Kids Activities
Best Activities for 1-Year-Olds
Discover the best activities for 1-year-olds to help them grow, develop, and have fun! From playing with toys to exploring their environment, find out what activities can help them learn and keep them busy.
1-year-olds are just starting to explore the world around them, and the best way to help them develop and grow is through activities. At this age, activities should be simple, engaging, and fun. From sensory activities to music and art, there is a variety of activities that can help your one-year-old reach developmental milestones. In this article, we will explore some of the best activities for one-year-olds that will stimulate their minds and help them learn.
Best & Fun Activities for 1-Year-Olds
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Cute Tummy Time Painting Activity For 7 Month Babies
Image Source/Tutorial: Mama Papa Bubba
Boost your baby’s development with a cute tummy time painting activity. This sensory play encourages crawling, strengthens muscles, and sparks creativity. Use non-toxic paints for safe fun. Perfect for 7-month-olds, it combines art and exercise to make tummy time engaging while aiding motor skills.
Q-tip Push Game Activity On Egg Carton For 1-Year-Olds
Image Source/Tutorial: Happily Ever Mom
Enhance fine motor skills with this Q-tip push game using egg cartons. Ideal for 1-year-olds, this simple yet fun activity promotes hand-eye coordination and problem-solving. It’s an affordable DIY learning activity that keeps toddlers entertained while developing essential cognitive abilities through playful exploration.
Jiggly Jelly Time – Fun Activity For 6 Month Babies
Introduce textures with jiggly jelly time, a sensory activity perfect for 6-month-old babies. Let them squish and explore jelly in a safe environment. This tactile experience stimulates their senses and aids sensory development. A delightful way to encourage curiosity and improve touch perception during the early stages of growth.
Baby Bottles Sensory Bin Activities For 1-Years-Olds
Image Source/Tutorial: Happy Toddler Play Time
Create a baby bottle sensory bin for 1-year-olds to enhance sensory processing skills. Fill it with colorful items like pom-poms or rice for hands-on exploration. This easy activity supports cognitive development and keeps toddlers engaged while improving focus and creativity through interactive playtime ideas at home.
Easy Letter Grab Learning Activity For 9 Months Babies
Image Source/Tutorial: Happy Toddler Play Time
Teach letter recognition early with the easy letter grab learning activity. Designed for 9-month-old babies, this educational game uses soft toys or foam letters. Encourage grabbing and identifying shapes to build foundational literacy skills. A fun and simple way to combine playtime with developmental milestones for infants.
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Simple & Best Sensory Fort Activity For Babies
Image Source/Tutorial: Messy Little Monster
Build a cozy sensory fort for babies to stimulate imagination and calmness. Using blankets and pillows, create a snug space filled with lights, sounds, or textures. This best sensory fort idea fosters relaxation and curiosity while providing a safe haven for exploration—an ideal indoor activity for all ages.
Cute Sensory Board Play Activity For Infant Babies
Engage infant babies with a cute sensory board featuring buttons, zippers, and fabrics. This DIY sensory board enhances tactile awareness and fine motor skills. Perfect for little hands, it offers endless entertainment while supporting early childhood development. An excellent addition to any nursery or daycare setting.
Tummy Time – Sensory Play Activity For 1-Years-Old
Image Source/Tutorial: Can Do Kiddo
Make tummy time exciting for 1-year-olds by incorporating sensory elements like textured mats or toys. This sensory play activity strengthens neck muscles and improves balance. Add bright colors and sounds to keep them engaged longer, turning routine exercises into joyful moments of discovery and physical growth.
Fun Fluffy Bin Sensory Play Activity For Babies
Image Source/Tutorial: Busy Toddler
Fill a fluffy bin with cotton balls or fabric scraps for a fun sensory play session. Babies love exploring soft textures, fostering their sense of touch. This low-mess activity is great for infants and toddlers alike, providing hours of amusement while boosting sensory integration and fine motor control.
Mirror Time Matters Activity For 1-years-Old
Image Source/Tutorial: Simple Home Blessings
Encourage self-recognition with mirror time matters, a reflective activity for 1-year-olds. Place a child-safe mirror in front of them to observe facial expressions and movements. This boosts social-emotional development and body awareness, making it both educational and entertaining—a must-try bonding moment between parent and child.
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Water Tray Play Activity For Babies
Image Source/Tutorial: Learn With Play at Home
Set up a water tray play station for refreshing summer fun. Babies can splash, pour, and scoop water with cups or toys. This water tray activity develops hand-eye coordination and sensory skills. Supervised play ensures safety while offering a cool, engaging way to beat the heat indoors or outdoors.
Simple Music Bin Sensory Activity For 9 Months Babies
Image Source/Tutorial: Busy Toddler
Craft a music bin filled with shakers, bells, and drums for auditory stimulation. This sensory activity captivates 9-month-old babies’ attention and nurtures rhythm skills. Simple yet effective, it introduces musical concepts early on, encouraging listening skills and creative expression through sound exploration at home.
Rat-a-tat Tins Drum Play Activity For 8 Month Babies
Image Source/Tutorial: Learn With Play at Home
Turn tin cans into mini drums for rat-a-tat drumming fun. Babies aged 8 months will enjoy tapping rhythms, enhancing auditory and motor skills. This noisemaker activity fosters cause-and-effect understanding while keeping little ones entertained. Ensure safety by covering edges and supervising closely during energetic play sessions.
Fun Baby Play Activity With Goop At Home
Image Source/Tutorial: Simple Fun For Kids
Dive into messy play with homemade goop made from cornstarch and water. This slippery substance delights babies as they squish and squeeze. The fun baby play activity stimulates sensory pathways and encourages experimentation. Lay down a mat for easy cleanup and watch their faces light up!
Tugging Lid Playtime Activity For 1-Year-Olds
Image Source/Tutorial: Busy Toddler
Strengthen tiny fingers with the tugging lid playtime activity. Collect plastic containers with lids and let 1-year-olds practice opening and closing them. This practical skill-building task sharpens dexterity and problem-solving abilities. Plus, it doubles as a recycling-inspired craft project—perfect for eco-conscious families looking to teach sustainability.
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Kicking Play Activity For New Born Babies Using Balloons
Image Source/Tutorial: Can Do Kiddo
Attach balloons to cribs or strollers for kicking and playing fun. Newborns will kick excitedly, strengthening leg muscles and improving coordination. This lightweight setup is safe and visually stimulating, making it ideal for newborns’ active playtime. Watch their excitement grow as they interact with floating objects above them.
Fun Activity Of First Finger Painting Using Yogurt
Image Source/Tutorial: I Can Teach My Child
Introduce first finger painting with edible yogurt paint. Safe for babies who may taste-test, this fun activity lets them smear colors across paper plates. Not only does it boost creativity but also refines fine motor skills. Capture those adorable masterpieces before bath time—it’s a sweet start to artistic journeys!
DIY Sensory Ball Playing Activity For 1-Year-Olds
Image Source/Tutorial: School Time Snippets
Roll out a DIY sensory ball set featuring different textures and sizes. Toddlers aged 1 year will love squeezing, rolling, and chasing these balls. This playing activity promotes gross motor skills and spatial awareness. Customize each ball with fabric scraps or bells for added intrigue—a budget-friendly toy idea.
FAQs Related to Best Activities for 1-Year-Olds
1. What activities can I do with my 1-year-old?
One-year-olds are full of energy and curiosity, so there are a variety of exciting activities that can be done with them. Some activities that can be used to stimulate and engage a one-year-old include playing with toys, reading books, singing songs, playing peek-a-boo, and going for walks.
2. What educational activities can I do with my 1-year-old?
Engaging your one-year-old in educational activities can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both of you. There are a variety of activities that you can do with your little one that will help to teach them important skills. Singing songs, playing with puzzles and blocks, and introducing them to basic numbers, shapes, and colors are all great activities to help them learn and develop.
3. What toys are best for a 1-year-old?
When it comes to choosing the best toys for a 1-year-old, it is important to pick items that are safe and developmentally appropriate. Toys that encourage exploration, such as interactive activity cubes, shape sorters, and pull-along, are perfect for this age. It is also important to select toys that can grow with the child, such as stackers and blocks which help to develop motor skills and problem-solving.
4. What are some safe activities I can do with my 1-year-old?
For parents with 1-year-old children, there are plenty of safe activities to enjoy. Reading stories together is a great way to stimulate your toddler’s language development and build early literacy skills. Playing with blocks or puzzles is another great way to stimulate their problem-solving abilities. Singing nursery rhymes or playing musical instruments together can also help to develop creative skills.
5. What outdoor activities are best for 1-year-olds?
Outdoor activities can be a great way to engage and entertain a 1-year-old. There are a variety of activities to choose from, such as nature walks, beach trips, or playing in a park. Exploring their environment and discovering new sights, sounds, and textures can be a great learning experience for a 1-year-old.
6. What are some good books to read to my 1-year-old?
If you’re looking for some good books to read to your 1-year-old, there are a variety of wonderful options out there! Classics like Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are are always a great choice, as they are full of fun illustrations and simple stories that can help to engage even the youngest of readers. No matter which books you choose, reading to your 1-year-old is sure to be a fun and rewarding experience.
Engaging in activities that are age-appropriate can help 1-year-olds learn and grow while having fun. By introducing various play-based activities, parents can help their children develop new skills and foster a love of learning.
In conclusion, finding the best activities for 1-year-olds is easy with simple, fun ideas! Try sensory play, singing, or stacking toys to boost learning and growth. These engaging activities keep your little one happy while developing key skills. Perfect for busy parents seeking safe, educational, and entertaining toddler playtime!
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