Finding simple ways to keep toddlers learning at home does not have to involve complicated supplies or hours of preparation. I created five hands-on pages that focus on shapes, numbers, letters, gluing, sorting, and prewriting skills!
These toddler workbook activities can be made with construction paper, dot stickers, crayons, glue, and a few basic drawing supplies. Each page gives toddlers an opportunity to practice an important preschool skill while creating something colorful and fun.
Here is the link to my 80 Workbook Activities Guide (workbook focused). I also have an 8 Week Activity Guide (list of themed activities to do at home/outside). I also made matching flashcards for Weeks 1-4 and Weeks 5-8!
Here are the links to the 3 main supplies I use – other than colored markers!
- Sketchbook – It doesn’t bleed through even with sharpie or markers.
- Dot Markers – Use this for color, number or letter recognition. There is so much you can do with these markers!
- Dot Stickers – Use this for color recognition and creative crafting. My toddler loves them!
Activity 1: Shape Trees
The first activity is a shape-matching page featuring four colorful trees.
I drew four tree trunks and made each treetop a different shape:
- Triangle
- Heart
- Circle
- Square
I then gave my toddler several shape stickers that matched the shapes on the trees. She placed each sticker onto the tree with the corresponding shape.
For example, the circle stickers went onto the circle tree, while the heart stickers went onto the heart-shaped tree.
What this activity teaches
This activity helps toddlers practice:
- Shape recognition
- Visual matching
- Sorting and categorizing
- Fine motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
Peeling and placing the stickers also provides great fine motor practice for little hands. Instead of simply naming each shape, toddlers get to compare the stickers with the trees and decide where each one belongs.
Supplies
- White paper or a toddler workbook
- Markers or crayons
- Shape stickers or shape dot stickers
Activity 2: Ice Cream Odd Number Match
The second activity is an ice cream-themed number matching page using the odd numbers 3, 5, 7, and 9.
I drew four ice cream cones on the workbook page and wrote one number on each cone. I then cut out 12 ice cream scoops and wrote the numbers 3, 5, 7, and 9 on them.
My toddler matched each scoop to the correct ice cream cone. She glued all of the number 3 scoops above the cone labeled 3, all of the number 5 scoops above the cone labeled 5, and continued with the numbers 7 and 9.
What this activity teaches
This ice cream number activity encourages:
- Number recognition
- Matching identical numbers
- Introduction to odd numbers
- Sorting
- Gluing practice
- Fine motor development
Although toddlers may not fully understand the concept of odd numbers yet, this activity provides an easy introduction to the numbers while allowing them to focus on recognizing and matching each numeral.
Supplies
- White paper or a toddler workbook
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
Parents should prepare the paper pieces and supervise all cutting and gluing activities.
Activity 3: Fill the Watermelon
The third workbook page is a gluing activity featuring a large watermelon.
I drew a watermelon with a green rind and red fruit in the center. I then cut red and green construction paper into small square pieces.
My toddler used the red squares to fill the inside of the watermelon and the green squares to cover the rind.
The goal was not to place every square perfectly. The activity was simply an opportunity for her to practice gluing, identify the correct colors, and fill the different sections of the picture.
What this activity teaches
This watermelon activity supports:
- Color recognition
- Fine motor skills
- Spatial awareness
- Gluing practice
- Hand-eye coordination
- Creative expression
Picking up each small paper square and placing it within the watermelon is also a great way to strengthen the hand muscles toddlers will eventually use for writing.
Supplies
- White paper or a toddler workbook
- Red and green construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
You can make the paper squares larger for younger toddlers or smaller for children who need more of a fine motor challenge.
Activity 4: Letter E Review
The fourth activity is a letter review page focusing on the letter E.
I divided the workbook page into four sections. Each section gave my toddler a different way to practice the same letter.
The four sections included:
- Find and circle the letter E
- Dot the letter E
- Trace the letter E
- Color the letter E
Repeating the same letter through several different activities helps keep the page interesting while reinforcing letter recognition.
What this activity teaches
This letter review page helps toddlers work on:
- Uppercase and lowercase letter recognition
- Visual scanning
- Prewriting skills
- Pencil and crayon control
- Letter formation
- Fine motor coordination
You can use this same layout with any letter your toddler is currently learning. It is also a helpful way to review letters your child has practiced before.
Supplies
- White paper or a toddler workbook
- Markers or crayons
- Dot markers
When creating the find-and-circle section, include several other letters around the letter E. This encourages toddlers to carefully look at each letter instead of circling everything on the page.
Activity 5: Bring the Fishies Home
The final activity is a tracing page called Bring the Fishies Home.
I drew four fish at the top of the page and blue ocean waves at the bottom. I then drew a different dotted line leading from each fish down toward the water.
My toddler traced along each line to help bring the fish back home to the ocean.
The lines can be straight, curved, wavy, or zigzagged depending on your toddler’s current tracing abilities.
What this activity teaches
This tracing activity helps develop:
- Prewriting skills
- Pencil control
- Hand-eye coordination
- Visual tracking
- Concentration
- Fine motor strength
Tracing different types of lines prepares toddlers for the strokes they will eventually use when writing letters and numbers.
Supplies
- White paper or a toddler workbook
- Markers or crayons
For toddlers who are just beginning to trace, start with thick, short lines. As they become more comfortable, you can create thinner, longer, or more complicated paths.
Tips for Toddler Workbook Activities
Workbook activities should feel playful rather than stressful. Toddlers may not complete every page exactly as planned, and that is completely normal.
Here are a few ways to keep the experience positive:
- Demonstrate the activity before asking your toddler to begin.
- Give your toddler only a few stickers or paper pieces at a time.
- Offer help with peeling stickers or using glue when needed.
- Focus on participation instead of perfection.
- Stop the activity if your toddler becomes frustrated or loses interest.
- Adjust each page based on your child’s developmental level.
Some toddlers may finish an activity in a few minutes, while others may spend much longer carefully placing every piece. Both approaches provide valuable opportunities for learning and fine motor practice.
Simple Toddler Learning Activities at Home
These five toddler workbook activities combine early learning with simple hands-on play. The shape trees encourage sorting and categorizing, the ice cream cones introduce odd numbers, the watermelon provides gluing and color practice, the letter E page supports early literacy, and the fish tracing page builds prewriting skills.
The best part is that every page can be recreated with supplies you may already have at home. You can also customize the activities with different shapes, numbers, letters, foods, animals, or colors based on what your toddler is currently interested in learning.
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