Toddler activities: Five safe learning activities for toddlers at home on a budget

In a world that is constantly telling us to buy and accumulate more things, it’s easy to lose touch with what we actually need. This is especially true when it comes to buying things for toddlers, who can find even the most mundane things fascinating. We’re told to create structured, supervised and stimulating toddler activities, and that we’ll need specialty toys to make them smart or creative. And the price tag on these items leaves many of us wondering how to entertain a toddler on a budget.

Though it’s tempting to snap up the latest sensory toy or interactive game, we’re here to remind you: you don’t need to spend money on activities for toddlers! Toddlers are experiencing the world for the first time, and every sight, smell and texture is new and exciting. 

Save your money or spend it on yourself instead: here are five toddler activities that are safe, sensory and fun, and you don’t need to head to the shops for them!

Toddler activities at home

1. Boxes

You’ve heard that cats love playing with boxes – but have you tried it with a toddler? Playing with boxes is great exercise for their imagination. They can climb inside, stack small boxes into large ones, close and open them, bend them, sit on them… need we say more?

2. Pegs

Let your little one sit at your feet when you’re hanging out the washing and hand the pegs to you. Like many toddler activities that stand the test of time, it involves colourful things, and it’s spending time with you!

3. A bucket of water

Water is fascinating to toddlers, and can keep them entertained for hours. Set them down in the back yard with a large bucket of water and some cups and containers to pour water between. Add some excitement with things to float in the water, like flowers, leaves or bark.

4. Toddler drawer

Try dedicating a low-lying drawer of your kitchen to unbreakable, toddler-safe bits and bobs, and let them pull it out while you’re making dinner. Let them have free reign to sort, stack, clunk and rattle around to encourage problem-solving and independent play.

5. Newspaper

We’re not saying toddlers are cats, but… they do have a couple of similar interests. Toddlers love experimenting with new textures and creating new sounds, and newspapers make for perfect toddler sensory activities. Let them scrunch it, tear it, sit on it and roll it up and enjoy a break from entertaining them yourself!

It may take some time to figure out what household toddler activities will spark excitement and curiosity for your toddler, but keep at it and you’ll save time and money on unnecessary goods. Good for you, good for your baby, and good for the planet – and all on a budget!
Looking forward to welcoming a loved one’s baby into the world soon? Check out our range of gift hampers for mum and bub here.