invite your toddler to choose which story to hear before bed.
Having their own basket of books builds excitement for reading, supports nighttime routines, and gives toddlers a comforting sense of control over their sleepytime rituals.
60. Shadow Play
Turn off the lights, grab a small flashlight, and shine it on the wall in a darkened room. Use your hands or small toys to create simple shadow animals or shapes. Show your toddler how shadows move and change.
This magical, calming activity captivates their imagination right before bedtime.
Practical Life & Pretend Play for Your Toddler
Foster independence and imagination with real-world role-playing activities that teach life skills through engaging pretend play experiences!
61. Pretend Cooking
Set up a safe “kitchen” station with mixing bowls, spoons, and plastic measuring cups. Let your toddler pretend to stir, pour, and “cook” with dry pasta or rice.
This simple role-play builds imagination, fine motor skills, and confidence, and lets them feel involved while you cook nearby.
62. Toy Car Wash
Fill a shallow bin or tub with warm, soapy water. Give your toddler toy cars, small sponges, and towels. They’ll love scrubbing each car clean and rinsing them off.
This sensory water play encourages gentle cleaning habits and turns a simple wash-up into bubbly, giggly fun.
63. Mini Laundry Helper
Invite your toddler to help with laundry by matching clean socks, folding small washcloths, or putting clothes into a basket.
This practical task builds sorting and pairing skills, teaches responsibility, and makes them feel proud to “help” with grown-up chores in a playful, manageable way.
64. Pretend Grocery Store
Set up a mini store using toy food, empty food boxes, and bags. Take turns being the shopper and the cashier. Pretend to pay with play money or toy credit cards.
This imaginative play teaches counting, social skills, and introduces real-world concepts in a way toddlers understand.
65. Dress-Up Parade
Raid the closet for old hats, scarves, big shirts, or fun costumes. Let your toddler dress up however they like and show off their outfits with a living room fashion parade.
This playful activity builds confidence, encourages pretend play, and results in plenty of giggles and adorable photos.
66. Pretend Mailbox
Craft a simple mailbox out of a cardboard box with a slot on top. Help your toddler “write” or draw letters, then “mail” them through the slot. Take turns delivering the mail.
This pretend play teaches communication, sharing, and adds excitement to simple drawings or notes.
67. Gardening Indoors
Give your toddler a small watering can and let them help water safe indoor plants. Show them how to pour gently near the roots.
Caring for plants teaches responsibility, patience, and a love for nature. Toddlers feel proud nurturing something green and watching it grow over time.
68. Cleaning Helper
Arm your little one with a soft, safe cloth, child-friendly duster, or mini broom. Let them wipe tables, dust low shelves, or “sweep” next to you.
This simple pretend cleaning game builds life skills, coordination, and helps toddlers feel like capable helpers while having fun alongside you.
69. Toy Doctor Kit
Bring out a toy doctor kit or use a pretend thermometer and bandages. Encourage your toddler to check the heartbeat, “give medicine,” or wrap a stuffed animal’s paw.
This sweet role-play game helps ease doctor visit fears, builds empathy, and boosts imagination as they care for their plush patients.
70. DIY Pet Shop
Line up stuffed animals and pretend they are pets for sale or adoption. Role-play choosing a pet, feeding it, and giving it gentle care.
This engaging pretend pet shop experience nurtures responsibility, compassion, and creativity, and turns beloved plushies into new characters in your toddler’s make-believe world.
Conclusion
Indoor play doesn’t have to mean screen time or boredom!
These activities prove that your home is packed with endless entertainment possibilities using simple, everyday items.
From sensory bins to blanket forts, each activity supports your toddler’s development while creating precious memories together.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection – it’s connection and fun! Start with activities that match your toddler’s interests and energy level, then gradually learns new ones.
Keep this list handy for those moments when you need inspiration, and watch as ordinary days turn into extraordinary experiences right in your living room!
Which indoor activity will you try first with your toddler? Share your favorite rainy day games and creative ideas in the comments below – we’d love to hear how these activities work for your little one!
