Toddler Homeschool Activities: Fun and Engaging Ideas for Little Learners
A snapshot of what homeschool can look like with littles
This post is a companion to my article, Is My 2-Year-Old Ready for Homeschool? In that post, I talk about how homeschooling a toddler isn't about formal lessons, but about weaving learning into everyday life. Here's a sample of what a typical day might look like, filled with simple, play-based activities.
Sneak Peek into a Sample Toddler Homeschool Day
Homeschool your toddler in just a few 5-10 minute sessions of intentional play. Starting at age 3 or 4, you may choose incorporate a 15-20 minute preschool lesson for numbers and letters. Keep it flexible, go with their flow, work it in with what you’re already doing, and have fun!
📚 Morning Reading – Read The Poky Little Puppy’s Counting Book. Count and point to pictures. Connect to favorite books: “Remember the butterfly in The Very Hungry Caterpillar? This is a butterfly just like that!”
If you have a 3-year-old, ask simple comprehension questions like, “What do you think happens next?” or “How does the puppy feel?” Encourage them to retell parts of the story in their own words.
🎨 Coloring Together – Use a simple coloring book and washable markers. Name colors: “I’m coloring stripes green. What color is yours?” Tie it to animals and sounds: “Tigers have stripes! What sound does a tiger make?”
If you have a 3-year-old, encourage them to practice tracing shapes, writing the first letter of their name, or attempting to color within the lines.
🎶 Take a Walk – Head outside and talk about what you see. Point out different trees, cars, or animals. Sing the ABCs along the way.
If you have a 3-year-old, introduce simple categorization: “Let’s find all the red cars!” or “Which tree is the tallest?” Encourage them to describe what they see using complete sentences.
🐶 Pretend Play – Use toys creatively. Build a block “crate” for a stuffed puppy. Act out routines and commands: “Come on, puppy, let’s get a snuggly blanket for a nap!” Connect to books they already know: “No dessert for Poky Little Puppy!”
If you have a 3-year-old, encourage more storytelling—ask them to come up with their own dialogue for stuffed animals, make up new adventures, or act out daily routines like cooking or shopping.
🌙 Evening Favorite: Goodnight Numbers – End the day with a counting book. Follow your toddler’s lead—read the text, but go slow to count and talk about the pictures.
If you have a 3-year-old, encourage them to take the lead in counting objects and recognizing numbers. Ask, “Can you find the number 3 on this page?” or “How many stars do you see?”
This is just one example, of course. Every child and every day is different! What are your favorite ways to incorporate learning into your toddler's routine? Share your ideas and tips in the comments below or on 𝕏 TimeTrekFam – we can all learn from each other!
Remember, the key is to keep it short, playful, and follow your child's lead. These activities are just starting points – feel free to adapt them, get creative, and most importantly, have fun! Don't stress about sticking to a rigid schedule; embrace the flexibility and joy of watching your toddler learn alongside every day routines!
Happy Homeschooling!
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This is where I share general insights and strategies from my own family’s experience and from working with other homeschoolers. Every child’s journey looks different, but these principles can apply across the board. If you’d like to see more, follow along on 𝕏 TimeTrekFam for daily updates and general shenanigans and click below to subscribe for free on Substack for the real content!