Screen-Free Toddler Activities
Are you sick & tired of having to put your toddler in front of a screen just to get a little peace and quiet to yourself? You’re not alone. Sometimes the screen is the ONLY thing that gives me just a little bit of me time.
Which is why I have decided we’re going to do our best to cut out screen time this holiday season. Screen time usually does more harm than good in the long run (at least with my child) so I’m on a mission to have an activity planned out in advance each day for when I would normally give her screen time. I hope this helps you too!
Here’s a fun little calendar of activities that can be done independently or together with your little. Enjoy the mess. Enjoy the laughter. Enjoy the time together this Christmas season. If you do any of these & share on social media, please tag me! I would love to see how you and your little make the most of screen-free time!
INDOOR SNOWBALL TOSS: Use soft cotton balls or white socks to throw into buckets or baskets.
SNOWFLAKE CUTTING: Fold & cut paper and let your little decorate (& help with cutting if old enough).
“SNOW” DOUGH SENSORY PLAY: Make "snow" by mixing cornstarch & conditioner.
WINTER SCAVENGER HUNT: Make a checklist of winter-themed or Christmas-themed items to find around the house or outside.
FROZEN TOY RESCUE: Freeze small toys in water and let your toddler try to free them with warm water.
PRETEND ICE SKATING: Slide around on paper plates or small mats on a smooth surface.
WINTER WONDERLAND SENSORY BIN: Fill a bin with white rice, small animals, and trees. The Dollar Tree or Hobby Lobby is great for filling sensory bins.
HANDPRINT CHRISTMAS TREE: Use green handprints to make a Christmas tree on paper.
CHRISTMAS POM-POM SORTING: Use red, green, and white pom-poms to sort by color.
SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS: Make salt dough, cut out shapes, bake, and paint them.
DECORATE A FELT CHRISTMAS TREE: Make a felt tree on the wall, then add felt ornaments for your toddler to “decorate.” This is a great “pre-made” option on Amazon.
DIY SNOW GLOBE: Create a simple snow globe with a clear plastic bottle or the empty ones at the Dollar Tree, water, and glitter.
COUNTING DOWN TO CHRISTMAS PAPER CHAIN: Re-live your childhood with this one.
CANDY CANE SCENTED RICE SENSORY BIN: Make red-and-white dyed rice and add peppermint extract.
FINGERPRINT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Use fingerprints and paint to create a string of lights on paper.
DIY REINDEER ANTLERS: Cut out and decorate reindeer antlers, then tape them to a headband.
GINGERBREAD PLAYDOUGH: Make gingerbread-scented playdough and cut out Christmas shapes.
PAPER PLATE SANTA: Use cotton balls, paper, and markers to make Santa faces.
PINECONE ORNAMENT DECORATING: Collect pinecones and decorate them with glitter or paint.
SORTING ORNAMENTS BY COLOR: Let your toddler practice sorting ornaments by color with the shatter-proof ornaments, of course.
CHRISTMAS COOKIE DECORATING: Just be sure to get dye-free food coloring & thank me later.
DIY SNOWMAN CRAFT: Use cotton balls, felt, and googly eyes to make little snowmen on cardboard.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING: Grab your favorite Gingerbread house it and make a family event of it.
MAKE REINDEER FOOD: In a medium bowl, mix together 1 cup uncooked rolled oats, 2-6 tablespoons red-colored sugar, and 2 to 6 tablespoons green-colored sugar until well incorporated. The recipe is from The Spruce Eats blog.
