Whether it’s pouring rain, blazing hot, or you’re just craving a cozy day at home, it’s always nice to have a few fun, educational and easy indoor play ideas up your sleeve.
Playtime is how toddlers explore, learn and make sense of the world. And while keeping your little one entertained while also learning can feel like a lot of pressure, you don’t have to be a playtime pro to make it impactful.
Let’s break down why playtime is so powerful for growing brains, then explore 10 fun, flexible indoor activities that support cognitive development in toddlers. We’ll also sprinkle in a few simple snack ideas with brain-friendly nutrients to fuel those curious minds.
Why playtime supports brain development
Toddlers between 12 to 36 months are in an incredible stage of cognitive development. Their brains are growing faster than at any other time in their life, forming millions of new connections every single day! Every block they stack, song they dance to, or crinkly toy they squish is actually helping their brain grow and connect.
That’s because play is how toddlers make sense of the world. It helps build connections in the brain that support memory, language, movement and emotional skills. And the more senses they use during playtime, the more areas of their brain grow and connect.
The best part? There’s no “right” way to play! Some kids are high-energy explorers, while others are more quiet and focused. Whether your little one is zooming around the living room or tuned into a puzzle, they’re learning in a way that works best for them, and strengthening key brain pathways along the way.
10 indoor activities that fuel cognitive growth
Now for the fun part — playtime ideas that double as brain-boosters!
Each of these activities lights up different areas of your toddler’s brain, from memory and imagination to motor skills and problem solving. You’ll find a mix of quiet, focused games and active, energetic play, so you can match the mood (and the wiggles) of the day.
Ready to play? Let’s go!
1. Treasure cup game
How to play: Hide a toy under one of three cups, shuffle slowly and let your toddler guess where it is.
Brain-building benefits: Sharpens attention and memory as toddlers track the hidden toy. It also sparks early logic and reasoning by helping them predict where the toy is and understand cause and effect, like a mini mystery!
Bonus fun: Let your toddler hide the toy and watch you guess!
2. Puppet storytime
How to play: Use simple puppets (or socks!) to act out short, silly stories or conversations with your toddler. Let them use the puppet, too!
Brain-building benefits: Sparks your toddler’s imagination and language skills as they bring puppets to life! It also builds emotional connections and social smarts by sharing laughs and playing together.
Bonus fun: Make up voices and silly sounds to keep it playful and engaging.
3. Sensory bin
How to play: Fill a shallow container with toddler-safe, edible materials like cooked pasta, cereal, or chia seed gel. Let your toddler scoop, squish and explore with their hands or small tools like spoons.
Brain-building benefits: Playing with different textures and materials help enhance your child’s ability to process the world around them. This hands-on fun also boosts fine motor skills and keeps their curiosity buzzing for longer play sessions!
Bonus fun: Hide small toys in the bin for your toddler to find and name, or even banana slices for a tasty surprise.
4. Sorting and stacking cups
How to play: Use colourful stacking cups (or bowls, blocks, containers) to sort by size, shape or colour. Then stack them into towers.
Brain-building benefits: Spotting patterns, colors, and shapes helps sharpen your little one’s logic. Stacking the cups builds spatial smarts, but the best part is knocking towers down teaches cause and effect .
Bonus fun: Let your toddler knock the tower down when they’re done! It adds joy, a sense of cause and effect, and keeps them coming back for more.
5. Toy rescue tape game
How to play: Tape a few favourite toys to a wall or tray with painter’s tape. Have your toddler peel the tape off to “rescue” them.
Brain-building benefits: It gets your toddler thinking like a problem-solving superhero while building finger strength and teaching them to never give up.
Bonus fun: Make up your own voices for the objects (e.g. “Help me! I’m stuck!”).
6. Action song dance party
How to play: Play simple action songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”, and “Wheels on the Bus”. Sing and move along together, your toddler will learn to follow the actions and anticipate what’s next.
Brain-building benefits: Boosts memory, coordination and language as your toddler moves, sings and learns to follow along. Dancing also sparks joy and keeps them excited for what’s next!
Bonus fun: Make up your own silly verses and dance moves together, “If you’re happy and you know it, hop like a bunny!”
7. Animal sound match
How to play: Gather some toy animals and make the sound of one of them ( like “moo” or “meow”), then ask your little one to point to the toy animal that makes that sound.
Brain-building benefits: Tunes up your toddler’s memory and attention as they match sounds to animals, while also lighting up their imagination and creative thinking skills.
Bonus fun: Let your toddler take the lead to make animal sounds, too!
8. Finger painting fun
How to play: Lay out safe, washable paints and paper. Let your toddler explore with their fingers, making shapes, lines, or whatever they like.
Brain-building benefits: Sparks creativity and helps tiny fingers get stronger and more skilled, all while giving your toddler a fun way to express themselves without words!
Bonus fun: Try using different tools like sponges or brushes to add new textures and experiences.
9. Shape-sorting games
How to play: Use a shape-sorter toy or cut out simple shapes from cardboard or paper and draw matching shapes on a box or tray. Let your toddler match and place each shape in the right spot.
Brain-building benefits: Helps your toddler figure out puzzles by matching shapes, strengthening memory and encouraging them to keep trying, even when it gets tricky!
Bonus fun: Make silly sound effects for every match — right or wrong — to keep the giggles going!
10. Stuffie story circle
How to play: Set up a few stuffed animals in a circle and encourage your toddler to “talk” as the stuffies, making up little voices, stories or feelings for each one.
Brain-building benefits: Helps your toddler practice storytelling and express emotions by giving their stuffed friends unique voices and personalities, building empathy and social understanding along the way.
Bonus fun: Set the scene with fun props like picnic blankets or a flashlight for pretend campfire stories!
Smart snacks
All that learning, building, imagining and exploring works up an appetite! Snack time is the perfect chance to sneak in some brain-boosting nutrition to keep your little one’s mind sharp and spirits high.
Two superstar brain nutrients are omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3. Omega-3s are made up of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), two fatty acids that help build brain cells, support memory and learning, and even play a role in mood and focus. Vitamin D3 is key for healthy brain development and helps regulate mood and immune health.
Our bodies can’t make omega-3s on their own, and while we can produce some vitamin D3, it depends on getting enough sun (which isn’t always easy, especially during colder months). That’s where nutrition steps in. Kids Omega-Squeeze makes sure
your little one gets their daily dose of both of these brain-friendly nutrients in a peach mango flavour with no fishy taste! This delicious, creamy, squeezable omega-3 formula (plus vitamin D3) can be enjoyed in so many different ways: homemade popsicles, added into a smoothie, as a topping for a healthy dessert, or just right off the spoon!
Of course, omega-3s and vitamin D3 aren’t the whole story. Protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins also play important roles in brain growth and function.
Protein
The building block for brain cells and helps your little one’s brain make important chemicals for thinking and learning.
Snack idea: Mini turkey or chicken meatballs, ½ a hardboiled egg, or Greek yogurt.
Iron
Helps carry oxygen to the brain and supports memory and attention.
Snack idea: Hummus with soft pita bread, iron-fortified cereals, raisins.
Zinc
Supports brain cell growth and communication, helping your toddler learn and explore.
Snack idea: Cheddar cheese cubes, cooked chickpeas, nut butter on whole-grain crackers.
Choline
Helps form important brain structures and supports memory.
Snack idea: Cooked broccoli, cottage cheese with fruit, avocado toast.
B vitamins
B6 and B12 help your toddler’s brain produce important neurotransmitters for mood and cognitive skills.
Snack idea: Bananas (B6), turkey slices (B6 & B12), mashed sweet potatoes (B6).
And don’t forget: snack prep can be part of the activity, too! Letting your toddler help with simple steps like pouring, mixing or scooping encourages independence, builds fine motor skills and adds a little more fun to the food.
The bottom line? Playtime doesn’t need to be perfect. Connection, curiosity and a little bit of creativity go a long way. Whether you’re building block towers, squishing playdough or whipping up a brain-boosting snack together, your child is learning through play. That’s what really counts.
Here’s to cozy days in, curious minds and lots of giggles along the way!
Sources:
How to Encourage a Child’s Brain Development
Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
When Are the Toddler Years? 13 Signs Your Baby’s Growing Up
Brain-building fun: 6 activities for toddlers and preschoolers
10 Brain-Building Games to Play With Your Baby
Baby brain food: 7 foods to fuel brain development
The crucial brain foods all children need
Easy Protein Snacks For Toddlers and Kids
10 Brain Exercises to Boost Your Child’s Development
Brain Development
Brain Architecture
Understanding Brain Development in Babies and Toddlers
16 Good Dietary Sources of Zinc (Plus Kid-Approved Meals & Snacks)
16 Foods That Are High in Choline
What even is EPA & DHA and why it is so important
