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.

182 activities

A Different Brush illustration A Different Brush from 12 months · 5 min A Few at a Time illustration A Few at a Time from 12 months · 5-10 min Brushing in the Mirror illustration Brushing in the Mirror from 12 months · 5 min Copy My Sip illustration Copy My Sip from 12 months · 5 min Cushions Back on the Sofa illustration Cushions Back on the Sofa from 12 months · 5-10 min Empty the Washing Machine illustration Empty the Washing Machine from 12 months · 20-30 min First Sips Together illustration First Sips Together from 12 months · 5-10 min Just Out of Reach illustration Just Out of Reach from 12 months · 5-10 min Loaded Spoon, Handed Over illustration Loaded Spoon, Handed Over from 12 months · 10-15 min Peekaboo Sleeves illustration Peekaboo Sleeves from 12 months · 5 min Shoes by the Door illustration Shoes by the Door from 12 months · 5-10 min Sock Duster illustration Sock Duster from 12 months · 15-25 min Sock Tunnel illustration Sock Tunnel from 12 months · 5 min Soft Veg Sticks illustration Soft Veg Sticks from 12 months · 10-15 min Sweep Beside Me illustration Sweep Beside Me from 12 months · 5-10 min The Two-Minute Song illustration The Two-Minute Song from 12 months · 5 min Thicker Sips illustration Thicker Sips from 12 months · 5-10 min Toast Finger Snack illustration Toast Finger Snack from 12 months · 5-10 min Two Brushes illustration Two Brushes from 12 months · 5 min Two-Handed Cup Hold illustration Two-Handed Cup Hold from 12 months · 5-10 min Which One? illustration Which One? from 12 months · 5 min Carry The Toolbag illustration Carry The Toolbag from 13 months · 20-35 min Barefoot When We Get In illustration Barefoot When We Get In from 14 months · 5-10 min Cheers! illustration Cheers! from 14 months · 5 min Count The Socks In illustration Count The Socks In from 14 months · 5-10 min Cup on the Table illustration Cup on the Table from 14 months · 5-10 min Dinner Together illustration Dinner Together from 14 months · 20-30 min Feet Flat, Then Scoop illustration Feet Flat, Then Scoop from 14 months · 10-15 min Hands on Hands illustration Hands on Hands from 14 months · 5 min Help at the Elbow illustration Help at the Elbow from 14 months · 10-15 min Pick Your Brush illustration Pick Your Brush from 14 months · 5 min Picnic Blanket Sips illustration Picnic Blanket Sips from 14 months · 20-30 min Put Toys in the Bin illustration Put Toys in the Bin from 14 months · 5-10 min Sit on the Bottom Step illustration Sit on the Bottom Step from 14 months · 5-10 min Special Delivery illustration Special Delivery from 14 months · 5 min Sticky Foods First illustration Sticky Foods First from 14 months · 10-15 min Top Ones, Bottom Ones illustration Top Ones, Bottom Ones from 14 months · 5 min Two Spoons at Breakfast illustration Two Spoons at Breakfast from 14 months · 10-15 min Unpack The Shopping illustration Unpack The Shopping from 14 months · 20-30 min Watch Me Do Mine illustration Watch Me Do Mine from 14 months · 5 min Wellies On illustration Wellies On from 14 months · 5 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 You Pull the Last Bit illustration You Pull the Last Bit from 14 months · 5 min Garden Watering Round illustration Garden Watering Round from 15 months · 20-40 min Shopping Into the Cupboard illustration Shopping Into the Cupboard from 15 months · 5-10 min Sock, Shoe, Coat illustration Sock, Shoe, Coat from 15 months · 5 min A Short Goodbye illustration A Short Goodbye from 16 months · 5 min Before We Eat illustration Before We Eat from 16 months · 5 min Big Sock, Little Sock illustration Big Sock, Little Sock from 16 months · 5 min Car Goes Home illustration Car Goes Home from 16 months · 5-10 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 Dry Them Properly illustration Dry Them Properly from 16 months · 5 min Dust The Shelf illustration Dust The Shelf from 16 months · 5 min Muddy Hands illustration Muddy Hands from 16 months · 5-10 min My Turn, Your Teeth illustration My Turn, Your Teeth from 16 months · 5 min One Shoe, Then the Other illustration One Shoe, Then the Other from 16 months · 5 min Rub With Me illustration Rub With Me from 16 months · 5 min Shoes Off at the Door illustration Shoes Off at the Door from 16 months · 5-10 min The Bowl That Stays Put illustration The Bowl That Stays Put from 16 months · 10-15 min Toy Tidy Scoop illustration Toy Tidy Scoop from 16 months · 5-10 min Twenty Seconds of Soap illustration Twenty Seconds of Soap from 16 months · 5 min Up on the Step illustration Up on the Step from 16 months · 5 min Water Bottle Fill Help illustration Water Bottle Fill Help from 16 months · 5-10 min Who's at the Door? illustration Who's at the Door? from 16 months · 5-10 min Wipe The Table illustration Wipe The Table from 16 months · 20-30 min Backs and Fronts illustration Backs and Fronts from 18 months · 5 min Brush the Pet illustration Brush the Pet from 18 months · 5-10 min Fetch Your Shoes illustration Fetch Your Shoes from 18 months · 5 min Fold the Washcloths illustration Fold the Washcloths from 18 months · 20-30 min From Mash to Chunky illustration From Mash to Chunky from 18 months · 10-15 min Hang Coat on Hook illustration Hang Coat on Hook from 18 months · 5 min Here's Your… illustration Here's Your… from 18 months · 5 min Milk or Water? illustration Milk or Water? from 18 months · 5 min Pass the Banana illustration Pass the Banana from 18 months · 5-10 min Put Shoes by the Door illustration Put Shoes by the Door from 18 months · 5-10 min Recycling Sort Bin illustration Recycling Sort Bin from 18 months · 20-35 min Sweep The Crumbs illustration Sweep The Crumbs from 18 months · 25-40 min Water The Plant illustration Water The Plant from 18 months · 5 min All Gone illustration All Gone from 20 months · 5 min Backpack Treasure Carry illustration Backpack Treasure Carry from 20 months · 10-15 min Bottle Car Wash illustration Bottle Car Wash from 20 months · 30-45 min Bye-Bye Everything illustration Bye-Bye Everything from 20 months · 5 min Coat Off, Light Off illustration Coat Off, Light Off from 20 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 · 20-30 min Wash Your Toes illustration Wash Your Toes from 20 months · 10-15 min A Napkin Each illustration A Napkin Each from 22 months · 5 min Clear Your Plate illustration Clear Your Plate from 22 months · 5 min Coat by the Door illustration Coat by the Door from 22 months · 5 min Cup to the Table illustration Cup to the Table from 22 months · 5 min Fetch the Towel illustration Fetch the Towel from 22 months · 5 min Laundry Sorting Pile illustration Laundry Sorting Pile from 22 months · 20-35 min Socks, Then Shoes illustration Socks, Then Shoes from 22 months · 5 min Spoon to Me illustration Spoon to Me from 22 months · 5-10 min The Same Job Each Night illustration The Same Job Each Night from 22 months · 5 min Toy in the Box illustration Toy in the Box from 22 months · 5-10 min Where Does It Go? illustration Where Does It Go? from 22 months · 10-15 min Whose Sock Is That? illustration Whose Sock Is That? from 22 months · 10-15 min Your Own Cup illustration Your Own Cup from 22 months · 5 min Your Plate to Your Place illustration Your Plate to Your Place from 22 months · 5 min A Mat for Each Chair illustration A Mat for Each Chair from 24 months · 5-10 min A Spoon for Everyone illustration A Spoon for Everyone from 24 months · 5-10 min Big And Small Tidy illustration Big And Small Tidy from 24 months · 5-10 min Feed The Pet illustration Feed The Pet from 24 months · 5-10 min Flatten the Boxes illustration Flatten the Boxes from 24 months · 10-15 min From the Next Room illustration From the Next Room from 24 months · 5 min Laundry Finder illustration Laundry Finder from 24 months · 5-10 min Monster Teeth Brushing illustration Monster Teeth Brushing from 24 months · 10-15 min Pick A Colour Outfit illustration Pick A Colour Outfit from 24 months · 5-10 min Pick a Fruit and Bring It illustration Pick a Fruit and Bring It from 24 months · 5 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 · 20-35 min Shape Sandwiches illustration Shape Sandwiches from 24 months · 10-15 min Sort the Recycling illustration Sort the Recycling from 24 months · 30-45 min Spoons in a Basket illustration Spoons in a Basket from 24 months · 5-10 min Water The Plants illustration Water The Plants from 24 months · 5-10 min Whose Big Shoes? illustration Whose Big Shoes? from 24 months · 5-10 min Whose Place Is This? illustration Whose Place Is This? from 24 months · 5-10 min Witch's Soup illustration Witch's Soup from 24 months · 10-15 min Big Button Practice illustration Big Button Practice from 26 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 · 20-35 min Pumpkin Spice Café illustration Pumpkin Spice Café from 26 months · 20-30 min Put Them Back illustration Put Them Back from 26 months · 5-10 min Sort The Laundry illustration Sort The Laundry from 26 months · 20-40 min Spread The Butter illustration Spread The Butter from 26 months · 5-10 min All By Myself Wash illustration All By Myself Wash from 28 months · 5 min Snack Time Pourer illustration Snack Time Pourer from 28 months · 5 min Spit, Don't Rinse illustration Spit, Don't Rinse from 28 months · 5 min Washing Dolly's Hands illustration Washing Dolly's Hands from 28 months · 10-15 min Coat On at the Park illustration Coat On at the Park from 30 months · 5 min Dressing-Up Shirt illustration Dressing-Up Shirt from 30 months · 10-15 min How Many Are Eating? illustration How Many Are Eating? from 30 months · 5 min Smoothie Helper illustration Smoothie Helper from 30 months · 10-15 min Sticker Shoe Pairs illustration Sticker Shoe Pairs from 30 months · 5 min Sweep the Path illustration Sweep the Path from 30 months · 10-15 min The Coat Flip illustration The Coat Flip from 30 months · 5 min Who Does This Job? illustration Who Does This Job? from 30 months · 5-10 min Banana Slices to Share illustration Banana Slices to Share from 36 months · 10-15 min Bike and Scooter Wash illustration Bike and Scooter Wash from 36 months · 30-40 min Breakfast Bowl Builder illustration Breakfast Bowl Builder from 36 months · 10-15 min Cheesy Scone Bake illustration Cheesy Scone Bake from 36 months · 30-45 min Clothes in a Line illustration Clothes in a Line from 36 months · 10-15 min Cress Head Pots illustration Cress Head Pots from 36 months · 30-40 min Cutlery Drawer Sort illustration Cutlery Drawer Sort from 36 months · 5-10 min Dolls' Clothes Wash illustration Dolls' Clothes Wash from 36 months · 10-15 min Dress for the Weather illustration Dress for the Weather from 36 months · 10-15 min Fairy Cake Bake illustration Fairy Cake Bake from 36 months · 30-45 min Fill the Bird Feeder illustration Fill the Bird Feeder from 36 months · 10-15 min Fill to the Line illustration Fill to the Line from 36 months · 5-10 min Fold a Napkin Each illustration Fold a Napkin Each from 36 months · 5-10 min Lay the Table illustration Lay the Table from 36 months · 10-15 min Lemonade Stall illustration Lemonade Stall from 36 months · 30-45 min Make Your Bed illustration Make Your Bed from 36 months · 5-10 min Make Your Own Sandwich illustration Make Your Own Sandwich from 36 months · 10-15 min My Own Bath Wash illustration My Own Bath Wash from 36 months · 5-10 min Pack a Picnic Box illustration Pack a Picnic Box from 36 months · 10-15 min Pack Your Own Bag illustration Pack Your Own Bag from 36 months · 5-10 min Pick the Fruit at the Shop illustration Pick the Fruit at the Shop from 36 months · 10-15 min Pick Your Snack illustration Pick Your Snack from 36 months · 5-10 min Plant Spring Bulbs illustration Plant Spring Bulbs from 36 months · 30-40 min Pull the Weeds illustration Pull the Weeds from 36 months · 15-20 min Put the Shopping Away illustration Put the Shopping Away from 36 months · 10-15 min Rake the Leaves illustration Rake the Leaves from 36 months · 30-40 min Recycling Sorter illustration Recycling Sorter from 36 months · 10-15 min Serving Spoon Helper illustration Serving Spoon Helper from 36 months · 5-10 min Shine the Windows illustration Shine the Windows from 36 months · 10-15 min Tear the Salad Leaves illustration Tear the Salad Leaves from 36 months · 10-15 min Thirsty Plant Check illustration Thirsty Plant Check from 36 months · 10-15 min Toy Mending Day illustration Toy Mending Day from 36 months · 30-40 min Wash the Plastic Plates illustration Wash the Plastic Plates from 36 months · 10-15 min Washing Day Helper illustration Washing Day Helper from 36 months · 30-40 min Welly Boot Scrub illustration Welly Boot Scrub from 36 months · 10-15 min Whose Coat Fits? illustration Whose Coat Fits? from 36 months · 5-10 min Winter Hat and Gloves illustration Winter Hat and Gloves from 36 months · 5-10 min Zip Up the Coat illustration Zip Up the Coat from 36 months · 5-10 min Family Jobs Chart illustration Family Jobs Chart from 38 months · 10-15 min Picture Shopping List illustration Picture Shopping List from 38 months · 30-40 min Share It Out illustration Share It Out from 38 months · 5-10 min Toy Box Labels illustration Toy Box Labels from 40 months · 10-15 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