Turtle Activities for Toddlers: Engaging Learning Fun

Turtles are such curious creatures, and if your toddler is anything like mine, they’re fascinated by the way turtles move and look. Turtle Activities for Toddlers is a fun round-up post that brings together some of our favorite themed crafts and sensory projects to help you create engaging moments for your child.

For more ideas beyond turtles, check out my list of fun Animal Activities for Kids. It’s filled with hands-on inspiration for a wide range of animals. That resource has been a go-to when I need to shake things up at home.

Below, you’ll find turtle crafts, STEM experiments, and creative ways to play with your toddler. I’ve included a list of what you need, some of our favorite learning tools, and links to explore even more animal-themed fun.

a collage of Turtle Activities for Toddlers

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Fascinating Facts About Turtles

Turtles are full of surprises, and it’s fun to learn just how unique they are. Before jumping into the activities, I like to share a few interesting facts with my toddler to help build curiosity. Here are some cool things we’ve learned about turtles:

Turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago.
Unlike most animals, a turtle’s shell is part of its skeleton, and it can’t come out of it.
Some turtles can live for over 100 years, making them one of the longest-living reptiles.

My Recommended Turtle Books Toddlers Will Love

Reading about turtles can make learning even more fun. I enjoy keeping a few turtle-themed storybooks in our collection for bedtime or quiet afternoons. They’re great for building vocabulary and making connections with the activities we do.

The Box Turtle Little Hippo Books Shell Days with Turtle I Children’s Books Ages 1-3 | Touch and Feel Books for Toddlers 1-3 & Baby Books | Best Kid’s Books and … Children’s Books and Sensory Books Good Night Little Turtle How the Turtle Got Its Shell You Are My Happy: An Interactive Book of Love and Togetherness with Peek Through Cutout Pages Do Turtles Like Ice Cream?

Why teach toddlers about turtles?

I’ve found that starting with something as specific as turtles makes learning more memorable. It gives kids a chance to focus and observe, even if it’s just through pictures or pretend play. Turtles are slow-moving and easy to imitate, which makes them perfect for toddlers who learn by doing.

It also opens the door to talking about nature and animals in a way that feels natural. When we discuss turtles, we often find ourselves talking about oceans, ponds, and the various creatures that inhabit them. It’s a simple way to introduce new vocabulary and ideas without needing a big plan.

Recommended Early Learner Printable Packs

I always keep a few printable packs on hand when I’m prepping activities. They’re an easy way to support early writing and fine motor practice without a lot of setup. These are perfect to pair with turtle play.

Supplies You’ll Want to Have Ready

You won’t need anything fancy for most of these turtle activities. Here’s a basic list I’ve used:

Cotton pads
Green construction paper
Washable paint
Glue sticks
Scissors
Paper plates
Googly eyes
Clear contact paper
Nature finds (leaves, twigs, moss)

Turtle Toys That Keep Kids Busy

Turtle-themed toys are a great way to extend the learning and keep toddlers entertained during quiet time. I appreciate having a mix of stacking, matching, and pretend play options that support the topics we’ve been discussing.

B. toys- Teaching Turtle- 10 Numbered & Colorful Pegs – Learning Toy with Lights & Sounds – Educational Toys for Toddlers, Kids – 18 Months +Playmaker Toys Rubber Turtle Family Set of 4 Baby Bath Toys JOYIN 5 Pcs Turtle Balance Stepping Stones, Kids Turtle Path Jumping Stones, Toddler Obstacle Course Coordination Game Toys Indoor or Outdoor Play for Kids Aged 3+Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Dilly Dally Turtle Target Action Game LeapFrog Nest and Count Turtle Tower Wee Wonders Turtle Sandbox with Lid for Toddlers 3-5, Sand Box Toys with Cover Suit for Sensory Playsand, Kids Sand Activity Sensory Playset, Summer Beach Indoor Outdoor Toy Gifts Boys Girls

More Animal Activities To Try

If your child loves these turtle ideas, you’ll want to keep the fun going with other animals. Numerous hands-on ideas combine play with early learning, and they’re easy to rotate through during the week.

Turtle Books for Kindergarten
Dolphin Activities for Toddlers
Parts of a Rabbit Worksheets
Paper Hedgehog Craft
Free Parts of a Rabbit Worksheet by Homeschool of 1
Elephant Paper Bag Puppet Craft by Simple Everyday Mom

https://entertainyourtoddler.com

Hatching Turtle Eggs Activity

This sensory bin project is such a hit in our home. Watching my toddler crack open the baking soda eggs was half science and half excitement. Plus, the fizzing reaction makes it feel extra special.

https://happytoddlerplaytime.com

Cotton Pad Turtle Craft

We’ve done this one a few times. It’s simple enough for little hands, and the cotton pads make a great turtle shell texture. Just add some paint and paper legs.

https://happytoddlerplaytime.com

Yertle the Turtle STEM Challenge

Perfect for a stack-and-balance experiment. Inspired by the Dr. Seuss book, this challenge lets toddlers try stacking different materials to build their own turtle towers. A great intro to early STEM concepts.

https://homeschoolpreschool.net

Adorable Crumpled Paper Turtle Craft for Kids

This one’s a go-to for a quiet afternoon. The steps are easy to follow, and you can cut out everything ahead of time to make it toddler-ready.

https://www.thekeeperofthememories.com

Sea Turtle Sensory Bin

I love how this bin brings in ocean elements. We used blue water beads and toy turtles to create a mini underwater world. My toddler spent ages scooping and exploring.

https://www.3dinosaurs.com

Flower Turtle

This idea mixes nature and crafting. We collected some leaves and blossoms, then used them to decorate our turtle outlines. It made a lovely keepsake.

https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Turtle Headband Craft

Fun for pretend play. After making these, my toddler wore it for the rest of the day and crawled around the house pretending to be a turtle. Simple and adorable.

https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Turtle Handprint Craft

A classic keepsake project. We love handprint crafts because they mark a moment in time and are great for gifting. Add a green handprint, decorate the shell, and you’re done.

https://homeschoolpreschool.net

Craft Paper Turtle

This colorful activity gives kids a chance to tear and glue. The tissue paper adds texture and fun color mixing to the project

https://www.redtedart.com

Turtle Handprint Father’s Day Card

This one doubles as a gift and a craft. We did this for Father’s Day last year, and it was such a sweet way to make something handmade. Easy enough for toddlers with a bit of help.