The Five Best Learning Activities For Toddlers

As an early years practitioner, you’ll know that toddlers spend every day absorbing information from every source. If you’re seeking inspiration for fun and educational activities that will really support their learning, read on! We’ve put together five of the best activities for toddlers that nursery staff can set up in any setting. All of the activities reflect our approach to childcare and are tailored to the abilities and interests of toddlers.

1. Dressing up and role play

It’s fun to pretend! Dressing up, whether as a firefighter or an astronaut, allows toddlers to take on and experiment with lots of different roles. They can act out situations they’ve seen in real life, on TV and in books – and use their fertile imagination to make up new ones! As an activity, dressing up boosts physical skills, helping toddlers to get better at the coordination needed when dressing and undressing. It’s also a great opportunity for toddlers to interact with other children, explore their interests and ambitions, and make sense of the world they see around them.

2. Parachute games

Always a favourite in our nurseries, parachute games are one of the most popular learning activities for toddlers. Sitting in a circle holding the parachute, children can enjoy group play, sing songs together, learn to take direction from an adult and develop fine motor skills as they grip and move the parachute. Moving the parachute up and down, bouncing balls on the surface or exploring underneath, helps toddlers to experience and understand these positional concepts. 

3. Simon Says

Simon Says is a great game to develop listening skills, teach actions and body parts, and burn off excess energy! Easy to play with any number of children or even one-to-one, the teacher shouts out commands for the children to follow. But (and here’s where the listening comes in) the children must only follow the command if it begins with “Simon Says”! The actions involved can be as physical or silly as you like, so there are guaranteed giggles to be had.

4. Playdough

Every toddler loves to get their hands dirty, so they won’t need much encouragement to enjoy a session with playdough. As well as being great fun, squidging playdough is an excellent way for toddlers to develop their fine motor skills as well as expressing their creativity. Playdough can also be used as food in imaginative play: try asking the children to cook you a meal and see what they come up with!

5. Odd one out

Spotting the odd one out can be a hugely absorbing activity for toddlers. In order to understand which object is different, children will need an understanding of what makes the others the same! So this exercise is a great way to support learning about shape, size, colour and other characteristics. 

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Would you like to join our amazing team working with babies, toddlers and preschoolers? Check out our current job vacancies or contact us with your message and we’ll get back to you.

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My name is Carla and I’m the room leader in Preschool. I go to work knowing that my knowledge, experience and passion is appreciated, I have a fantastic management team who listen, support and encourage me to be the best I can be. Working with a great team to deliver the best care for every child in our room. I love my role and feel like I make a difference.

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Anila Mushtaq Bhatti – Bank Staff

I have been working at Silchester Manor Nursery as bank staff for nearly four years. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere and relationship with children and their parents. I have seen babies progressing to the preschool and have enjoyed this journey with them. It is a nice place to work and I especially enjoy the lovely garden.

Alison Wakefield – Bank Staff

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Palwinder Kaur – Lunch Cover

Silchester Manor is a great place to work. I have been here almost a year and have learnt so much. I enjoy coming into work every day and spending time with the children and staff. It has given me a passion to better myself in this area and hopefully start level 3 in childcare.

Sophie Baird – Lunch Cover

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Sydney – The Little People, Room Leader

I started off at college and quickly realized I wanted to explore more of the practical day to day side of childcare, so I opted for an apprenticeship. I started and have never looked back. I found the course very informative and it gave me exactly what I wanted which was to work with children.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice, now Practitioner

I am so glad I undertook the apprenticeship; it has really given me an opportunity to have hands on experiences, learn about every aspect of childcare and has given me a way to put my knowledge that I’m learning into practice. I have a wonderful support network at The Little People.

Elsa – The Little People, Apprentice

I love working here, the team are wonderful role models and I really enjoy my day to day duties.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice

I have been with Daybreak for almost 9 years, and I have learnt a great deal about the children’s development and I have been inspired so much from my current management team to work up to the position of Room Leader. Since All About Children have taken over, they have continued to support me with my progression and influenced me with their passion and enthusiasm.

Sarah Brend – Senior/Room Leader

I recently completed my level 2 in Childcare and I always wanted to train for my level 3. All About Children provided me with the opportunity to complete this training within the support of my team at Amersham Chiltern Avenue as well as support from my Area Maut Children.

Katie Cyster – Trainee Level 3

I knew I wanted to work in childcare and heard about apprenticeships, I wasn’t sure where to apply so put out a post on Facebook which Emma the Deputy responded to, she asked me to send in my CV which I did. Emma and the Manager interviewed me and gave me the opportunity to work as a temporary staff member to see if this was something I wanted to do. From the moment I started I knew this was a career I wanted to pursue. Since starting my apprenticeship here at Park Road I have grown in confidence and developed my knowledge through experience, guidance and support from all the team.

Connor – Apprentice Park Road

I was working at an After School Club and wanted to further my career so I applied at Park Road and was given the opportunity to gain a qualification in childcare whilst working as a Nursery Assistant. During this time I have developed my skills, I have learnt how to be a key carer, carry out observations, plan to meet the children's next steps and develop my knowledge of the EYFS and the Curiosity Approach. This isn't just a job I feel valued and part of a team.

Katie – Apprentice Park Road