Keeping up with our little bundles of energy can be a struggle so we’ve put together a list of fun things you can do at home to keep toddlers busy. Here are a few things we looked for:

• Easy to put together and to clean up after 
• Kids can do themselves, with supervision, rather than adult-led activities 
• Using things we all have at home. The last thing we need is expensive crafts supplies 

20 activities to keep toddlers busy at home

1. Playdough: Making your own playdough at home is fun and super easy. Click here for my favourite playdough recipe. Add glitter, food colouring and baby oil (smells gorgeous) or even a couple of drops of lavender oil for a sensory experience.
2. Practice colours with Twister game: Do you have a Twister game at home? Now you can use it for something other than drunken home party giggles (just me?). Select a few small toys of different colours (red, blue, green, yellow) and ask your toddler to fill each circle with toys of the right colour.
3. Foam and more foam: Most supermarkets sell super cheap foam bath of different colours on the kids and baby aisle. Let them explore with it in the bath with a few Tupperware boxes of different sizes and plastic cups. Ideal if you have a Tuff Tray at home, but a large empty storage plastic box works just as well.
4. ‘Washing-up’: Of course you’ll need to clean the items after. Allow them to explore different materials, like plastic Tupperware boxes, wooden spoons, a metal whisk, etc.
5. Window stickers: These have worked a treat for us. You can get them in Amazon.
6. Stamps: You can get a stamp set very cheaply in Amazon and most large supermarkets.
7. ‘Paint on the window’: Do you have a whiteboard pen at home? Let them draw with it on a designated window. But make sure you explain that’s the only place they can do it. I learned this the wrong way.
8. Potato painting: An old classic.
9. Chores – ‘washing’ a wall, kitchen cupboard, etc: I have a clean spray bottle at home which I only fill with water, and lots of small cloths in different colours to make it fun for the kids.
10. Magic kitchen cupboard:  Empty one of the low cupboards at home and fill it with old pans, Tupperware boxes, lids, etc.  Let them empty it whenever they’re bored – they never tire of it!
11. Musical instruments from old bottles filled with uncooked rice: For see-through bottles, you can dye your rice first! Add some water and glitter and you have a sensory bottle. Make sure you seal the lid properly though.
12. Decorating a plant pot and planting a seed: A classic!
13. Small toy hunt with KIDS’ chopsticks: We’ve used tiny dinosaurs or plastic fish. Add some play foam for extra fun.
14. Den with pillows and blankets: Snuggle up and read a story inside your den.
15. Chopping vegetables with a kid-friendly knife: Cucumbers and peppers work best.
16. Dance party: Play some fun kiddies music and dance like no one is watching.
17. Puppet show from old socks: Do you have a kids table at home? Lay it on the side so the kids can have a stage. Or get creative with a blanket. Let them put the show on for you while you have a cuppa.
18. ‘Gardening’: Designate a spot in the garden for each child and give them a few kid-friendly garden tools. Let them explore.
19. Picnic in the garden. Or indoors when it’s raining: Who said lunch can only be eaten at the table?
20. Baking: There are so many awesome recipes for kids online – here are some of our favourites.

Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash