40 fun play ideas for your toddler

1. Laundry play.
Show her how to sort the ‘coloureds’ from the ‘whites’, and then let her stuff them into the machine, and remove them later.

2. Water painting.
Give her water and a brush and let her ‘paint’ the patio.

3. Sand play.
Put some sand from the sandpit in a washing-up bowl and hide mini treasures. Give her a spoon and a sieve to add to the mood of ‘hunting for treasures’.

4. Dough play.
In a pan, mix together 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 4 cups of water, 4 tbsp of cooking oil and 1/2 cup of cream of tartar. Cook over a low heat until formed and not too sticky. Knead in some food colouring. Give your toddler biscuit cutters and a rolling pin and perhaps a garlic press.

5. Sorting.
Use a packet of colours sweets such as Smarties, and have her put the different colours into separate bowls.
6. Web ideas.
Take a look at www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies, which has all your child’s favourite characters and lots of activities to explore together.

7. Washing up.
Get out her plastic tea set, a brush or sponge and a bowl of soapy water.

8. Baby toys.
Dig out a basket of her old toys. She’ll be keen to play with them, as she hasn’t seen them for a while.

9. Dance and read.
With book/CD combinations, you can both look at the colourful pictures together, and then join in the dance.

10. Guess the toy.
Wrap up a few of her favourite toys for her to guess the object and then unwrap. Don’t use too much tape for her.

11. Photo album.
Use a notebook and some family shots, and help your toddler glue the pictures in.

12. Magic painting.
Draw a simple design on paper with a white candle or crayon. Make up watery paint in a strong colour and let your toddler paint the paper to reveal the hidden designs.

13. Bubble play.
Blow some outside. You can make up your own mixture with washing-up liquid, water and a little glycerine.

14. Follow my leader.
Your toddler has to copy everything you do – jumping, patting your tummy, and putting your slippers on your head - the sillier the better. Then let her lead you.

15. Trace a toddler.
Get your child to lie down on an old roll of lining wallpaper and trace her outline. Then let her colour in or paint it.

16. Interactive books.
Read search-and-find books such as Can you see the Red Balloon? (Barefoot books, £4.99).

17. Musical bumps.
Put on a lively piece of music, telling her she has to sit down as quickly as possible when the music stops.

18. Make a letterbox.
Use an old cereal box painted red. Cut out a slot for letters and make pretend envelopes and stamps for her to post.

19. Home videos.
Dig out your old ones - she’ll love it if there are people she knows.

20. Park visit.
Take a ball or a ride-along toy. You might find other toddlers and mums for a play or chat.

21. Handprints.
Paint your toddler’s hands with thick poster paint. Get her to make handprints all over some paper. When they’re dry you can make a special birthday card with them.

22. Potato prints.
Slice some potatoes in half and cut a shape into each flat surface. Dip the potatoes into saucers of poster paint and let your toddler print with them.

23. Collage making.
Toddlers like sticking things – try using sweet wrappers, scraps of material, foil, and cotton wool.

24. Jam tarts.
Your toddler will love rolling the pastry.

25. Pasta play.
Give her dried pasta, a sieve, a bowl and plastic jug.

26. Tea party.
Invite her dolls and use a picnic rug and real food.

27. Mask making.
Draw an animal’s face on card and cut holes for eyes. Let her colour it, and then attach a straw so she can hold it in front of her face.

28. Toy set.
Help her to set up a train, farm or zoo set she hasn’t got out for a long time.

29. Face painting.
If you don’t have real face paints, use watercolours or make-up.

30. ‘Butterfly’ painting.
Fold a piece of paper in half, and then open it out again. Get your toddler to paint one side of the fold, and then close it up again. Open it up to reveal her symmetrical pattern.

31. Nature collection.
Get her to gather things outside - twigs, petals, stones and leaves – and put them in a bucket.

32. Traffic lights.
You’re the policeman and she’s the car. When you shout, ‘Red’, she has to stop. ‘Green’ means she’s allowed to go.

33. Flower planting.
Get your toddler to help fill the pot with the soil.

34. Ice cream ‘factory’.
Put a scoop of ice cream in a bowl and let her choose a topping from a variety you’ve set out. Let her ‘buy’ one from you.

35. Play buses.
Line up chairs in pairs and fill the seats with dolls.

36. Camping.
Just drape a sheet over a couple of chairs and leave the rest to her imagination.

37. Puddle-jumping.
If it’s been raining, put on her wellies and let her jump in puddles.

38. Story tapes.
Settle her down with a story tape, CD or pre-record yourself reading her fave books.

39. Crayon rubbings.
Coins work well, as do bark, keyholes, bricks. Let her experiment.

40. Bug hunting.
Get her looking under stones and leaves.