Favorite Easy Toddler Activities

One of the best parts of owning my art studio, Homegrown Studio, in West Hartford, CT is getting to create a space where toddlers are free to explore, get messy and have fun. I love sharing the fun we have. Today I’ve gathered my favorite easy toddler activities to share with you.

Check out my new book, Art Play!, filled with 22 art activities!

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Here are my favorite easy toddler activities:

Sticky Forts

We love using our Fort Magic Kit for lots of different art fun! If you don’t have a fort kit you can do make this using an upside down table or chairs. Wrap contact paper (stick paper) around the fort or table. Add a small bin of cut pieces of foam or paper. Foam will allow children to take the pieces on and off.

Pipe Cleaners and Magnet Wands

This is such an easy sensory bin filler and one you can use again and again. Cut up pieces of pipe cleaners and add to a bowl. You can also add water or sand. Give your child a magnet wand to explore how the pipe cleaners stick to the wand.

Ribbon Fort

Cut an opening into a large box. Make small 1/2 inch slits at the top of the box. Thread long pieces of ribbon through the slits at the top and make a knot to secure. Let the ribbons hang down over opening of the box. Time to play!

Spray Painting

Fill a spray bottle with 1/3 tempera paint and 2/3 water. Put the top on and shake to combine. Designate a wall that is covered with drop cloth, an old sheet or large piece of cardboard for having your children explore the spray paint. This is a perfect outdoor activity. Is it snowing where you are? Time to spray that snow!

Giant Coloring Sheet

If you have followed my Instagram page for years you know I love to create giant coloring sheets based on what we are reading or celebrating. All you need is a long piece of butcher paper and a black marker or paint stick. Have fun designing large images for your children to color in.

Smushed Clay Art

I love using polymer clay with children, especially this clay. I love it so much I included it in my book Art Play! For details on this project click here.

Colored Glue Collages

I love making colored glue to use with toddler art activities. This one is super simple. Just mix half white glue with half your favorite tempera paint color. Put out a bunch of interesting materials with the glue, a brush and a hard surface like a piece of cardboard or a canvas panel. Children will enjoy gluing the different materials. The glue dries the color of the paint adding a beautiful addition to the artwork.

Cloud Dough

Here’s a super easy sensory experience that will lead to hours of fun. All you need is 8 parts flour to 1 part oil (vegetable, coconut or olive oil all work well). Mix together in a large bin or bowl. Add spoons, bowls and cups for your children to explore the cloud dough with.

Watercolor Painting

Don’t under estimate the importance of first paintings (and seconds and thirds and hundredths!). Children need lots of time to simply experiment with paint. I love using liquid watercolors at this age. They inexpensive and no big deal if they spill (easy to clean up!). Give children small amounts of liquid watercolors in jars with paint brushes. Yes, it will spill. That is part of the process. Give small amounts at a time and demonstrate how to dip the brush in the paint and brush it on paper or cardboard. Celebrate all these amazing first strokes!

Tempera Painting

There are two kinds of paint I love with toddlers- liquid watercolors and tempera paints. Tempera paints are the perfect opportunity for organically exploring color mixing. Begin with red, yellow and blue. I like to use these paint containers and brushes with tempera paints. Give your children the space to explore the paints on cardboard boxes or large piece of paper.