25 Memory-Making Mom and Toddler Activities

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These mom and toddler activities are a great idea to implement and are sure to give you lots of tips for making fun memories with your little one.

Use them as a jumping-off point to get even more creative, or keep it simple. The choice is up to you! Regardless of how creative you get with them, it’s still a fun way to spend time with your little one.

I’ll be honest and say that I did very few planned activities with my toddlers. Most of the time they just followed along with whatever I was doing for the day. However, there are certainly times when you may want to be even more intentional about connecting with them and creating special memories.

These activities can certainly be a starting point for that.

Mom and Toddler Activities to Ensure Quality Time

Life is so very busy and we can all be guilty of just getting on with it instead of focusing on having quality time with our kids.

These fun activities aren’t rocket science. They’re simply tools to help you connect with your toddler in a meaningful way and create some special memories.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, you can still use these ideas to create a special time with your busy toddler.

Being Intentional With Our Children

The more kids I’ve had the more I’ve realized that quality time comes from being intentional. It doesn’t come from exciting activities or from spending a bunch of money.

Being intentional with our children simply means giving your attention to them. When so many other things are there to pull us away, the gift of focusing on your child so that they know they are loved is vital.

This doesn’t mean you have to ignore all the work you have to do in a day. Intentionality can be woven into all the little moments. It can happen as you get your toddler dressed, help them pick up their toys, or snuggle with them as you read a book. Daily life doesn’t have to be put into different segments. It can all beautifully blend together.

Doing the laundry and washing the dishes are seemingly mundane tasks, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be purposeful beyond their obvious intention.

All of these moments can have a profound impact on our children if only we stop to realize the power of intentionality.

So, with that said, here are some fun activity ideas to get you started.

#1 Dance Party

When my kids are feeling grouchy or even if it’s just me in a mood, having a dance party really helps!

Turn on a fun playlist and have fun dancing with your toddler. Their little dance moves are ridiculously cute.

Plus, because it’s a physical activity, it helps get a lot of their energy worked out.

#2 Do Laundry

I know, I know…you’re thinking, “laundry?!”

Yes, I am suggesting you do laundry with your toddler. Instead of trying to keep them out of it, have them join in.

I would get my young toddlers to simply hand me the items of clothing as I was folding and sorting them.

As they got older, I would have them help me sort the clothing into different piles.

You could also have them match socks.

It’s a great activity and a chore that has to be done often.

If we’re intentional about it, these mundane chores can be really special times spent together with our kids. Simple things often have the most lasting impacts.

#3 Reading

One of my all-time favorite activities to do with kids of all ages is reading together.

Grab a book, find a chair, and bring a comfy blanket. Curl up with your toddler and read to them.

Now, you may have a toddler that does not care to sit still long enough to be read to. In that case, set up some quiet toys nearby and read to them while they’re busy playing. Story time is always a hot favorite in our home, no matter the age group.

#4 Have a Picnic

Pack a special lunch and go find a cute picnic spot. It could be at a local park, the beach, or even in your own backyard!

If it’s winter and the weather is just too yucky outside, set up a picnic indoors. It’ll still be lots of fun. Small children are really good at using their imaginations. Use that to your advantage!

I also found that on days when I was just really tired and couldn’t handle another mess, an outdoor picnic lunch was the perfect answer. I didn’t have to worry about crumbs on the floor. Honestly, I still do this with my older kids a lot of the time.

#5 Go on a Walk

Toddlers love to be outside and walking helps burn off a lot of the energy that they have.

Take your toddler for a walk and have fun exploring your location. It’s a good idea to bring a stroller along, just in case your toddler gets tired along the way. Being prepared is an essential skill to have during the toddler years.

#6 Go Swimming

Swimming together with your toddler is so much fun! Better yet, enroll in mom and toddler swimming lessons. It won’t be something you regret. Your toddler will build their confidence in water and learn vital skills.

#7 Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is such a fun thing to use and be creative with. You can draw pictures with your toddler and have loads of fun together. It’ll allow your toddler to work on their fine motor skills while having a really good time.

#8 Coloring

Coloring in can be such a relaxing activity. They make many different adult coloring books now. Grab one and sit alongside your toddler as they also color in.

Invest in some good washable markers and crayons so you don’t have to stress about making a mess.

We often look up their favorite character and fine coloring pages online to print.

#9 Nail Painting

My girls have always loved having their nails painted. Get a quick-drying, non-toxic nail polish and spend a little while painting your toddler’s nails.

It probably won’t stay on long but they’ll love it all the same.

#10 Card Making

Homemade cards are always so special. Why not make a list of birthdays that are coming up and enlist your toddler’s help in making cards?

Obviously, they’re not going to be perfect but they will be oh-so-special and cute!

#11 Playing Playdoh

Similarly to coloring, playing with playdoh can be very relaxing. The sensory aspect of it isn’t lost on adults.

Buy some play dough or make some at home with your toddler. Sit together and create. This is one of those indoor toddler activities that thankfully doesn’t make too much mess. Just be sure to keep the playdoh away from any carpet.

#12 Pretend Play

Okay, so I’ll readily admit that this is one of my least favorite things to do with my kids. However, I know that they truly love it when I play with them.

One game that is good is playing doctors. Have your toddler be the doctor and you be the patient.

They could also be a chef and serve you the meals that they cook.

#13 Painting

Painting can be messy so I recommend either doing it outside or making sure you have protective equipment for inside.

For instance, an apron and plastic tablecloth.

There are so many different kinds of paint that you can use, but the concept is basically the same. Set up the paints and have fun creating with your toddler.

#14 Baking

Baking together is a really simple, yet fun activity to do with your toddler. Get them a little toddler apron and find them a safe space to sit in the kitchen.

Have them assist where they can as you bake up something delicious!

#15 Cooking Dinner

Sometimes we overcomplicate things like spending time together. Not everything has to be planned out and prepped for.

We usually have multiple times throughout the day that can be meaningful moments of connection.

For instance, cooking dinner.

Toddlers are often cranky around this time of day and it can feel as though you’re struggling to get things done.

Including them in the dinner-making process can help with their attitude and help you to be more productive.

It may seem slower than if you were doing it all on your own, but it will actually likely be much easier.

#16 Coffee Date

Take your toddler to a local cafe and order them a toddler drink. They will feel so grown up! Plus, you can enjoy your favorite beverage too.

#17 Watch a Movie

Sometimes you just want to sit still and chill out. Sometimes our toddlers need a minute to snuggle with mama and rest a bit.

Find your toddler’s favorite movie and snuggle up on the couch together. Add a snack and you have a really fun mom and toddler activity that takes very little work.

Screen time can be an okay thing when used in moderation.

#18 Go to the Zoo

We recently took our kids to the zoo and they absolutely loved it! If you have a local zoo, see if you can get an annual pass so that you can go whenever you want.

It’s a perfect adventure out with your toddler.

#19 Do a Puzzle

Puzzles can sometimes be frustrating to toddlers. Instead of leaving your toddler with a puzzle to figure out on their own, sit alongside them and help out.

#20 Work on the Alphabet

It can be fun to start introducing some basic learning concepts to your toddler.

Do some crafting or lessons on the alphabet. Just remember to keep it short and play-based. Toddlers do not need to be made to sit down and do lessons. There is plenty of time for that when they’re older.

#21 Make a Tent

How fun are cushion forts? My kids make them whenever they get the chance.

Create an indoor fort for your toddler. Work together to create it and then let them have a bunch of fun playing in it. This is one of those great indoor activities to do on a rainy day.

You can also use your dining room table for this. Just put a large sheet over it. Put a bunch of pillows underneath and perhaps even add some fairy lights. It’s a quick and easy way to make a fun fort for your toddler. I would then often get inside the fort with them and read stories together. It was so much fun!

#22 Make Pasta Jewelry

Do you remember making pasta jewelry as a kid? It’s something fun that you can do with your toddler. Have them string pasta onto a piece of string to make a necklace or bracelet.

Alternatively, have them paint the pasta first to make it different colors.

If you have a toddler that doesn’t wish to make jewelry, have them glue the pasta to a piece of paper instead and then paint it. I’ve never done a lot of hands-on activities with my toddlers, and I always go for easy toddler activities when I do!

#23 Have a Spa Day

My little girls have always loved playing dress-ups. If you have a daughter, a spa day at home may be the perfect mom and toddler activity.

You could include a mani-pedi, a hairstyle, and maybe even some makeup. Spa days are really fun and oh-so-cute!

#24 Play Hide n Seek

There have only been a few times that I’ve laughed harder than when I’ve played hide n seek with my kids. Specifically when they were toddlers.

The giggles almost always give away their hiding spot. It is so cute and so much fun!

Honestly, this is a super fun thing that I forget to play with my kids. I never regret it when I do though. Finding the best places to hide and listening to them giggle just changes my whole attitude, even when I’m in a funk. It’s a great thing to play if you’re having a hard day.

#25 Play Think Fun Roll & Play

This is a game that we’ve had in our home for years! It’s a really fun one to pull out on rainy days when we need to get some energy burned off.

There are so many educational aspects to it, but one thing I really love about it is that it can be played with a large range of ages. It’s easy to store and doesn’t cost the earth.

Independent Play is Okay

While I’ve listed all these great toddler activities that really focus on one-on-one time with you, I do want to say that independent play is okay.

As parents, it does our children a disservice to constantly be keeping them entertained.

Free play is a great opportunity for them to work on emotional skills, social skills, and many other vital skills they need as they grow!

You should never feel guilty about letting your toddler play on their own. It will be of great benefit to them as they get older to have the ability to play on their own and be content in their own company.

If you have a toddler that just doesn’t seem capable of doing this at all, you can check out my blog post about how to introduce independent playtime.

It has been something that we’ve intentionally had our children do since they were around 9 months old. I have never once regretted it and have been thankful for it many times over.

Both my extroverted and more introverted kids do very well playing on their own. I find that it is typically when they delve the deepest into their imaginations and come up with the most fantastic ideas.

My kids are all older now, and while they get plenty of intentional quality time with me, they still have at least an hour every day that we call rest time, where they play on their own.

Final Thoughts

There are so many ways to have fun with your toddler. These mom and toddler activities are by no means an exhaustive list. New moms and seasoned moms of young kids all need some tips at times. Simple activities can make a big difference when you’re trying to connect with your kids. Honestly, you could likely include older children in a lot of things and make it a family affair.

Hopefully, they’ve given you some ideas for when you need an intentional activity idea.

Remember, one of the best things you can give your toddler is your time. Five minutes of quality time with them is far better than extravagant activities where you’re not really present.

Keep it simple and intentional and you’ll find things work out really well.