The latest social media craze is TikTok, which operates a little differently than, say, Instagram or Facebook. There's a "For You Page" (FYP) that autopopulates with content TikTok thinks users will enjoy based on other videos they've already liked and interacted with, and these videos are often filled with amazing hacks for all aspects of our life — especially parenting hacks. Something TikTok is great at featuring are tons of kid-friendly activities that children of all ages will enjoy.
There are TikTok accounts that specialize in sensory play, crafts, DIYs, snacks, and more for kids. Because so much of the app's content is randomized via the FYP, it can be hard to track down these types of videos simply by searching. That's why we've rounded up 15 of TikTok's best activities for kids. Whether there are teens at home or toddlers, there's something for everyone.
Mess-Free Easter Eggs
Easter's coming up, and this year parents can orchestrate a fun, mess-free egg-dying activity. Pour some rice into a plastic bag and add a few drops of food coloring. Then drop an egg in and roll it around. It'll come out with a super cool textured pattern, and the leftover rice can be used for a colorful sensory game.
Captain Crunch Dessert Bars
We've all heard of Rice Krispie Treats, but it's time to make way for Captain Crunch treats. These are made the same way as the Rice Krispie bars, just with a different cereal. They're a fun twist on a classic snack and perfect for older kids to make — or younger ones with some supervision around the stove.
CD Painting
Looking for an activity to do with a teen? Pull out some old CDs and use duct tape to pull off the existing cover art. Then decorate with Sharpies or paint markers to create fun wall decor. Now that we all listen to music via streaming, this is the best way to turn our old CD collection into something new. Reduce, reuse, recycle, right?
"Free the Bugs" Ice Block Activity
This actvity is sure to occupy kids for a while. All parents need to do is freeze some plastic toys in a dish and then hand the children some (safe!) tools (like a spoon, warm water, etc.) to try to "free" the toys. It's the perfect long-lasting activity for when everyone is bored, stuck at home, and wants something new to do.
Edible Sensory Foam
This one's for the babies and toddlers who put everything in their mouths. Genius TikTok-er Taymarieesk came up with a recipe for edible sensory foam. It's made out of chickpeas and food coloring, so if the little ones decide they want to stop playing and start eating, no one gets hurt. It's perfect for kids who can't yet be trusted around shaving cream.
DIY Shrinky Dinks
Need a way to resuse a plastic takeout container? Let kids draw on the plastic with Sharpies and then cut out their designs and place on a baking tray. Put them in the oven at 300 degrees until the plastic heats up and shrinks. They're like the Shrinky Dinks we used to make as kids, but for free!
Glow Stick Dancing
This one is fun for the whole family. Tape glow sticks to the kids' clothes in the shape of a stick figure, put on their favorite song, and turn out the lights for the show. This is a great before-bedtime activity to wear the little ones out so they sleep well. And Mom and Dad can get in on the dancing too!
Ice Painting
All that's needed for this activity is a watercolor set. For the "canvas," freeze a large ice block in a plastic container and once frozen, let the kids go to town. As the ice melts, the water will interact and blend with the different colors for hours of fun. And the highlight? The art disappears when the ice melts so no need to find more room on the fridge for this one.
Kids' $20 Loom
Technically this TikTok was actually posted by a 21-year-old, but the $20 loom they bought from Ikea was originally a kids' toy. Children 6 years old and up will love threading fabric and yarn through the loom to create their own DIY wall art. And older kids and teens will get a kick out of it too, as this adult TikTok-er proved.
Kool-Aid Lipstick
For anyone too young for real makeup, try this DIY lipstick instead. Just melt some Vaseline in the microwave and mix in some Kool-Aid powder. Kids can make any color they like, and when the "lipstick" has hardened, they'll love getting to try it on. Pick up some lip balm containers on Amazon to pour the mixture in.
Ocean Sensory Bath
Turn the bathtub into the ocean with some blue-tinted pasta, plastic ocean animals, and food-coloring dyed water. It's a sensory experience unlike any other. Full disclosure: the mom who posted this video said that it was hard to clean up. But she also said it was totally worth it for how much fun her kids had.
Grow a Plant
This is the perfect springtime activity for older kids and teens. Amazon sells grow kits that make it really easy to start an indoor garden with a variety of flowers and plants. Kids will love watching their seedlings sprout, and it helps teach responsibility by giving them something to care for every day.
Edible Bread Painting
The general rule of thumb may be that kids shouldn't play with their food, but every once in a while it's OK. Try this bread painting activity to make snacktime extra fun. Mix up sugar, water, and food coloring for paint and let the kids get to work on their bread canvases. Then make some sandwiches with their creations.
Makeup Practice Board
This smart TikTok mama cut a piece of plastic from a spinach container and hot glued the sides to a piece of cardboard. Then she drew faces on paper and slid them under the plastic. Her daughter had fun applying makeup to the faces, and everything wipes off clean afterwards — so it's a resuable toy. Genius.
Banana Yogurt Ice Cream
This healthy dessert also makes for a great activity. Have the kids help put popsicle sticks in banana halves and cover in yogurt. Then decorate with sprinkles and freeze. When they want a treat later, these will satisfy the sweet tooth without giving them a sugar overload. Parents are gonna want to try them too.
