Bored List - Toddlers

This page is similar to a typical "bored jar" idea.  There are a variety of ways to mix things up and let your child choose an activity from the list or jar.

Since I have Harry - who always manages to ruin things - I'm trying out a numbering system to see if it's more durable.  Already I've had to make new sticks to replace ones Harry has ripped or broken.  Glad it's just a paper cloud with a number on it rather than a whole activity torn in half.  Another up side to a numbered jar and a separate list is that if the list changes, I only have to print a new list.

I made the jar out of an old baby formula can and strips of sticky vinyl.  The clouds on the sticks are just glued paper.  I made sure to create extras so I can easily replace sticks that get damaged or lost.

Indoor Activities

Where is the penny?

Hide a penny under one of several cups, move the cups around and have the kids guess where the penny is. (Variation: This works well with a small treat like one smartie, taking turns until the whole roll is gone.  It's amazing to see how many times the kids guess right.  They sure do keep their eyes on the candy!)

Get a ride!

Give the children rides in a box, wagon, stroller, on a blanket etc. around the house.

Lid matching

Have the children match lids to various containers. (We did this one and sadly our containers are boring.  It didn't keep their attention long.  I may try this one again later, and have them put items inside the containers.)

Make up a song

Together, make up a song with your children and keep singing until you can’t think of anything.

Musical Scarves

Put on some music and dance with scarves. (This one worked well.  You can also do this with streamers, ribbon, or other items around the house.)

Play with blocks

This can be random play, or an opportunity to show children how to make bridges and other structures.

Which shoe?

Mix up your children’s shoes in a basket and then match them up.  Variations of this game include guessing the shoe without looking, closing your eyes and trying to find a pair (putting them back if they don’t match).

Mirror Art

Write on a mirror with a bar of soap or dry erase crayons.  Variations include drawing mustaches, lips, eyebrows, hats, necklaces, hair, etc.  around your face.

Recite a Rhyme

Hickory Dickory Dock, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Little Miss Muffet, Jack Sprat, and more…

Tent Time

Make your own tent using a sheet and pretend it’s a house, store, cave for animals, etc.

Sorting Rescue!

Everything is all mixed up!  Have your children help sort beads, crayons, paper, etc.  You can use this as an opportunity to organize something that truly needs sorting (e.g. trash paper from good paper).

Letter Hunt

Go through papers, magazines, around the house, etc.,  looking for a particular letter.  Collect and make a collage or just point them out.  Take turns picking the letter.

Number Hunt

Go through papers, magazines, around the house,  etc., looking for a particular number.  Collect and make a collage or just point them out.  Take turns picking the number.

Color Hunt

Go through papers, magazines, around the house, etc., looking for a particular color.  Collect and make a collage or just point them out.  Take turns picking the color.

Shape Hunt

Go through papers, magazines, around the house, etc., looking for a particular shape.  Collect and make a collage or just point them out.  Take turns picking the shape.

Animal Noises

Go through a book, magazine, toys, and take note of the animals.  Make animal noises for each animal you see.  Variations;  1. Make an animal noise and have the children guess what animal you are.  2. Act out an animal and have the children guess and make the animal noise.  3. Make an animal noise and have the children act out the animal.

Make a Puzzle

Make your own puzzle by cutting out shapes from an existing drawing, print out, or picture.  Have another person put it back together again.

Action Song

Do an action song – London Bridge, Hinges, Once there was a snowman, Do as I’m Doing,  Wheels on the bus, Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Patty Cake, etc.

Stretch Time

Stretch out various parts of your body.  It’s good to give your body a nice stretch!

Play Hide and Seek

You can play traditional Hide and Seek or a possible variation, play hiding a small toy.  Take turns hiding the toy and finding it.

Read a Book

Read a book, either cuddling in a chair, or more like a presentation with the book facing outward and the children watching.  Variation, have your child read a story to an audience of stuffed animals. 

Mini-finger-legs’ Adventure

Create a little character with your two fingers.   Feel free to draw a face or something to make it interesting, but not necessary.  Have your fingers go on an adventure around the house.  No flying, but jumping is definitely an option.  See the house from a smaller perspective. 

Knee Ride

Get a knee ride from Mom or Dad!  Happy bouncing!

Horsey Ride

Get a ride from Mom or Dad Horse!

Stuffed Animal Doctor

Your stuffed animal(s) is sick!  Time to call the Stuffed Animal Doctor!

Family Picture Time!

Look through family pictures!  Old ones, new ones, enjoy talking about what you were doing or guessing who is in each picture.

Timer Hunt

Set the timer and hide it somewhere in the house.  Take turns finding it, trying to find it before the time runs out!

Stop and Go

Play STOP and GO to practice learning how to stop when it’s important.  You may want to include a treat/reward for those who stop immediately.  Take the time to talk about when it’s important to STOP and when it’s okay to GO.

Pairs

Look around the house for things that come in pairs.  Socks, shoes, eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc.

Singing time!

Take turns picking songs to sing.  ABC’s, Twinkle Little Star, or introduce a new one.

Make a Face

Take turns making faces of how people might be feeling.  Happy, Sad, Excited, Angry, etc.  You may also decide to make strips of paper with emotions and take turns picking a piece of paper.

Play a Game

Play a board game or the Roll ‘N Play game

Bean Bag Toss

Play with bean bags, either a toss them back and forth, or toss them into a bucket.

Sock Match Up

Get a few socks and put them in a basket.  Make all the matches.

Voice Recording

Record everyone’s voice – telling a story, singing a song, or just having fun.  Save it for history!

Follow the Leader

Play “follow the leader” throughout the house.

Pretend Salon

Get a massage and pretend you’re in a salon.  Use nice lotion and maybe some nail polish!

Roll the Ball

Sit on the floor and roll a ball back and forth.  You can include more than two people and maybe even include more than one ball!

Floor/Wall Paper

Spread out paper on the floor or on the wall and color a variety of things.  You can pick a theme or tell a story, or you can simply color whatever comes to mind.

Obstacle Course

Build an obstacle course out of pillows or other objects and take turns going through it.  Adjust the course and go through it as many times as possible.

Be Thankful

Take turns saying what things you are thankful for.  Consider making thank-you notes for friends and family members.

Balloon fun!

Play – don’t let it touch! (Either don’t touch the ground or don’t let it touch someone, or a piece of furniture).

Play balloon volleyball.

Play balloon tennis.

Princess Paper Dolls

Play with princess paper dolls.

Face Painting

Get out the face paints and have fun!  Also consider using face paints as segue into another activity like dress up or playing pretend.

Cardboard Village

Make a cardboard village.  It can be simple or elaborate.  For a more elaborate village, with paint and other fancy things, consider breaking this activity down into phases – design, build, paint.

Paper Parachutes

Cut a hexagon out of tissue paper.  Next, cut 6 equal lengths of string.  Attach the string to the points of the hexagon and tie the other ends to a toy or object.   Toss it into the air and enjoy!

Language Practice

Practice a foreign language.  You can practice phrases or name objects around the house.
Practice Russian, ASL, or Spanish.

Play Restaurant

You can use play dough to make the food or use food pictures. 

Outdoor Activities 

Treasure Hunt

Go outside and look for a particular item or a variety of items – leaf, rock, grate, slide, bug, etc.  Consider drawing the “treasure” when it has been found or gather multiples the treasure item to create a collection.  You may also carry with you a treasure box to collect and store the item(s).

Scavenger Hunt

Ahead of time, make a list of items you want to see outside.   As you venture outdoors have your list and mark off the items as you see them.  You may consider taking a camera along to document your findings.

Follow the Leader

Play “follow the leader” around outside.  Go up stairs, down slides, etc.

Sidewalk Chalk

Color with sidewalk chalk!  Games include: Pictionary, Hop Scotch, etc.

Sandbox Play

Play with sandbox toys.  Another activity may need to be cleaning the sandbox toys before going outside to play with them.

Obstacle Course

Take turns picking out or mapping out an obstacle course outside.

Splatter Paint

Attach paper to an outside wall and splatter paint using brushes.  Paints may be watered down for a better “splatter”.

Go for a Walk

Enjoy a walk together.  Take turns picking the direction and explore your neighborhood.

Go on a Bike Ride

Enjoy riding bikes.  Depending on ability, make it a longer or shorter.  Focus on improving abilities for new bike riders.