ArticleInternational
Sensory Play for Babies and Toddlers
Zero to Three overview of simple sensory experiences (touch, sound, sight) that build early brain connections.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 MonthsSensory Play
Open resourcePlay Ideas
Hands-on, playful activities organized by interest, setting, and age.
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Showing 75 resources
WebsiteInternational
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 resourceArticleInternational
Tummy Time Play Ideas
Zero to Three guidance on making tummy time playful and building strength from birth.
0–6 Months6–12 MonthsGross Motor Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
The 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 resourceArticleInternational
Tips 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 resourceWebsiteCanada
Child & 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 resourceWebsiteCanada
ParticipACTION — Early Years Movement Guidelines
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 resourceWebsiteCanada
CSEP 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (Early Years)
Evidence-based Canadian recommendations for movement, screen time, and sleep in the early years.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsGross Motor Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
The 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Play 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
NAEYC — 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 resourceArticleInternational
10 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 resourceArticleInternational
Community 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
PBS 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
PBS LearningMedia — Preschool Activities
Free preschool videos, printables, and activity ideas across STEM, literacy, and social-emotional themes.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)STEM Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Pathways.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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Play & 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Play & 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Play & Learning for Preschoolers (Raising Children)
Preschool-focused play ideas across creative, physical, and pretend play.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Preschool Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
Let's Play: How Your Child Learns Through Play (Birth–3)
Zero to Three parent guide with sensory, water, messy, and pretend play ideas mapped to development.
0–6 Months6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 YearsMessy Play
Open resourceVideoInternational
Cosmic 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 resourceVideoInternational
Mother 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 resourcePrintableInternational
Crayola 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 resourceVideoInternational
Art 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Red 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 resourcePrintableInternational
DLTK 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
NASA Space Place — Kids' Activities
Free space and Earth science activities, crafts, and games for elementary-age kids.
School Readiness (5+)Science Exploration
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
NASA Climate Kids
Games, videos, and activities that introduce climate and Earth science.
School Readiness (5+)STEM Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Science Kids — Experiments & Activities
Simple science experiments, projects, and printable activity sheets.
4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Science Exploration
Open resourceVideoInternational
Storyline Online — Read-Aloud Videos
Free videos of actors reading picture books aloud — great for literacy-rich circle time and quiet play.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Literacy Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Starfall — Early Literacy & Math Play
Ad-free early learning activities across phonics, reading, and math for preK–grade 1.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Literacy Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
ABCya — PreK Games
Curated preK educational games across letters, numbers, and shapes.
3 Years4 YearsPreschool Play
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
ABCya — Kindergarten Games
Kindergarten-level educational games grouped by skill area.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
Getting Messy: Why Sensory Play Matters
Zero to Three guide on how squishing, pouring, and mixing supports brain, motor, and language development.
6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 YearsSensory Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
The Power of Playful Learning in the Early Childhood Setting
NAEYC article outlining sensory-rich, hands-on play as a foundation for early learning.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSensory Play
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Sensory Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Pathways.org activity library with sensory bin, texture, and exploration ideas by age.
12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSensory Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
The Wonder of Water Play
Community Playthings article on setting up simple, developmentally rich water play indoors and outdoors.
18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Water Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
Splish, Splash: Water Play Ideas for Young Children
NAEYC ideas for meaningful water play — pouring stations, floating and sinking, and sensory tubs.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsWater Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
Water Play in the Early Years
Early Years Careers overview of learning outcomes from water play, with setup and safety tips.
12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsWater Play
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Nature 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 resourceArticleOntario
Nature 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 resourceArticleCanada
Learning Language Through Messy Play
The Hanen Centre on using sensory, messy play as an opportunity for back-and-forth talk with young children.
12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 YearsMessy Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
The Benefits of Messy Play
Early Years Careers article on how messy play supports fine motor, sensory, and creative development.
12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsMessy Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
Loose 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 resourcePDFInternational
Loose 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 resourceArticleInternational
Dramatic 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 resourceArticleInternational
The 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 resourceArticleCanada
Pretend 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Math for Families: Everyday Math Activities
Stanford DREME family math resources with playful math ideas by age.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Math Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Early Math Collaborative — Big Ideas
Erikson Institute foundational math ideas for young children with activity ideas.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Math Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Preschool Math Games and Activities
PBS Kids for Parents playful math activities to explore counting, shapes, and patterns.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Math Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
STEM in Early Childhood
NAEYC article on integrating STEM through everyday exploration and play.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)STEM Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Early Childhood Science Position Statement & Activities
National Science Teaching Association guidance and playful activity ideas for early science.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Science Exploration
Open resourceArticleInternational
Beyond 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Literacy Activities for Young Children
Reading Rockets library of early literacy activities parents and educators can do at home or in programs.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Literacy Activities
Open resourceWebsiteCanada
Early Years Movement Ideas
ParticipACTION activity ideas that meet the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the early years.
12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsGross Motor Activities
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Fine Motor Activities for Babies to Preschoolers
Pathways.org activities and milestones supporting fine motor development from infancy to age five.
6–12 Months12–18 Months18–24 Months2 Years3 Years4 YearsFine Motor Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
Building Fine Motor Skills Through Everyday Play
NAEYC ideas for weaving fine motor practice into daily routines and learning centres.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Fine Motor Activities
Open resourcePDFCanada
Fine Motor Handouts
CanChild fine motor resources and printable handouts for supporting young children.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Fine Motor Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
Meaningful 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 resourceArticleInternational
Large-Group Time Strategies
HighScope curriculum strategies for planning developmentally appropriate large-group experiences.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsCircle Time Ideas
Open resourceArticleInternational
Making Circle Time Work for Every Child
Edutopia article with inclusive, sensory-friendly ideas for group time in the early years.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Circle Time Ideas
Open resourceArticleInternational
Small-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 resourceArticleInternational
Small-Group Time — HighScope Approach
HighScope article on scaffolding, materials, and structure for effective small groups.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSmall Group Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
Effective Small-Group Instruction in Early Learning
Practical article on grouping strategies, materials, and pacing for small-group work.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Small Group Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
Play 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 resourcePDFOntario
The Kindergarten Program (Ontario)
Ontario Ministry of Education document outlining play-based learning in Full-Day Kindergarten.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourceArticleInternational
Play in Kindergarten: How to Bring It Back
NAEYC article on preserving play-based learning in kindergarten classrooms.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Defending the Early Years — Play in Kindergarten
Research and advocacy briefs on the role of play in kindergarten learning.
School Readiness (5+)Kindergarten Play
Open resourceWebsiteInternational
Seasonal 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Seasonal Activities for Kids
PBS Kids for Parents collection of seasonal crafts, recipes, and outdoor activities.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Seasonal Activities
Open resourceWebsiteOntario
Learn — Ontario Parks Seasonal Nature Activities
Ontario Parks blog with seasonal outdoor learning and family activity ideas.
3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Seasonal Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
Celebrating 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 resourceWebsiteInternational
Holiday Crafts and Activities
PBS Kids for Parents inclusive holiday crafts, songs, and family activity ideas.
2 Years3 Years4 YearsSchool Readiness (5+)Holiday Activities
Open resourceArticleInternational
Holidays 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