As the naturally curious creatures that they are, toddlers love to explore their surroundings and seem to have a boundless amount of energy, which can be exhausting for the parents who have to keep up with them. Now you’ve got an hour before dinner, and your tot is still amped, but it’s been a day, and you need a break. What to do? Luckily there are games you can play while lying down that involve very little energy on your part but are still super fun and interactive. From storytelling to nursery rhyme trivia, these toddler games are the perfect solution for days when you just need to kick your feet up and take five.
1. Bear Trap
You’re a bear trap! Lie on the floor with your arms and legs spread out and have your kids tip-toe around you. If anyone gets too close, snap your arms and legs together and catch them in the trap. After a minute, release them back to the forest for another round.
2. I’m Thinking of …
An easier version of 20 questions, this fun guessing game to play with toddlers is perfect when you’re craving some downtime. Use words to describe something you’re thinking of—an animal, place, book, stuffed animal, etc.— without giving away what it is; your kids will guess what you’re thinking of. You can get started with, “I’m thinking of an animal that likes to take naps in the sun and says ‘meow’ when it’s happy.”
3. What’s On My Butt???
What’s funnier to a toddler than talking about butts? According to Hillary Frank’s Weird Parenting Wins, all you have to do is lie on your tummy and have your tot gather a bunch of random objects from around the house (energy burn for the win). Then, have them put one on your bum and ask “What’s on my butt?” Then try to guess what it is. This one’s sure to leave you both in a fit of giggles.
Related: 15 Fun Games for Toddlers (Because You Need to Keep Them Busy)
4. Push the Right Buttons
All you need is a bucket of spare buttons to keep your kid occupied when your energy is zapped after a long day. Ask them to sort the buttons by color and then size or find ones that match. If this excites them and they want to get creative with buttons, you can see more of our favorite button activities here. Note: Your child should be old enough to know not to put buttons in their mouth for this activity.
5. I-Spy
It’s a classic for a reason! You can play anywhere, including from a horizontal position on the couch. Level up with this easy-to-make DIY I-spy jar (perfect for road trips or bedtime routines, too!), or stick to the old standard: “I spy with my little eye something that is blue.” And off you go!
6. Don’t Wake the Bear
In this version of the game, you’re the bear pretending to be asleep (perfect!), and your toddler has to take turns quietly sneaking up to you to steal a small object, such as a pillow or toy, without waking you. When they do wake the bear, scoop them up, make your best growl, and tickle them up.
7. Build a Nest
Nesting doesn’t have to end with the third trimester—keep it going with this toddler-aged version. Set up a circle of cushions or pillows and get inside. This is your nest, and your kiddo is now a baby chick, a raptor, or anything that hatches. Your job is to cozy up and send them on missions like fetching food or learning to fly in this game you can play while lying down.
8. Hot & Cold
Before you lay down, have your toddler pick their favorite toy or stuffed animal for you to hide. Once you’re settled in on the couch, they can search for the hidden item while you call out “hotter” as they get closer or “colder” if they move farther away. The key to this one is to make it hard enough that you get a long enough rest but not so hard that your little seeker gets discouraged!
9. Laundry Basket(ball)
A laundry basket can signal your least favorite household chore or a way to entertain your kiddo while you rest. Set one down in the middle of the room and encourage your toddler to throw softballs or stuffed animals into the basket. Have them move the basket farther away if it gets too easy. You can also hide a favorite toy or stuffie under a pile of clothes and let your tot “seek” it out or fill the basket with clothes and ask them to sort the laundry by color.
10. Storytelling Game
Encourage imagination and creativity while you catch downtime with a fun, lighthearted Storytelling Game. Start by giving your tot a prompt, such as “Once upon a time, there was a silly monkey who loved to dance.” Then encourage them to continue the story by asking questions like “What did the monkey look like?” or “Where did the monkey like to dance?” Take turns adding to the story, building on what the previous person said.
11. Stargaze from Bed
Whether you want to make your toddler’s bedtime routine more enjoyable or you want to cozy up in their bed for a mid-day rest—it helps if something is interesting to look at on the ceiling. Dim the lights and try stargazing from the bed with these ceiling decals. You can point out different constellations or ask your toddler to find different shapes or patterns in the stars.
Related: 10 Creative Toddler Games That Are Fun & Educational
12. Role Reversal
If you’ve got a tot who wants to be just like mama, let them step into your exhausted shoes. Now you’re a baby who needs to be taken care of. Mini mommy can cover you with a blanket, sing you a lullaby, cuddle you, and pretend to give you a bottle, all while you lie blissfully still on the couch.
13. What’s Up, Doc
Get the imagination juices flowing and let your kiddo play doctor while you play the tired, weary patient who needs to lay down. Break out the pretend medical kit, or if you don’t have one, choose real-life wellness props like thermometers and bandages, then let them be the ones in charge of making you well again. Taking your temperature, listening to your heartbeat, and bandaging your boo-boos should be part of the routine. You can also play veterinarian with stuffed animals.
14. Search and Find
Lie down somewhere comfortable. Say, “I want you to find something that’s square,” “Something with a bell,” or “Something red.” Repeat. Variation: give them a list with little drawings or words of what to find while you close your eyes for a few minutes. Then, of course, they need to put everything back exactly where they found it.
15. Nursery Rhyme Trivia
Ask your toddler questions about their favorite nursery rhymes, such as “What animal did Mary have in ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’?” or “What do the stars do in ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’?” You can also sing a line from a nursery rhyme and ask your toddler to finish the line.
