Things to do with your child

For the day in front of you

Something to do, without planning a whole day.

Pick the age, the weather, and the time you have. Get a few ideas you can actually start.

Start with what’s true today

There are 24 ideas in this first version. Change the age, place, or time and the list narrows to activities written for that age group.

Your short list

3 of 24 ideas · Toddler · Inside · About 30 minutes

  1. 01
    10–30 minutes · indoors

    Painter’s-tape roads

    Make a few roads across the floor with tape. Add cars, blocks, or stuffed animals and let the route change as the game goes.

    Good fit
  2. 02
    10–30 minutes · indoors

    Snack-color sort

    Sort a few snack pieces by color or shape before eating them. Let the categories get silly and change halfway through.

  3. 03
    10–30 minutes · indoors

    Muffin-tin market

    Set out a muffin tin and a few large blocks or toy foods. Name each pretend order, then let your toddler run the shop.

Good ideas are usually small

Most of these use things already in the house or on a short walk. Stop when it stops being fun; there is no finish line.

Use what’s nearby

Paper, tape, a box, a spoon, or a sidewalk can carry more of the afternoon than another toy.

Let the plan bend

The best version may last five minutes, move outside, or turn into something nobody expected.

Keep the grown-up part light

Set out one or two things, then leave room for the child to take it somewhere else.