Play at Home: Simple Activities to Nurture Your Toddler’s Growth

adamwoodworth7
Aug 29
2 min read

Parenting a toddler can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Every day brings new discoveries along with new questions about how to encourage learning and growth. At the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, we believe that play is more than fun; it’s th

e foundation of early learning. That’s why we’re sharing simple, low-cost activities you can do at home to help your toddler build confidence, curiosity, and important life skills.

Why Play Matters

For toddlers, play isn’t just a way to pass the time—it’s how they learn about the world. Every tower they build, every story they act out, and every nature walk they take is shaping their understanding of language, numbers, and relationships. Through play, toddlers experiment, problem-solve, and practice important social skills like sharing and cooperation.

Research shows that the first three years of life are critical for brain development, and experiences during this stage lay the foundation for future learning. That’s why hands-on exploration is so important. When toddlers pour water between cups, stack blocks, or pretend to cook in a play kitchen, they’re not only having fun—they’re building essential motor skills, confidence, and creativity.

At the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, we see this every day. Play transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for growth, unlocking the potential inside every child.

Activities for Everyday Growth

1. Sensory Bins

Fill a container with rice, beans, or pasta.
Add spoons, cups, and small toys.
Benefits: fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, early math (pouring/measuring).

2. Storytime Adventures

Read together and pause to ask, “What do you think happens next?”
Use puppets or stuffed animals to act out the story.
Benefits: language development, imagination, parent-child bonding.

3. Building Towers

Use blocks, paper cups, or empty boxes.
Challenge your toddler to see how tall they can stack.
Benefits: problem-solving, balance, and perseverance.

4. Movement Games

Play “Follow the Leader” or dance to music.
Try simple obstacle courses with pillows or tunnels.
Benefits: gross motor skills, listening, and self-regulation.

5. Nature Walks

Collect leaves, rocks, or sticks in the yard or park.
Sort them by color, size, or shape at home.
Benefits: science exploration, observation, categorization.

Tips for Parents

Keep activities short and flexible—toddlers learn in bursts.
Follow your child’s lead; let curiosity guide play.
Celebrate effort, not perfection.

Play doesn’t need fancy tools or expensive equipment. With just a few simple items and a little imagination, you can transform everyday moments into powerful learning opportunities. And when you visit the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, you’ll find even more inspiration for helping your child grow—through play, discovery, and fun.

We'd love for you to share your ideas and things you do with your toddler at home to spark curiosity, imagination and learning!