20+ Fun and Simple Toddler Sorting Activities

Inside: This collection of simple toddler sorting activities are a fun addition to the natural sorting they do in their everyday life. A fun way to introduce math to young children!

When toddlers explore their surroundings they start noticing how some things are alike, and some things are different.

They might start grouping the red blocks, for example.

Or line up the blue cars separately from the red cars.

Toddlers are also naturally sorting when they help with everyday tasks, such as putting toys away.

When putting together math activities for our toddlers, we always add some sorting activities as they are simple and hands-on.

This collection of toddler sorting activities can be done in the home or classroom, at the table or on a tray or even on the floor.

They are meant to be a fun addition to the natural sorting they do in their everyday life.

Scroll down to find your free printable list of things to keep toddlers busy!

Valentine’s Counting and Color Sorting – Great for Valentine’s themes, toddlers will sort heart shapes into proper colors using this free printable mat.

Color Sorting Bear Activity – While learning about hibernation, preschoolers will sort these cute bears into their colorful sleeping dens.

Parts of a Flower – This toddler sorting activity also helps to teach about flowers, and allows for a discussion about what the different parts do for the plant. (Play, Teach, Repeat)

Sticker Sorting – This color-sorting sticker activity is a great quiet busy activity for preschoolers, and very easy to assemble. (Busy Toddler)

Happy and Sad Face Sorting – Toddlers will sort the photos of faces by emotions of happy and sad into the pockets. This is a great activity for teaching emotion recognition. (Having Fun at Home)

Felt Shape Sorting – So easy to make yourself using different colors of felt! (My Bored Toddler)

Printable Cereal Sorting Mat – For very little ones, this is a great beginning to teaching the colors, and includes a free printable mat to use. (I Can Teach My Child)

Color Sorting Sticks – Use color circles, popsicle sticks, and cups for a super simple color matching game. (The Measured Mom)

Rainbow Color Sorting Busy Bag – Take this color sorting activity on-the-go for an educational color learning activity in the car. (Learning and Exploring Through Play)

Sorting, Counting, and Graphing – Create a giant graph with your toddler by sorting their cars or other toys by color, and count which category contains the most. (Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls)

Sorting Colored Buttons – This simple sorting activity involves toddlers sorting buttons into size category jars. (Learning 4 Kids)

Apple Sorting – Toddlers will sort apples into green or red baskets; great for a fall theme or apple theme. (The Resourceful Mama)

Sticky Window Color Sorting – Toddlers will sort tissue paper by color onto cling wrap on the windows to add a fun element to color sorting. (Hands On As We Grow)

Egg Carton Color Sorting – This  simple pom-pom color sorting activity also helps young toddlers to strengthen their fine motor pinching skills. (The Imagination Tree)

Coin Sorting – To help teach preschoolers about currency, have them sort different coins into categories. (Rhythms of Play)

Muffin Tin Color Sort – For very young toddlers, this scooping activity is a great way to practice their controlled motion by scooping the ball into the colored muffin tin. (Moments with Miss)

Lego Printable for Colors and Patterns – These free printable mats are a great introduction to pattern-making using legos to sort by color. (I Can Teach My Child)

Sorting Shapes – This sensory bin will allow toddlers to sort shapes into different cups while strengthening their hand muscles. (Learning4Kids)

Foam Cut and Sort – This is a simple and easy to set up sorting activity that will allow toddlers to practice their colors and pinching skills. (Childcareland)

Bean Sort – This is a great sorting activity for any gardening or cooking themes in which toddlers sort various beans into categories. (Busy Toddler)

Sorting Fruits and Vegetables – Another activity for a gardening theme where toddlers sort produce photos into fruit and vegetable categories. (The Natural Homeschool)

More ideas for toddlers:

10 Toddler Science Activities that are Full of Fun

20 Super Fun Toddler Learning Activities

30+ Toddler Indoor Activities that are Super Fun