5 Simple Toddler Activities Both Parents Can Enjoy When Coparenting

Family law solicitors often help separated parents put legal frameworks in place—but building joyful co-parenting routines is something that continues long after paperwork is signed.

Spending quality time with your child, regardless of your parenting schedule, helps strengthen bonds and ease the emotional transitions that come with separation or divorce. That’s where simple, age-appropriate activities can make all the difference.

When both parents can participate in shared or mirrored experiences, it brings a sense of consistency to the child’s world—and reassures them that both parents are still present in their life.

Let’s look at five easy, toddler-friendly activities that both parents can enjoy with their little one, even from separate homes.

1. Story Time with a Twist

Reading with your toddler is always valuable, but you can turn it into a co-parenting win by choosing a book series you both keep copies of. For example, you might each have a copy of The Gruffalo, Dear Zoo, or another favourite—and make reading part of your regular bedtime routine.

Better still, you can record yourself reading one of the books aloud using a voice note or video. The other parent can then play it during their parenting time to provide comfort and familiarity.

This routine creates a calm, shared experience and strengthens emotional bonds across households.

For more parenting support ideas, check out the Family Lives website, which offers practical tips for separated families.

2. Nature Walk Treasure Hunts

Toddlers thrive outdoors—and co-parenting doesn’t have to mean completely separate activities. Try creating a nature-themed treasure hunt that can be done from both homes. Use simple prompts like:

* Find something red
* Spot a bird
* Pick up a smooth stone

Each parent can go on their own version of the hunt with the child, take pictures, and share them later. This creates a shared sense of discovery and can spark conversation between visits.

It’s also a good way to add gentle structure to weekend visits without over-planning.

You could also keep a scrapbook of finds—leaves, feathers, or photos—to pass between homes. Over time, this shared project becomes a treasured keepsake that documents your toddler’s growth and shared experiences.

3. Baking Simple Treats

Baking is messy, fun, and brilliant for toddlers who love to get hands-on. Choose easy, no-fuss recipes like:

* Banana muffins
* Fairy cakes
* Simple pizzas with pre-made bases

Parents can make the same recipe during their parenting time and share pictures, or even video call during the baking session if relations are amicable. It helps toddlers associate both homes with warmth, fun, and a sense of normality.

Let your toddler help measure, pour, and stir—it’s not just fun, it also boosts their confidence and fine motor skills. If a recipe turns out a bit wonky, that’s part of the charm!

Make sure ingredients and recipes are chosen with allergies or dietary requirements in mind. BBC Good Food has loads of toddler-friendly ideas that can be shared.

4. Matching Craft Kits

Crafting doesn’t need to be complicated. Pre-prepared activity packs (e.g. sticker books, finger painting sets, pipe-cleaner animal kits) allow both parents to share the same experience without needing identical skill levels or creativity.

Agree on a small monthly budget and take turns buying matching kits. The child can then bring their finished creations between homes, or parents can keep a "craft wall" where new pieces are proudly displayed.

This also reinforces the idea that both homes are safe, expressive, and equally supportive environments.

Try using themes that align with the seasons, upcoming holidays, or things your toddler is learning at nursery. For example, create autumn leaf collages in October or hand-print flowers for springtime. These recurring crafts help anchor children in time and give them something familiar to look forward to.

The NHS Start for Life campaign offers additional ideas for child development through play.

5. Shared Music and Dance Time

Music is a universal mood-booster, and toddlers love repetition. Creating a shared playlist of your child’s favourite songs can help them feel connected to both parents—even when you're not together.

Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube allow you to build and share playlists easily. Add tracks like Baby Shark, Wheels on the Bus, or Sleeping Bunnies, and use them during your own dance parties, morning routines, or tidy-up time.

You might even film your toddler dancing to the same song in each household—it’s a great memory for the child and can be surprisingly moving for co-parents, too.

Don’t underestimate the emotional power of lullabies either. A familiar tune before bed can bring great comfort and help toddlers transition more smoothly between homes.

Build New Traditions That Travel Between Homes

In addition to the specific activities listed, consider establishing small rituals or traditions that can travel with your toddler between households. These can be simple, like saying a certain goodnight phrase, using a shared calendar with stickers to count down to the next visit, or wearing matching friendship bracelets.

These small acts may seem insignificant to adults, but to a toddler, they represent continuity, security, and belonging.

Even if the relationship between parents is strained, focusing on these shared touchpoints helps shift the emphasis away from conflict and towards cooperation.

It’s the Little Things That Count

When you're co-parenting a toddler, consistency is key—but that doesn’t mean everything has to be rigid. Finding playful, repeatable, and shared activities helps toddlers feel secure and loved in both homes.

These ideas don’t require large budgets or intense coordination—just a bit of thought, and a shared commitment to your child’s happiness. And if you need support with your parenting arrangements, working with solicitors ensures that your legal rights and responsibilities are well defined, giving you the space to focus on what truly matters: time well spent with your little one.

This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For support with co-parenting arrangements, contact a qualified family solicitor.