Ten low-cost play ideas for toddlers

Toddlers are a handful. They’re full of energy and seem never to stop moving. It can be tough to keep up with them, let alone try to entertain them. But there are plenty of low-cost ways you can keep your toddler occupied – and happy. Here are 10 great ideas:

1. Explore nature
Fresh air and exercise are great for toddlers, and there’s no need to spend any money to enjoy their benefits. Simply head outdoors with your little one and let them explore the world around them. Go on a nature walk, visit a nearby park, or even just play in your own backyard.

2. Make an indoor cubbyhouse
Indoor cubbyhouses aren’t just plenty of fun: They cost nothing and will spark your child’s imagination and creativity. All you need are some old sheets or blankets and furniture to drape them over. Your toddler will adore having their own little space to play in.

3. Messy play
Toddlers love getting messy. It’s also a great way for them to explore their senses and creativity while having lots of fun. So, don’t be afraid to let them get dirty! There are endless possibilities for messy play. Favourites include finger painting, sand play and mud play.

4. Playing with cardboard boxes
Give your toddler some old cardboard boxes and let them explore their creativity while developing fine motor skills. They can use them as cars, houses or anything that sparks their imagination.

5. Making playdough
Homemade playdough is a fun and creative sensory play activity. All you need to get started is some flour, water, salt and food colouring. Your toddler can use cookie cutters, roll it out with a rolling pin or simply squish it between their fingers.

6. Treasure boxes
Toddlers love anything that sparkles and shines. So why not give them their own treasure box to rummage through? Fill a box with buttons, beads, and coins – and let your toddler explore. They’ll love finding all the hidden treasures, and it will encourage discovery while developing their fine motor and language skills.

7. Building-block towers
Building towers out of blocks is a great way to encourage your toddler’s creativity and work on their fine motor skills. It’s also super easy to do and doesn’t require any special materials. Simply grab some blocks and let them build!

8. Create an obstacle course
Obstacle courses are wonderful for developing gross motor skills and encouraging problem-solving, creativity and physical activity. Obstacles might include crawling under a table, jumping over a pillow or walking along a line of tape. The possibilities are endless.

9. Play dress-ups
Pretend play is a great way for toddlers to use their imaginations. They can pretend to be anything they want, from a doctor to a princess to a monster. Simply raid your own closet or head to an op shop to find some fun costumes for your child’s dress-up box.

10. Water play
Whether it’s filling up buckets at the park or running through the sprinkler in the backyard, water play is a hit with toddlers and a great way to cool off on a hot day. Water play is also fantastic for developing fine motor skills and encouraging sensory exploration.

As you can see, there are plenty of low-cost ways to keep your toddler entertained. And not only are they fun, but they also help with your child’s development. So, get creative and see what you can come up with. Your toddler will love it!

For more engaging and educational play ideas for children, please get in touch with us today.