45 Easy Toddler Activities for Indoor and Outdoor Fun

Need a fun, engaging, and easy toddler activity? Here are ideas for how to keep your kiddo entertained—and not lose your mind.

Keeping your toddler busy all day can be a challenge, particularly when you're stuck at home. Toddlers are full of energy, after all. They are inquisitive, rambunctious, and seek constant stimulation. Whether the weather has you stuck indoors or you're looking to get outside, the good news is there are dozens of fun and easy toddler activities you can do with your little one.

Below are our favorite activities to do with toddlers for indoor, outdoor, and family fun.

Outdoor Toddler Activities

When the weather is nice, it's the perfect time to play outside. The fresh air and sunshine—or even splashing in puddles in the rain—are great ways to get a change of scenery. Here are some easy and engaging outdoor activities to do with toddlers that are guaranteed fun.

  • Host a teddy bear picnic in the backyard
  • Draw with sidewalk chalk or sidewalk chalk paint
  • Blow bubbles
  • Play in the sandbox
  • Collect rocks, shells, leaves, sticks, or other "treasures"
  • Ride a balance bike or trike
  • Create an obstacle course
  • Go on a hike (or walk around the block) and look for wildlife
  • "Paint" wood fences or a brick patio with water using water blasters or spray bottles
  • Walk to the park
  • Play tag or hide-and-go-seek
  • Bounce or pass a ball
  • Kick a soccer ball into a goal
  • Make a leaf-rubbing
girl playing tea party with teddy bear outdoors
Carol Yepes/Getty Images

Indoor Toddler Activities

Playing dress up for the one-thousandth time in a week is going to lose its appeal fast. But indoor toddler activities don't need to be complicated or boring. Have some fun without feeling stressed by trying some of the ideas below.

  • Give your child a doll and encourage them to hold, talk to, dress, and take care of it
  • Do a puzzle
  • Read a book
  • Have a dance party
  • Print some coloring pages and color away
  • Play with blocks
  • Give them a bubble bath
  • Watch a movie
  • Make a cardboard box train, boat, car, or house
  • Set up an indoor bowling alley, complete with paper towel tube pins
  • Create a simple sensory bin together
  • Have a sing-along
  • Make a blanket fort
  • Trace their hands on paper and then color them in
  • Make shapes on paper using glue and have your child sprinkle on glitter
  • Turn off the lights and use flashlights and your hands to make shadow puppets

Toddler Family Activities

Being physically present for our kids is essential. Doing activities together with your children helps you bond as a family. Set aside time to do things as a group with everyone fully engaged. This special time will help all of you feel intentionally connected (yes, even little ones!).

  • Hide a toy somewhere in the house, and ask your child to find it; explore with them using cues like "warmer" and "colder" as guides
  • Clean together (my kids always loved mopping!)
  • Play "Red Light, Green Light"
  • Make homemade playdough
  • Do YouTube exercise activities
  • Prepare a family meal together
  • Bake dessert
  • Take a walk
  • Go on a hike
  • Visit the library or a children's museum
  • Do a scavenger hunt
  • Create a choreographed dance together
  • Make a silly video to send to a relative or friend
  • Plant flowers or a vegetable garden
  • Give your dog a bath
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