9 Ways to Keep Your Toddler Busy & Win at Parenting (Without Losing Your Mind)

Here are 9 activities that will keep your tiny energy bunny entertained, without requiring an engineering degree, selling your kidneys, or a ridiculous amount of screen time.

#1 Random Stuff in a Tray

Or as parenting gurus call them these days, sensory bins

But seriously, it’s just random toddler-safe stuff in a tray, and it need not be complicated. Fill it with dry rice, pasta, kinetic sand, or dry cereal and toss in some cups, spoons, and little toys. Boom - instant engagement. 

Bonus: It doubles as a mini science lesson (and a vacuuming opportunity, although for transparency, I must admit that it may be declined).

#2 The Great Indoor Obstacle Course

When the great outdoors are out of order (cyclones, heat - take your pick, ‘Straya) - it’s time to create the great indoors.

Got some couch cushions, chairs, and a wild child who’s climbing the furniture anyway? Channel that energy into a DIY obstacle course. Crawl under chairs, jump over pillows, balance on a rolled-up towel - basically, burn that energy before bedtime parenting turns into a hostage negotiation.

#3 Toy Rotation - Because Less is More

Toddlers love novelty. Instead of drowning in toys, hide some of them and swap them out periodically - this nugget parenting wisdom is called toy rotation. Kiddos will feel like they’ve won the jackpot every time you “bring out the new stuff” - except, joke’s on them, it’s literally their own things.

Want to swap unused things instead of storing them indefinitely? Try secondhand toy swapping with other parents to keep things fresh (and sustainable).

#4 Water Play - Minimal Set Up Time, Maximum Fun

Give a toddler some cups, a bowl of water, and a few spoons, and they’ll happily "cook" imaginary soup for ages. If you’re feeling fancy, throw in some plastic figurines for a DIY bath time adventure - minus the actual bath.

This works great when you’re trying to cook dinner but don’t want them scaling the cabinets like a caffeinated spider monkey! 

And yeah, there will probably be some mopping, but buying yourself some time is (mostly) worth it.

#5 The Tape Road - When You Need a Quick Win

Got an older toddler who loves imaginative play? Grab some masking tape and design roads on your floor for toy cars, or dolls, or dinosaurs, or whatever is currently their favourite. 

They’ll be driving, walking, and storytelling for a good while!. 

Bonus: Peeling up the tape later becomes a fun fine-motor-skill exercise (or at least that’s what we tell ourselves).

#6 “Clean the House” Game - Parenting Trickery at Its Finest

Toddlers love to copy us (usually when it’s highly inconvenient), so turn chores into a game. 

Give them a spray bottle with water and a cloth, and suddenly, they’re your enthusiastic cleaning assistant. Let them “sweep,” “dust,” or even “wash the car” (aka splash water everywhere). They’ll think they’re playing - you’ll know they’re actually helping, or at least not really interfering with your task at hand. Win-win.

#7 The Mystery Box - Peak Toddler Excitement

This one is great for younger toddlers! Take an old box, fill it with random household items (spoons, sponges, ribbons, measuring cups) - and let your toddler feel and explore. You’d think they found buried treasure the way they react. 

And if your little one is a tad older? Take it up a notch and instead of aimless exploration, turn it into a "guess the object" game. Boom, done.

#8 Sticker Mania - Toddler Zen Mode

Give a toddler a sheet of stickers and some paper, and poof - instant focus time. If you're feeling extra (and it’s developmentally appropriate), challenge them to create a “sticker story” or a sticker matching game.

Parenting alert: in case it’s your first time playing, some stickers may (and probably will) end up on your furniture, your pet, or your actual face. Use this knowledge wisely.

#9 Nature Treasure Hunt - Fresh Air + Free Fun

Good weather day? Take your toddler outside with a list of things to find (a leaf, a rock, a flower, a feather) and watch as they explore like tiny adventurers. 

If you’re feeling Pinterest-y, glue the treasures onto paper when you get home and call it “art.”

It’s parenting 101: bored toddlers equal unhinged chaos. But with these boredom killers, you’ll reclaim some peace, keep your little one entertained, and maybe even drink a hot coffee. 

(Probably not the coffee part, but… We can dream, right?)