Everyday helper activities

Toddlers are happiest when they are genuinely useful, and the everyday jobs of a house are full of chances to let them be. Carrying the cutlery to the table, sorting socks into pairs, wiping the table with a cloth, watering a plant with a small cup. None of it is pretend. These activities take real chores and break them into steps a one or two year old can actually manage, with a note on what they are learning as they go, which is usually more than it looks. They also buy you the ten minutes you need to get the pasta on.

28 activities

Put Toys in the Bin illustration Put Toys in the Bin from 14 months · 5-10 min Unpack The Shopping illustration Unpack The Shopping from 14 months · 10-15 min Wipe the Highchair illustration Wipe the Highchair from 14 months · 5-10 min Wipe The Mirror illustration Wipe The Mirror from 14 months · 5 min Carry The Cutlery illustration Carry The Cutlery from 16 months · 5-10 min Carry the Mail illustration Carry the Mail from 16 months · 5-10 min Dust The Shelf illustration Dust The Shelf from 16 months · 5 min Fill the Pet Bowl illustration Fill the Pet Bowl from 16 months · 5 min Water Bottle Fill Help illustration Water Bottle Fill Help from 16 months · 5-10 min Wipe The Table illustration Wipe The Table from 16 months · 5-10 min Brush the Pet illustration Brush the Pet from 18 months · 5-10 min Fold the Washcloths illustration Fold the Washcloths from 18 months · 5-10 min Hang Coat on Hook illustration Hang Coat on Hook from 18 months · 5 min Put Shoes on the Mat illustration Put Shoes on the Mat from 18 months · 5-10 min Recycling Sort Bin illustration Recycling Sort Bin from 18 months · 10-15 min Sweep The Crumbs illustration Sweep The Crumbs from 18 months · 5-10 min Water The Plant illustration Water The Plant from 18 months · 5 min Set the Napkins illustration Set the Napkins from 20 months · 5-10 min Sock Pairing Basket illustration Sock Pairing Basket from 20 months · 5-10 min Laundry Sorting Pile illustration Laundry Sorting Pile from 22 months · 5-10 min Feed The Pet illustration Feed The Pet from 24 months · 5-10 min Put Toys To Bed illustration Put Toys To Bed from 24 months · 5-10 min Set Two Places illustration Set Two Places from 24 months · 5-10 min Water The Plants illustration Water The Plants from 24 months · 5-10 min Empty The Bin illustration Empty The Bin from 26 months · 5-10 min Match The Socks illustration Match The Socks from 26 months · 5-10 min Sort The Laundry illustration Sort The Laundry from 26 months · 5-10 min Spread The Butter illustration Spread The Butter from 26 months · 5-10 min

Other types of play

Sensory activities for toddlers · Fine motor activities for toddlers · Gross motor activities for toddlers · Quiet & calm activities for toddlers · All activities