This easy activity schedule for toddlers will help you to organize your week at home with your little one.
There are so many things we want to teach our children and, it seems, so little time.
Okay, okay, the days DO seem long, but the years truly are short.
Here’s a great toddler activity schedule that will help you make use of your day while creating opportunity to teach your children the things you prioritize for the family.
A daily toddler schedule is a must, and there will be times during the day you want to fill with something more structured.
If you’ve already got a stay at home mom schedule going that works for you, these activities will fit right in.
What's in this post...
S-E-A-M-S: Daily Themes For Weekly Activities
I decided I wanted to spend our time together focusing on the following 5 general areas: spiritual, musical, athletics, arts, and education.
Shortly, like a download, I had an activity plan before me I knew I could follow with minimal stress or worry. Then, I made an acronym I’d easily remember, and S-E-A-M-S was born.
Here’s how to do it.
- S: Spiritual (Monday)
- E: Educational (Tuesday)
- A: Artistic (Wednesday)
- M: Music (Thursday)
- S: Sporty (Friday)
Here’s why a toddler activity schedule is a good idea (and simple tips)
Life is a choose your own adventure, right? If you prefer to go with the flow, that’s fine, but for those mamas who love and want a plan, here she blows.
You can help identify your children’s interests, talents, and gifts
Part of why I love SEAMS so much is that it can help us identify our children’s’ talents early on.
If one child is chomping at the bit for Musical Thursdays and another asks for Artistic Wednesday all the time, then you have a clear indication of where some of their gifts and talents may be.
It’s makes things easier.
It should be noted, when I say easy, I mean easy. If possible I try not to spend any money unless it’s on a supply that’ll last me through a few crafting sessions or activities, ie, finger paint, glue, flashcards, books, etc.
I try to think of activities that I can do with things around the house, yard or neighborhood.
Aim to do your activities at the same time each day
A sweet spot time-wise for us is after my youngest’s morning nap and before lunch. Each day, around the same time, we get set to do some activity.
The kids know that something is coming and it helps build anticipation. Hence number 3…
Build anticipation for your activities when appropriate
Upon introducing the keyboard, show a video of children playing the piano and explain what it is, talk about music, etc.
If the activity is something new, build the activity up by showing videos or giving explanations that help them to get into it. It sets the mood and gives the activity a frame of reference.
You can do some outside the house too for a change of scenery
Normally, we stay at home because it’s easier that way but today, for Sporty day (aka, physical activity of any kind day) we went to the pool.
You can adapt any activity to the location of your choosing. Coloring or drawing at a coffee shop while you chat with your friends. The sky’s the limit.
Read: How to keep kids active during winter even when it’s cold
Help prepare your kids for life, one skill at a time. Simple, easy skills every month!
Learn MoreThese activities help ground the day along with your other routine elements
After my youngest was born I stopped SEAMS for a while, but my husband noticed I was in a funk and suggested I start back.
And, I am so glad I did. I look forward to our time together and try to keep it new and fresh and it just gives the day some purpose.
I know that, as they grow older, it’ll open up many opportunities and windows to really expose them to the things I value and I hope it will make some good memories.
Get my cheat sheets and find your family’s groove. Chore, independent play, meal, nap, bedtime, and MORE routine ideas!
Sample SEAMS activities for each day
So, the key here is to go with your style. If you are a natural preschool teacher and can think of activities left and right, you’ll find yourself at ease.
Some activities will cross over a few areas, which is even better. It isn’t to be a stickler for the rules, but to be inspired these years when our kids are at home to expose them to a number of things of our own choosing.
SPIRITUAL
On this day you begin exploring spiritual principles with your kids.
- Bible story videos
- Read Bible stories or stories with morals
- Read the The%20Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His NameJesus Storybook Bible
- Prayer sticks (my mom made these and the kids love them)
- Learn the books of the Bible in song
- Go to the Christian book store
- Read story on Lazarus’ being raised from the dead + mummy wrapping the kids in toilet paper
- Act out Bible stories
- Visit the elderly from your church
- DIYÂ gifts for others
- Print these Bible coloring pages and color away
EDUCATIONAL
This is where you can begin introducing concepts that kids will need to learn when they begin Kindergarten. Exposure is the key here, not drilling.
- flashcards
- Alphabet games
- Counting and recognizing numbers
- listen to a foreign language
- Grow plants or gardens
- Read book pertaining to a season/holiday/event happening in your life
- Inside safari (hide stuffed animals and DIY some binoculars)
- Sensory exploration
- Memory
- Teach on melting and do DIY candles from crayons
Check off critical household, social, and hygiene skills for your child so they’re prepared (not petrified) of growing up!
ARTISTIC
Here’s where you can let all your creative juices flow. And your kids as well.
- Finger painting
- Coloring
- Stickers – paints – gluing
- Learning and matching colors
- Jewelry_Design_Super_Set
Jewelry making - Enact a play
- Construction paper garland
- Make Christmas ornaments
- Fun and easy crafts with toilet paper rolls
- Colorful crafts with paint chips
- Letter coloring pages
- Crayola_Washable_Sidewalk_Neon_Paint_Tray_,_9_piece_kit
Washable sidewalk paint - Play_Scarves_Bundle_of_6
Play scarves (great for imagination and dress up)
MUSICAL
Even if you don’t play an instrument personally, you can help your kids develop their ear for music.
- Name_Your_Link
Play / learn an instrument - Dress up dance parties
- Freeze dancing (stop and start the music)
- Filling glasses with colored water at various heights and tapping to hear different tones
- Noise time (put pasta in cans/bottles and play drums)
- Sing-a-longs
- Hide-the-music for the child to go seek (helps them hone their sense of hearing)
SPORTS
I use the term sports loosely here, but really mean physical activity which helps develop gross motor skills.
- Practice current development milestones
- Crawling through tunnels
- Running / jumping / rolling
- Learn to throw / catch / kick a ball
- Play soccer
- Stuffed animal obstacle course
- Go for a walk
- Play on the slides / jungle gyms / playground
- Swimming
- Pushing + Pulling
- Paper plate + balloon ping pong
Want to help develop your child’s strengths Use these cards to dive into the character qualities and how your child does – and can in the future = exhibit them in their own life.
Learn MoreS-E-A-M-S- Recap
Hopefully, these few ideas will give you a jumping off point. It’s a great way to help encourage and validate your children’s interests as well.
Does one love butterflies? On educational day you can learn about butterflies and on artistic day you can draw and make paper butterflies.
Let their current phase of life and the seasons and holidays around inspire you. I do so hope that my kids will remember (as much as one can remember about their early days) our time together with fondness, and I think these quality times will be a big part of that.
Hannah says
Rachel, I ABSOLUTELY love the concept of S-E-A-M-S and will implement it into our week! Thanks for putting up this post and inspiring me to try something new. Great resources you posted!!!
A Mother Far from Home says
Thanks, Hannah :) I thought it was God inspired. And, honestly, it helps give a little purpose and something to look forward to all day. Plus, I don’t feel the need to be doing activities all day every day since I know that there are some planned!
Jessica aka The Mommy Teacher says
Rachel, thank you for sharing this with me! You are SUCH a great steward of what God has entrusted to you…. and an inspiration too. I am gonna have to link up to you on facebook soon so that I can share this post this week on my facebook page…. love it :)
A Mother Far from Home says
Thanks so much, Jessica! I am glad that we can inspire one another. I do believe that’s how us mothers keep going sometimes :)
K says
I have no idea how I missed this post but I do indeed love it. It’s funny because I’ve had to use the whole game/role playing stuff before in order to help my youngest NOT be scared (before hospital tests, etc) but I’ve never thought about it in terms of building excitement and giving them a guiding idea of how to actually use/play/learn an activity. Thanks for the awesome idea!!
You truly are gifted with what you’re doing on here. What may seem ‘everyday’ or common sense to you is really a blessing and glorified little nugget of information for others.
I once saw a little plaque that said “Bloom where you are planted” and I think that’s exactly what you do! You are amazing!
A Mother Far from Home says
That is so sweet of you to say! I try to do it with enthusiasm and that helps counteract the days when I just wonder how I’ll carry on! Ha!
Maureen says
I love this!
A Mother Far from Home says
Thanks, Maureen! Some weeks are busier than others and we only get a day or two but it really helps mentally knowing that I’m trying to be broad and creative in our activities!
Christie says
Did you mention in your post how much time you dedicate to your SEAMS activity each day? Thirty minutes? Hour?
Rachel says
I normally have it between 20-30 minutes since mine are so young. With age maybe even up to an hour?
Jeniffer Smith says
I found this post a couple of days ago, and it was so needed. I have 3 littles, ages 3 1/2 to 2 months, and I have needed something that’s easy enough to DO without being time consuming. SEAMS is seriously a God-send.
Rachel Norman says
Hope it works well for your family, Jeniffer!