Looking for some baby and toddler activities that are…free? Aren’t we all! Kids seem to go through an activity in less time than it takes to set it up. So I’ve got some fun things that you can do with them that won’t break the bank!

Free? That’s my favourite word! I love it when there are activities that are free. Childhood should be about exploring the big wide world, and not making parents spend an arm and a leg to do it.

That being said, I’m sure your house is littered with toys, cheap toys, expensive toys, toys that were given to you, hand-me-downs from older cousins or friends…so many toys. And your child has played with them all. Somehow it isn’t enough and they need something else to do.

Motherhood is about loving your kids but there’s also an element of keeping your kids entertained. I try to limit screen time, so I’m always looking for creative things that will keep my kids busy.

I don’t want to go out and buy more toys, so I need some things that are free.

There’s a good chance that your home has plenty of things that can entertain your baby and toddler (and older child), without costing a cent! These are my top 10 free activities!

Baby and Toddler Activities That Are Free

1. Laundry Basket

Actually boxes in general. Plastic ones, hampers, cardboard boxes, small, big…you name it, there’s a use. E pushes our plastic laundry basket around, like a push toy. It’s one of his favourite pastimes. I should add he yells at the top of his lungs and then chases the dog, but it keeps him busy!

2. Kitchen Utensils

Get a bucket or bag and load it up with kitchen utensils. Spatulas, whisks, plastic spoons, measuring cups. Your child will enjoy pulling them out of the bag and exploring with them.

As they get older you can play kitchen using your wooden spoons and flippers. You don’t need plastic food, you can pretend your blocks are sandwiches or carrots! In imagination land, anything goes!

3. Empty Reusable Water Bottles

E loves to twist lids on and off of things. So I give him a plastic water bottle (the bottles from the Soda Stream are the best). He twists them on and off. You may have to start the lid for them if they are on tight but once they get it going they’ll be able to get it off.

Plastic disposable water bottles are also extremely fun and I have no idea why! Twist that lid on tight and let your kid crinkle that thing until you can’t stand the noise anymore (lol).

4. Toilet Paper/Paper Towel Rolls

Is it a tube? Is it a stick? Will it magnify your voice? Can you see when you look through it? You better try it all! And when your child is done with it they will enjoy putting it in the recycling bin!

5. Blankets & Pillows

Throw them on the floor, the more the merrier! Lay in the blankets, wrap your child up in them, play peekaboo with them. Lay out any other toys you have and pretend they are sleeping. It’s great because it gives you a chance to lay down for a few minutes!

6. Sticks & Rocks

Never underestimate the power of a good stick or rock or pine cone or leaf. Let your child dig with them, step on them, crinkle them in their hands. Don’t be afraid to let their hands get dirty, they’ll love it!

7. Water (With Bubbles!)

Fill up your sink with water and bubbles and pull up a chair for your child to stand on. Or put towels on the floor and set down a bucket of water. Throw in measuring cups and plastic spoons. This works well for babies who can sit unsupported when you need a few minutes to finish cooking!

8. Cupboards

If you have the space, set up a cupboard to be “kid friendly”. Put plastic containers, boxes of snacks, unopened condiments etc. Things that are fairly baby safe and let your child go through it. It’ll require reorganizing later but it might let you finish washing those dishes!

9. Putting Toys Away for a Few Days

There’s nothing like a new toy. Better yet, an old favourite that hasn’t been seen in a few days! Put a few toys away in a closet and take them out when your kids need something “new” to do.

10. Singing & Dancing

Put the radio on or sing a song yourself. There are plenty of songs that have actions, “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Head & Shoulders,” “Running Over” and so on. Bust a move and help teach coordination!

11. Acting Out Stories

E & B love to do actions along with a story. In the “3 Little Pigs” we blow on each other when the wolf blows the house down. We make noises for vehicles or animals as we see them. If a character knocks on a door, so do we.

And now that E is older we act out Bible stories together. We build Noah’s ark with couch cushions, add our stuffed animals and go through the story. We build the Wall of Jericho with boxes, walk around it 7 times, yell and knock it down. It’s a great way to get them moving and learning stories!

12. Get Their Bodies Moving

Check out my post about pretending to be food to get their bodies moving!

13. Hidden Objects

This works for older children, it can work for toddlers although you will have to make it obvious. For older kids, hide an object, something they wouldn’t normally find in their play area (a certain coloured spoon or maybe their snack) and let them go find it. For younger kids put the object in an open space or a well loved toy for them to “find.”

It’s like an Easter egg hunt for any time of the year!

14. Photo Albums

Kids love to look at pictures of people they recognize. It’s even better if there are pictures of themselves in there! Get those pictures out and talk about your life, their life and the life of their loved ones.

15. Ball Toss

This works better with older toddlers. Put some buckets or baskets out and have your toddler toss balls into them. You also can lay the baskets on their sides and roll the balls in (if you don’t want balls being thrown in the house).

More Activities That Are Almost Free

Wait, there’s more! Here are more activities that are almost free. They may require a trip to your local dollar store or grocery store to pick up supplies but it won’t max out your credit card!

Sticky Notes – stick them around the house and let you child pull them off. So fun!

Pudding/Jello Play – make according to directions, put into a container, give your child some utensils and let them dig in!

Dried Beans in a Ziplock Bag or Container – I don’t know why E loved beans in a plastic container. It sounds just like a toy rattle but he thought it was way more fun! If you use a ziplock bag I recommend taping the edges to prevent it opening.

Once they are old enough to not put everything in their mouth, you can let them use the beans as a sensory play in a bin!

Straws/Pipe Cleaners/Dowels in the Hole – E loves fitting things into holes. So I took a box, punched different sized holes in it and gave him objects to fit into them. He loved it!

Play Dough – always a hit. You can make it yourself and it’s so easy.

Rice Krispies/Dry Oatmeal Sensory Play – just pour some into a big container, give them a cup and spoon and let them play. I will warn you that this will go all over your floor but it vacuums up easily!

Shaving Cream Sensory Activity – get some cheap shaving cream and put it in a bin for kids to play with. It’s messy but at least its clean!

Get Creative

Hopefully some of these ideas can get your creative juices flowing! Remember you don’t always have to spend money to keep your kids entertained, there’s plenty to do in your own house! Have fun!