Questions parents ask
Short answers about quick play with children aged 1–6, and about Playtime Tonight.
What can I do with my toddler after work?
Something short that you do together. Every Playtime Tonight idea takes 10–15 minutes, uses things already at home and builds one skill, such as counting, describing or balance. Open Playtime Tonight, pick your child’s age and your mood (calm or energetic, messy or no mess), and it suggests one idea for tonight.
What are good activities for a 2-year-old at home?
Two-year-olds love real jobs, simple pretend and moving: stirring, sorting socks, feeding a teddy, jumping between cushions. See all 92 play ideas for 2-year-olds, or ideas for other ages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Do I need to buy anything?
No. Every idea uses things most homes already have, like cups, spoons, socks, paper and cushions, and each one lists exactly what you need before you start.
Is Playtime Tonight free?
Yes. All 138 ideas, the filters and your played and loved lists are free, with no account needed. Playtime Plus is optional ($3.99 a month or $29 a year, with a 7-day free trial). It adds a five-evening weekly plan with one shopping list, profiles for brothers and sisters, printable cards and a new theme pack every month.
Is it an app I need to download?
No. It works in the browser on any phone, tablet or computer, and you can add it to your home screen if you like.
How do these ideas help my child’s development?
Each idea builds one named skill in one of seven areas: confidence and feelings, numbers and math, science, space and stars, words and stories, body and movement, and making. Every idea says which skill it builds and why it helps, so you can see the learning while you play.
Are the activities safe?
They are made for a grown-up and child to do together, with the grown-up close by the whole time. Ideas with water, food, small parts or tools carry a safety note, and our safety tips cover the basics. You know your child best, so skip or change anything that doesn’t feel right.
What can two children of different ages play together?
Many ideas suit a range of ages and include an easier and a harder version. With Plus, add a profile for each child and choose “Together”: it suggests only ideas that fit all of them.
What’s a calm activity before bed?
In Playtime Tonight, choose Calm and it suggests only quiet ideas, like stories, sorting games and looking at the Moon. Choose No mess to see only ideas that need no tidying up afterward.
Do you collect data about my child?
Without an account, nothing leaves your device: the only thing the app asks about your child is their age, and that stays on your phone. With an account, we keep your play history so it syncs between your devices. See our privacy policy.