• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Artisan Life
  • Dot Marker Pages
  • Learning Center
  • Seasonal Printables
    • Winter Printables
    • Valentine's Day printables
    • St. Patrick's Day printables
    • Earth Day
    • Easter printables
    • Mother's Day
    • Fall printables
    • Thanksgiving Printables
    • Christmas Printables
  • Printable Calendars
  • Preschool + K
    • Alphabet Tracing Worksheets
    • Dot Marker Pages
    • Cut & Paste Crafts
    • Preschool Math
    • Fine Motor Practice Pages
    • Spanish Preschool Pages
  • Coloring Pages
  • Shop
  • Recipes
    • Healthy dessert recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Dot Marker Pages
  • Free Printables
    • Preschool worksheets
    • Free Printable Coloring Pages
    • Printable journals & planners
  • Learning Center
  • Shape Templates
  • Coloring Pages
  • St Pat's Printables
  • Desserts
  • Dot Marker Bundle
  • Shop
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Dot Marker Pages
    • Free Printables
      • Preschool worksheets
      • Free Printable Coloring Pages
      • Printable journals & planners
    • Learning Center
    • Shape Templates
    • Coloring Pages
    • St Pat's Printables
    • Desserts
    • Dot Marker Bundle
    • Shop
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home

    Toddler Activities

    Welcome to the home of posts about toddler activities, toddler games, and toddler printables here on The Artisan Life. I am a former classroom teacher with a Masters of the Arts in teaching. Now I'm a WAHM to a toddler.

    The toddler printables, games, and toy recommendations found on this site reflect my preferences based on my study of childhood development as well as my daughter's interests. Things you find here are teacher, mom, and toddler approved!

    What to expect from the toddler years

    This post may include affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

    The term "toddler" is typically used to refer to a child between 1-3 years old. Toddlers often have a reputation for being difficult (because they certainly can be!) . They certainly are a lot of work and a handful to keep up with!

    Toddlers are also amazing. They have an incredible capacity for enthusiasm, curiosity, excitement, and love.

    Toddlers grow, change, and develop an incredible amount in two short years. Normal toddler developmental skills include:

    • Learning to walk, run, and climb
    • Discovering how to feed themselves, draw lines, and color
    • Evolving from single words to complete sentences
    • Learning how to play with others, take turns, and engage in pretend play

    This post may include affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Toddler's can be difficult. Sometimes it seems like they have a magical ability to press all of your buttons! If you find yourself struggling to be the parent you want to be, I recommend the book The Montessori Toddler.

    It's written in short, easy to read sections and gives you practical suggestions for how to find compassion for your toddler, structure your home to prevent conflicts, and help your child become a "curious and responsible human being."

    Sale
    The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and...
    The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and...
    • Book: the montessori toddler: a parent's guide to raising a curious and responsible human being
    • Binding: paperback
    • Language: english
    Amazon Prime
    Check current price

    Free printables for toddlers

    Free printables for toddlers on The Artisan Life include matching games, picture bingo games, and more.

    Some of the most popular toddler printables on the site include:

    • Sock matching game for toddlers
    • Spring matching game for toddlers
    • Dino matching game for toddlers

    Please visit this page of toddler printables for a complete list!

    Toddler toys

    I firmly believe in the importance of low-tech, open-ended toys. Multiple studies show that classic toys, like puzzles, blocks, and shape sorters, promote more learning and development than electronic toys. Yes, classic toys like blocks are better and promoting language development than those annoying talking toys!

    Toddler toy guides on The Artisan Life reflect a preference for open-ended toys, gross motor play, and, whenever possible, natural materials.

    Some of the my popular toddler toy guides include:

    • The best gymnastics toys for toddlers
    • Gross motor toys for young toddlers
    • Nontoxic wood toys for toddlers

    Please visit this page of toddler toy guides for a complete list of everything that's currently published on the site.

    a boy toddler playing with wood blocks on the floor. He is sitting on a tan rug. White shelves with colorful toys are visible in the background.

    Toddler books

    Reading aloud to toddlers is important and beneficial. Instead of thinking of reading as another must-do you have to add to your list (and feel guilty about not doing), try to see reading to your toddler as a fun and enjoyable activity.

    Reading to your child helps them learn about language, promotes brain development, teaches about emotions, and can even provide important fine-motor practice.

    I know, I know, it's difficult to be super excited about reading the same book for the one bajilionth time, but selecting high-quality toddler books an help. Picking great books helps keep you engaged, too.

    Posts about the best toddler books are organized by theme. You'll frequently find Montessori-inspired selections and actual photos of the books. We've personally read almost every book recommended so you won't accidentally end up with yet another flimsy book filled with weak rhymes.

    Some of the most popular toddler book posts are:

    • The best chewable books for toddlers and babies
    • Ocean books for toddlers
    • Animal books for toddlers

    For a complete list of all posts, please see this page on the best books for toddlers.

    The best books for toddlers written in white on a purple background. Below the text is a picture of a young girl toddler sitting in front of a large book.

    Primary Sidebar

    Text "Hello! I'm Natasha!" with an image of a woman a blue shirt

    Hi, I’m Natasha! I'm so glad you're here.

    I'm a former classroom teacher with a Masters of the Arts in Teaching turned homeschooler. I share educational & planner printables for busy parents and teachers. Simplify your life when you discover how to instantly access 700+ printables here!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • text "bold and easy undersea coloring pages" with a preview of three coloring page printables with ocean aniamls
      Free Printable Bold and Easy Undersea Coloring Pages
    • Text "free printable father's day activity placemats" with a preview of three pages of activity placemat
      Free Printable Father's Day Activity Placemats
    • text "free printable ice cream coloring pages" with a preview of three ice cream coloring page sheets
      Free Printable Ice Cream Coloring Pages
    • text "free printable memorial day handprint crafts" with a preview of three handprint art templates
      Free Memorial Day Handprint Art Printables

    The Artisan Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    The Artisan Life also uses affiliate links for other sites. For a full look at my policy, please visit its page here.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Save Time

    • Join the Learning Center for quick & easy access to hundreds of printables

    Contact

    • Contact

    If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly here: natashalh(at)stalkingthewildsnark(dot)com. I do not accept guest posts and will not respond to unsolicited requests for guest posts or links. Stock images by Depositphotos

    COPYRIGHT © 2012 – 2025 The Artisan Life · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED