Creative Play Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

School holidays are nearly here! Maybe you’re working through, or perhaps you’ve managed to have a few days off, either way, it’s always good to have a few easy activities ready to go. Most holiday tips out there focus on keeping the bigger kids entertained, but what about the babies and toddlers?

That’s why we’ve put together some simple (and meaningful) play ideas especially for the little ones. They’re great for sparking joy, giving you those lovely moments together and gently supporting your child’s development at the same time.

Why play matters for little ones

Play is more than entertainment for babies and toddlers, it’s their “work.” Every time they touch, taste, smell, hear or see something new, their brains are making powerful connections. Arts, crafts and sensory play provide rich opportunities for learning because they stimulate your child’s imagination and encourage them to explore the world with all their senses.

• For babies, play builds early motor skills, hand–eye coordination and helps them feel safe and secure when you’re nearby.
• For toddlers, play encourages problem-solving, early communication, independence and creativity.

Most importantly, doing these activities together strengthens your bond and they’re a lot of fun too! When you sit with your child to paint, squish playdough, or explore a sensory bin, you’re showing them that you’re present and excited to share in their discoveries. For your little one it’s not about remembering the activity, it’s about the feeling. When you sit down to play, they sense your warmth, attention and care. That helps them feel safe, loved and ready to explore more of the world around them.

Holiday boredom busters: arts, craft and sensory play

Keeping toddlers busy during the holidays doesn’t have to mean elaborate outings or expensive toys. Some of the best activities are simple, low-cost and can be set up with things you already have at home. Here are some easy ideas to try:

1. Finger painting fun

Lay out a large sheet of paper or cardboard, grab some non-toxic paints and let those little hands go wild. Babies can make handprints, while toddlers can experiment with dots, lines and mixing colours. Messy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely!

For an extra twist, try placing a paper on a plate with paint on it and a small ball on top. Encourage your child to move the ball across the paper from left to right, creating fun patterns and great artworks as they go.

2. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles

Sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy. Grab a bottle of bubble mix (or make your own with dish soap and water) and watch the magic unfold. Babies are fascinated by watching bubbles float and pop, while toddlers can chase, stomp, and even try blowing their own. It’s great for coordination, movement, and a whole lot of giggles.

3. Sensory bins

Fill a shallow tub with rice, pasta, oats, or water and add scoops, spoons, or small containers. Babies love the feel of running textures through their fingers and toddlers can practise pouring, sorting and imaginative play. You can even theme your sensory bin. Think “ocean play” with water, shells and toy fish or "forest" with, leaves, sand and toy animals. The ideas are endless!

4. Sticky collages

Give your child scraps of fabric, foam shapes, or paper cut-outs and a piece of contact paper or cardboard. They’ll love sticking and layering pieces to make their own colourful creation. This activity builds fine motor skills and encourages decision-making.

Adding a little glitter glue is always fun and makes their artwork sparkle!

5. Nature play

Head outdoors for a little “treasure hunt.” Collect leaves, flowers, rocks, or sticks and bring them home to sort, make patterns, or even stamp with paint. Nature-based activities are grounding and help children connect with the world around them.

Even babies can join in, take them in the pram for a stroll, or let them crawl on the grass and explore. Point out interesting textures, colours and smells and your little one will light up with curiosity. Feeling different surfaces and engaging with nature is a wonderful sensory experience that helps them connect with their environment from the very start.

Check the area for safety, supervise closely as babies explore with their mouths and dress them appropriately.

6. Playdough creations

Playdough is a classic for a reason. Toddlers can roll, squish and shape, building hand strength while expressing their imagination. Babies can explore the texture with supervision. Add cookie cutters, toy animals or natural items like shells to extend the play.

Holiday play toolkit: what to keep on hand

You don’t need a huge craft cupboard to keep your little one entertained. A small collection of everyday items can go a long way in setting up fun activities. Here are some essentials:

• Art supplies: non-toxic paints, crayons, coloured pencils, markers, chalk, paper plates, large paper or cardboard.
• Craft bits and pieces: glue sticks, tape, child-safe scissors, scraps of paper, fabric, stickers, foam shapes.
• Sensory play fillers: dry rice, pasta, oats, water, sand, leaves, flowers, or safe kitchen items.
• Tools for play: plastic bowls, spoons, cups, cookie cutters, paintbrushes.
• Reusable favourites: playdough, building blocks, chunky puzzles, toy animals and bubbles

✨Tip: Store everything in a basket or tub so it’s easy to grab when you need a quick activity.

Making holiday time meaningful

This school holiday, grab some simple supplies, dive into play and soak up the giggles, mess and curiosity. These little moments are pure magic and memories you’ll both treasure!

✨ Tip: Snap a few photos of your little one’s creations, you’ll love looking back on them in years to come!