Toddler activities: What to do when you're stuck at home

Make an obstacle course

• What you’ll need: hula hoops, jump ropes, pop-up tunnels, an empty laundry basket, soft balls, chairs to crawl under, and anything you can run around or jump over
• An indoor obstacle course can always burn off energy in record time – especially if you’re using a stopwatch for contests! Beyond the benefits of teaching motor skills, coordination, and balance, courses get kids excited about exercise. When designing your obstacles, the sky's the limit. Bust out the hula hoops and pop-up tunnels. Jump from cushion to cushion and pretend the floor is lava. Incorporate a beanbag toss and hopscotch (you can tape the outline for the board instead of using chalk).
• For more: Check out FamilyEducation’s post on obstacle courses for more ideas! 
  

Dance it out

• What you’ll need: a phone, stereo, record player, or smart TV hooked up to some speakers, instruments, shakers, or anything around the house you can turn into a drum
• Musical games are great for children of all ages. You can start off with simple activities such as freeze dance (where the children have to move until the music stops) and encourage the kids to freeze in unique ways. A dance party is another chance to simultaneously exercise the body and mind. While you explore different genres from different cultures, teach a move or make one up. Lay out fun instruments like tambourines and shakers (or even tins and wooden spoons).
• For more: Here’s Mom Junction’s list of dance games and activities for kids.
  

Put their imagination to the test

• What you’ll need: paper, scissors, glue, crayons, markers, stickers, finger paint, modeling clay, Play-Doh, newspaper or cut up brown paper grocery bags to keep your work surface clean, and whatever else brings out the artist in you and your toddler
• Arts and crafts are easy go-to activities that all children will enjoy, whether it's finger painting, coloring, or drawing, to name a few options. Make a collage by simply placing a variety of different items before each child (such as crayons, buttons, bottle caps, etc.), and give them the freedom to make whatever they want.
• For more: Tinker Lab’s got a bunch of ideas for art projects for toddlers.
  

Go on scavenger hunts

• What you’ll need: paper (to list out scavenger hunt items) or a printer, a fun prize (could be as simple as a little piece of candy)
• Scavenger hunts can be combined in exciting ways with obstacle courses. While the obstacle course will have children crawling, jumping, and navigating around various objects, the scavenger hunt could serve as the goal of the obstacle course. You can have the kids match colors, patterns, or numbers as they look for the ultimate prize. Treasure hunts are also exciting ways to get the kids moving, and you can use clues to spark the kids’ imaginations as they look for a coveted prize.
• For more: Buggy and Buddy has 30 (30!) free scavenger hunt printables on their site.
  

Build any structure with anything

• What you’ll need: blocks, Lego, empty shoe boxes or packing boxes, empty plastic food storage containers, plastic cups, or anything that’s durable and lightweight for stacking.
• There are lots of building games that encourage kids to think as they construct puzzles, towers, and other similar objects. Use building blocks, age-appropriate Lego, and even items such as bottles and magnets to encourage cognitive thinking in children.
• For more: Check out Fun Littles’ educational building games for kids.
  

We hope these fun activities for kids at home will bring you and your kiddos some joy. We’re sending lots of love and positivity to you and your family!