These screen-free toddler activities will help you break free from the electronics and engage in playtime with your kids! These screen-free activities for kids are perfect for a rainy day or for before bedtime since they can all be done indoors!
Let’s be honest, mamas. It’s a little too easy to put on the TV all day long!
My kids would be perfectly content to sit and watch Blippi, Disney+ or whatever PBS show strikes their fancy that day, but it’s not something I like to do often.
Lately, we’ve been struggling getting my oldest to sleep. I think part of the problem is that we were giving her screen time before bed!
Selfishly, screen time gives me and my husband time to clean up, make ourselves dinner, and catch up before she goes down. But sometimes it actually makes our bedtime routine harder, and after a long day the last thing I want to do is struggle at bedtime.
This list of screen-free activities for toddlers will hopefully give you some good ideas for electronic-free play!
The best part is, these toddler activities can all be done indoors at home! That makes this list of activities perfect for rainy days, before bedtime, and a low-key day at home.
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Screen-free toddler activities
1. Aqua doodle mat
We love our Aqua Doodle mat! Actually, we love both of our Aqua Doodle mats.
It has been the perfect activity for toddlers ages 1-4, though older children seem to love it as well! It’s easy to clean up and does not make a huge mess, make it a perfect low-prep and easy toddler activity.
2. Do a craft
My oldest daughter loves to craft.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “oh heavens, no. I am not a crafty person!” – there’s no need to fret!
Crafting with toddlers can be as simple as cutting paper, coloring, or using a pre-assembled craft kit (like this Dinosuar one!).
And I promise you, your child does not care how good the craft looks! They care much more about the time spent together.
3. Play doh
I’m going to tell you a secret…I actually really like Play Doh!
I find it therapeutic to smush, roll, and mold the dough. I know my kids feel the same way!
Play Doh is generally inexpensive. We love our glitter Play Doh and the cutting tools are very engaging for my toddler as well!
4. Sing songs and dance
Or even get creative and make up your own songs! My daughters and I have fun little dance routines to some of the classic nursery rhymes, and it’s so sweet to watch them engage in a song-and-dance routine.
5. Puzzles
There are sooooo many different kinds of puzzles for toddlers! From puzzles that make noise, to block puzzles, and more, we keep a variety around the house to hold their interest.
Best toddler puzzles
Wooden puzzles are my favorite because they’re so durable!
The Melissa and Doug sea creatures puzzle is a popular one in our house!
Knob puzzles are good for little hands, too! Check out this adorable animals one.
These shape puzzles are great for reinforcing color and shape learning. Both my 19 month old and 3 year old play with this daily!
6. Yoga
If yoga isn’t your thing, how about some simple stretches? If you’re trying to avoid pulling up YouTube Yoga Videos, then turn on some gentle music and stretch a little!
7. Sensory bin
If you’ve read this blog before, you know that I am a huge fan of sensory bins.
Not only is sensory play crucial for child development, sensory bins are an easy way to give your toddler a fun learning activity, too!
There are endless ways to create sensory bins, but pom pom sensory bins and taste-safe sensory bins are our favorite.
8. Stickers
I have a love-hate relationship with stickers!
On one hand, they’re simple and easy. On the other, my kids like to stick them to everything!
Reusable sticker booklets have definitely helped. These Melissa and Doug reusable sticker books are a favorite toddler activity of ours, especially since my toddler can make scenes, play dress up, and can reuse the stickers over and over again!
9. Beads
Using beads is a great fine motor activity for your toddler. String beads onto yarn, string or pipe cleaners to make some jewelry, patterns or designs!
These large beads are perfect for little fingers.
For a jewelry obsessed toddler, we love these kits since you can use the beads over and over again. They come in all different character sets, and you can keep making and remaking the jewelry!
Otherwise, plain beads, some string or elastic, or a pipe cleaner will do fine!
10. Water wow booklets
These little booklets use only water for an easy, mess-free activity.
There are tons of different sets and bundles, so you’ll be sure to find one that your toddler loves.
They’re also great for long car rides, waits at the doctor’s office, or to travel with.
11. Watercolor painting
Watercolors are easier to clean up than finger paints, and make really gorgeous pictures!
Spice it up a bit and have your child color with white crayon on white paper first. Then have them paint over with the watercolors to reveal their drawing!
12. Take a bubble bath
If you have water-loving kids like me, then bathtime is awlays fun!
I love the Honest Company Bubble Bath because it really fills the tub with bubbles, plus it’s gentle on their skin.
On special occasions, we bring out bath bombs! My toddler loves watching them fizz up and change the color of the bath water (and how cool are these Dinosaur ones!)
These fun bath crayons also take bath time up a notch! Letting them express their creativity in an easy-to-clean space is a major mom-win.
13. Bristle blocks
If you don’t have bristle blocks, do yourself a favor and get some!
Bristle blocks are one of my favorite gifts for toddlers. I’ve never met a toddler that didn’t love them!
Not only are they a fantastic STEM toddler activity, but they also are textured to meet their sensory needs. Bonus: they make a fantastic teether for younger children!
I can entertain both of my girls for a loooooong time with bristle blocks!
14. Magnetic tiles
Magnetic tiles are great to put your toddler’s engineering skills to the test!
My 3 year old loves to run around and see what they’ll stick to, plus she’s learning shapes and colors as well.
15. Magnetic drawing
Another art activity that doesn’t make a mess! For children with creative minds, magnetic drawing boards are a great tool.
16. Read books
Reading to your child is so important! You’ll give them early exposure to letters and words, while developing their speech and language skills.
My toddler’s favorite books
17. Have a puppet show
You can use fancy puppets like these, or make them out of paper bags or socks! All you’ll need is a something to decorate them with and a silly story to tell.
Amazon sells these cool puppet making kits, too!
18. Coloring books
A few crayons and a coloring book, and you have an easy toddler activity!
19. Worksheets
For the older toddler or preschool aged children, worksheets can be a ton of fun! Check out my free printables library for loads of free worksheets and coloring pages your toddler will love.
20. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are a great way to get your kids moving and thinking! They’re one of my favorite ways to burn off my daughters’ energy.
You can find a printable scavenger hunt, or make it up on the fly! My Kids Activity Vault has many different scavenger hunts, and it’s totally free to my email subscribers.
21. Play a game
Depending on the age of your toddler, the type of game you play will be different!
Games like hide and seek and peek-a-boo are more fun for younger toddlers, while older toddlers and preschoolers may be able to handle board games.
22. Bake or cook something
It’s one of the most productive science activities your kids can help with! And afterwards, you can partake in number 25.
You’ll find loads of family friendly recipes on this blog. The easiest would be my recipe for cake mix cookies, but cinnamon rolls are my most requested recipe!
23. Play with building blocks
There are so many different kinds of blocks on the market. Anything from wooden blocks to Duplo are great for building and constructing!
24. Play pretend with dolls
My kids have a wild imagination! We spend a good chunk of our day playing with dolls.
Whether it’s playing with a doctor kit, feeding the babies, or just getting them ready for bed, imaginative play like this is a ton of fun for toddlers!
25. Clean
Cleaning as a toddler activity?! I know, I know, it sounds crazy. But toddler chores are actually great for creating lifelong helpers!
My kids love to “help” clean. Whether I just give them a damp towel to wipe things down, or we get out their play cleaning kit, they’re always willing to pitch in.
26. Play I Spy
Remember this game?
I Spy is a great toddler activity because it requires no preparation and does not make a mess!
What other screen free activities do your kids like to do indoors?
Whether you are looking for a toddler activity for a rainy day, or just to settle down before bedtime, this list will hopefully have given you some inspiration!
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