10 Olympian-Inspired Activity Ideas for Toddlers

Go for gold with these fun toddler activities

Organize a mini sporting event, complete with medals or ribbons to make these toddler activities even more exciting

Try explaining the Olympics to toddlers by saying it’s like a big sports festival where people get to play games like running, jumping, swimming, and more, just like their favorite playtime activities. Emphasize the fun of cheering for their favorite athletes, the colorful flags from different countries and the idea of everyone coming together to have fun and celebrate doing their best. Try these simple toddler activities inspired by summer Olympic sports to spark their enthusiasm and make them feel like little Olympians!

1. Mini Obstacle Course

Setup: Use soft play equipment, pillows, hula hoops, and tunnels.
Objective: Toddlers navigate the course by crawling, jumping, and climbing.
Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, coordination and balance.

2. Relay Races

Setup: Mark a start and finish line with tape or cones. Use simple commands like “Ready, Set, Go!”
Types of Races:
- Running Race: Simple race from start to finish.
- Sack Race: Use pillowcases for toddlers to hop in.
- Crawl Race: Toddlers crawl from start to finish.
Skills Developed: Speed, agility and coordination.

3. Bean Bag Toss

Setup: Use buckets or hoops as targets and bean bags.
Objective: Toddlers try to toss bean bags into the targets.
Skills Developed: Hand-eye coordination, aim and precision.

4. Long Jump:

Setup: Use a soft mat or blanket, tape or chalk to mark starting lines and distances, and stickers or small toys for distance markers.
Objective: Toddlers jump as far as they can from a designated starting line.
Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, balance, and understanding of distance.

5. Soccer Stars

Setup: A small area with cones to mark goalposts.
Objective: Toddlers practice kicking the ball towards the goal. Encourage them to take turns as goalie and try to block the ball.
Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, coordination and teamwork.

6. Swimming (Dry Land):

Setup: Use a soft mat or blanket, and colorful scarves or streamers.
Objective: Toddlers mimic swimming movements while lying on their stomachs on the mat.
Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, coordination and imaginative play.

7. Mini Gymnastics

Setup: Use a soft mat or blanket.
Activities:
- Tumbling: Simple forward rolls and gentle tumbles.
- Balance Beam: Use a strip of tape on the floor for toddlers to walk on.
- Stretching: Simple stretches to mimic gymnastic routines.
Skills Developed: Flexibility, balance and coordination.

8. Medal Making:

Setup: Use paper plates, ribbons, and stickers to create Olympic medals.
Objective: Let toddlers decorate their own medals and have a mini-award ceremony after playing the games.

9. Flag Painting:

Setup: Provide materials for toddlers to paint or color flags from different countries.
Objective: Explain the representation of different countries and talk about the colors and symbols on the flags.

10. Olympic Torch Craft:

Setup: Make a torch using a paper towel roll and colored tissue paper for the flame.
Objective: Explain the significance of the torch and let toddlers decorate their torches and have a parade around the house or child care center.

Tips for Successful Toddler Activities:

Safety First: Ensure all activities are supervised and equipment is safe.
Keep it Simple: Short, easy-to-follow instructions and simple rules.
Encouragement: Offer plenty of praise and encouragement.
Flexibility: Be ready to adapt activities based on toddlers’ interest and energy levels.
Fun: Focus on fun and participation rather than competition.