As a mom of two, I know how chaotic the days can get — which is why having a flexible toddler activity plan for the week helps us so much. I like to keep it simple, intentional, and fun, focusing on learning through play while giving my toddler opportunities to build real-life skills. Here’s a look at our Monday to Friday activity lineup — all low-prep, screen-free, and toddler-approved!
Monday: Movement & Sensory Play
We always start the week with lots of movement and sensory exploration to get those wiggles out. I rearranged her modular couch to create a DIY obstacle course and added her ball pit (WINNIE35 for $35 OFF) for some extra fun. She had the best time climbing, jumping, and rolling around — all great for building gross motor skills and confidence.
To wind down, I set up a scooping station with pom poms. She loves these! It’s a super simple way to work on her focus, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor strength. Here’s a link to our sensory table.
Other movement & sensory ideas:
- Indoor hopscotch using tape on the floor
- Dancing with scarves or ribbons to music
- Sensory bin with dry pasta, rice, or kinetic sand and scoopers
- Pom pom scooping with tongs or spoons (great for fine motor skills)
- Water play with sponges, cups, and bath toys in a bin or sink
Tuesday: Baking & Cooking Together
Tuesday is for kitchen fun — her absolute favorite! We bake or prep a simple snack together, and she helps with mixing, pouring, and adding ingredients. She helps me add veggies into bowls & wash fruits/veggies. She also LOVES helping me make matcha lattes in the morning! It’s a great way to introduce early math concepts like counting and measuring, plus she’s learning practical life skills.
The best part? She gets to eat what she made, which builds confidence, independence, and a love for helping in the kitchen.
Other cooking ideas:
- Make banana “nice cream” or yogurt pops together
- Build mini sandwiches or snack plates — toddler gets to choose ingredients
- Stir pancake batter and decorate with toppings
- Wash fruits and veggies, then sort them by color or size
- Cut soft foods with toddler-safe knives (like strawberries or cucumbers)
Wednesday: Pretend & Imaginative Play
Pretend play is huge in our house. On Wednesdays, she cuts her toy fruits and veggies like a little chef, which builds vocabulary, creativity, and role-playing skills.
She then “washes” her food in her toy sink, cooks a pretend egg, and sets the table for a little meal together. Activities like this encourage independence and help toddlers understand everyday routines in a playful way. Here’s a link to our play kitchen and play table.
Other pretend play ideas:
- Set up a pretend doctor’s kit and play check-up
- Dress-up day — let them choose outfits and pretend to be different characters
- Stuffed animal “school” or “picnic” roleplay
- Create a pretend grocery store with play money and food
- Use cardboard boxes to build cars, kitchens, or shops
Thursday: Creative Arts & Crafts
Thursday is all about creative expression. We started with handprint painting — a sensory-rich way to let her explore textures and express herself — and followed it up with drawing using crayons and markers.
These activities aren’t just fun; they help strengthen grip, introduce color recognition, and give her space to focus and create without any pressure for a “perfect” result. Here’s a link to our sensory table and activity table!
Other art & craft ideas:
- Sticker collages or dot marker fun
- DIY stamp painting with sponges or cookie cutters
- Paper tearing and gluing onto shapes or letters
- Painting with water on construction paper outside
- Sidewalk chalk murals or tracing shadows
Friday: Outdoor Learning & Exploration
We wrap up the week with fresh air and movement. Fridays are for outdoor learning and play. If the weather is nice, we go for nature walks, explore the neighborhood, or head to the park — swings and slides are always her favorite.
Outdoor time is essential for emotional regulation, gross motor development, and giving toddlers the space to explore and discover on their own.
Other outdoor activity ideas:
- Nature scavenger hunt (look for rocks, leaves, bugs, sticks)
- Pouring and scooping with water outside
- Bubbles + chasing games
- Chalk obstacle courses
- Toddler gardening (digging, watering, planting seeds)
Having a themed weekly routine makes planning activities feel way less overwhelming — and keeps our days varied, fun, and full of learning. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, work-from-home mom, or just trying to make the most of your mornings, these easy ideas are great for supporting toddler development without needing fancy supplies or a lot of prep.
Let me know in the comments — which day is your toddler’s favorite?
And if you want more simple activity ideas, sensory play setups, or toddler-friendly recipes, follow along on Instagram @Winniekison for daily inspiration!
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