• Start Here
  • Work With Me
  • Parenting
  • Kids Activities
  • Working Moms
  • Productivity Tips
  • Number of items in cart: 0

    • Your cart is empty.
    • Total: $0.00
    • Checkout

Fab Working Mom Life

A Working Mom Blog: Let's thrive as working moms.

  • Blog
  • Motherhood
    • Breastfeeding
    • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Kids Activities
    • Working Mom
  • Lifestyle
    • Finances
    • Food
    • Health
    • Home Life
    • Military
    • Organize
  • Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Working Mom Life Resources
  • About
    • About Julie
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Subscribe
  • Work With Me
    • Advertise Here or Hire Me
    • Guest Post Here
    • Link and Image Policy
    • As Seen On
  • Freebies
    • Affirmations for Working Moms
    • Monthly Budget
    • Nanny Interview Questions Checklist
    • Start a Blog? email course
    • Printables
  • Shop
    • Budget Workbook Planner
    • 12 Month Habit Tracker Printable
    • Christmas Games and Planning Printables
    • Nanny Contract Template
    • My Zazzle Store
    • My Amazon Store
    • Printables Downloads
    • Etsy Store

Note: posts contain affiliate links, earning me a commission. By using this site, you agree to our use of browser cookies. Read our disclosure and privacy policies for more details.

Simple Toddler Activities you can do Right Now with what you have on hand

August 23, 2016 by Julie 20 Comments

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe and join fellow working moms. Thanks for visiting!

As a working mom, the time I do get to spend with my son is very precious. I’m always on the lookout for very simple activities we can do together at home, preferably with stuff we already have on hand. One of my goals is to be more present with him and not just let the weekends pass us by. I even mentioned this in a recent IG post. In fact, I’ll just let IG show off what we did this weekend.

Low Prep Activities for Toddlers | Fab Working Mom Life

 

 

What fun things do you have planned with your kids this weekend? One of my goals is to be more present and play with my child more, even though I’m tired after a week of working full-time, long commutes, and sleep deprivation. I hope to try some fun activities with my son this weekend. #workingmom #workingmomma #workingmommy #momlife #worklife #mommylife #mommy #momblogging #momblog #momblogger #inspiration #quotes #quoteoftheday #friday #tgif

A photo posted by Julie S {Fab Working Mom Life} (@juliecookies413) on Aug 19, 2016 at 10:06am PDT

 


There are so many moments we can use to do a quick learning game or try something new. This past weekend I really focused on these goals and am happy to report that we were quite successful in having simple happy fun times around the house. I wanted to share these simple activities and playtime we had to inspire other busy, tired moms like myself.

Simple Toddler Activities you can do Right Now with what you have on hand

easy toddler activities no prep

Simple Activities with my Toddler, Meeting my Weekend Goals

 

 

Ice Cube Sensory Play

 

A little sensory and fine motor practice with ice cubes. We had our fridge repaired today and had to pull out everything including the ice cube tray. So we played a distraction game so my toddler wouldn’t keep trying to climb into the fridge. He hasn’t gotten the grasp (pun intended) of the tongs yet but he had fun playing with ice. #toddlerapproved #toddlerlife #toddler #mommy #momblogger #momlife #learnthroughplay #sensoryplay #finemotorskills #letthembelittle #kidsofinstagram #kidsofig #kbnmoms #kbn

A photo posted by Julie S {Fab Working Mom Life} (@juliecookies413) on Aug 20, 2016 at 8:10am PDT

The first activity we did was spontaneous. We had to get our fridge repaired because thing number I lost count broke (thanks, Deployment Murphy), and I had to keep the little guy out of the refrigerator and let the technician do his job. Since we had to defrost it, we played with ice. I just got a large bowl full of ice, a smaller bowl for him to transfer to, and gave him tongs. He experimented with various ways, touching the ice, moving the ice, trying to use the tongs but mostly chewing on them. He had fun, got a sensory and fine motor practice game, and I got him to stay out of the fridge. This activity was a total win and is super simple to do.

 

Fine Motor Play with Food

 

 

A little fine motor practice and food play this morning. Ripe fruit + uncooked stick pasta + O cereal. #learnthroughplay #toddlerapproved #toddlelife #momblogger #momlife #finemotorskills #sensoryplay #kbnmoms #kbn

A photo posted by Julie S {Fab Working Mom Life} (@juliecookies413) on Aug 21, 2016 at 9:33am PDT

Another simple activity we did was a different fine motor practice, and playing with food. Because playing with food is fun times. Take any ripe fruit and slice it. Grab some uncooked pasta sticks, and stick them in the fruit. And hand the baby some O-shaped cereal. Sliding Cheerios onto spaghetti sticks is some serious fun, even if it is a bit complicated and requires careful work. It is also fun to then tear it all apart and feed the cereal to the dogs.

 

 

He liked my little game. You can find all kinds of inspiration for kids activities and adapt them with what you have on hand. #learnthroughplay #sensoryplay #boymom #toddlerapproved #toddlelife #mommy #momblogger #momlife #kbnmoms #kidsactivity

A photo posted by Julie S {Fab Working Mom Life} (@juliecookies413) on Aug 21, 2016 at 9:36am PDT

Playing with Dirt

Also never underestimate the simple and enjoyable activity of playing outdoors. The grass was just too wet to run around on after all the rains we’ve had, so we hung out on the patio with a bucket, some sand, and water. The little one had a blast, got messy, and later passed out while I was pushing him in the bucket swing.

 

 

What more does a little boy need than a bucket of sand and water? #boymom #toddlerapproved #toddlelife #momlife #kidsofig #kbnmoms #boymama #momblogger

A photo posted by Julie S {Fab Working Mom Life} (@juliecookies413) on Aug 20, 2016 at 9:47am PDT

 

I totally met my goals for intentional play with my son, and he had a fun weekend with getting to try new things. I didn’t have to go anywhere or buy special ingredients. This is the kind of fun I prefer to have. Easy. Peasy. Stuff I have on hand. Entertains and teaches or practices a few new skills. Win-win for all.

Simple Low Prep Toddler Activities #toddleractivities #toddler #parenting

 

What simple toddler activities do you do at home?

 

 

You may also like:

Download Your Monthly Family Activities Planner


Grab your Monthly Activities Planner


Join the email list and we will send you this monthly activity planner right away!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Grab your Monthly Activities Planner


Join the email list and we will send you this monthly activity planner right away!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Join the Working Mom List

Join the Working Mom collective and get support and tools to help you thrive! Subscribers get access to my library of resources and printables.

Thank you for joining the tribe! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit
Recommended Post:  Best Baby Swing Tips for New Moms

Categories: Kids Activities and Crafts, TopPosts Tags: Motor Skills Activity, Toddler Activities, Toddlers

the PAST
the FUTURE

Join the Working Mom List

Join the Working Mom collective and get support and tools to help you thrive! Subscribers get access to my library of resources and printables.

Thank you for joining the tribe! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Comments

  1. Alicia Trautwein says

    July 15, 2017 at 12:23 am

    I love these! My son always steals our tongs to pick up his dinosaurs, lol! He calls them scissors, lol! I so need to break out the sand though, he would have a blast with that!

    Reply
  2. Rachel Naylor says

    July 14, 2017 at 9:12 am

    What great ideas you have. I love it when the Witches get messy cos I know they are having fun. I will try the ice cubes in a bowl ?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 14, 2017 at 9:30 am

      I love that you call your kids the witches ?

      Reply
  3. Inez says

    August 29, 2016 at 12:36 pm

    I love these ideas! I am constantly coming up with new activities with stuff around the house, mostly in the kitchen!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 29, 2016 at 9:51 pm

      The kitchen is a popular place, and there is so much to explore there!

      Reply
  4. Megan says

    August 29, 2016 at 6:57 am

    I’m homeschooling two older kids so I can never (ever, ever) have enough fresh ideas to keep my toddler entertained. I love the Cheerio stacking with a spaghetti noodle! Fine motor practice + edible? Yes, please 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 29, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      Yes, playing with food seems to be more fun than something else. Keeping a toddler busy is some serious business.

      Reply
  5. Susan Croox says

    August 28, 2016 at 9:51 pm

    I gotta try the spaghetti fruit trick! Pinning this for reference.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 28, 2016 at 10:45 pm

      Thanks Susan 🙂 Hope your little one enjoys the stacking game 🙂

      Reply
  6. Samantha @ Momma Wants Java says

    August 28, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    These are great ideas! I can’t wait to try the ice thing with my son. I think I’ll let him do that next time I’m trying to cook dinner. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 28, 2016 at 10:44 pm

      Oh yea, good distraction so you can get some food cooked without being pushed and pulled in all directions.

      Reply
  7. Shortsweetmom says

    August 27, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    This is great. It sometimes easy to forget we have so many fun things at home already. No need to buy new things. This makes me want to try to get more creative with things we have on hand. ?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 28, 2016 at 10:25 pm

      He seems more interested in household items anyway, so gotta take advantage of that 🙂

      Reply
  8. Christine - The Choosy Mommy says

    August 27, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    These are such practical ideas. My 1 year old son is always carrying around a bucket when we are outside and putting random things in it. I just let him go because he is exploring the feeling of so many different things and working those fingers!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 28, 2016 at 10:20 pm

      That’s so awesome that he explores a lot and places things in a bucket. That’s great learning experience right there.

      Reply
  9. Heidi @ Grow Family Love says

    August 26, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    I love the idea of the bowl with ice! I will definitely be using this with my toddler. He’s going to love it! Thanks for sharing your great ideas! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 26, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Thanks 🙂 If you come up with some fun easy activities this weekend let me know about them too 🙂

      Reply
  10. Stefani @ Crafty Christian says

    August 26, 2016 at 11:16 am

    Clever! Love activities I don’t have to plan for or buy special things for. My boys will love these!

    Reply
  11. Nikki Crump says

    August 25, 2016 at 10:10 am

    I really want to try the ice cubes in a bowl for my son, I think he would love that. I love these ideas!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      August 25, 2016 at 10:20 pm

      Do it! I was surprised how much enjoyed it.

      Reply

Comments are held for moderation. Links are no follow.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments are held for moderation.

About Julie

Julie of Fab Working Mom Life Welcome! My name is Julie :) I am a Texan living in Hawaii (military life). I'm a mom, a blogger, and also work full-time in environmental compliance. I write about being a working mom to help myself and other working moms in our journey to find a balance between our family, responsibilities, and hobbies. I do this because we moms need a support network to thrive both at home and at work.

Follow us

  • mail
  • instagram
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • youtube
  • bloglovin

Note: posts contain affiliate links, earning me a small commission at no additional charge to you. This site uses browser cookies to store information on your computer: some are essential to make this site work, others improve your user experience, and track behavior and user patterns (for advertising purposes). By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our disclosure and privacy policies for more details.

Join fellow Working Moms

Grab these Affirmations for Working Moms when you Join!

Join the Working Mom List

Join the Working Mom collective and get support and tools to help you thrive! Subscribers get access to my library of resources and printables.

Thank you for joining the tribe! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Pin with me!


Follow my Pinterest blog board

Most Popular

healthy ideas toddler daycare lunches

35+ Toddler lunch ideas for daycare

Lactation Oatmeal Recipe

Lactation Oatmeal Recipe: How to make Overnight Oatmeal with Lactation Goodness

full time working mom life hacks

How to streamline busy life as a working mom with these time-saving tips

Featured Posts

  • Fabulous Productivity Tips for Working Moms to Run Your Schedule Like a Boss!
  • Toddler Breakfast Ideas (before daycare or preschool)
  • Tips for Battling Momnesia or How to Deal with the Mental Load of Motherhood
  • How to practice Mindfulness as a Busy Mom
  • Tips to Help your Toddler Develop Language Skills
Christmas gifts guide

Join the Working Mom List

Join the Working Mom collective and get support and tools to help you thrive! Subscribers get access to my library of resources and printables.

Thank you for joining the tribe! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Fab Working Mom Life Hot Topics

productivity tips for working moms
5-things-you-need-to-know-to-breastfeed-baby-sliderthings-to-do-to-prepare-for-baby-for-first-time-moms-slider

Link to Fab Working Mom Life

Membership


Memberships page.

Join the Working Mom List

Join the Working Mom collective and get support and tools to help you thrive! Subscribers get access to my library of resources and printables.

Thank you for joining the tribe! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit
  • Start Here
  • Work With Me
  • Guest Post Here
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Link and Image Policy

Note: Posts contain affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase a product, I will receive a small commission for the sale at no additional cost to you. Fab Working Mom Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Protected by Copyscape
DMCA.com Protection Status
DMCA.com Protection Status

Copyright © 2022 · Fab Working Mom Life· Hello You Designs

Copyright © 2022 · Sweets Blog on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT