If you’re running out of ideas for playtime with your toddler on these long days at home, here are some activities and toys to keep you both entertained. Read on for toys, books, make-believe play, sports, art projects and more.
Bunny Shape Sorting Bus by Plan Toys x PBK
A Pottery Barn Kids exclusive, this shape-sorting bus and pull-along toy features a cute bunny bus driver and introduces your child to shapes, math skills and problem-solving in a fun, engaging way. Made from reclaimed rubbermaid and finished with child-safe, water-based paint, your child will have hours of fun pulling the bus and figuring out which slot each shape fits in.
Available at potterybarnkids.com, $39.
Coloring Pages from the Vincent Van Gogh Museum
Inspire your little artist with these coloring pages inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's famous works, like this bouquet of sunflowers. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has made several scenes available for free download.
My First Bowling Set by Baby GUND
Indoor bowling is a go with this adorable set from GUND, featuring five fuzzy friends: a fox, llama, mouse, panda and owl. The animal pins are 6 inches high, and there's a soft toy ball to knock them down with.
Available at gund.com, $30.
Wash Away Bath Book—Farm Animal by HABA USA
Your toddler will have a blast scrubbing all the farm animals clean and helping Grandma do the laundry. When the pages of this ingenious book come in contact with water, all the "dirt" on the pictures disappears. When the pages dry, the spots reappear. This book is also great for the backyard kiddie pool!
Available at habausa.com, $7.99.
Unicorn Instruments from Pottery Barn Kids
Your toddler will make sweet (and probably loud) music with this tambourine and xylophone, both decorated with soft colors and a unicorn face. Both are BPA-, phthalate- and lead-free and have been finished with child-safe, water-based paint.
Available at potterybarnkids.com, $18-$49.
My First Train Set by PLAYMOBIL
The large, chunky pieces of this brightly colored train set are easy for little hands to pick up and rearrange. In addition to the train pieces, the set includes people and cute animals for toddlers to play with. The set grows with your child, giving opportunities for imaginative play and to attach train parts and load and unload goods.
Available at playmobil.us, $59.99.
Baby Lit from Juniper Books
Introduce your littles to your favorite classic books, thanks to Juniper Books' board books. The books tell these tales in kid-friendly ways with colorful cartoons and engaging activities, like a focus on counting or colors. Choose from 30 favorites including Romeo & Juliet, Pride & Prejudice, Huckleberry Finn, Alice in Wonderland and more.
Available at juniperbooks.com; $12-$15 per book, $115-$125 for a seven-book set, and $375 for all 30 books.
HERO Blanket & Crown by Orange Lining
Inspire your child's love of imaginative play with this soft and versatile blanket. Thanks to Velcro, it becomes a superhero cape, or add the matching crown to make an outfit fit for a king or queen. In quiet moments, it comforts your child as a cozy blanket or clever stroller blanket that won't slip off (thanks again to the Velcro). Breastfeeding moms can even use it as a nursing cover. The real superheroes here are the founders of Orange Lining, two sisters who donate a portion of proceeds from each purchase to charities in honor of their son/nephew and forever hero, Ryder, who passed away at age 3.
Available at orangelining.com, $65.
Sea-Me Whirly by Edushape
If you're looking for new bath-time toys, give this a whirl. This water wand has three pieces that kids can play with on their own and also snap together for even more fun. Let your little scientists see what happens when water moves through the three sections.
Available at edushape.com, $11.99.
Sort & Count Cups by PlanToys
The colorful disks and cups help your toddler learn valuable sorting and counting skills. Lay out the disks and let your child sort them into the correct cups. A cotton bag is included to keep all the pieces together.
Available at maisonette.com, $25.
Rainbow Discovery Mirror by HABA USA
Attach this magical mirror to the outside of your child's crib, a playpen, or even a baby gate. In addition to the mirror, which kids find endlessly fascinating, the colors are visually stimulating, and there's a variety of textures and objects to explore.
Available at habausa.com, $19.99.
—Eva Ingvarson Cerise
featured photo: iStock
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