Things to do indoors with your toddler

Chase your little one around as the tickle monster! It’s sure to make them laugh and will tire them out as well.

This game couldn’t be simpler – you just need a basket or plastic tub and some scrunched up paper balls. Take it in turns to see if you can get a slam-dunk! Get them to collect the balls to tire them out. You can find more fun ball games to play with your toddler here.

Chucking balls about indoors isn’t always the best idea, but how about blowing up a biodegradable balloon and using that instead? You can set up a volleyball ‘net’ by tying a piece of string across the room, then see how long you can keep passing the balloon over it, batting it with your hands. If it gets too easy, try using only one hand, or standing on one leg.

If you’d rather not let balloons loose around your home, how about asking your wee one to hold the balloon between their legs instead and then waddle around the room like a penguin? You could even create an obstacle course using cushions, towels and boxes, to challenge them even more! No balloons? This works just as well with a ball or cushion.

Put on some music and give your toddler to a cushion to dance around (or even on). When the music stops, they have to sit down on the cushion as quickly as they can. All that sitting down and standing up again will certainly help burn some energy!

Egg and spoon races aren’t just for sports day! Give your child a spoon and something to balance on it (a small ball or piece of scrunched up paper is less messy than a real egg!) then see if they can make their way round the house without the precious ‘egg’ falling off. Can they sit on the floor or jump up and down without dropping it? Or hold it high in the air above their head?

If you’re trying to get some work done, why not give your toddler some blankets, towels and cushions and ask them to build a den in the room you’re working in? You could reward them for a job well done by joining them inside when you’re done and reading a story together.

Help them get some tins from the kitchen, then get them to set up their own shop. They can add prices to the tins and even make their own money. Their toys can be customers – or maybe you'd like to have a browse?

Ready, set, go – tidy away your toys! It’s fun to see how quickly your little one can tidy up and saves you a job too – win win! Why not time them and keep a record to try and beat? It’s a good way to tire them out later in the day, and will also make them feel more independent.

Set up a bowling alley using bottles (plastic or reusable, not glass!). If you don’t have a ball, your wee one could always throw a small cushion or toy instead. Show them how to set it up so they can do it themselves and you can get on with other things while they practise.

If you’re trying to get on with things in the kitchen, full a bowl or bucket full of lukewarm soapy water and let your wee one have some fun with bubbles. You could give your little one some plastic cups and bottles to make waves, whirlpools and waterfalls. Your kitchen floor may get a wash as well!