How to keep your 3-year-old busy

Dreading the idea of spending your day with a bored and restless 3-year old? It’s hard to keep ‘threenagers’ entertained and busy. 3-year-olds haves a lot of energy a very short attention span. When it comes to keeping your toddler busy, you want to make sure that the activities are not only fun for them, but also encourage their developmentally appropriate skills. Whether they are at home or outside,, here are some ideas for how to keep your three-year-old busy and learning:

Activities to help gross and fine motor skills

Most 3-year-olds are becoming more independent and can explore their environment better than ever before. With this exploration comes new skills that may be difficult to develop just by watching. As children begin to grow, it is important for parents to take the time to teach them how to perform gross and fine motor activities that will build muscle strength and agility.

Indoor activities

Many parents find themselves needing to find some fun and creative things for their child to do indoors on a rainy day. It can be hard to find something to do that won’t drive you crazy and doesn’t involve a screen. We’ve got some ideas for things you and your toddler can enjoy together.

Building with blocks

One of the ways to develop your 3-year old’s skills is through building with blocks. Blocks are used to help children learn how to use their hands and fingers together as well as recognizing shapes, colors, and patterns. Blocks also teach problem solving, counting skills, and color recognition. Children will have fun building tall towers that topple over then take them apart and start again. Just make sure to use blocks that are the right size for your child. These are my favorite blocks for Claire:

Toys

Toys created for a three year old help train their gross and fine motor skills and hone their creativity and imagination. It is important for these toys to be both challenging enough but not too challenging. They should be used in creative ways that will stimulate your child’s curiosity and get them excited to play with them over and over again.

Cooking

There are so many benefits to cooking with your children, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You can have fun together in the kitchen, even when you’re making a simple dish that only takes 20 minutes! Teaching your child about food and cooking provides them with life-long skills. It also creates an environment where they are more likely to want to try new foods when they’re on their own. In fact, cooking with your 3-year-old could make you feel much better about their food choices when they get older.

Ice cubes

Ice cubes can be played with in the summer and winter. The best thing about ice cubes is that they freeze quickly and don’t melt! There are so many things you can do with ice cubes. My favorite is painting them. Check out Beth’s Let’s Paint the Ice – Days With Grey article. Another ice cube game to try is transferring cubes with tongs.

Squeeze water

Squeeze water, but not too hard. It is important to have a sensory activity that is stimulating for toddlers so they are engaged and entertained. Squeezing water from a washcloth is a great activity for strengthening little hands and fingers and improving their dexterity.

Go up and down steps

This activity is a fun way to teach kids how to negotiate stairs. It can be done at home, in your backyard, or on a stair set.

Tumbling mat

Tumbling mats are popular among parents because they are an easy way for young children to develop their motor skills. The small size of the mat is perfect for this age group. A tumbling mat should be just big enough for a child to stand, turn, and sit with room to spare. They are lightweight, have non-slip cushioned foam surface, and can be folded or rolled up. Perfect for home or to bring on your holiday.

Balance activities

Balance activities require toddlers to focus and strengthen body awareness, muscular strength, and postural control. Some of the most popular balance activities are balancing a ball, standing on one foot, and jumping. Or you can use a balance beam.

Indoor basketball

Basketball is a sport with many complexities and nuances. For young children, it can be an opportunity to use their growing motor skills to learn how to control the ball and develop their ability to shoot.

Sensory bins

Sensory bins are containers that contain small objects to stimulate the senses. These can be anything from beans, spoons and cups to sand, water, ice cream and so on.

Bath tub play

Kids love baths! Fill up the bathtub with water, put fizzy bath tablets in it, and give them toys that help them play.

Fine motor activities

Fine motor games are perfect for these energetic little ones that are learning how to use their hands in new ways. Some ideas are stringing beads onto yarn, cutting out shapes using scissors and threading beads onto pipe cleaners.

Pom poms and cheerleading

Cheerleading is a sport that trains the muscles and coordination in a fun and creative way. Cheerleading is not just for teens and adults, it can be for 3 year olds who will benefit from the physical and mental benefits of cheering. It may seem strange to think of a 3-year-old as a cheerleader but they can start this sport at any stage. Plus, they love the pom poms.

Kicking a balloon

Claire tried this the other day and was stoked! She had a balloon on a string and all she did was kick it every time it floated towards the floor. She practiced her kick, I got some rest, and nothing was broken. Win-win.

Dancing

The best way to keep a 3-year-old busy is to come up with a dance routine together. It can be an easy one, like a “dance party” or more complicated, like a dance-off. You could also have a dance party. Make sure your children are wearing shoes and clothes that they can move in and let them get into the groove of things.

Vegetable stamping

Young children love to see and feel the different textures and shapes of vegetables. Making stamps out of various fruit and vegetable peels can help stimulate their imagination and develop their fine motor skills at the same time. It can also be a great way to use food scraps, like carrot peelings or apple cores, as art materials too. Vegetable stamping is a good activity for preschoolers or those who are not yet able to write or use cutters with any precision.

Playing musical instruments

3 year olds are just beginning to learn how to play musical instruments. By introducing them to music early on, they will have a greater appreciation for it later in life. A child’s brain is more malleable than an adult’s so introducing them to the joys of music early on can help them develop skills in reading, math, and motor skills.

Scrub with soapy water

This might benefit me more? But Claire loves helping me to scrub the floors. Just make sure she doesn’t slip and fall.

Outdoor activities

It is never too early to start exposing your child to outdoor activities. They are not only fun but also teach them important skills like taking care of their body, and following rules. With so many great options for outdoor play, you can find activity ideas for every day of the week!

Jungle gym

You might think that jungle gyms would be too high for a 3 year old, but surprisingly they were able to do this with minimal difficulty. A jungle gym is a great way to build physical and mental skills in children. It exercises their muscles and helps them learn how to make decisions as well as focus on one task.

Do a picnic

Picnicking is a great activity to keep a 3-year-old busy. It’s also an easy way to give them healthy snacks. Set up a blanket and invite their favorite stuffies for a picnic.

Bring her to a playground

Every Saturday morning we take our three year old daughter to a different playground and spend some time there. Our little girl loves going through the different play structures, digging in dirt at the playground, and running around with the other kids. Plus, you’ll get some fresh air and exercise too!

Nature walk

Explore the outdoors with a nature walk. This is an easy outing that doesn’t require much preparation. You can teach your child about different plants and animals that live in your own backyard.

Hoops

Hoops give toddlers hours of fun. Hula hoops can be used by tossing the hula hoop around their waist or legs. You can also play ‘hop through hoops’.

Playing with a ball

When it comes to playing with your toddler, there is no better toy than a ball. Start by simply tossing the ball back and forth. Once they get the hang of this, you can start adding in some rules such as catching or rolling. You can even use different sizes and colors of balls to create different games!

Ride Scooters

Riding a scooter is a fun way to get around, but make sure your toddler has their safety gear on and you’re letting them ride in a safe place.

Mini golf

Mini golf is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy a day on some greens. It’s a fun activity for adults and children alike. It’s also a great skill builder because of the hand-eye coordination skills it helps develop.

Pull Carts

Claire loves pulling her little cart around the garden. She collects dried leaves and flowers from the ground and tips them in the back garden. Isn’t she a helpful little girl?

Bubble wands

A bubble wand can help them blow bubbles without getting frustrated or needing assistance from you. With a little practice, your 3 year old will be able to blow bubbles on their own! Your child may also enjoy using the bubble wand as a microphone to sing along with music or tell stories.

Running races

Running is one of the best ways to get toddlers moving. Running can be a great way for them to develop balance and coordination skills. Claire loves running and she loves racing with us even more. Threenagers love winning! And when she loses, it’s hard but you can take the chance to teach her to be a graceful loser.

Obstacle course

Create your own obstacle course in the backyard. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Use what you already have. 3 years old is the perfect age to start learning more physical skills and have fun while doing so!

Jumping on trampoline

Jumping on a trampoline is a great way for kids of any age to have fun and stay active. Just make sure you stay near and there is a safety net in place.

Go to the zoo

The zoo is a fun place to visit for all ages! Children as young as 3 years old can have a great time there. There are many activities for children to enjoy, such as playgrounds, animal exhibits, and animal feedings. The choices of animals will keep your little one entertained all day long. They can be introduced to new animals they may not have seen before and learn about the different habitats from around the world.

Activities to build social and emotional skills

Over the past few decades, there has been an increased focus on the importance of children’s social and emotional skills. Parents now often work to provide their children with activities that will allow them to learn these skills at a young age. Social skills are learned through activities with adults and other children in which they learn to share, take turns, and be polite. Playing is a great way to practice social skills. Further reading: 17 Ways to Improve your Toddler’s Emotional Intelligence

Board games

Board games are a great way to spend time together and encourage learning. There are many benefits to playing games at a young age such as teaching them to take turns and developing social skills. Other benefits include teaching them to communicate and understand other people’s feelings. The best board games for 3-year-olds are ones that can be played non-competitively and can be understood without reading skills. They should also stimulate their creativity, attention, memory, and problem solving skills.

Pillow fun

I don’t know about your child, but if I lay down a whole bunch of pillows, blankets and stuffies in the living room, Claire goes bonkers. She really pillow fights because it involves throwing stuff around in her room! I’m sure that she won’t be stopping anytime soon because this game is just too much fun.

Hide and seek

My 3 year old’s favorite game is hide and seek. Claire counts to 3 and comes looking for me before I have time to hide. When it’s her turn to hide, she always hides in the same place, which is behind the curtains. Regardless, we have fun.

Quiet time

We all know that 3 is a tough age. It’s when our little ones are just figuring out the world around them and becoming independent. They’re busy learning, exploring, and playing on their own, which means they need to take more “quiet time” to themselves than ever before.  When your child needs some time to be alone and work through things on their own, it’s important to let them have this space. If your child is having a hard time being quiet for a set period of time, try some visual timers or hourglasses. This will help them to keep track of the time.

Alone time

When children play together, they are able to learn from each other through their interactions. Playing alone for extended periods is not ideal for development because it does not encourage social skills. However, playing alone for short periods of time encourages independence and creativity.

Activities to build communication skills

Talking

Talking is a great way to keep your child entertained and engaged which will help them learn new words and concepts. Another plus is that your kid will feel listened to. Language is improved by questions. You can ask questions like ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and ‘How are you feeling today?’ to encourage them to communicate their feelings and thoughts.

Copy me

At this age, children are learning to pay attention to detail, follow instructions, and may use their memory skills to copy. They want to be just like mom or dad so they mimic you in every way they can. Claire loves to copy my actions and words. She loves it even more when I copy her back.

Singing

3 year olds love to sing! Learning to sing will help with their speech, teach them rhythm and help them learn to read.

Play ‘What’s that?’

Naming games are a great way to have fun with your 3 year old. Your child will be able to name most familiar things. Just point and ask ‘What’s that?’. Easy game for you.

Learn nursery rhymes together

Nursery rhymes are great for both you and your 3 year old to practice reading. They are short, simple, and teach valuable lessons. Together, sing your favorite songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, “Jack and Jill” and “Rock-a-bye Baby”.

Play Simon Says

You can play your own version of Simon says and make it easier for your child to understand. The game starts by saying Simon says do this or that, then your child does it while you continue to say Simon says. If the child doesn’t follow directions correctly they are ‘out of the game’.

Activities to stimulate their brains

There are many activities that can stimulate a three year old’s brain. All the activities listed above can also stimulate your three-year-old’s brain but these activities are especially helpful in developing your child’s thinking skills.

Reading a book

Reading is a big part of a child’s life. It introduces them to the world and shapes their imagination and language skills. Reading with your kids at an early age is important, but it’s also important that they’re reading books that are at their level. A 3-year-old can turn pages one at a time. Let your child turn the page while you narrate.

Building a fort using blankets and pillows

Building a fort with blankets and pillows is one of the favorite activities for 3-year-old. It allows them to work on building something while firing up their imagination.

Playing with a puzzle

Puzzles are great for little ones. There are puzzles specifically designed for this age group. They are not only fun but also offer an opportunity for children to develop their cognitive skills. By interacting with the puzzle, they are able to improve their spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and sensory processing ability. These puzzles are designed so that they are challenging yet achievable so that children may feel successful in solving the task at hand. Keep in mind that a 3 year old can solve puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces.

Coloring

Kids love to color and it’s a great way to help them develop their creativity. Coloring is also a great activity for parents to enjoy with their children, as well as to teach them colors and shapes. It can also help keep restless kids calm and focused as they work on coloring. Many children will need your help as they color to stay in the lines or fill in shapes, but you can also just let them color without any boundaries at all.

Painting

Painting is a great way to keep your little ones busy. It’s messy, but that just adds to the fun! Let your little one paint with watercolors, acrylics, or oils. Just make sure they are wearing overalls or at least old clothes.

Crafts

Three-year-olds are creative, inquisitive, and imaginative individuals who want to explore the world around them. Crafts allow them to do just that. Kids love crafts, especially the kind that let them use their hands and fingers. There are plenty of simple crafts you can do with your kids that require items you probably already have at home.

• Some ideas:
• Draw them a funny picture, or take a photo of them and make a fun montage. art projects
• Unwind a ball of yarn and stick it on a piece of paper with glue.
• Lacing cards are a fun way to keep your child occupied. Cut out pieces of paper into strips that will fit together, then attach them to each other with masking tape.

Science Experiment

An experiment is something that you do to discover what happens when you change one or more factors in a situation. A 3 year old is at the prime age for science experiments. The experiments can be simple and easy to make in order to help grow their understanding of the world around them.

Use their imagination

When we were young, we didn’t need a television or computer. All we needed was our imagination. The world was our oyster and no idea was too big or too small. Playing Imagination games will not only hone your child’s creativity, it is their natural way of self-regulation. They can use their imagination to make themselves feel calmer and less threatened because it helps them feel like they have control over their world. An easy imagination game is to give them a box and let them do with it what they will. Boxes are fun and can be used as a toy, an art project, or even a game! You will be pleasantly surprised with the ideas your child comes up with.

Play dress up

Children spend lots of time playing dress up and imagining they are their favorite character and on any given day, your child might be a chef, a firefighter, or a prince. This is definitely one of those times where they have an excuse for being so silly, because it’s never too early to start practicing different skills! Playing dress up with your 3-year-old can help them prepare for making decisions as they get older.

Online games

I’m not talking about games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong Jr. I mean educational games that help kids learn colors, shapes, numbers, letters and how to read. There are even games designed to teach hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills.

TV time

TV and screens can be made out to be the enemy of good parenting, It’s true that there’s a lot of mindless shows on TV, but it doesn’t have to be all bad. Educational programs like Sesame Street and Playtime give children an opportunity to learn while they’re having fun. It’s up to you to decide what, when, and how much TV time is sensible.

Scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt is a game where players are given a list of objects to find that are hidden or out in public. It can be really helpful for 3 year olds because it can help with their communication skills, problem solving skills, and creativity.

To wrap up

A 3 year old’s play time is an important part of their development. As a toddler, the child is learning the skills and abilities they will use for the rest of their life and they need to be exposed to everything in order to learn and improve. Toddlers need to play, explore, make decisions and experiment in order for them to develop these skills. Playtime can also help with emotional development, social skills, intellectual development, language development, motor skills, coordination and spatial awareness. I hope this article gave you some ideas on how to keep your little one busy. Have fun!