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Little ones going nuts because they can’t go out? Help them burn off some steam with these Fun Activities for Energetic Toddlers Stuck at Home all day!

Tthe lockdown has been extended here and I know it’s the same in many other countries too. So what does that mean for parents like you and me? More time with our kids!

Yes, that’s all very lovely, except when we have to entertain them! Older kids can manage their own amusements to an extent, but when it comes to the little ones, the extended time indoors can really get to them. What’s worse is that if they’re not exerted enough during the day, they’ll be all jumpy at bedtime and have trouble staying asleep.

Toddlers and preschoolers are also notorious for getting bored easily, which is why it makes sense to have a bunch of activities in your arsenal. While fine motor and gross motor activities are great, sometimes you just need something that’ll help release their energy and help them sleep at night.

We know exactly what you’re going through, so here are some fun activities for energetic toddlers who’re stuck at home with Mom and Dad. None of these require special trips to the store, and you can improvise with whatever you have at home. Have fun!

20 Fun Activities for Energetic Toddlers Stuck at Home

1. Sticky Spider Web

Watching spiders spin their webs is fascinating, but a toddler can hardly be expected to muster up the patience to do that! Instead, do what they’ve done at Hands On as We Grow – make your own spider web with sticky tape and scrunch up paper pieces to make spiders. Now fling the spiders at the web and see how many stick!

2. ABC Exercise Cards

If your little one has just started learning the alphabet, this is a great activity to reinforce whatever she’s learnt. Home School Share has a free printable of alphabet activity cards – shuffle them to have a fun mini workout for your little ones!

3. Pom Pom Push

Toddler Approved has the perfect activity for toddlers who love to ‘help’ out Mom and Dad by doing housework with them. Use sticky tape to make a shape on the floor and let your toddler ‘sweep’ pom poms into it with a toy broom, a bat or any such object.

4. Bath Tub Art Studio

Who says fun has to be dry? The wetter, the better! Mama Papa Bubba understands this and gives us a fun way to create art – in the bathroom! Perfect activity for summers when kids won’t mind the water.

5. DIY Laser Maze

Mission Impossible anyone? Your toddler obviously won’t get the reference, but they’re sure to enjoy making their way through this laser maze! This is something the older kids will also enjoy as well as help to setup. Get the instructions at Brassy Apple.

6. Life Size Book Maze

Books are always a great way to enjoy time at home – even when you’re not reading them! Preschool Powol Packets shows us how easy it is to have fun at home by creating a DIY maze using children’s books arranged on the floor.

7. Washi Tape Car Track

Do you have a car crazy girl or boy who loves going ‘vroom!’ at every opportunity? Then check out this idea from Le Jardin de Juliette where you can use tape to create a car track so all those little vehicles have their very own place to ride!

8. Number Tunnels

These paper tunnels from Toddler Approved are so easy to make, you’ll want to do this activity over and over! Just use sticky tape to stick the paper to the floor. Toddlers can focus just on rolling a ball through the tunnels, while older kids can try matching the numbers.

9. Toy Color Sort

Tired of picking up after your kids? Poms 2 Moms has a solution that’ll make clean up an entertaining chore! Colors are among the first thing kids learn, and they’ll have fun gathering toys from all over the house.

10. Stomp Painting

Stamping is a great way to let off steam, and Cota Mom knows this very well! Using bubble wrap to cover the feet will make it even more fun, as the bubbles pop and you get some textured patterns on the sheet.

11. Animal Line Up

Have you noticed two and three year olds picking up odd objects and lining them up on a surface? Busy Toddler makes use of this to create a nice long line where kids can line up their toy animals or action figures. Older kids can also join in, with their Lego minifigures or dolls.

12. Kick the Cup

After stomping, it’s time for some kicking! Fun Learning for Kids shows us how easy it is to set this up, with a bunch of paper cups and a small ball. Let little kids try to kick towards a cup, while older kids can try to identify the letters on the cups.

13. Pom Pom Tube Drop

We love this activity from Teaching Littles, especially since it involves a good deal of bending, picking and standing! Considering the current situation, we assume you have enough toilet paper rolls at hand, which should make this setup fairly easy!

14. Cup Stacking

Little kids love stacking things – and then knocking them over! Since you’re not going to have a party at home any time soon, you might as well use up all those paper cups for this activity from Million Ways to Mother.

15. Ice Cube Smash

Okay, this is 100% sure to get the most energetic toddler tired! All you need is a big ice cube and a hammer and then it’s time to smash! The OT Toolbox uses food coloring for colorful ice cubes. You can also try freezing a toy or two so your child can try to rescue it from the ice.

16. Pool Noodle Balance Board

This activity from And Next Comes L looks interesting, and is a great way for little kids to strengthen their balance and reduce falls. If this seems too difficult for your toddler, let her try walking on the pool noodle alone, maybe holding on to a sturdy piece of furniture on the side.

17. Balloon Tennis

Let your little one start practicing hitting pinatas so he’ll be an expert when he’s having all those parties after this pandemic! Hello Wonderful shows us a simple activity using a balloon at a low level, and a simple plastic bat or large spatula to hit it.

18. Pillow Walk

Now’s the time to build all those forts and indoor camps – and also run on pillows! Hands on as We Grow shows us how to create a pillow walk so kids can jump on them. Make sure the pillows won’t slip on the floor – else put a mattress down to catch any falls.

19. Paper Plate Ring Toss

A classic game can be recreated with a bunch of paper plates, a cardboard tube and some paint. Little kids can have a go at painting the paper plate rings too! Check out the details at A Little Learning for Two.

20. Sensory Bowling

Lemon Lime Adventure has an activity that’s a two in one – it’s a physical activity and sensory play in one! Gather empty plastic bottles and set them up, and then use any ball you have to create your very own bowling alley!

One of the many things this lockdown has shown us is that you don’t need a lot of stuff to have a good time – all you need is your imagination! I’m sure these activities for energetic toddlers have given you ideas to try many more. Be sure to take pictures to document this special time!