Toddlers are easily entertained. They love exploring their world, and they can create the most simplistic games out of everyday items.
Fun Activities for Toddlers
Parents don’t need to spend money on expensive toys to keep toddlers occupied. Household items and a little imagination are all the only requirements for creating fun indoor activities for young children.
Inexpensive Activities for Kids
For a quick and inexpensive toddler activity, consider using everyday household items to create matching games and encourage imagination play. Here are several household items that can be used for indoor toddler play:
- Blankets and chairs – Drape blankets across sturdy chairs for an instant play house.
- Cardboard boxes – Before throwing out old cardboard boxes, let a toddler turn it into a house or a huge collecting bin for toys.
- Old magazines – Children see adults reading all the time. Let a toddler feel like a grown-up by “reading” a magazine. A fun way to do this is to send the little one on a scavenger hunt throughout the magazine. Just ask him or her to find all of the puppies, flowers, cars, houses, or other recognizable images in the entire magazine.
- Plastic containers with lids – Toddlers can find many uses for plastic containers. Matching the lids with the appropriate containers creates a fun matching game. Open containers can be stacked in multiple configurations, knocked over, and stacked again. Filling up the containers with toys or other objects can also be fun for little ones.
- Pots and pans – Toddlers like to mimic adult activities, so let them “cook” with actual pots and pans (on the floor, of course)!
Household Chores as Children’s Activities
Since kids like to mimic adult activities, a toddler might also like to be mommy’s or daddy’s big helper by assisting with indoor household chores. These toddler activities don’t take up a lot of time, but they will give a toddler a sense of accomplishment. Even children as young as 18 months old can throw individual items in the trash, hold a dust pan, help load clothes in the washing machine, sort laundry, or pick up after themselves. To toddlers, these are ways to be a big kid, not chores.
Free Printable Coloring Pages for Young Children
Another inexpensive children’s activity is printable coloring pages from websites like Disney Family or Crayola.
Around the holidays, consider finding cute coloring pages with holiday themes. The following articles profile sources of Easter, Christmas, and Halloween coloring sheets.
Free Kids Christmas Coloring Pages
Printable Halloween Coloring Pages for Kids
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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