The Best Craft & Educational Play Sets for Indoor Play
With families around the world staying home this holiday season, it’s never been more necessary to find things to keep our kiddos entertained. As lovers of activities that allow our children to express themselves creatively while supporting the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and critical thinking, we couldn’t be more thrilled to find these craft and educational play sets!
With many of us staying home for the holidays, the scramble to find activities to keep everyone entertained (and sane) is real.
If you’re like us – mentally on Day 2,300,678,910 of social distancing – then you’re probably desperate for something your kids can do regardless of the weather. You’re also probably after something that is both fun and educational.
As parents who’ve collectively raised A LOT of babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and now big kids, we have you covered.
Indoor Activity Ideas for Babies, Toddlers & Little Kids
When shopping for our kids, we want to choose things that help strengthen fine motor skills, hone hand-eye coordination, encourage problem-solving and critical thinking, build confidence, promote imaginative play and of course – ACTUALLY keep our tots entertained for more than five minutes.
Some of our favorite ideas include:
- Conducting science experiments
- Making crafts from recyclable bottles, paper rolls, drink cartons and more
- Painting
- Crafting holiday decorations
- Literacy and numeracy activities
- Magnetic building sets
- Robotic blocks
- DIY color-in clothing
- Play dough
From paint sets to robotic blocks, the brands we love have thought of some really cool, engaging and educational play sets that can facilitate all of the above!
All tried and trusted by parents at The Tot, there’s something on this list for all ages. Even newborns!
The best part: every single material and ingredient is non-toxic and safe for little hands to hold and lungs to inhale. While it’s not suggested that ANY of the materials go inside your tot’s mouth, you don’t need to worry if they take a sneaky lick or chew!
Scroll down to see our picks for indoor craft and educational play sets.
The Best Craft Sets for Indoor Play
Re-Cycle-Me Turning Garbage Into….
Re-Cycle-Me craft sets are a wonderful way to talk to kids about sustainability and make them mindful about their footprint on the earth all while honing fine motor skills and having fun.
While each set requires you to collect objects that can be up-cycled, they include detailed instructions as well as other kid & earth-friendly supplies!
Re-Cycle-Me Turning Garbage Into Science
$19.99
Re-Cycle-Me Turning Garbage Into Games
$19.99
Re-Cycle-Me Turning Garbage Into A Playworld
$24.99
Re-Cycle-Me Turning Garbage Into A Playworld
$24.99
Kid Made Modern Kits
Shopping for a little Picasso? Want to have the best craft cupboard on the block? From non-toxic water color sets to arts & crafts libraries that allow kids to imagine and create their wildest visions, Kid Made Modern has all the goods!
Kid Made Modern Studio in a Box
$39.99
Kid Made Modern Over The Rainbow Craft Kit
$19.99
Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Library
$39.99
Kitpas Little Artist Kit
The Kitpas Little Artist Kit includes 16 medium color crayons (that can draw on paper AND glass!), a water brush, a finger sponge for stencils, a wipe-clean cloth, reversible panel, How-To Book and a handy carry-all jute tote bag made from burlap.
Kitpas Little Artist Kit
$49
Land of Dough
Now this is one for the senses! Land of Dough’s all-natural dough is made with plant-based colors, compostable glitter, 100% organic essential oils, jojoba oil, and unrefined raw coconut oil.
Land of Dough Learning Numbers Kit
$24.99
Olli Ella Pack’N Play – Forest
While we usually say don’t enter a restaurant or airport without this wonder backpack, now we say don’t self-isolate with kids without it! Filled with stickers, crayons, coloring-in sheets and alphabet cards, it’s fun for kids to do on their own, but can be used as an educational tool for parents.
Olli Ella Play’N Pack – Forest
$29.95
Selfie Clothing Co Color In Top – Mermaids
Available in sizes from 2Y to 8Y, the Selfie Clothing Co Color In Top is something your tot will be proud to wear! A great activity for honing fine motor skills, it’s a top that will be worn again and again. Also available in PJs and Capes!
Selfie Clothing Co. Color In Mermaid top
$21
Available in more illustrations
Selfie Clothing Co Color In Top – Dinosaur
$21
Available in more illustrations
The Best Educational Play Sets For Indoor Play
The Tot Play + Learn Sets
Together with expert early learning educators, we’ve curated the tools you need to help your child reach important milestones, learn important life skills, build confidence and most importantly, have fun!
Each Play + Learn Set includes six non-toxic toys that can be played with in a variety of ways as well as a booklet of detailed, teacher-recommended activities and tips to aid your child from infancy to early Kindergarten in achieving developmental and educational milestones.
The Tot Play + Learn Set 0 – 3 Months
$120
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Play + Learn Set 3 – 6 Months
$120
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Play + Learn Set 6 – 12 Months
$120
The Tot Play + Learn Set 12 – 18 Months
$150
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Play + Learn Set 18 – 24 Months
$120
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Play + Learn Set 2 – 3 Years
$150
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Play + Learn Set 3 – 4 Years
$150
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Play + Learn Set 4 – 5 Years
$150
EXCLUSIVE
The Tot Play + Learn Set 5 – 6 Years
$100
EXCLUSIVE
Clixo Magnetic Building Sets
Clixo’s magnetic building sets allow kids to build things like airplanes, backpacks, headbands, flying bugs, houses, monsters and more. A must-have for open-ended play, they’re a particularly great activity for strengthening fine motor skills.
Clixo Super Rainbow – 57 Piece
$89.99
Jaq Jaq Bird Bored Boards
Jaq Jaq Bird’s Bored Boards & Butterstix Chalk Sets come in three different themes and can be used over and over again!
Jaq Jaq Bird Bored Boards – Selfie Boards
$29.99
Jaq Jaq Bird Bored Boards – Letter Boards
$29.99
Jaq Jaq Bird Bored Boards – Game Boards
$29.99
Modular Robotics Cubelets Set
If you’ve been looking for a screen-free way to introduce your tot to the principles of coding, Modular Robotics Cubelets are for you!
Modular Robotics Cubelets Discovery Set
$139
Modular Robotics Cubelets Curiosity Set
$249
Guidecraft PowerClix Set
Available in a range of colors, shapes, and quantities, Guidecraft’s PowerClix Sets are a fantastic STEM activity that help kids learn the fundamentals of engineering. The best part: Each piece integrates with all other PowerClix system sets, so your collection can grow and grow.
Guidecraft PowerClix Frames – Clear 74 Piece
$99.95
Guidecraft PowerClix Frames – 100 Piece
$139.95
Guidecraft PowerClix Solids – Natural 70 Piece
$99.95
Continue exploring
- Looking for more toys with an educational element? Visit The Tot Learning Essentials Shop!
- What We’re Reading: Teaching Your Child A Second Language With The Habbi Habbi Reading Wand & Bilingual Books
