18 Play-Based Toddler Learning Activities (Free Printable!)

Are you a stay-at-home mom looking for fun, simple, and play-based Toddler Learning Activities? As a first-time mom, I know how hard it is to come up with mess-free (ish) activities that actually hold a toddler’s attention.

💡 My son (18 months) is obsessed with his toy kitchen! We use walnuts, chestnuts, and scented play bags for “cooking.” He even cheers with his little cups—it’s the cutest thing ever! 🥺

Sensory Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers 🖐️

I am a huge fan of sensory play. I let my son play in mud, I use smell boxes and I love playing with natural materials. Sensory play is definitely not mess-free and my mum isn’t the biggest fan haha.

(Let me know in the comments if your mum has a strong opinion about your teaching methods <3)

The best place for sensory play is outdoors. Now that the weather is getting warmer we do a lot of outdoor play:

1. Scooping:

My son loves scooping up everything from molehills to birdfeed.

2. Outdoor Scavenger Hunts.

My toddler loves it because he can discover all sorts of interesting little things. Sadly he also loves collecting bugs. Eww.

3, Sensory Bins

If you can’t play outdoors try sensory bins – this one kept us busy forever: Fill a box with dried orange peels 🍊 (they smell amazing!), chestnuts, and leaves for stacking & sorting and your toddler will be busy for a long time.

4. Pom-Pom Transfer

Use DIY tongs to move pom-poms into muffin tins. Great for fine motor skills! If your toddler is too young let him/her use hands or a spoon.

5. Scented “Cooking” Bags

Add cinnamon sticks, dried herbs, or lavender to DIY fabric bags for a mini sensory kitchen. My son uses the bags for cooking in his play kitchen.

6. Rice or Pasta Play

Let your toddler scoop, pour, and bury little toys in it. Here is a post on how to color the noodles.

7. Frozen Treasure Hunt

Freeze small toys in ice cubes & let them melt with warm water. Supervise your kid if you use small parts.

Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers ✂️🎨

I have a full post on fine motor activities here. These are my favorites:

11. Tongs & Cotton Balls – Pick up cotton balls with tongs & drop them into a jar.
12. Sticker Play – Let them peel & stick stickers on paper, boxes, or their hands.
13. Threading – Stand uncooked spaghetti in playdough & thread cereal on top.
14. Tearing & Crumpling Paper – Simple but kids love it. It’s like popping bubble wrap.

Toddler Daycare Activities at Home 🏠🎭

15. Teddy Bear Picnic – Set up a pretend picnic & let your toddler serve snacks.

16. Dance & Freeze – Play music & stop randomly—who can freeze first?
17. Obstacle Course – Crawl under chairs, step over pillows, jump on a mat!
18. Shadow Play – Use a flashlight & make shadow animals on the wall. You can use toilet paper rolls for shadow play.