10 Affordable Toddler Activities To Keep Your Little Ones Entertained

Aug 30, 2023

Confession: I've been searching for affordable toddler activities that can hold my toddler's ever changing attention. The more developmental milestones he reaches, the more I've seen his curiosity peak — and it's great! The only issue is trying to manage it while I work from home. Instead of trying to swim against the down current of motherhood and work, I've decided to encourage his curiosity by creating space for unlimited playtime.

One thing I know is that kids need the freedom and space to play. Come to think of it, so do adults. It's invaluable to put a smile on toddlers' faces and nurture one's inner child. Because it took hitting a wall for me to learn this, I'm sharing 10 affordable toddler activities I know work like a charm!

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Picnic In The Park

9 times out of 10 your toddler has two essentials — snacks and outside time. Instead of wondering where you can take them on any given day, combine their two loves by having a picnic at your local park. Aside from your picnic budget, this is one of those priceless toddler activities that doesn't require you to break the bank.

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Weekend Trip To The Library

If you're a part of a book club then you know how special a person's relationship with books can be. Taking your toddler to the library is one way to continue this tradition and they'll be able to participate different activities that your local branch has throughout the month.

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Story Time At Home

After your fun library trip, snuggle up with your little ones during the week to read their book finds. They'll enjoy listening to you change your voice for different characters in the book and may even want to read aloud with you.

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Arts & Crafts At Home

One thing I've noticed about my toddler is his love for "water play," painting, and drawing. There were a few incidents where he drew on the wall, but I had remind myself he wasn't trying to be malicious — just curious.

To help redirect his mini Picasso dreams, I invested in a coloring books and markers so he can draw as much as he pleases. I also draw alongside him and we talk about what's in our drawings. It's such a fun bonding activity.

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Baking Fun

This activity may get a little messy, but don't let it deter you from letting your toddler get involved in baking. This is a great way to show them the fruits of their labor, with a little treat at the end that they can proudly say they made!

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Free Play Involving Their Favorite Toys

One of my favorite toddler activities involves free play. I'm not sure when it happens but toddlers reach a point where they become fixated on certain toys. In my household, cars and dinosaurs rule above everything else. It's to the point where we have to watch the Jurassic Park series while playing with his T-Rex and Spinosaurus toys.

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"Shopping" In Mommy's Closet

I can hear the collective sigh while looking at this picture, but hear me out! As a former toddler who used to love raiding her mom's closet to put together an outfit that made her smile, this a toddler activity worth making space for. Not only does it give them a task to focus on, but it also helps them develop their personal style, hopefully making morning routines much easier down the line.

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Skating

Your little one will be considered a toddler until they're four years old, so it's not far-fetched to get them their first pair of skates when they're around three and walking around more steadily. The good thing about them is that they usually come with training wheels to help guide your toddler's feet.

They'll love feeling like a big kid as you help them glide down the sidewalk in your neighborhood.

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Beach or Pool Visits

Another fun toddler activity is a visit to the beach or pool. They'll love the feel of the water against their legs and will enjoying digging for "treasure." It likely goes without saying, but be sure to always monitor your little one in and around water!

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Bubble Machine Fun

Has anyone figured out why bubbles are so much fun? Whether there's a real answer or not, it's a classic way to incite endless giggles from your toddler. In the words of my grandmother, their "tickle box" will turn over countless times.

Which toddler activity do you think you'll try this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

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20 Mom Quotes To Make You Laugh & Remind You That You're A Good Mom

Feeling guilty for not being perfect when raising kids can feel like a never-ending cycle, so we found 20 mom quotes to remind you that you're doing a good job. It doesn't matter if you're comparing yourself to a mom on social media or berating yourself for losing your temper when your kids didn't listen. Sometimes you need a reminder that you are the best mom for your kids. Also, we're going to take a wild guess and assume that you have a habit of forgetting your needs — from the basic ones to your mental health.

Have no fear — or worry — because you'll feel inspired to record voice notes that include these 20 mom quotes!

So much of motherhood revolves around the sacrifice moms make for their children, but it's okay to take care of yourself too!

You are doing an amazing job mom.

Let your love for your kids help get you through tough days.

You can still enjoy being a mom even when you experience bad days.

Sometimes becoming a mother makes you realize you're capable of more than you thought.

This is one of the best mom quotes we've discovered!

Even though other moms may criticize each other, you don't have to let that dictate how you feel about raising your kids.

Children have a way of bringing out the best in your heart.

Whatever you're teaching your kids will stick with them even when it seems like they're not listening.

You're doing great mama!

We have one word to say about this — true!

Mom quotes aren't always serious; similar to motherhood.

You may not feel like you're on top of the world everyday, but you're doing something great by being active in your kids' lives.

You may be a mother, but you're not just a mother.

Leave your need to be perfect behind. Your kids need your effort and love more than that.

Theres a reason why moms are often referred to as 'mama bears.'

You may think being a mother is your greatest role to date, but making sure you're not stretched thing is just as important!

This sounds about right to us!

Showing your kids that it's okay to be independent and dance to the beat of their own drums has a lasting impacting.

Give yourself a break for trying to do everything at the same time. You're only one person mama.

Our Favorite Mom Quotes To Encourage You

"I want them to see a mother who loves them dearly, who invests in them, but who also invests in herself. It's just as much about letting them know as young women that it is okay to put yourself a little higher on your priority list." — Michelle Obama
"I see you, mom. I see what you are doing for these kids and how you keep them together. I give you respect, because nobody is going to give you praise for doing what Black women have done forever, raising kids who are not their own." — Gabrielle Union
"Family is at the root of everything that I do and it's also at the root of everything that I create." — Blake Lively
"I'm having more fun being a mum than I've ever had. Everything about it is interesting and exciting and inspiring to me. Even the tough days — there's something delightful about them." — Rachel McAdams
"Something cracked open inside of me right after giving birth to my first daughter. From that point on, I truly understood my power, and motherhood has been my biggest inspiration." — Beyoncé
"I will tell you what I can't abide — and I think the internet has really created a space for it — women criticizing other women and mothers criticizing other mothers." — Jennifer Garner
"Little souls find their way to you whether they're from your womb or someone else's." — Sheryl Crow
"I tell my daughter every morning, 'Now, what are the two most important parts of you?' And she says, 'My head and my heart.' Because that's what I've learned in the foxhole: what gets you through life is strength of character and strength of character and strength of spirit and love." — Viola Davis
"Becoming a mother has made me next-level confident. I've never felt more empowered." — Kelly Clarkson
"Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer, overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It's full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together." — Kate Middleton
"The interesting thing about being a mother is that everyone wants pets, but no one but me cleans the kitty litter." — Meryl Streep
"When you become a mom, there's something that just happens where you feel like you can take on the world and do anything." — Rihanna
"Be a full person. Motherhood is a glorious gift, but do not define yourself solely by motherhood. Be a full person. Your child will benefit from that." — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
"You're always going to wonder if you're doing things wrong, but that's what it means to be a mom, to care so much about someone else that you just want to be perfect as possible." — Naya Rivera
"I like to think of motherhood as a great big adventure. You set off on a journey, you don't really know how to navigate things, and you don't exactly know where you're going or how you're going to get there." — Cynthia Rowley
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." — Agatha Christie
"It's the best acting of my life right here, the well-rested woman. It's my finest role." — Kerry Washington
"A warrior believes in an end she can't see and fights for it. A warrior never gives up. A warrior fights for those weaker than herself. It sounds like motherhood to me." — Kristin Hannah
"I often tell my daughters that the most important thing they can do is to develop their minds. You can always put on a pretty dress, but it doesn't matter what you wear on the outside if your mind isn't strong. There is nothing more attractive — you might even say enchanting — than a woman with an independent will and her own opinions." — Angelina Jolie
"You have suffered enough. That became my mantra for motherhood from there on out. You have suffered enough. If you can make it easier, make it easier, and don't feel guilty about it." — Ali Wong

Mommy guilt is real, but just hang in there and remind yourself of these 20 mom quotes whenever you need a remind that you're doing the best you can!

Be sure to check out our list of parenting quotes for even more reminders that you're on the right track!

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Nicole Kidman Is Officially Back For "Nine Perfect Strangers" Season 2

There's something appealing about an anthology show. You know, the ones where we get a new cast every season but the location or the themes remain the same (hello White Lotus and American Horror Story!). Your next TV show obsession is right around the corner because Hulu just announced the full lead cast for Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 and it's literally almost too good to be true. Keep reading for everything you need to know!