20 Engaging Homeschool Toddler Activities That Aren’t Hard to Do
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While there is no NEED to introduce homeschool toddler activities to your child as far as educational purposes go, you may still want to which is why I’ve made this list of easy homeschool toddler activities.
I am a firm believer in play-based learning for as long as possible and therefore, you won’t find any bookwork listed here.
The very best thing you can do for your toddler is to allow them to use their imagination to explore and learn from the world around them.
Easy Homeschool Toddler Activities
The activities listed below can be done with your toddler, but many of them can also be done independently and are therefore a great option for keeping little ones busy while you homeschool older children.
#1 Think Fun Roll & Play
We’ve owned this game for a couple of years now and my kids love it!
I would say that it is ideal to start using around age two, but as far as when they will outgrow it, I’ve yet to see.
My 5.5 year old still really enjoys playing this with his sisters.
It is a super fun way for them to learn and recognize colors, shapes, animals, and emotions.
You can simplify it or make it a little more complex without much effort at all.
I also love that it is easy to pack and take along with you if you wanted to.
It is well worth adding to your game collection. Find it here.
#2 Alphabet Sand
Teaching children their letters can be done in so many different ways, but one of my favorites is to put sand (or rice) in a baking tray and then let them use their fingers to draw letters.
It is a wonderful sensory play activity that will increase motor skill development and help them learn their letters.
If you have a really little one or just aren’t yet interested in teaching the alphabet, you can still set it up and just let them draw whatever they’d like.
This would also be a great activity for working on shape recognition.
#3 Letter Hunt
Doing a letter hunt is one of my kids favorite activities.
Hide the alphabet around your home or in your yard and have them go looking.
They can then tell you the sound and name of the letter before going to look for the next one.
You can use flashcards or foam letters like these ones.
#4 Let’s Play School
Let’s Play School is a play-based curriculum where you’ll find a ton of games that are perfect for preschool-early elementary.
I use their monthly subscription and it has just been wonderful.
Both my 3-year old and 5-year old love the games and always ask to do them over and over again.
If you’re looking specifically for play-based, educational activities then Let’s Play School is exactly what you need.
#5 Sensory Bins
I have a whole list of sensory bin suggestions here in this post but really you don’t need to have anything perfectly themed for it to work.
Honestly, playing in a muddy puddle outside is a perfect sensory activity, but if you need something more contained then sensory bins are a great way to provide the experience.
#6 Reading
If there is only one thing you do with your toddler in a day then I highly suggest it be reading.
Reading to your children has a multitude of benefits and it is a wonderful time to be intentional and close with them.
If your toddler is one that doesn’t want to sit still, give them something to do while you’re reading to them.
A sensory bin, coloring pages, or other hands-on activity will do perfectly.
Here are some of our favorite books for toddlers:
#7 Coloring
Some kids love coloring in (like my 3-year old) while others just could not care less (like my 5-year old).
I wouldn’t push this if your kid just isn’t into it, but if you want some fun coloring sheets then check out these free ones available on my blog.
#8 Color Sorting
There are so many different ways you can set up color sorting activities, but one of my favorites is to assign the job of matching socks to your toddler.
It will allow them to help with the household chores while also learning patterns and colors.
So often we put education into a box when in reality, our children can learn through the most basic of daily activities.
#9 Playdough
Playdough is the perfect sensory play activity that is super affordable, creative, and great for rainy days.
You can use it to teach concepts if that’s what you want, or just leave your toddler to have fun and use their imagination.
You can buy it or make your own. We’ve had fun getting creative with glitter and colors in the past.
#10 Painting
I’ll be honest…you won’t find painting happening that often in our home unless it is happening outside.
However, it is a legitimate toddler activity that is super fun (for the kid) if you can manage to cope with the liquid color potentially being strewn around your home.
Personally, I like to give my kids watercolor paints and these water pens to keep the mess to a minimum while still allowing them to have fun with it.
#11 Nature Walk
Children can learn so much by simply observing the world around them.
Take your toddler on a nature walk. Go to a park and just let them run around.
If there’s an animal you spy, strike up a conversation about it and then look up some Youtube videos or read some books about it when you get home.
This is the perfect activity for releasing some of that toddler energy as well.
#12 Scavenger Hunt
You can do this activity at home, in your yard, or on a walk.
Create a list of things for your toddler to look for and then let them at it.
Perhaps think of a fun prize for them to get once they’ve found all of the items.
#13 Kinetic Sand
Here’s another fun sensory activity that is easy to put together.
You can buy kinetic sand or even make your own! Here’s a DIY recipe for you.
#14 Cutting Practice
Some toddlers love to cut things once they discover scissors (ahem – hair) so why not allow them to cut things that they’re allowed to?
I have a pile of scrap paper that is always available to my kids for crafts and cutting.
I like safety scissors for my younger toddlers but by around age four, we move to this kind.
If your little one is really struggling with paper, then cutting playdough is a really great alternative.
#15 Crafting Fun
Sometimes the simplest of things brings the most pleasure.
I would encourage you to have a supply of craft items (nothing fancy) available to your toddler to just craft their heart away.
As I mentioned above, we have a pile of scrap paper as well as glue sticks, tape, scissors, and coloring supplies.
This is more than enough for my kids to have a blast dreaming up and creating their own craft ideas.
#16 Dress Ups
I know that you may not equate dress ups with learning but the reality is that toddlers learn SO MUCH through role play.
Get some basic dress up items and have them in a designated area for you toddler to use.
A great idea is to rotate the items so that the novelty doesn’t wear off too quickly.
#17 Wipe-Clean Books
If you do have a child that loves to draw then a good thing to have on hand are wipe-clean books.
They can have all the fun in the world tracing and drawing and then doing it all over again.
#18 Magnatiles
We invested in some Magnatiles a couple of years ago and I love them so much for all of my kids.
Even toddlers under age two will enjoy playing with them.
They’re so good for hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, color and shape recognition, as well as fine motor development.
There are several brands now available which you can take a look at here.
#19 Alphabet Manipulatives
Having a set (or two) of alphabet manipulatives has proven so valuable to our homeschool for many ages, but especially for my toddlers.
They can have fun exploring the alphabet without any pressure and they are just great for kinesthetic learners.
There is also a multitude of games that you can come up with using them.
#20 Sidewalk Chalk
My children love it when we bring out the sidewalk chalk. It is the perfect activity to help increase fine motor skills and color recognition.
Plus, it is just a really fun activity to do with your toddler or all together as a family.
Have Fun!
I hope that this list of homeschool toddler activities has given you some great jumping-off points but ultimately, I hope that they bring joy and fun to your home.
Homeschooling with a toddler in tow can be challenging (to say the least) but it is a short-lived time that is also full of so many precious things if you’ll stop to look for them.
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