Play, Pathways.org Development Hub
Age-by-age play ideas and activities that support motor, sensory, and communication milestones from birth to 5.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Infant Play
Open resourceThe Power of Play
Zero to Three primer on why play matters and simple ways caregivers can play with babies and toddlers.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 YearsInfant Play
Open resourceTips on Playing with Babies and Toddlers
Concrete, age-tagged suggestions from Zero to Three for parent-child play.
6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 YearsToddler Play
Open resourceChild & Nature Alliance of Canada
Canadian hub for nature-based and outdoor play, forest school resources, and risky-play guidance.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Nature Play
Open resourceCanadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, Early Years (0 to 4)
Canadian guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep for children 0–4, with practical play ideas.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsOutdoor Play
Open resourceThe Power of Outdoor Play
NAEYC article on how outdoor play supports whole-child development, with ideas for programs and families.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Outdoor Play
Open resourcePlay Scotland, Play Ideas
Free play activity ideas, printable cards, and guidance on play at home and outdoors.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Outdoor Play
Open resourceNAEYC, Play Resource Collection
Curated NAEYC articles and research on the role of play across early childhood.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Preschool Play
Open resource10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play
NAEYC family handout: why play matters and how to make time for it.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Preschool Play
Open resourceCommunity Playthings, Play & Environment Articles
Professional articles on block play, loose parts, dramatic play, and setting up rich play environments.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Loose Parts Play
Open resourcePBS Parents Activity Finder
Searchable bank of hands-on activities across art, science, math, and pretend play, filter by age.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Art Experiences
Open resourcePathways.org, Growth & Development Activities
Free age-tagged activities that support motor, sensory, and cognitive milestones.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Infant Play
Open resourcePlay & Learning for Babies (Raising Children)
Age-tagged play activity ideas for babies 0–12 months, from the Australian Raising Children Network.
0–6 Months6–12 MonthsInfant Play
Open resourcePlay & Learning for Toddlers (Raising Children)
Play ideas for 1–3 year-olds, sensory, pretend, active, and quiet play.
12–18 Months18–24 Months2 YearsToddler Play
Open resourcePlay & Learning for Preschoolers (Raising Children)
Preschool-focused play ideas across creative, physical, and pretend play.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Preschool Play
Open resourceCosmic Kids Yoga & Mindfulness
Free story-based yoga and mindfulness videos, a gentle music-and-movement option for preschool and kindergarten.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Music & Movement
Open resourceMother Goose Club, Nursery Rhymes & Music
Free nursery rhyme videos and songs for music and movement play with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 YearsMusic & Movement
Open resourceCrayola Free Coloring Pages & Craft Ideas
Printable colouring pages, craft tutorials, and art activity ideas across themes and skill levels.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Art Experiences
Open resourceArt for Kids Hub, Free Drawing Tutorials
Step-by-step drawing and craft videos led by a family, accessible for preschool and school age.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Art Experiences
Open resourceRed Ted Art, Kids' Crafts
Huge library of easy craft tutorials organized by age, season, and material.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Art Experiences
Open resourceDLTK Kids Crafts & Printables
Printable templates, paper crafts, and themed activities for toddlers through primary.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Art Experiences
Open resourceABCya, PreK Games
Curated preK educational games across letters, numbers, and shapes.
3 Years4 YearsPreschool Play
Open resourceABCya, Kindergarten Games
Kindergarten-level educational games grouped by skill area.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourceNature Play: Nurturing Children Through Nature
Children & Nature Network research and practice guide on the benefits of unstructured outdoor play.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Nature Play
Open resourceNature Play Ideas for Every Season
Ontario Parks blog with simple outdoor nature activities families can do year-round.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Nature Play
Open resourceLoose Parts: What Does This Mean?
Community Playthings introduction to loose parts theory with practical setup ideas for early years.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Loose Parts Play
Open resourceLoose Parts Play Toolkit
Inspiring Scotland downloadable toolkit for setting up loose parts play indoors and outdoors.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Loose Parts Play
Open resourceDramatic Play: Ideas for Extending Children's Learning
NAEYC article with dramatic play prop, prompt, and space ideas to deepen play-based learning.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Dramatic Play
Open resourceThe Power of Pretend Play
Zero to Three on how pretend play supports language, self-regulation, and social skills.
18–24 Months2 Years3 YearsDramatic Play
Open resourcePretend Play: Boosting Communication and Social Skills
The Hanen Centre guide to expanding pretend play with children of different language levels.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsDramatic Play
Open resourceBeyond Twinkle, Twinkle: Using Music with Infants and Toddlers
Zero to Three on how music and movement support development in the first three years.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 YearsMusic & Movement
Open resourceMeaningful Group Time in Preschool
NAEYC article with practical guidance on planning purposeful, engaging circle/group time.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Circle Time Ideas
Open resourceLarge-Group Time Strategies
HighScope curriculum strategies for planning developmentally appropriate large-group experiences.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsCircle Time Ideas
Open resourceManaging Preschool Large-Group Instruction
Edutopia article with inclusive, sensory-friendly ideas for group time in the early years.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Circle Time Ideas
Open resourceSmall-Group Time in the Preschool Classroom
NAEYC guidance on planning meaningful small-group experiences that scaffold learning.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Small Group Activities
Open resourceSmall-Group Time, HighScope Approach
HighScope article on scaffolding, materials, and structure for effective small groups.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSmall Group Activities
Open resourceIncreasing Preschool Engagement
Practical article on grouping strategies, materials, and pacing for small-group work.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Small Group Activities
Open resourcePlay Activities for 12 to 24 Months
Zero to Three play-by-age guide for toddlers with home-friendly activity ideas.
12–18 Months18–24 MonthsToddler Play
Open resourceThe Kindergarten Program (Ontario)
Ontario Ministry of Education document outlining play-based learning in Full-Day Kindergarten.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourcePlay in Kindergarten: How to Bring It Back
NAEYC article on preserving play-based learning in kindergarten classrooms.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourceDefending the Early Years, Play in Kindergarten
Research and advocacy briefs on the role of play in kindergarten learning.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourceSeasonal Learning Ideas for Young Children
NAEYC family resources with seasonal play, learning, and outdoor ideas year-round.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Seasonal Activities
Open resourceSeasonal Activities for Kids
PBS Kids for Parents collection of seasonal crafts, recipes, and outdoor activities.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Seasonal Activities
Open resourceLearn, Ontario Parks Seasonal Nature Activities
Ontario Parks blog with seasonal outdoor learning and family activity ideas.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Seasonal Activities
Open resourceCelebrating Holidays in Early Childhood: An Anti-Bias Approach
NAEYC guidance on inclusive, respectful ways to explore holidays with young children.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Holiday Activities
Open resourceHoliday Crafts and Activities
PBS Kids for Parents inclusive holiday crafts, songs, and family activity ideas.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Holiday Activities
Open resourceHolidays with Young Children
Zero to Three tips for keeping holidays calm, predictable, and joyful for infants and toddlers.
6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 YearsHoliday Activities
Open resource