Activities for 1 Year olds

Object Play:

Stacking Blocks: Stacking blocks is an activity that helps to develop hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. To do this activity with a one-year-old, start by giving them two or three blocks and showing them how to stack them on top of each other. Encourage them to try to stack more blocks as they become more comfortable with the activity.

Sorting Objects by Size and Shape: Sorting objects by size and shape is a great way to help a one-year-old learn about shapes and sizes. To do this activity, start by giving your child a few objects of different sizes and shapes. Show them how to sort the objects into piles according to their size or shape.

Playing with Nesting Cups: Nesting cups are a great way to help a one-year-old learn about sizes and shapes. To do this activity, start by giving your child a set of nesting cups. Show them how to stack the cups from biggest to smallest or vice versa. Encourage them to try to stack the cups on their own.

Playing with Shape Sorters: Shape sorters are a great way to help a one-year-old learn about shapes and sizes. To do this activity, start by giving your child a shape sorter with a few shapes. Show them how to put the shapes into the sorter and then take them out. Encourage them to try to do it on their own.

Imaginative Play:

Playing with Dolls or Stuffed Animals: Playing with dolls or stuffed animals is a great way to help a one-year-old learn about the world around them. To do this activity, start by giving your child a few dolls or stuffed animals. Show them how to move the dolls or animals around and make them talk. Encourage them to make up stories and use their imagination.

Making Up Stories: Making up stories is a great way to help a one-year-old learn about the world around them and use their imagination. To do this activity, start by giving your child a few objects or toys. Show them how to use the objects to create a story. Encourage them to make up their own stories and use their imagination.

Playing Pretend with Everyday Objects: Playing pretend with everyday objects is a great way to help a one-year-old learn about the world around them and use their imagination. To do this activity, start by giving your child a few everyday objects. Show them how to use the objects to create a pretend scene. Encourage them to use their imagination and make up stories.

Social Play:

Playing Peek-a-Boo: Playing peek-a-boo is a great way to help a one-year-old learn about social interaction. To do this activity, start by showing your child how to cover their eyes and then uncover them. Encourage them to do the same and laugh when they uncover their eyes.

Playing Pat-a-Cake: Playing pat-a-cake is a great way to help a one-year-old learn about social interaction. To do this activity, start by showing your child how to clap their hands together and then pat them on their own body. Encourage them to do the same and laugh when they pat themselves.

Playing Simple Games like “Simon Says”: Playing simple games like “Simon Says” is a great way to help a one-year-old learn about social interaction. To do this activity, start by showing your child how to do simple actions like clapping their hands or stomping their feet. Encourage them to do the same when you say “Simon says”.

Gross Motor Play:

Crawling: Crawling is a great way to help a one-year-old develop their gross motor skills. To do this activity, start by showing your child how to crawl on their hands and knees. Encourage them to try to crawl on their own and praise them when they do.

Walking: Walking is a great way to help a one-year-old develop their gross motor skills. To do this activity, start by showing your child how to take steps. Encourage them to try to take steps on their own and praise them when they do.

Jumping: Jumping is a great way to help a one-year-old develop their gross motor skills. To do this activity, start by showing your child how to jump. Encourage them to try to jump on their own and praise them when they do.

Throwing and Catching a Ball: Throwing and catching a ball is a great way to help a one-year-old develop their gross motor skills. To do this activity, start by showing your child how to throw and catch a ball. Encourage them to try to throw and catch the ball on their own and praise them when they do.

Fine Motor Play:

Picking up Small Objects with Thumb and Forefinger: Picking up small objects with thumb and forefinger is a great way to help a one-year-old develop their fine motor skills. To do this activity, start by giving your child a few small objects. Show them how to pick up the objects with their thumb and forefinger. Encourage them to try to do it on their own and praise them when they do.

Turning Pages of a Book: Turning pages of a book is a great way to help a one-year-old develop their fine motor skills. To do this activity, start by giving your child a book with thick pages. Show them how to turn the pages with their thumb and forefinger. Encourage them to try to do it on their own and praise them when they do.

Putting Objects in and out of Containers: Putting objects in and out of containers is a great way to help a one-year-old develop their fine motor skills. To do this activity, start by giving your child a few containers and objects. Show them how to put the objects into the containers and then take them out. Encourage them to try to do it on their own and praise them when they do.

Sensory Play:

Exploring Different Textures with Fingers: This activity involves providing your one year old with different items that have different textures, such as cotton balls, sponges, and different fabrics. Allow your child to explore the items and feel the different textures. This activity helps to develop their sense of touch and encourages exploration.

Playing with Water and Sand: This activity involves providing your one year old with a container of water and a container of sand. Allow your child to explore the containers and play with the water and sand. This activity helps to develop their sense of touch and encourages exploration.

Playing with Finger Paints: This activity involves providing your one year old with finger paints and a piece of paper. Allow your child to explore the paints and use their fingers to make marks on the paper. This activity helps to develop their sense of touch and encourages exploration.

Music and Movement:

Dancing to Music: Dancing to music with a one year old can be a fun and interactive activity. Start by playing some upbeat music and encourage your little one to move their body to the beat. You can help them by demonstrating some simple dance moves, such as swaying their arms or shaking their legs.

Playing Simple Instruments: Playing simple instruments with a one year old can be a great way to introduce them to music. Start by introducing them to simple instruments such as a tambourine, maracas, or a drum. Encourage them to explore the different sounds and rhythms they can make with the instrument.

Singing Songs: Singing songs with a one year old can be a great way to introduce them to language and music. Start by singing simple songs such as nursery rhymes or children's songs. Encourage your little one to join in by repeating the words or clapping along to the beat.

Language Play:

Reading Books: Reading books to your one year old is a great way to help them learn language and develop their understanding of the world around them. Choose books with bright colors, simple stories, and lots of pictures. Point to the pictures and name the objects. Ask them questions about the story and encourage them to answer. 

Playing with Word Sounds: Playing with word sounds is a great way to help your one year old start to learn language. Start by saying simple words and repeating them. Then, have your one year old repeat the words back to you. You can also make up silly words and have them repeat those. 

Saying Simple Words: Encourage your one year old to say simple words. Start by saying simple words and repeating them. Then, have your one year old repeat the words back to you. You can also encourage them to say words by pointing to objects and asking them to name them.

Outdoor Play:

Exploring the Outdoors: Exploring the outdoors is a great way for a one year old to learn about the world around them. It can be as simple as taking a walk around the block or going to a nearby park. Let your one year old explore the environment around them, pointing out different sights and sounds.

Playing in a Sandbox: Playing in a sandbox is a great way for a one year old to explore and develop their motor skills. Provide them with a few toys such as shovels and buckets to dig and scoop with. You can also provide them with some sand toys such as molds and shapes to help them create and explore.

Riding a Tricycle: Riding a tricycle is a great way for a one year old to develop their gross motor skills. Make sure the tricycle is age-appropriate and has a low seat and handlebars. Help your one year old get on the tricycle and then hold the back of the seat as they pedal. Encourage them to keep pedaling and help them steer in the right direction.