Screenfree Activity Ideas For Toddlers
As a parent of 2 under 3 with a Montessori background, I understand the importance of fostering creativity and hands-on learning. In today’s world, screen-free activities have become essential for children’s healthy development, and arts and crafts are perfect for this as they engage children’s imaginations, develop fine motor skills, and encourage problem-solving. I’m always inspired by some of the amazing crafters on Instagram, and often share our own play with purpose activities. And so, I thought it would be useful to collate some creative arts and crafts ideas you can try with your little ones that help reduce screen time and are Montessori-inspired.
These simple ideas (that encourage the use of everyday items you may already have) are not only fun, but also encourage essential developmental skills in children. From nature collages to clay sculptures, each activity offers an opportunity to explore creativity, fine motor development, and the Montessori principles of hands-on learning. I’ve also included some lovely crafty finds for you to browse through and shop below. Hopefully these will encourage your little ones to explore, create, and most importantly, have fun together as a family.
Please note, I may receive commission from sales via the links below.
1. Nature Collage (Using Natural Materials)
Materials:
- Leaves, twigs, and flowers
- Cardstock or a large piece of cardboard
- Glue
Instructions: Encourage children to go on a nature walk to collect leaves, twigs, and flowers. When they return, provide them with a piece of cardboard or cardstock. They can arrange their findings into a beautiful collage. This activity is a wonderful way to connect children to nature and stimulate their creativity while practicing fine motor skills as they glue and arrange the pieces.
2. Recycled Paper Roll Puppets
Materials:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Markers, stickers, fabric scraps
- Glue, googly eyes
- Scissors (with supervision)
Instructions: Use empty toilet paper rolls as the base for creating fun puppet characters. Kids can decorate the rolls with markers, stickers, and fabric scraps. Attach googly eyes, and use scissors to add any other fun features like ears, mouths, or arms. This activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills as children practice cutting, gluing, and assembling their puppets.
3. Sensory Paint Play with Natural Dyes
Materials:
- Natural items for dye (beetroot, turmeric, spinach, etc.)
- Paper, paintbrushes, and small containers
- Water (for mixing)
Instructions: Create your own natural dyes using things like beetroot for red, turmeric for yellow, or spinach for green. Set up a sensory paint station with the natural dyes and let the children experiment with the colors and textures. This activity encourages sensory exploration and introduces children to the concept of color mixing in a natural, safe way.
4. Montessori-Inspired Stringing Beads for Fine Motor Skills
Materials:
- Wooden or plastic beads
- Yarn or string
- Scissors
Instructions: Prepare a selection of colourful beads for the children to thread onto a string or yarn. This activity works great for developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. To make it more Montessori-inspired, you can use wooden beads, which are simple and natural, allowing children to focus on the task at hand. You can also add a counting element, where children count the beads as they thread them, helping to reinforce numeracy skills.
5. Clay and Playdough Sculpture
Materials:
- Air-dry clay or homemade playdough
- Tools for shaping (like cookie cutters, sticks, or plastic knives)
Instructions: Give children a lump of clay or playdough and encourage them to sculpt anything that comes to mind – from animals to abstract shapes. You can also provide them with tools like cookie cutters or sticks to help shape their creations. This activity helps with fine motor skills and creativity while also offering a great sensory experience.
6. Paper Plate Animals
Materials:
- Paper plates
- Paints, markers, and crayons
- Glue, googly eyes
- Paper for making ears, tails, etc.
Instructions: Use paper plates as a base for creating different animals. Kids can paint or color the plates to represent animals like lions, bears, or fish. You can help them cut out additional pieces from colored paper for ears, tails, and other features. This craft encourages children to follow patterns, improve their dexterity, and engage in imaginative play afterward with their new paper plate animals.
7. Sticker and Stamps Nature Exploration
Materials:
- Stickers (leaf, animal, geometric shapes)
- Stamps (nature-themed like flowers, trees, or bugs)
- Paper
- Ink pads or washable markers
Instructions: Let children explore their creativity with stickers and stamps. You can use nature-themed stickers (like leaves or bugs) to create a natural scene, or allow children to design patterns using stamps. This activity encourages tactile exploration and creativity, all while helping to improve fine motor control.
8. DIY Stained Glass Windows (Using Tissue Paper)
Materials:
- Tissue paper in various colors
- Clear contact paper
- Scissors
- Instructions: Cut pieces of tissue paper into small squares or shapes. Then, cut a large piece of clear contact paper and tape it to a window or a flat surface. Children can arrange the tissue paper pieces onto the sticky side of the contact paper, creating a stained glass effect. This activity helps children develop fine motor skills and color recognition while also bringing a bit of light into the home.
