Easy Crafts For Toddlers

One thing that I take advantage of when I am home with Dito is all of the crafting we can do together. He loves being hands-on with things and I am so appreciative of it. We have really been trying to guide him away from the electronics and these fun projects have made that process easier. Easy crafts for toddlers are all over the internet but these are the four that he enjoyed doing the most. Of course, I will add more to the blog as he becomes interested but these, from experience, have been a hit in our home!

1. Playdough

Playdough is always a hit because there are so many things that can be done with it. His imagination is allowed to run wild with playdough and I love how vocal he is when playing with it. Here is the recipe to make playdough!

• Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup salt
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
  • Food coloring (add some color!)
  • Wax paper (optional)
• Steps
  • Mix together the dry ingredients
  • Add the water and oil
  • Cook on medium heat while mixing occasionally
  • Continue stirring until mixture has turned to dough
  • Put dough onto wax paper or plate to cool
  • Store in ziploc bag or sealed container for up to 3 months

2. Drawing With Chalk

This one is super easy because you only need one thing- chalk! It is a different medium for toddlers to use and can easily be washed off with water. Drawing with chalk is great for indoor or outdoor activities. If coloring indoors, make sure to use a chalkboard surface. If outdoors, any sidewalk would work!

3. Sensory Painting

This is my favorite, mess-free activity. It requires some items from around the house but comes out very cute!

• Materials
  • Ziploc bag
  • Kid-safe paint
  • Paper cut to fit into bag
  • Masking tape (optional)
• Steps
  • Place the piece of paper in the ziploc bag
  • Allow your child to choose which colors they want to choose
  • Pour small amounts of paint into the bag and seal
    • I like to tape the opening close so it is toddler-proofed
  • Allow your child to move the paint around by playing with the bag
  • Once they lose interest, take the bag, open it and allow the paper to dry!

4. Coffee Filter Butterflies

As a daycare teacher, this was always my favorite project to do with the kids. They are able to use their fine motor skills to spray with the spray bottle, color with the markers, and even help with the clothespin. Watching their little brains concentrate and see what the water does to the colors is priceless.

• Materials
  • Coffee filters
  • Plate or tray
  • Markers
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Clothespins
  • Pipe Cleaners
  • Scissors (optional & for adult use ONLY)
  • Magnets (optional)
• Steps
  • Give your toddler the coffee filter and marker and allow them to color it however they want
  • Place the coffee filter in the plate or tray
  • Fill the spray bottle with water and show your toddler how to use it
  • Allow your toddler to spray the coffee filter until most of the coffee filter is wet
  • Allow the coffee filter to dry completely
  • Scrunch the middle of the coffee filter and clasp it with the clothespin
  • Cut the pipe cleaner to the desired length and slide it through the clothespin as the antennas.
  • (Optional) Remove the adhesive from the back of the magnet and stick to the back of the butterfly and place on your fridge!

5. Paper-Plate Animals

This one is always a winner because no matter what, they always come out so cute. The lion is personally my favorite but this would work for any animal!

• Materials
  • Paper plate
  • Crayons, markers, or paint
  • Googly eyes (optional)
  • Scissors (adult-use ONLY)
• Steps
  • Talk about animals and specifically show pictures of the animals that you will be making out of the paper plates
  • Give your child the paper plate and medium of choice (crayons, markers, paint)
  • Allow them to create what they think the animal looks like
  • Once they have finished, you can add googly eyes or use a black marker to add features
  • If using paint, allow time to completely dry
  • For lions, make cuts around the plate to create the mane!

If you loved these ideas, make sure to share them with your friends. If you made any of these tag me on IG or Facebook! I would love to know more products so leave a comment down below about your favorite crafts to do with Toddlers. I will have a YouTube video up soon of how I did some of these crafts with Dito. For some more adult crafting, make sure to check out the tools I suggest from Cricut in this post. Love yall lots!

xoxo, J