The next time bad weather or a sniffly cold cuts into playground time, have a fun craft idea handy for your toddler. These Instagram-inspired projects will keep your toddler busy as they're designed have little ones create and then play with their masterpieces.

Bonus: They also make use of supplies you already have around the house.

Make homemade playdough

homemade playdough

Original Instagram post by @theartfulparent

What you'll need 

  • Flour
  • Salt
  • Cream of tartar
  • Vegetable oil
  • Food coloring
  • Glitter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Start with 2 cups of flour. Add 1 cup of salt and 1 tablespoon cream of tartar. Whisk the dry ingredients together.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and a few drops of food coloring. 
  3. Pour in 2 cups of boiling water. (Make sure the adult handles this step!) Mix thoroughly. Let the mixture cool down and firm up. 
  4. Pour out and knead. Add glitter for flair. Then, have fun! Store in air-tight containers for up to two months of play.

Learn shapes

toddler shape game

Original Instagram post by @idemain.anak

What you'll need

  • Felt
  • Cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions

  1. Cut out different felt shapes. 
  2. Glue the shapes to cardboard, and cut out a square around each shape. Then, cut each shape in half. 
  3. Encourage your toddler to match the shapes!

Create a colorful pom-pom shoot

pom-pom shoot toddler activity

Original Instagram post by @lauren.full

What you'll need 

  • Poster board
  • Paper towel tubes
  • Toilet paper tubes
  • Construction paper
  • Double-sided tape
  • Assorted washi tape
  • Assorted pom-poms
  • Markers
  • Glue gun
  • Command strips

Instructions

  1. First, decide what you want the layout to be. Then, cut colored paper to match the size of the tubes, and use double-sided tape to connect sides. 
  2. Use a hot glue gun to secure the tubes to the poster board. 
  3. Add washi tape for visual fun! Label the colors for the shoots above. 
  4. Use command strips to secure the poster board to the wall. Your toddler will have a blast learning colors!

Give toy animals a bath

toy bath toddler craft

Original Instagram post by @coffeeandspitup

What you'll need 

  • Two medium-sized tubs
  • Cocoa powder
  • Flour
  • Water
  • Plastic toy animals
  • Grass
  • Blue food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. To make the mud, mix 2 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 2 cups of water. Add grass, animals, and watch your little ones have a blast getting messy.
  2. Then, freshen them up in the clean water. (Bonus: Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the water to look like the ocean.) This sensory play will provide lots of creativity and fun!