10 Simple Brain Building Toddler Activities

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You don’t have to be artistically inclined to successfully entertain your toddler.  These simple brain building toddler activities can be modified toward any age, gender, skill set and intellect. 

First gather your tools and find a safe area in your home that is acceptable to mess up!  Don’t spend a fortune on products to avoid being upset when your child breaks, loses or throws items away by accident. Do, however, try to get some things you can reuse to save time and money.  When you start a project, start with the least number of pieces and add on as needed.  Little ones don’t need many moving parts to be entertained.  They just need someone to show interest and spend time with them.

Basic materials to start with:

• Chalk– large for small fingers.
• Paint brushes, paint, sponges, smock– all in one is easier and cheaper.
• Bubbles– easy to use for you and the toddler.  Great for bath, outside or pool time.
• Pipe cleaners– easier for little fingers to handle.  Various sizes and colors.
• Pompoms– mixed sizes, colors and shapes.
• Macaroni-mixed shapes is great.  Extra-large for the younger toddler.
• Playdoh– with accessories is best to save time and money.
• Crayons – large for small fingers.
• Paper– multi use paper that can withstand a toddler and any medium.
• Large beads-nothing that they could swallow.
• Sand– it doesn’t have to be colorful, natural works great for this activity.
• Stickers– toddler stickers are meant for the little ones to handle with ease.  No frustrations.
• Cookie sheet- any metal surface that can come with you anywhere.
• Chalkboard spray paint– if you’re up to giving your toddler a small piece of wall to do chalk on.
• Markers – large for small fingers.
• Art floor mat– anything to protect your floor.
• Puzzles and tongs– they can be separate, but I like this kit due to the ease for toddlers.  Some tongs are hard for little hands to maneuver.
• Small containers– Make sure you pick something that your little artist can’t open without you!
• Cupcake tray– have kids use tongs to pick up various items (straw pieces, magnets, pompoms, beads) and put in each cup.  As they get more competent, try to have them separate by color-number-type etc.
• Empty boxes of various sizes- save boxes to have toddlers draw on, especially large boxes they can sit in.
• Empty egg cartons- can be used instead of cupcake tray.  Great for separating paint colors as well as painting.
• Clear contact paper– any color or design will do in a pinch.
• Zip lock bags of various sizes
• Empty toilet paper, paper towel or gift wrap tubes- use as a tunnel for cars, pompoms, sticks, acorns etc.  Let your imagination run wild here.  Kids can put anything in these for fun.  If you have a container, small garbage can or basket under it, cleanup will be a lot faster. 

Keep in mind that the first 5 years can be the best time for brain building activities.  Brain development is at lightning speed during this crucial period of growth. Spending a few minutes every day working on fine motor skills with these simple exercises can boost cognitive progression, hand eye coordination and communication.

These 10 simple brain building toddler activities can be done even when you aren’t feeling up to the task:

1. Paint with water– no fuss no mess; they can do this on paper, rocks, shells or anything really- just watching those items get wet will keep their interest.  Be sure to offer different size paint brushes or other tools.  Q-tips, sponges, small roller brush, bubble wrap, fingers, spoon, paper, cotton balls, basting brush etc.  Throw a little sand on the paper for added effect.  Don’t be afraid to let them experiment with texture as well. 
2. Cookie sheet with magnets– find different types of magnets to keep their interest longer, but in a pinch any magnet will do.  Even from the refrigerator.  Plus, this is a simple activity to bring along when you’re in a hurry.  Gather various size cookie sheets for simplicity. This can keep some toddlers enthralled for hours.
3. Draw with chalk on the wall you’ve already prepped with chalkboard spray paint.  Or any surface that you don’t mind wiping chalk off.  We find the deck, rocks, toys, shells and ride on toys beautifully decorated all the time.  It is easy to clean, so don’t get mad if chalk ends up in places you weren’t expecting.
4. Sensory bin- if you have this ready all the time, it’ll be easy to set up when you’re low on energy and enthusiasm.  Start with dry, safe, non-perishables that have different textures. If your toddler eats everything then size matters too.  Suggestions; pasta, tin foil, Pom poms, sticky tape or squish balls and something earthy (acorn, flower, pine needle etc.).  Put in container let them feel their way. 
5. Sensory bag-keep one around that can distract while you’re busy. Easy to make and be creative while toddler spends time exploring.   2 (any size) freezer bags, water, duct tape and a bath toy or 2 for the easiest one.  Put water in one bag with toy, squeeze air out, zip it and tape it before putting into another bag for security and zip and tape again.  Feel free to switch up what you put in bag: try play doh and beads or Pom poms: Hair gel, glitter, small plastic animals, food dye and the list is endless.
6. Pompom play- have kiddo use tongs to pick up Pom Pom and put into something (we use cupcake tray or egg carton to show separation.  As they need more of a challenge try putting one color in each compartment or counting as they do it. Using tongs builds hand strength.
7. Contact paper art– so easy to do.  Use painter’s tape to stick on a flat surface (table, cookie sheet, wall, window, highchair), make sure the sticky side is facing little ones.  Have a bucket of variable colors and textures for them to stick to the paper (Pom poms, cut up paper, acorns, popsicle stick, ribbon, leaves, stickers etc.) and take off repeatedly.  As they get smarter, teach the colors and have them place only a specific color at a time on paper- or count out loud as they put them on. 
8. Pipe cleaner beading– little fingers have a hard time with string or yarn yet, so use your pipe cleaners to show how to put large beads on.  Mix the colors, shapes and sizes too.  Another add on could be to cut a straw into many pieces and put them in between the beads.  As they need more challenges, show what a pattern is and have them replicate.  You could have a pattern of color, shape, size, number etc.  Let your imagination run wild.
9. Paint snow or ice– Put snow or ice in waterproof bucket in tub with toddler or other safe- for-mess- surface and hand over a paintbrush and washable paint.  Show them how it’s done and watch how quick they learn.  It’s fun to watch the color change with the melting process.
10. Homemade playdoh– so simple, edible, safe and fun for all age groups.  Truthfully, you could just have munchkins mix flour and water for a little diversion, but for added fun go the next step.  Try this recipe:

1C flour, ½ C salt, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1Tbsp olive oil (or coconut), 1C water, optional food coloring.  Mix ingredients in a pot until desired color, cook over medium low heat until sticky dough forms-continually stirring.  When dough is wrapping around the spoon it is done.  Set aside to cool.  Have fun!  Store in airtight zip lock or plastic container in refrigerator for up to a week. 

In all instances, you’ll want to show how to use the materials and allow her to do things her way.  Depending on age she may or may not do things the way it was intended.  It’s ok, the idea is to allow her to follow her own path with your guidance.  Either way, a planned activity each day will help you as the parent engage as well as teach your toddler something new and fun.  The time you spend together is worth the mess.

Have Fun!

Happy Parenting!