Have you been searching for creative and fun-filled safe toddler crafts to do at home?
We have curated 29 easy and safe toddler crafts to do at home that will help your little one’s developmental milestone.
These activities will keep them entertained while they also learn skills that will spark their creativity and curiosity.
Let us look at some of the toddler craft activities and also crafts that are best for sensory plays.
29 EASY TODDLER CRAFTS AT HOME.
1. Paper Plate Animals
Toddlers love animals, and paper plates make the perfect canvas for creating their favorite creatures.
Start with a plain white or colored paper plate as the base.
For a lion, glue strips of yellow and orange construction paper around the edges for a wild mane.
Add googly eyes and draw a nose and mouth with markers.
If your little one loves the ocean, turn a plate into a fish by cutting out a triangle for the mouth (which becomes the tail) and adding scales with paint or stickers.
This craft is fantastic for imaginative play and helps with fine motor skills as they glue and decorate.
Use safety scissors to let older toddlers practice cutting out shapes like ears or fins under supervision.
2. Pasta Necklaces
Stringing pasta is a classic toddler activity that’s both fun and educational.
Start by dyeing dry pasta in vibrant colors, mix rubbing alcohol with food coloring in a ziplock bag, add pasta, shake, and let dry.
Once ready, give your toddler a piece of yarn (with a taped end to prevent fraying) and let them thread the pasta to create a necklace or bracelet.
This activity strengthens hand-eye coordination and keeps little fingers busy.
Use large-hole beads or cereal like Cheerios for variety.
3. Finger Painting
Finger painting is a sensory-rich experience that toddlers adore.
Spread out large sheets of paper (or even a cheap plastic tablecloth for easy cleanup) and let them dive in with washable, non-toxic paints.
Encourage them to explore textures by mixing colors, making handprints, or dragging toy cars through the paint.
For a no-mess alternative, place paper inside a gallon-sized ziplock bag with blobs of paint, they can squish the colors without getting dirty.
Keep a damp towel nearby for quick hand-wiping between color changes.
4. Sticker Collage
Stickers are a toddler’s best friend, they’re easy to peel, stick, and rearrange.
Provide a blank sheet of paper and a variety of stickers (shapes, letters, or themed ones like animals or stars). Let your child decorate their “masterpiece” however they like.
This activity is perfect for fine motor development and can be done independently while you sneak in a coffee break.
Use stickers as rewards for completing other tasks (like cleaning up toys).
5. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars
Upcycle empty toilet paper rolls into pretend binoculars for adventures!
Glue two rolls side by side, then let your toddler decorate them with markers, stickers, or washi tape.
Punch holes on the outer sides, attach a string or ribbon, and they’re ready for a backyard safari or indoor treasure hunt.
This craft encourages imaginative play and teaches kids about reusing materials.
Make a checklist of things to “spy” (a red toy, a circle, something fuzzy).
6. Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting
Toddlers love making noise and mess, this craft combines both! Tape a large sheet of bubble wrap (bubble-side up) to the floor or a table.
Squirt washable paint in rainbow colors onto the bubbles, then let your little one stomp, dance, or press paper onto it to create wild, textured prints.
The sensory feedback of popping bubbles adds extra fun.
Use a long roll of craft paper to make a collaborative mural for siblings or playdates.
7. Nature Collage
Take a walk outside to collect leaves, twigs, petals, and pebbles, then glue them onto cardboard or heavy paper to create a nature masterpiece. Talk about textures (“This leaf is bumpy!”) or colors (“Can you find something yellow?”). For extra staying power, cover the collage with clear contact paper to preserve their finds.
Turn it into a seasonal activity—spring flowers, autumn leaves, or winter evergreen sprigs.
8. DIY Playdough
Whip up a batch of no-cook playdough with 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, and a few drops of food coloring. Let your toddler help mix (little hands love squishing!). Add lavender oil for calming sensory play or glitter for sparkle. Store in an airtight container for weeks of fun.
Play Ideas: Roll “snakes,” press in cookie cutters, or hide small toys to dig out.
9. Sponge Painting
Cut kitchen sponges into simple shapes (hearts, stars, circles) or animal silhouettes (a duck, a fish). Dip them into shallow plates of washable paint and stamp onto paper. The chunky sponges are easy for toddlers to grip, and the repetitive stamping is soothing.
Use natural sponges for interesting textures.
10. Paper Bag Puppets
Transform lunch-sized paper bags into silly puppets! Glue on googly eyes, yarn hair, and felt tongues or teeth. Help your toddler name their puppet and put on a mini show—great for language development.
Make a monster, a dog, or even their favorite book character.
11. Ice Cube Painting
Freeze water mixed with food coloring in ice cube trays (add popsicle sticks as handles). Once frozen, let your toddler glide the melting “paint cubes” across paper. The cool sensation and swirling colors make this a summer hit.
Do this outside or on a tray for easy cleanup.
12. Cotton Ball Clouds
Glue fluffy cotton balls onto blue paper to create a sky scene. For extra fun, drizzle glue in squiggly lines and press the cotton onto it to make “rain.” Add a paper sun or rainbow for a weather-themed craft.
Learning Link: Pair with a book about clouds (Little Cloud by Eric Carle).
13. Contact Paper Sun Catchers
Tape a sheet of clear contact paper (sticky-side up) to a window or table. Let your toddler stick tissue paper squares, feathers, or flower petals onto it. Top with another sheet of contact paper to seal. The sunlight shining through creates a stained-glass effect.
Tip: Cut into shapes like hearts or butterflies before hanging.
14. Chalk Drawing
Sidewalk chalk isn’t just for driveways! Use it on black construction paper for vibrant designs, or dip chalk in water for smoother, brighter lines. For a twist, trace your toddler’s body and let them “decorate” their outline.
Rainy Day Alternative: Use chalkboard paint on a wall or tabletop.
15. Cereal Box Puzzles
Cut the front of a cereal box into 3–5 large pieces (for toddlers) or more for older kids. Mix them up and challenge your child to reassemble their favorite characters. No glue needed, just reuse again and again!
Store pieces in a ziplock bag for on-the-go entertainment.
16. Yarn-Wrapped Sticks
Collect sticks from the yard and wrap them in colorful yarn. Toddlers can practice over-and-under weaving, or simply dab glue on the stick and press yarn onto it. Display them in a vase as rustic decor.
Add beads between yarn wraps for fine motor practice.
17. Paper Chain Snakes
Cut construction paper into strips, loop them into interlocking rings, and glue to form a chain. Add googly eyes and a red paper tongue for a silly snake. Count the rings together for early math fun.
Use alternating colors for a pattern lesson.
18. Handprint Art
Paint your toddler’s palm and fingers (avoid ticklish spots!), then press onto paper. Turn prints into keepsake art: a handprint turkey, a butterfly (two prints mirrored), or a heart (thumbs touching).
Date the back and save for a memory book.
19. Egg Carton Caterpillars
Cut an egg carton into a 4-cup segment, paint it green (or any color!), and add pipe cleaner antennae. Glue on googly eyes or draw a face. Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar while crafting.
Eco-Friendly: Use cardboard cartons instead of foam.
20. Tape Resist Art
Stick painter’s tape in simple shapes (letters, stars) onto paper. Let your toddler paint freely, then peel the tape away to reveal magic white designs.
Toddler-Friendly Tape: Use washi tape—it’s easier to remove.
21. Shaving Cream Marbling
Spray shaving cream on a tray, swirl in food coloring or liquid watercolors, then press paper on top. Scrape off the foam with a squeegee to reveal dreamy marbled patterns.
Cleanup: Wipe hands with a damp towel before they touch their eyes!
22. DIY Sensory Bottles
Fill empty water bottles with glitter, beads, or oil/water mixtures. Superglue the lid shut, and let your toddler shake, roll, and watch the calming swirls.
Themes: Blue water + fish beads = ocean bottle; red glitter = “lava lamp.”
23. Popsicle Stick Puzzles
Draw a simple picture (a house, a smiley face) across 4–6 lined-up popsicle sticks. Mix them up and have your toddler reconstruct the image. Adjust difficulty by using more/fewer sticks.
Travel-Friendly: Store in a pencil case.
24. Rock Painting
Collect smooth rocks, wash them, and paint with acrylics or markers. Turn them into storytelling props: ladybugs, cars, or “pet rocks” with glued-on felt hats.
Outdoor Fun: Hide painted rocks in the yard for a treasure hunt.
25. Magazine Collage
Flip through old magazines and let your toddler tear or cut out pictures (animals, food, toys). Glue them onto poster boards to create a theme collage (e.g., “Things That Go!”).
Language Boost: Name each item as they glue it.
26. Cardboard Tube Kazoos
Decorate a toilet paper roll with stickers or markers. Cover one end with wax paper secured by a rubber band. Hum into the open end for silly kazoo sounds!
Talk about vibrations and sound waves.
27. Suncatcher Fishbowl
Cut the center out of two paper plates, leaving the rims intact.
Glue tissue paper squares to one plate, then sandwich with the other.
Add a construction paper fish inside for a 3D effect. Hang in a window!
Adaptation: Use colored cellophane for brighter light effects.
28. Button Sorting & Gluing
Sort buttons by color, size, or shape into muffin tins.
Then, glue them onto paper in patterns (a rainbow, a flower). Supervise closely to avoid choking hazards.
Fine Motor Focus: Use tweezers to pick up buttons.
29. Balloon Print Art
Blow up a small balloon slightly, dip it in paint, and stamp onto paper.
The bouncy texture creates fun, circular prints.
Try overlapping colors for a modern-art feel. Use water balloons for smaller hands.
10 CRAFTS THAT ARE BEST FOR SENSORY PLAY
1. DIY Playdough
Why it’s sensory gold: Squishing, rolling, and pressing playdough provides proprioceptive input (deep pressure) that calms toddlers.
Boost the fun: Add lavender oil for scent, glitter for sparkle, or dry rice for crunch.
2. Shaving Cream Marbling
Why it’s sensory gold: The fluffy texture and swirlable paint make this a tactile and visual delight.
Tip: Use a tray to contain the mess, and let kids finger-paint in the cream before pressing paper on top.
3. Ice Cube Painting
Why it’s sensory gold: The cold, slippery sensation of melting ice cubes gliding across paper is thermo-tactile play.
Extra kick: Freeze small toys inside the ice for a “rescue mission” as they melt.
4. Sensory Bottles
Why it’s sensory gold: Filled with glitter, beads, or oil/water, these bottles offer visual tracking and a calming focus tool.
Themes: Try “ocean” (blue water + fish beads) or “lava lamp” (oil + food coloring).
5. Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting
Why it’s sensory gold: Popping bubbles underfoot while creating art combines sound, touch, and movement.
Adaptation: Tape bubble wrap to a wall for a vertical sensory canvas.
6. Oobleck (Cornstarch + Water)
Why it’s sensory gold: This non-Newtonian fluid acts like solid and liquid—magic for little scientists.
Play ideas: Add drops of food coloring or hide small toys to dig out.
7. Pasta or Bead Scooping
Why it’s sensory gold: Scooping, pouring, and sorting dry pasta or beads builds fine motor skills.
Set-up: Use muffin tins for sorting, or let them string pasta onto yarn.
8. Textured Collage
Why it’s sensory gold: Gluing fabrics (felt, velvet), sandpaper, or cotton balls introduces varied textures.
Prompt: Ask, “Does this feel bumpy? Soft? Scratchy?”
9. Edible “Finger Paint”
Why it’s sensory gold: Safe for mouthy toddlers! Mix yogurt with food coloring or use pureed fruit.
Surface tip: Paint on high chair trays for easy lick-and-wipe cleanup.
10. Sensory Bags
Why it’s sensory gold: Fill ziplock bags with hair gel + glitter or water + beads, then seal tightly for squishy mess-free play.
Skill boost: Trace letters/shapes on the bag with a finger.
Sensory play isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful tool for toddler development.
These 10 crafts engage touch, sight, sound, and even taste, helping little ones explore the world while building fine motor skills, language, and emotional regulation.
Even if it’s the squishy magic of playdough, the mesmerizing swirl of shaving cream marbling, or the calming focus of sensory bottles, these activities turn everyday materials into brain-boosting adventures.
Best of all, most require minimal prep and cleanup—because parenting is busy enough
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