33 Sharing Activities for Toddlers: Shaping Little Empaths with Big Hearts

Raising a toddler can feel like navigating a storm of boundless energy, endless curiosity, and an occasional dose of… possessive fury. Yes, that moment when those tiny fists clench around a coveted toy, and the word “mine” rings out like a defiant battle cry – it’s enough to make any mom wonder, “Will they ever learn to share?” While sharing may come naturally to some kiddos, for others, it’s a learned skill, a journey of empathy and understanding that we, as their guiding lights, get to nurture. And because I know your time is precious (believe me, I live in the same time-crunched world you do!), I’ve picked these 33 engaging sharing activities that you can weave into your busy days to teach your little one the magic of giving.

Sharing activities: how giving shapes your child’s future

Sharing might seem like a simple act in a toddler’s world, but the seeds sown today nourish the roots of their future success. Beyond avoiding meltdowns over contested trucks and crayon skirmishes, sharing lays the foundation for crucial social skills.

• Empathy power. Sharing isn’t just about stuff, it’s about understanding others. When your kiddo takes turns or offers a snack, they’re learning to see things from someone else’s point of view – a superpower for building strong relationships later on.
• Teamwork mastery. Whether it’s building forts or sharing ideas, cooperating with others is key to success. Sharing lays the groundwork for teamwork, a skill your child will rock on the soccer field, in the classroom, and beyond.
• Confidence booster. Knowing they can make others happy through sharing gives your child a confidence boost. They’ll learn the joy of giving and become someone who embraces the world with an open heart.
• Friendship magnet. Sharing builds bridges – literally and figuratively. When your child gives and receives, they create connections and friendships that will enrich their life for years to come.

Why does sharing feel like climbing Mount Everest for toddlers?

Toddlers are naturally egocentric. The world revolves around their wants and needs. The activities I am going to share with you require kids to step outside their immediate bubble and recognize another’s perspective. No wonder it can be tricky!

So, I tried to make these sharing activities fun, engaging, and manageable for busy moms on the go. This collection can also inspire educators searching for sharing activities for kindergarten.

This post contains affiliate links to products, helping me to earn a small commission for purchases made through them, at no additional cost to you. See the full affiliate disclaimer here.

Unlocking the magic of “we”: 33 fun sharing activities for toddlers

Quick activities to promote sharing and turn-taking (5 minutes or less)

1. Snack playdate 

Slice an apple or banana into bite-sized pieces, and encourage your little one to offer a slice to a sibling or playmate. Celebrate each shared bite with cheers and high-fives!

2. Singing circle

Hum a simple sharing song like “Wheels on the Bus” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” but add a twist! Have your child take turns singing different verses or holding the toy bus.

3. Cookie decorating fun

Bake some cookies together, grab your cookie decoration supplies, and decorate the cookies together as a team, encouraging your child to offer bites (even if it’s just pretending!).

4. Helping hand game

While doing a simple chore like folding laundry or unloading groceries, ask your child to help with a small task like sorting socks or handing you items. Celebrate their helpfulness and share the “accomplishment” together.

Creative sharing activities and sharing games for toddlers (10-20 minutes)

Creating something together as a team promotes not only sharing but also turn-taking, which is also a tremendous skill. While working on a creative project, demonstrate how important it is to wait for each other to finish, share supplies, and seek creative advice from your teammate, etc. Here are some creative sharing activities to try: 

5. Play-Doh pals

Divide your Play-Doh into balls and shapes, then use them to build a fantastical world together. Make sure your child creates something for their “Play-Doh friend” too!

If you don’t have store-bought Play-Doh, do not despair. You can make play dough at home using simple kitchen ingredients, turning the process into a sharing activity on its own. Your child will love taking turns in scooping, measuring, and mixing the ingredients, and sharing kitchen tools with you!

6. Storytime swap

Pick two picture books, cuddle with your toddler under a cozy shared blanket, and take turns reading each other a page or two. You read and your child tells what they see on a page. 

7. Puppet pals on parade

Use paper bags, socks, or cardboard boxes to create simple puppets together. Then, put on a puppet show for each other, siblings, or pets, taking turns telling stories and sharing the spotlight.

8. Sensory bin sharing

Fill a plastic container with rice, beans, or another safe sensory material. Hide small toys or objects inside and encourage your child to find them together, taking turns digging and sharing their discoveries.

9. Pass the story challenge

While it might seem like this collaborative storytelling game is all about imagination, it’s also a sneaky way to nurture sharing! Start a story together, taking turns adding sentences or creating silly characters. This back-and-forth exchange encourages turn-taking and considering another’s ideas, fostering the very foundations of sharing behavior.

Plus, as you celebrate each shared story twist and giggle over silly plotlines, you’re reinforcing the joy of collaborating and creating together, making sharing feel less like a chore and more like a fun adventure. 

10. Catch and answer

Pass a ball back and forth asking your child questions at every pass. The questions can be themed. For example:

• “If you were a pirate, what would you bury?” (for a pirate-themed game)
• “What superpower would you choose?” (superhero-themed)
• “If you had a pet dinosaur, what fun tricks would you teach it? (dinosaur-themed)
• “If you could talk to an animal, what question would you ask?” (animal-themed)

This activity promotes not only sharing but also active listening and imagination. 

11. The toy example

Grab your child’s favorite dolls or stuffies and dive into playful pretend scenarios. Make the toys share a coveted blanket, take turns riding a pretend roller coaster, or work together to solve a mini-adventure. As your furry friends demonstrate the joys of generosity and turn-taking, your little one might also find that sharing feels great. 

 

Adventurous sharing games for toddlers (20+ minutes)

12. Cooking masterclass 

Kitchen is your territory, mama, so inviting a kid into your sanctuary is already an act of sharing! Choose a recipe with simple ingredients and tasks you can easily split. 

Let your child measure out flour, crack eggs (with gentle supervision!), and stir the batter – each action is a fun act of sharing responsibility. Opt for utensils with long handles like spatulas or whisks. You can grab one end while your child holds the other, creating a literal “hands-on” sharing experience. 

Here is a tip on how you can turn this sharing activity into a powerful sensory stimulation. Let your child explore the textures and smells of different ingredients. Share the soft feel of the dough, the giggle-inducing tickle of flour tickling their nose, and the sweet anticipation of the baking aroma.

Explore textures, share the delicious aroma, and savor the reward together – bonding over a homemade treat is the sweetest sharing experience of all!

13. Puzzling together

Work together on a puzzle (choose puzzles according to your toddler’s age and skills), encouraging your child to take turns placing the pieces and celebrating each completed section as a team. This activity teaches your child to be patient while waiting for the teammate’s action and boosts problem-solving and communication skills. 

14. Plant a seed of kindness

Plant a seed in a small pot together, taking turns watering it and caring for it. Talk about how you’re sharing the responsibility and watching something grow together.

15. Obstacle course teamwork

Create a simple obstacle course at home using pillows, chairs, and toys. Take turns navigating the course together, offering help and encouragement, and celebrating each successful completion as a team.

16. Nature scavenger hunt

Head to a park or your backyard and create a scavenger hunt list of natural objects like leaves, flowers, or different colored rocks. Search for them together, sharing your finds and discussing their textures and colors.

17. Cozy tea party 

This sweet social adventure builds on familiar experiences while introducing the joys of hosting and sharing.

Grab toy cookware and any available plush friends. Let your child “brew” imaginary tea in a pot, pouring pretend sips for each furry guest and themselves. As you clink teacups and offer imaginary treats, discuss what it means to be a good host, sharing laughter and “yum!” in equal measure.

Adapt the experience to your child’s age: use real glasses with water or diluted juice for older kids, adding a touch of lemon for that zesty tea feel. Remember, it’s all about the giggles and shared moments (although it can be also a great opportunity to talk about good manners).

18. Color collage chameleon

Grab washable markers and a large piece of paper. Take turns drawing different parts of a silly creature, like a rainbow-spotted chameleon. Describe your additions and laugh together at the wacky masterpiece you create! 

Crafts about sharing

19. Friendship bracelets

Make colorful bracelets using yarn or a bracelet beading kit, then encourage your child to gift one to a friend at daycare or a neighbor child.

20. Handprint art

Make handprints on pieces of color paper using different colors. Then, cut them out and arrange them into a heart or flower, symbolizing shared love and joy.

21. Play-Doh sharing tray

Divide your Play-Doh into a rainbow of colors and create a sharing tray with cookie cutters, rolling pins, and other dough tools. Invite your child to play with a sibling or playmate, encouraging them to share resources and create together.

Sharing activities with limited supplies

22. Bubble fun

Blow bubbles together and encourage your child to chase them with you. When a bubble pops, cheer for the teamwork!

23. Dance party

Put on some upbeat music and have a silly dance party! Take turns leading the moves and making each other laugh.

24. Fort building  

Use blankets, pillows, and chairs to build a cozy fort together. Play inside, read stories, or share secrets, making the fort a special space for connection and sharing.

Sharing is caring activities for small spaces

25. Puppet show surprise

Hide small stuffed animals around the house, then have a playful puppet show together, giving each character a voice and sharing the stage.

26. Building blocks fun

Build a tower or castle together using building blocks I’m sure you already have at home. Encourage your child to take turns adding pieces and share the blocks with you. Celebrating the completed structure as a shared accomplishment.

27. Musical chairs remix

Play a twist on musical chairs! Instead of rushing for a seat when the music stops, encourage your child to share a chair with a sibling or playmate. Make it a dance party and focus on the fun of being together.

28. Parachute play

Get a large sheet or parachute and play together! Have your child hold one edge while you hold the other, and take turns lifting and lowering the parachute, creating waves and laughs.

Sharing games for toddlers

Let’s ditch the toys and dive into some games that spark conversations to turn your little chatterbox into a social pro (and subtly encourage them to share)!

29. “I spy”

The oldie but goodie! Take turns hiding around the house and giving cryptic clues: “I spy with my little eye, something round and yellow…” Encourage your child to ask clarifying questions until they guess the object.

Sharing clues and taking turns guessing fosters a sense of teamwork and collaboration. Each player contributes to the game and shares in the excitement of discovery.

30. “Yes or no?” mystery

Think of a familiar object (like a teddy bear) and answer your child’s yes/no questions until they guess it. Start with broad ones like “Is it alive?” and gradually narrow it down with details like “Does it have soft fur?” This builds deduction skills and conversational finesse.

Also, guessing together requires listening to each other’s questions and responses, practicing clear communication, and sharing the joy of solving the puzzle.

31. “What if?”

Let your imaginations run wild! Throw out “what if” scenarios: “What if birds could talk?” or “What if the sky was purple?”. Encourage your child to elaborate on their answers, building storytelling skills and creative thinking.

Building a shared story involves taking turns and considering each other’s ideas, promoting collaboration and sharing the creative space.

32. “Guess the sound”

Make silly noises, animal sounds, or even household appliance sounds. Challenge your child to guess what you’re mimicking, prompting them to ask clarifying questions and listen carefully.

Making and interpreting sounds demands attentiveness and communication, as players share their auditory observations and work together to identify the source.

33. “Finish the story”

Start a silly story and take turns adding sentences, building it together. This encourages creative collaboration and listening skills, all while having a giggle-filled narrative adventure.

Adding sentences to a shared narrative encourages turn-taking, incorporating each other’s ideas, and ultimately sharing the joy of creating a story together.

Bonus tip: 

Turn mealtimes into conversation feasts! Ask open-ended questions about their day, their interests, and their dreams. Show genuine interest in their answers and share your own stories, creating a warm and open space for communication to blossom.

Sharing activities: how to help your kid overcome sharing anxiety?

Why forcing to share can backfire

Forcing toddlers to share can actually do more harm than good. Here’s why:

• It undermines autonomy. Toddlers are developing a sense of self and ownership. Taking away control over their personal belongings can feel intrusive and disrespectful, sending the message that their preferences and boundaries don’t matter.
• It breeds resentment. Imagine someone demanding you share your favorite possession. Frustration and resentment are natural responses, potentially leading to meltdowns, hiding toys, or even refusing to share anything in the future.
• It focuses on the outcome, not the process. The goal of sharing is fostering empathy and understanding, not simply making toys available. Forcing the act disconnects the child from the intrinsic value of sharing and can make it feel like a chore or a loss.
• It misses the teachable moment. When a child chooses to share on their own, it’s a powerful act of generosity and empathy. Celebrating that choice reinforces the positive aspects of sharing and provides a more impactful lesson than forced compliance.

Managing sharing anxiety: “Choose control” 

Before the playdate, talk to your child and offer them to choose what toys they want to share and put away toys they cherish too much to share at the moment. This approach gives your child a sense of control and enables them to mature for sharing step by step.

Another option to manage sharing anxiety is setting a sharing timer like the characters of this book did:

When do kids finally grasp the sharing skill?

Two years old is the best age to start teaching your kids to share, but solid results may come much later.

Studies show that two-year-olds can already grasp the concept of sharing. Still, their motivations are often self-centered: seeking attention, initiating play, or simply boasting a cool toy. 

True, consistent sharing comes much later, around age 5-6 when empathy blossoms and understanding others’ feelings takes root.   

So, mama, breathe easy through the “mine!” battles. If you are consistent with involving your child in sharing activities and sharing games for toddlers, soon sharing will become your child’s second nature. 

Mom tips: how to make sharing activities work?

• Focus on the process, not the product. Don’t stress about reaching a perfect end result with each activity. The emphasis is on enjoying the process of sharing with your child, building their understanding, and strengthening your bond.
• Keep it fun and playful. Laughter is the best medicine, and it makes learning stick. Inject joy and silliness into each activity, and your child will be more receptive to the lesson.
• Turn mistakes into teachable moments. Accidents happen, and toys get snatched. Use these hiccups as opportunities to gently explain why sharing is important and how their actions affect others.
• Celebrate every shared win. Big or small, acknowledge acts of sharing with enthusiasm! A high five, a beaming smile, and a “Yay, you shared!” goes a long way in reinforcing positive behavior.
• Lead by example. Sharing isn’t just for kiddos! Show your little one the value of generosity in your own actions. Offer your seat on the bus, share your umbrella with a stranger, and let your child witness your kindness firsthand.
• Enjoy amazing sharing stories together. You can find lots of great books on sharing for your child’s age. We’ve got a handful of sharing-is-caring story suggestions for you, too:

These are just a few stepping stones on your journey to raising a little empath. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. There will be days when “mine” reigns supreme, but with patience, encouragement, and a sprinkle of these fun sharing activities for toddlers, you’ll witness the beautiful blossoming of your child’s capacity to care, give, and share the joy of life with others.

If you loved this post on sharing activities, grab more inspiration:

Unstructured Play: 7 Ideas on How to Help Kids Unwind And Boost Creativity