TODDLER GAMES
Alphabet Sand
Sand, Salt or Sugar
Metal Pie Plate
Pour sand, salt or sugar into metal pie plate. Your child can learn her letters by making
shapes with her index finger in the sand. Start with simple letters like O, C, V or X. Avoid salt
if your child has a cut on her finger; avoid sugar if you think she may eat more than she spells!
Beanbag Toss
Large Sheet of Paper
Markers or Paints
Beanbag
On a large sheet of paper, draw or paint several large shapes in different colors (or cut
shapes out of construction paper and lay them on the floor). Have your child stand a few feet
away and toss a beanbag onto the shapes. Have her identify the color and/or shape the beanbag
landed on. As she becomes more skilled ask her to aim for a certain shape (for example, “Let’s
try for the red square this time. Oops! You hit the yellow circle”).
Clothespin Colors
Colored Dot Stickers (or use white and color them yourself)
Spring-Type Clothespins
Empty Coffee Can
Paint (optional)
Paint five or six clothespins in different colors to match the colored dot stickers or
decorate each clothespin with additional colored dot stickers. Stick colored dot stickers evenly
around the top of the coffee can, leaving some space in between. Show your toddler how to clip
each clothespin just above the matching colored dot. Store the clothespins inside the coffee can
when not in use.
Memory
This is a great way to recycle gift-wrap. You can also make this a seasonal activity by
using gift-wrap in holiday patterns or cutting the cards into shapes such as winter mittens, hearts
or Easter eggs.
Gift-Wrap in a Variety of Patterns and Colors
3-Inch by 5-Inch Index Cards
Clear Contact Paper
Scissors
Glue
Clothespins (optional)
Cut gift-wrap into 3-inch by 5-inch rectangles, making two rectangles from each pattern
or color of paper. Glue each rectangle to a small index card. Cover both sides of the index card
with clear contact paper and trim the edges. Make five to ten pairs of cards (more for older
children).
Very young children will enjoy simply handling and looking at the cards. Gradually
encourage them to lay the cards out face-up and try to clip the matching pairs together with
clothespins. Older toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy playing a game of Memory, where all
cards are laid out face down and each player takes a turn trying to turn over a matching pair.
Store the cards in a Ziploc bag. If you use clothespins with this game, store both
clothespins and cards in a shoebox or diaper-wipe container when not in use.
Parking Game
This simple matching game is lots of fun. Even toddlers with no concept of color will
enjoy parking the cars in the garages, whether they match or not.
Small Boxes (shoeboxes work well, as do some cereal boxes)
3-4 Toy Cars in Different Colors
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Paint (optional)
Colored Contact Paper (optional)
In one side of each box cut a garage door big enough to fit a toy car. Cover each box
with colored construction paper, matching the colors of the paper to the cars. (If you like, use
colored contact paper or paint the boxes instead). Turn each box upside down so the bottom of
the box is the roof of the garage. Encourage your child to park each car in the garage of the same
color. Store the garages and cars in a larger box or plastic container when not in use.
Picture Sort
If the cutting and gluing aspect of preparing this activity will take more time than you
have, use two sets of matching tickers instead.
Double Set of Pictures (either photographs or from a magazine)
Plastic Container, Shoebox or Diaper-Wipe Container
Metal Lids From Frozen-Juice Cans
Clear Contact Paper
Glue
Magnets (optional)
Cut a double set of pictures of family and friends (or pictures from two identical
magazines) into a round shape that will fit the lid of a frozen-juice can. Glue the pictures onto
the lids and cover with clear contact paper. (You should have two sets of lids exactly the same).
Have your child sort the lids into pairs by matching the two pictures that are the same. If you
like, glue magnets to the backs of the lids and make this a refrigerator or cookie-sheet activity.
Store the lids in a plastic container, shoebox or diaper-wipe container with a slit cut in the
top. Your toddler will enjoy dropping the lids into the opening to put the game away.
Toddler Busy Book By Trish Kuffner