14 Preschool Activities Toddler Parents Swear By for Instant Fun (and Sanity)
Let’s be real, keeping our toddlers, older siblings, and year olds busy is a full-time job. None of us need more stress on our plates.
We’re always searching for fun ways to help our little ones learn, laugh, and burn off that endless energy (without redirecting it to our freshly cleaned walls). Preschool activities for toddler activities can help them build important skills while making memories—with a side of silly, of course!
We all know that keeping things simple is the way to go, especially for building essential skills . Whether it’s a quick idea after nap time or prepping for a rainy day, it’s easier when we’ve got a list of tried-and-true activities on hand.
And honestly, if we can sneak in some learning while having fun? Total parenting win.
1) Noodle Sensory Bin – squishy, colorful, and endlessly fun!
If you’ve never tried a noodle sensory bin with your toddler that requires very few materials and little pieces. , you’re about to become obsessed. Just grab some cooked pasta—honestly, any kind works—and toss it into a big bin.
It’s squishy, a little slippery, and totally safe for little hands to explore. We like to take things up a notch and add a bunch of food coloring.
Rainbow noodles? Yes, please! The colors make everything way more exciting and it only takes a few drops.
The kids love squishing, sorting, and maybe even pretending the noodles are worms (or is that just ours?!). You don’t need fancy tools—measuring cups, spoons, and even some great toy or little toys keep things interesting.
If the weather’s decent, this gets even better outside because—let’s get real—the mess stays out there! It’s one of the easiest ways to keep them busy while boosting fine motor skills and creativity, as suggested by this simple noodle sensory play activity.
The best part? Clean-up is pretty much a quick rinse and done.
2) Pom Pom Drop – perfect for little fingers and loads of giggles.
Sometimes we all just need something easy and fun to keep tiny hands busy. That’s where many activities and the fun things like the Pom Pom Drop come in!
All we need are some pom poms (or even cotton balls!), a couple of paper towel tubes, and tape. We stick the tubes to the wall (hello painter’s tape, our old friend), drop the pom poms through, and let the magic happen.
There’s no right or wrong way, so our kiddos can experiment and do their own thing. This activity is a solid win for pretend play and fine motor activities and keeping those little hands working.
It’s so much fun to watch them race the pom poms or stash them in buckets—pure toddler happiness. We love how it takes almost zero prep but somehow gives us loads of brain-boosting benefits too.
And let’s be honest, who hasn’t dropped a pom pom (or ten) just to hear that satisfying giggle? It’s the little things, right?
3) Popsicle Stick Bath – a splashy twist for playtime.
Confession time: we all love a good bath for the kiddos, but sometimes it’s just… boring, right? But we can turn it into quality time with a cookie sheet . So we like to turn ordinary bath time into a super fun popsicle stick bath.
All we have to do is toss a bunch of clean popsicle sticks into a warm bath. Bam! The kids start scooping, sorting, and making mini “rafts” or shapes.
It’s safe, simple, and no popsicle stains on the couch—win! If you want to make it even more fun, let’s go wild with colored sticks or write letters and numbers on them.
The kids barely notice they’re learning stuff while water is flying everywhere. We first heard about this popsicle stick bath idea from Busy Toddler, and it kind of totally rocked our world.
Check out the full popsicle bath scoop here: Popsicle Bath Activity. This keeps them happy, calm, and busy with ice cubes till the skin gets wrinkly. Who’s judging? Certainly not us!
4) Contact Paper Stick Art – sticky magic without the mess.
If you’ve got a wild little artist, this activity is about to save your sanity. All you need is some clear contact paper and whatever art stuff you can find—think paper scraps, googly eyes, pom poms, yarn, or tissue paper.
We just peel the backing off the contact paper, tape it sticky side up to a table or wall, and let the kids go wild. The fun part? Everything just sticks with absolutely no glue drama or sticky fingers.
There’s almost no cleanup, especially if we use colored water . Littles can move pieces around, change their minds, and fill the whole thing with color and texture.
It’s perfect for practicing those fine motor skills—and we get to chill for five minutes while they craft to their hearts’ content. Contact paper activities are a total mom win for mess-free indoor art.
Anyone else wish we knew about this sticky magic sooner?
5) Pipe Cleaner Push – fine motor skills with a bendy twist.
Here’s one of our all-time faves for those wiggly fingers: the Pipe Cleaner Push, which can also include plastic animals ! It’s so simple and just the right amount of “keep-them-busy magic” for our little ones.
Who doesn’t have random pipe cleaners at the bottom of a craft bin? All we need is a handful of pipe cleaners and a basic colander from the kitchen.
We sit with our kiddos and show them how to poke those bendy pipe cleaners through the colander holes. It’s strangely satisfying for them—and for us too, honestly!
This activity gives our toddlers a fine motor workout without them even realizing they’re building important skills. Their tiny hands get stronger with every silly poke.
If you want to switch it up, encourage the kids to make patterns or twist the pipe cleaners into funky shapes. Super bonus: hardly any prep, and absolutely zero cleanup drama.
Check out more fun ideas for pipe cleaner activities at this hands-on pipe cleaner activity for even more inspo!
6) Ice Table Sensory Bin – cool, wet, and super tactile.
Ever handed your toddler a bin of ice and just watched the magic happen? Yep, it’s pure chaos, and it’s also pure joy.
We love setting up an ice table sensory bin because it turns an ordinary day into a giggle-filled splash fest. Basically, we grab a plastic bin, dump in some ice cubes, add a little water, and toss in a few plastic toys or scoops.
Our kids go wild! They stir, scoop, and watch the ice melt. It’s messy, it’s wet, and honestly, it’s kind of awesome for hot days.
What’s really fun is watching their faces when they touch that freezing ice. There’s always a lot of squealing and “it’s so cold!”
The whole thing is so simple to set up. Plus, it keeps kids outside and busy for ages, which is always a win for us.
If you need step-by-step ideas, check out this ice table sensory bin idea for extra inspiration.
7) Nature Cutting Bin – safe snipping with leaves and flowers.
Let’s get real—toddlers want to cut everything in sight. Why not give them something they’re actually allowed to snip?
Enter the nature cutting bin! We toss in fresh yard clippings, flowers, and leaves in a big tub for our tiny scissor-wielding crew.
It’s free, it’s simple, and it keeps those little hands busy with materials . Plus, no one’s curtains are at risk, which is honestly a win for all of us.
We hand out kid-safe scissors and just watch the magic. Snipping leaves and petals helps build fine motor skills, and honestly, it’s weirdly satisfying to chop up a big old dandelion.
This is also a sneaky way to get in some nature time. Our kiddos check out different textures and see what’s growing in the yard.
For more tips, check out this idea for a nature cutting bin. No need to overcomplicate—just toss in whatever you have.
Safe snipping = happy toddlers (and probably happier parents, too).
8) Oobleck Baking Station – slimy science meets kitchen chaos.
Ready to turn our kitchen into a wild science lab? Let’s set up an oobleck baking station and let the messy fun begin!
We only need two simple ingredients: cornstarch and water. Seriously, it’s that easy—and the cleanup will give us all the giggles.
We just mix cornstarch and water together. Suddenly, we’ve got this crazy “non-Newtonian” goop.
It feels like a solid when we poke it but turns to liquid in our hands. Science magic? Yes, please.
The kids get to measure, pour, and stir, and of course, make a giant, glorious mess. Let’s not pretend—oobleck gets everywhere.
But that’s the best part! Hands get covered, little faces light up, and everyone has a blast exploring textures.
If we want to kick it up a notch, we can add some food coloring or small kitchen utensils for extra sensory drama. If you’re looking for a guide, check out this easy idea for an oobleck baking station that’s perfect for outdoor play or a rainy day indoors.
9) Obstacle Course at Home – jump, crawl, and boom, energy released!
Can we talk about how wild toddlers get when it’s rainy and we’re stuck inside? That energy is next level, and it’s like their bodies just can’t sit still.
So, what do we do? We grab pillows, blankets, chairs—honestly, whatever’s not nailed down—and set up our own little ninja course right in the living room.
We love lining up couch cushions for a jumping path or tossing down some rolled-up towels for hopscotch vibes. Sometimes we throw a sheet over a table to make a tunnel—instant adventure!
It’s such a simple way for our kiddos to crawl, hop, and burn tons of energy. Bonus points when we get silly and do it with them.
Need more quick inspo? Check out these indoor obstacle course ideas for energetic kids.
Our only real rule: shoes off, imagination on. This activity gets hearts pumping and usually gives us five minutes of sitting down with coffee before the next round!
10) Reusable Sticker Books – sticker fun without the sticker scramble.
Raise your hand if your kid is obsessed with stickers and your furniture is proof! We’ve all been there, peeling one off the dog’s tail or the wall behind the couch.
Reusable sticker books are the real MVP here, letting us skip the sticker chaos and jump straight to the fun. We get to say yes to sticker play every day—no scraping required.
The best part? The stickers actually come off and can be used over and over again, which means less sticker shrapnel in the carpet for us. Win-win!
These books come in cool themes like animals, farms, and even seasons. They’re awesome for tiny hands and help our littles with creativity, fine motor skills, and storytelling.
You can check out options like Melissa & Doug sticker books or find themed sets for toddlers on Amazon.
Let’s be honest—anything that keeps the sticker explosions contained and keeps our sanity in check is a parent must-have.
11) Simple Science with Baking Soda and Vinegar – tiny explosions, big smiles.
Okay, who else loves a mess that’s actually educational? Baking soda and vinegar are kind of like the superheroes of preschool science, especially when they add extra fun .
We get all the fizz, bubbles, and little mini “explosions”—and it’s basically impossible for toddlers not to giggle. All we need is a tray, a little bowl of baking soda, and some vinegar in a squirt bottle or cup.
Let the kids pour, squirt, or drop the vinegar onto the baking soda. Stand back, and oh wow—it’s like magic happening right in our own kitchen.
These baking soda and vinegar science experiments sneakily teach about reactions and cause and effect. If someone wants to get fancy, we can toss in some food coloring to turn things into a fizzy work of art.
No lie, it does get a little wild. But hey, big smiles and wide eyes make every splash totally worth it.
And cleanup? Well, at least it’s just baking soda and vinegar. We’ve all cleaned up worse!
12) Dance Party with Pots & Pans – turn up the beat, toddler style.
Okay, who needs fancy instruments when we’ve got our kitchen stash? We just yank out the pots, pans, and lids, then hand the kiddos some wooden spoons.
Instantly, it’s a dance party that’s super loud, super silly, and totally preschool-approved. We love how banging on pots turns our little ones into rock stars.
They get to move their bodies, make some sweet (well, maybe not that sweet) noise, and let out tons of energy. Plus, it’s actually a great sensory activity that helps with their coordination.
Want to spice it up? We blast our favorite toddler jams and let everyone free-dance while drumming.
Sometimes, the grown-ups join in and turn our kitchen into a total jam band zone. More giggles, more dancing, and honestly, a lot more noise than we planned—but hey, that’s real life, right?
If you’re looking for a way to lift the mood and get everyone moving, this is it. It’s budget-friendly, easy, and just plain fun.
13) Pom Pom Threading on String – focus and fun go hand in hand.
Okay, let’s talk about pom pom threading! We grab some chunky yarn and a pile of pom poms, then let our toddlers go wild trying to poke the string through those fuzzy balls.
It’s not just adorable—it’s a legit workout for their little fingers. We love this because it keeps our crew busy and quiet for more than a hot minute.
Threading pom poms makes them concentrate, and helps with hand-eye coordination—even if half the pom poms end up behind the couch. If we need a quick set-up, we just use a plastic needle or even a pipe cleaner instead of yarn.
And honestly, watching them work so hard on a “necklace” is the cutest thing ever. Looking for more ways to build those mighty fine motor skills, check out these simple threading activities for toddlers too!
Let’s face it, we get a break, they get some focus time, and everyone wins. Pom pom threading for the win, friends!
14) Coloring Sheets with Markers – because crayoning never gets old.
Let’s be real—coloring sheets with markers to draw are our go-to move on those days when we need a little peace and quiet, but we’re always looking for more ideas .
There’s just something about those bright, bold colors that keep little hands busy. Honestly, it’s kinda soothing for us, too.
We love how markers glide over coloring sheets. No need to hover, worrying about broken crayon tips every five minutes.
If our toddlers want to switch it up, there are endless free coloring pages online. Animals, favorite cartoon characters—whatever their mood, it’s out there.
And hey, don’t stress if your preschooler isn’t coloring perfectly in the lines. At this age, it’s more about having fun than making a masterpiece.
If the colors end up all over the page (or the table), that just means we had a good time. Coloring sheets are classic—never-gonna-go-out-of-style classic.
When things get wild, grabbing those markers and a fresh sheet is a lifesaver for us all. Let’s be messy and creative together as we draw !
Why Preschool Activities Matter for Toddlers
We all want our little ones to have fun and make friends. Preschool activities can do way more than just fill up a morning.
Getting kids into playful routines helps their social smarts and creative spark. These routines even boost their confidence—one toddler meltdown at a time.
Boosting Social Skills Through Play
When our kiddos get together for small group activities or pretend adventures, they aren’t just being cute. They’re actually learning real-life stuff.
Working together, sharing toys, and figuring out turn-taking teaches them how to be awesome little humans in a group. Building a tower with friends means figuring out who stacks which block.
Someone always gets bossy (looking at you, future leaders). Someone else gets a boo-boo when the thing topples over, but that’s where the magic happens.
These moments build patience and teach problem-solving. Our toddlers get to practice using their words.
According to experts, preschoolers with these group play experiences develop stronger social and self-regulatory skills.
Some specific ways play boosts social growth:
- Negotiating what game to play next
- Saying “please” and “thank you” (with some reminders from us, obviously)
- Figuring out how to help a friend who’s sad
Encouraging Creativity and Confidence
Letting toddlers dress up like unicorns, paint with their fingers, or act out stories is not just adorable—it’s building brains and brave hearts.
When preschoolers get time for dramatic play, it sparks imagination. It helps them express their big feelings in tiny bodies.
We love watching our kids invent whole worlds with cardboard boxes. Sometimes they make up dance moves to silly songs.
These activities actually help with language, emotional growth, and creative thinking. Plus, every time they try something new—like pretending to be a chef or weather reporter—they get a little boost of “I can do it!” confidence that sticks with them.
If you want more info about dramatic play’s impact, check out this resource on the benefits of dramatic play for preschoolers.
Ways we can encourage creativity every day:
- Set up a dress-up bin and be okay with fashion chaos
- Let them “cook” with pretend food
- Celebrate their wildest, messiest art projects (glitter everywhere, y’all—sorry, not sorry)
Tips for Making Activities Fun (Without the Stress!)
We all want activity time to be fun for our toddlers—and for us!
It’s totally possible to create happy memories without feeling like we’re about to lose our minds or completely wreck the living room.
Embracing the Mess (And Why It’s Totally Okay)
Let’s be real: mess happens during sensory play . Our toddlers are little whirlwinds, and honestly, that’s kind of awesome!
Whether we’re doing pom pom whisks or play dough or just coloring, something always ends up on the table, the floor, maybe even our hair. (Just me?)
Letting kids get messy helps them learn and express themselves. It’s a lot more fun when we stop stressing about keeping things spotless.
We can toss down drop cloths, grab some old towels, or just take everything outside if we’re sweating over the carpet. Quick tip: skip the fancy setups—simple totally works, and honestly, adding colored water to the activity makes it messier and the bigger the smiles.
Every mess is really just a favorite activity story waiting for us to laugh about later. Isn’t that what makes it all worth it?
