With a pandemic raging outside, it becomes important to stay indoors as much as you can to be safe amidst the virus outbreak. However, if you have toddlers or kids, you will understand that staying indoors can be especially tough on the little ones. Being confined indoors can hamper their learning and development and make them cranky. However, you can engage in some fun indoor activities that they are sure to love!
Let's look at some activities
Build a pillow fort
This is a fun activity that can also be enjoyed with older siblings or even parents! Simply gather the pillows, throws and sheets in the house and you can have yourself a cozy little fort that the toddlers will love. You can also add some cushions to make it more cozy and put in the toys and colouring books to keep the young ones engaged for hours.
Cook a meal together
Who doesn’t love a quick snack or a delicious meal? And nothing like cooking a beautiful meal together with the family and savouring every bite of it. The little ones can hand over things to you, decorate the food or even prep veggies like shelling peas or washing potatoes. Simply involve them in the process and watch as they delightfully take on the role of helpers.
Puzzles and board games
Again a much loved activity in any family, these can be enjoyed with everyone or with just the kids. Who doesn’t love a good board game or a puzzle? Thankfully, there are many options available these days which can be shuffled around for a new game every day of the week. And the kids are sure to love the reactions of the adults when things get a little competitive.
Organize a treasure hunt
While the toddlers may be too young to go on a proper treasure hunt, you can always re-create a simple and fun one with toys and treats as the clues. If you have preschoolers, you can even include a few sums or animal/colour recognition to weave in some lessons while having fun! You can also include the other family members to make teams for the treasure hunt.
Time for crafts
This is a much loved activity among kids of all ages and is sure to be a hit with your toddlers. From simple colouring books to using cut-up vegetables, leaves and flower petals - there are many things you can use to make for a fun craft time. You can also explore child-safe dyes, embellishments and other craft supplies - simply give them the tools and watch as they discover the artists within themselves.
Don’t forget to have fun!
FAQ's
Q. Why are indoor activities important for toddlers during a pandemic?
Ans.During the pandemic, staying indoors protects toddlers from health risks but may hinder their development. Engaging in fun activities like crafts, cooking, or treasure hunts helps keep their minds active, improves motor skills, encourages creativity, and prevents crankiness while ensuring they continue learning and having fun safely at home.
Q. How can building a pillow fort benefit toddlers?
Ans.Building a pillow fort promotes creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills as toddlers arrange sheets, cushions, and toys. It encourages imaginative play, helps them work cooperatively with siblings or parents, and creates a cozy, safe space where they feel comfortable exploring and learning through role-play or quiet activities.
Q. What are the benefits of cooking together with toddlers?
Ans.Cooking together teaches toddlers basic life skills, introduces them to food preparation, and promotes healthy eating habits. It enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they help wash vegetables or decorate food. Cooking also provides a sense of achievement, strengthens family bonding, and makes mealtime more enjoyable and interactive.
Q. Why are puzzles and board games good for toddlers?
Ans.Puzzles and board games promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory development in toddlers. These activities improve focus, concentration, and patience while encouraging social interaction with family members. They also boost confidence when toddlers complete a puzzle or win a game, making learning enjoyable while developing early cognitive and motor skills.
Q. How can a simple treasure hunt help in learning?
Ans.A treasure hunt stimulates curiosity, logical thinking, and physical activity in toddlers. Simple clues using numbers, colors, or animals help combine learning with fun. It enhances observation skills, reinforces lessons like number recognition or color matching, and encourages teamwork. Toddlers stay engaged as they search for treats or toys, making learning playful.
Q. What types of craft activities are good for toddlers?
Ans.Simple crafts like coloring, using leaves, flower petals, or cut vegetables are great for toddlers. These activities enhance creativity, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration. Child-safe paints and embellishments encourage self-expression. Crafts also foster focus and patience while giving toddlers a chance to explore textures, colors, and shapes in a fun way.
Q. How do fun indoor activities help a toddler’s development?
Ans.Fun indoor activities support cognitive, emotional, and physical development. Activities like puzzles, crafts, and cooking promote problem-solving, creativity, and fine motor skills. They encourage social interaction, build confidence, and provide learning opportunities disguised as play. Especially during limited outdoor time, these activities ensure continuous mental stimulation and healthy emotional well-being.
Q. How often should toddlers engage in indoor activities?
Ans.Toddlers should have short, regular sessions daily—about 20 to 30 minutes per activity, multiple times a day. Mixing activities like crafts, cooking, or puzzles prevents boredom. Consistent engagement helps build positive learning habits while balancing rest. Varying activities keeps toddlers interested and ensures their physical, cognitive, and social development remains on track.
Q. Can parents participate in indoor activities with toddlers?
Ans.Yes, parental involvement enhances fun and learning. Parents can help build pillow forts, cook meals, or guide crafts. Their presence supports skill development, provides encouragement, and strengthens the parent-child bond. Interactive activities teach toddlers cooperation, communication, and confidence, making them feel valued and motivated while enjoying family time together.
Q. How to ensure safety during indoor activities for toddlers?
Ans.Always use child-safe materials like non-toxic paints, blunt scissors, and sturdy toys. Supervise activities like cooking or crafts to prevent accidents. Ensure small objects are age-appropriate to avoid choking hazards. Organize activities in safe, clutter-free areas, giving toddlers enough space to move. Safety precautions create a worry-free, enjoyable learning environment.
