Looking for things to do with your toddler in Laurel, MD? The best toddler activities are simple, hands-on and a little bit messy. Below are 10 easy activities you can set up at home with things you already have, followed by toddler-friendly places to explore in and around Laurel when you need to get out of the house.
Toddlers learn by doing. Every one of these activities builds a skill, whether that is balance, hand strength, counting, colors or early language, while keeping little hands busy.
10 easy toddler activities to do at home
1. Bottle bowling
Line up empty plastic water bottles and let your toddler knock them down with a soft ball. For older toddlers, number the bottles and count how many fall. Builds: coordination and early counting.
2. The floor is lava
Tape squares of colored paper or cardboard to the floor a short step apart and have your toddler jump or step from one “safe” square to the next. Call out colors to make it a game. Builds: balance, gross motor skills and color recognition.
3. Finger painting
Set out a few colors of washable paint and a big sheet of paper and let your toddler explore with their hands. Tape it to the table to keep it in place. Builds: sensory exploration, creativity and color names.
4. Bubble wrap popping
Tape a sheet of bubble wrap to the floor and let your toddler stomp, press and pinch the bubbles. Builds: finger strength and the pincer grasp they will later use for holding crayons.
5. Walk the line
Use painter’s tape to make a straight, zigzag or curvy line on the floor and challenge your toddler to walk along it, forwards, sideways or on tiptoes. Builds: balance and body awareness.
6. Box tower demolition
Collect clean cereal boxes, cartons and paper towel tubes. Build a tower together, then let your toddler knock it down. Builds: stacking skills, cause and effect, and turn-taking.
7. Shape matching
Cut circles, squares and triangles out of cardboard and trace the same shapes on a large sheet. Your toddler matches each cut-out to its outline. Builds: shape recognition and problem solving.
8. Sensory bin treasure hunt
Fill a bin with dry rice, oats or sand and bury a few favorite small toys for your toddler to dig out. Always supervise closely and use items too large to be a choking hazard. Builds: fine motor skills and focus.
9. Alphabet fishing
Float large plastic letters in a shallow tub of water and let your toddler scoop them out with a kitchen strainer. Name each letter as it comes out. Builds: hand-eye coordination and letter awareness.
10. Dance party freeze
Put on music your toddler loves, dance together, and freeze whenever the music stops. Builds: listening skills, self-control and coordination, and it burns off energy on rainy days.
Toddler-friendly places in and around Laurel, MD
When you need a change of scenery, these local spots are popular with families of little ones. Hours and programs change, so check each one’s website before you go.
- Laurel Branch Library (Prince George’s County Memorial Library System): free storytimes for young children with books, songs and fingerplays, plus a children’s area to explore.
- Granville Gude Park: a lakeside park in Laurel with paths for walks and wagon rides and space for little ones to run.
- Patuxent Research Refuge, National Wildlife Visitor Center: a free nature center in Laurel with exhibits and easy trails, great for animal-loving toddlers.
- Fairland Regional Park: a large park near Laurel and Burtonsville with playgrounds and open fields.
- Robinson Nature Center (Columbia): an indoor children’s discovery room, trails and a natural play area run by Howard County Recreation and Parks.
- Historic Savage Mill (Savage): a nice place for a stroll with a stroller on a cold or rainy day.
Tips for successful toddler activities
- Keep it short. Toddler attention spans are short, often just a few minutes per activity, and that is normal.
- Follow their lead. If your toddler would rather pour the rice than find the toys, that is still learning.
- Talk as you play. Name colors, count objects and describe what your child is doing to build vocabulary.
- Supervise closely. Watch for small objects, water and anything that could go in the mouth.
- Repeat favorites. Toddlers love repetition, and doing an activity again builds mastery and confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do with my toddler at home on a rainy day?
Try a dance party, a sensory bin, box tower building or walk-the-line with painter’s tape. All of them use household items and keep toddlers moving indoors. Our list of indoor learning activities has more ideas.
Are there free things to do with toddlers in Laurel?
Yes. Library storytimes, local parks like Granville Gude Park, and the National Wildlife Visitor Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge are popular free options.
How many activities does a toddler need a day?
There is no set number. A mix of active play, quiet play, outdoor time and reading throughout the day works well, with plenty of free play in between.
Toddler activities every day at Busy Minds
At Busy Minds Daycare, a licensed home daycare in Laurel, MD, toddlers spend their days on activities like these: arts and crafts, music and dance, yoga, early math and reading, and lots of learn-as-you-play time. Learn more about our toddler care and programs or schedule a free tour. Call (301) 646-5275 with any questions.
