This morning at 9 a.m., I was doing what every parent does—picking up the same clothes my two-year-old had just thrown all over the floor. Again.
I had just finished folding the last shirt when I heard my son yelling from across the room.
“Dad! Dad! Eat! Eat!”
When I turned around, I saw him sitting on his little chair with a big metal pot in front of him. He was stirring it with a huge wooden-handled turner, and inside the pot? A bunch of empty plastic nursing bottles.
He looked so proud of himself. Like he’d just invented something genius.
And honestly? He kind of did.
Why I Stopped Buying Expensive Toys
Here’s what I’ve learned after two years of being a dad: toddlers don’t care about fancy toys. They care about doing stuff. Real stuff. The kind of stuff they see you doing every day.
My son has a toy kitchen that cost me $60. You know how often he plays with it? Maybe twice a week.
But give him a real pot, a real spoon, and some random kitchen stuff? He’ll play for 20 minutes straight. And if you have toddlers, you know that 20 minutes of focused play is like winning the lottery.
That’s why I’m sharing this super simple pretend cooking activity for toddlers. It costs $0, takes 2 minutes to set up, and keeps them busy while you actually get something done.
What You Need for This Toddler Stirring Activity
You don’t need to buy anything. Just grab these things from your kitchen:
- A lightweight pot (aluminum works best because it makes a fun sound)
- A big spoon or wooden-handled turner (wooden or plastic is fine)
- Empty plastic nursing bottles (the plastic ones your toddler already finished)
- Bottle caps and rings (optional, but they love these)
That’s it. No batteries. No assembly. No shipping fees.
Just open your cupboard, and you’re ready to go.
How to Set Up This Easy Kitchen Activity for 2-Year-Olds
Step 1: Put the pot on the floor or on a low table where your toddler can reach it comfortably.
Step 2: Toss in the empty plastic nursing bottles, caps, and rings.
Step 3: Hand them the spoon or wooden-handled turner.
Step 4: Step back and watch the magic happen.
My son immediately started stirring. Then he started talking to himself. “Hot! Hot! Yummy soup!” (Well, that’s what I think he said. Toddler language is still a mystery sometimes.)
At one point, he stopped stirring and just focused on balancing one of the white bottle caps on the flat edge of the turner. He was so focused on keeping it steady!
Why This Simple Activity Is Actually Really Good for Your Toddler
I know it looks like just random play. But trust me, there’s a lot happening in that little brain.
1. It Builds Fine Motor Skills
Holding a big wooden-handled turner and stirring in circles is harder than it looks for a toddler. It takes hand strength, wrist control, and coordination. This toddler stirring activity helps them practice those skills in a fun way.
2. It Encourages Pretend Play
When toddlers pretend that a plastic bottle is a carrot or a fish, they’re using something called symbolic thinking. That’s a fancy way of saying they’re using their imagination to turn one thing into something else. This is a huge part of brain development at this age.
3. It Teaches Real-Life Skills
Toddlers love copying what we do. When they see us cooking, they want to cook too. These kitchen activities for toddlers help them feel independent and capable. Plus, it’s early practice for real cooking skills they’ll use later.
4. It’s a Screen-Free Activity for Toddlers
Let’s be honest—sometimes we just need 10 minutes of peace, and it’s easy to hand them a tablet. But screen-free activities for toddlers like this one are way better for their development. And the best part? You can sit nearby with your coffee and actually relax while they play.
Important Safety Tips (Please Read This Part)
Even though we’re using everyday items, safety always comes first. Here’s what I do to keep things safe:
- Only use the big pieces. I let my son play with the bottles and the large screw rings. But I take away any tiny caps or seals that could be choking hazards.
- Stick to plastic bottles. Glass bottles are too heavy and dangerous, especially on tile or hardwood floors.
- Choose a lightweight pot. Make sure it’s not too heavy for your toddler to lift. You don’t want it falling on their little feet.
- Always supervise. I stay in the room while he plays. Toddlers are unpredictable, and things can go sideways fast.
More Toddler Activities Using Household Items
Once you see how much your toddler loves this activity, you’ll probably want to try more. Here are some other easy ideas using stuff you already have:
- Sorting game: Give them a muffin tin and some pom-poms, buttons, or pasta to sort into the cups.
- Water transfer: Set up two bowls of water and let them scoop water from one bowl to the other with a wooden-handled turner or cup.
- Banging concert: Hand them a wooden spoon and let them bang on pots and pans like a drum set. (Warning: it’s loud.)
- Stacking bottles: Let them stack empty bottles or cans into towers and knock them down.
All of these are screen-free activities for toddlers that help with fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving.
Why Simple Beats Fancy (Every Single Time)
I used to think I needed to buy every educational toy I saw online. The ones with lights, sounds, and 47 different modes.
But here’s what I’ve learned: toddlers don’t need all that. They need simple, open-ended activities where they get to decide what happens next.
A fancy toy tells them what to do. But a pot and some bottles? That lets them be creative. And that’s so much more valuable.
Final Thoughts: Give It a Try Today
If you’re looking for easy kitchen activities for toddlers that don’t cost anything and actually work, this is it.
You don’t need to wait for Amazon to deliver something. You don’t need to spend money you don’t have. You just need to look in your kitchen cupboard.
Grab a pot. Grab some bottles. Hand your toddler a turner.
Then sit back and watch them create their own little world.
It’s messy. It’s noisy. And it’s one of the best parts of being a parent.
Have you tried any toddler activities using household items? What’s your toddler’s favorite thing to play with? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas!
