7 Screen-Free Toddler Activities for Indoor Play (Easy & Low-Prep)

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your toddler on a cold or rainy day wondering what in the world are we going to do, you’re not alone. Indoor days with toddlers can feel long, loud, and overwhelming especially when screen time starts creeping in earlier and earlier.

The good news? You don’t need elaborate crafts, expensive toys, or a perfectly planned schedule. Toddlers learn best through simple, hands-on play, and most of what you need is already in your home.

Below are 7 screen-free toddler activities for indoor play that are low-prep, repeatable, and realistic for busy moms.

Why Screen-Free Play Matters for Toddlers

Screen-free play helps toddlers develop:

• Fine and gross motor skills

• Creativity and imagination

• Emotional regulation

• Attention span

• Confidence through independent play

This doesn’t mean screens are evil or that you’re doing something wrong by using them. It simply means that offering screen-free options gives your toddler’s brain a chance to grow in important ways.

1. Painter’s Tape Roads

Create roads or shapes on the floor using painter’s tape. Let your toddler drive toy cars or walk animals along the paths.

Skills built: imaginative play, gross motor movement

2. Sensory Bin Play

Fill a bin with rice, beans, or dry pasta and let your toddler scoop, pour, and explore.

Skills built: fine motor skills, focus, sensory regulation

3. Pillow Obstacle Course

Use couch cushions and pillows to create something your toddler can crawl over, under, and around.

Skills built: balance, coordination, confidence

4. Sticker Sorting

Give your toddler stickers and paper with drawn shapes or colors to match.

Skills built: hand-eye coordination, fine motor control

5. Laundry Basket Basketball

Place a laundry basket on the floor and toss soft balls or rolled socks inside.

Skills built: gross motor skills, turn-taking

6. Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Ask your toddler to find simple items around the house like something red or something soft.

Skills built: listening skills, problem solving, vocabulary

7. Letter Tracing with Sensory Materials

Pour salt, sugar, or flour onto a tray and trace letters together.

Skills built: pre-writing skills, letter recognition

Want These Activities in a Printable You Can Save?

I created a free printable with all 7 screen-free toddler activities, including simple instructions and skill breakdowns so you can pull it out anytime you need ideas.

👉 Download the free Screen-Free Toddler Activities Printable below