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Free Printable Toddler Worksheets

Looking for engaging free printable toddler worksheets to ignite creativity and learning excitement in your little ones? These sheets are a treasure trove of fun and educational activities perfectly tailored for tiny learners.

Within this collection, you’ll also find a variety of free preschool printables that promise to keep your toddlers engaged while helping them develop essential skills. From learning the alphabet to counting, coloring, and beyond, our worksheets cater to every interest.

We understand the importance of early education and aim to make learning as enjoyable as possible. Therefore, our interactive and brightly illustrated worksheets are not just educational tools but gateways to adventures in learning.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom resources or a parent aiming to enhance your child’s learning at home, you’ll find these printable treasures both helpful and inspiring.

Toddlers are at a delightful stage of their lives where curiosity and the desire to explore the world around them are at their peak. This natural tendency towards discovery makes it the perfect time to introduce them to the fundamentals of learning in a fun and engaging way.

Education at this early stage is not just about learning letters and numbers; it’s about sparking imagination, encouraging creativity, and fostering a love for learning that will last a lifetime. Our printable worksheets are designed with this philosophy in mind, offering a variety of activities that cater to the different ways toddlers learn.

Whether your child is a visual learner, hands-on explorer, or a little of both, our resources are here to support their educational journey in the most enjoyable way.

Is it appropriate to use worksheets with toddlers?

Absolutely! While the traditional idea of worksheets may seem daunting or tedious, our collection is specifically created with early learners in mind. Our goal is to provide a balance of fun and educational activities that will engage toddlers while also helping them develop important skills.

Plus, using worksheets can also help toddlers learn crucial concepts such as following directions and completing tasks independently – both important skills for their future academic success.

With no cost, simple printing instructions, and endless learning opportunities, they are the perfect addition to any home or classroom setting. Let’s make learning exciting and accessible for our little ones!

Spring Shapes Matching Worksheet

Teach toddlers about shapes with this free flower shape matching printable from  School Time Snippets.

Printable Lowercase Alphabet Crafts

If you do the cutting, toddlers can do the coloring and gluing on these free printable lowercase letter crafts from  Kindergarten Worksheets and Games

Why Teach Shapes? 

Toddlers will learn all about shapes, and get free printable playdough mats from  Team Cartwright  to help with the fun and learning!

Fingerprint Counting Printables

Toddlers can practice counting with these fingerprint counting activity mats from  123 Homeschool 4 Me. 

Free Printable Activity Placemats

This color sorting placemat from  Play Party Plan  is super fun when you combine it with a bowl of colorful cereal like Fruity Pebbles or Trix cereal.

Robots Shape Matching Puzzle for Toddlers

Toddlers will love building robots with this fun robots shape matching game from  Totschooling .

Free Dot Numbers 1-10 Printables

Toddlers can fill in these free dot numbers 1-10 printables from  Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds.  Fill the dots with crayons, markers, playdough balls, counters, or circle stickers.

Shapes Activities for Preschool Learning Printable

This shape matching printable from  Active Littles  is a great way to help toddlers work on shape and color recognition.

Tracing Shapes Practice Pages for Preschool

This shape tracing activity pack from  Walking by the Way  is perfect for introducing toddlers to shapes.

Counting & Number Tracing Worksheets

Toddlers will love these  cowboy counting mats  from  Happiness is Homemade.

Apple Play Dough Mats Perfect for Preschoolers

Apple playdough mats from  Natural Beach Living  are a great way to help toddlers start working on number recognition and counting.

A Brood of Chicks Learning Game

Begin teaching toddlers about emotions with this cute brood of chicks emotions matching game from  Mosswood Connections.

Free Uppercase DO A DOT Letter Printables

These free uppercase letters do a dot pages from  School Time Snippets  are a great fine motor activity for little ones. They can use dot daubers or q-tips with paint to fill in each letter.

FREE Goldfish Counting Printable

Print these fish bowls from  Preschool Play and Learn,  and toddlers can practice counting the fish with goldfish crackers.

Fruit Color Matching for Toddlers

Color matching is tons of funs with this  fruit color matching activity  from  Totschooling.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of toddler printable worksheets offers a vibrant mix of fun and education, designed to align with the natural curiosity and developmental needs of toddlers.

By turning learning into an adventure, we not only lay the groundwork for academic success but also instill a lifelong love for discovery and learning. Remember, the goal is to make educational activities an enjoyable part of your toddler’s daily routine, fostering an environment where learning and fun go hand in hand.

We hope these printables serve as valuable tools for parents and educators alike, helping to create memorable learning experiences for the little learners in your life.

Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.

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Thank you so much for making these available. I am a new Nanny and wan incorporate learning skills as their brains are sill developing, So much appreciated!

Thank you so much for all your ideas and printable.

Hello. Great way to keep your kids busy. Your ideas will interest any child, I’m sure. My son is now 5 years old and he really likes to make crafts on different topics. Now I will try to offer him worksheets, I think that my wunderkiddy.

This is a fantastic resource for parents looking for free printable toddler worksheets to help their little ones learn and grow. The article offers a variety of worksheets that cover different subjects, including letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. The worksheets are easy to download and print, making them a convenient and cost-effective learning tool for busy parents. These activities are not only fun but also help toddlers develop important skills and knowledge. Homeschoolpreschool.net is a great website for any parent who wants to support their child’s learning at home.

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100+ Easy Activities for 1 Year Old Toddlers

• Preschooler

Are you ever in a pinch to find quick and simple activities for your little one-year-old explorer? Well, I’ve got you covered with a fantastic roundup of 100 no-prep and low-prep activities that are perfect for keeping those tiny hands busy and minds engaged. Whether you’re looking for ways to fill a rainy afternoon or just need a quick distraction, these ideas are sure to come in handy, requiring minimal setup and cleanup.

The beauty of these activities is that they’re not just easy to pull together; they’re also designed to aid in your toddler’s development without overwhelming them—or you! From sensory bins to easy art projects, each activity is a little adventure on its own, tailored for short attention spans and the curious nature of one-year-olds. It’s all about making life a bit easier while providing meaningful play that sparks joy and curiosity.

So, whether you’re at home, at grandma’s, or even on the go, these ideas will prove to be lifesavers. Let’s dive into this treasure trove of activities that are perfect for making everyday moments fun and educational. Here’s to less prep and more play!

101. Cardboard Box Tunnel

Alright, the fun part—the activities for your one-year-old! I’m excited to share these fun and simple to set up activities that I did with my toddlers! I am positive they will become your new go-to activities as well.

1. Green Pea Sensory Bag

Materials Needed

• A bag of frozen green peas
• A sturdy, sealable plastic bag (like a Ziploc)
• Clear packing tape (optional, for extra security)

Quick Setup:

Grab a bag of frozen green peas and pour them into a sturdy, sealable plastic bag, making sure to squeeze out all the air before sealing it tightly. For added security against any enthusiastic squishing, you might want to seal the edges with clear packing tape. This simple setup creates a cool, squishy sensory experience that’s perfect for little hands to explore. The peas move around under their fingers, providing tactile feedback and visual stimulation as they press and poke the bag.

RELATED: 45+ Sensory Bags for 1 Year Olds

2. Feed the Ducks Sensory Bin

Materials Needed:

• Sensory bin
• Yellow rubber ducks
• Green foam cut into the shape of lily pads
• Slotted spoons

Fill the sensory bin with water to a safe level where your toddler can reach in without any risk of falling. Add the yellow rubber ducks, corks, and green foam lily pads to the water. Spread them out to allow for lots of interaction. Place the slotted spoons and strainers next to the bin to let your one year old scoop and explore the items in the water and pretend to feed the ducks the cork. Encourage your little one to discover how the different objects float and move in the water, and use the tools to fish out their favorites.

3. Puzzle Grab and Sort

• Contact paper
• Painters tape
• Wooden puzzle pieces
• Puzzle board

Quick Setup :

Stretch the contact paper across the puzzle board with the sticky side facing out and secure it with painters tape along the edges. Place the puzzle pieces onto the sticky surface. This setup is perfect for encouraging your little one to challenge their fine motor skills by pulling pieces off and solving the puzzle.

4. Twinkle Little Star Sticky Wall

Materials Needed :

• Black construction paper
• Plastic glow-in-the-dark stars

Cover a wall section with black construction paper using painters tape to hold it in place. Overlay a sheet of contact paper with the sticky side out, and fix it over the black paper. Invite 1 year old to stick the glow-in-the-dark stars on the sticky surface for a sensory activity that lights up in the dark, aiding in visual and spatial development.

5. Two-Ingredient Taste Safe Finger Paint

• Whipping cream
• Food coloring

Mix food coloring into the whipping cream to create bright, edible paints. Lay out some paper, give your toddler corks or let them use their fingers, and let them go wild with their colorful creations. This activity is great for sensory play and encourages creative expression in a safe, taste-friendly way.

6. Ice Rubber Ducks

• Ice cube trays
• Rubber ducks
• Blue food coloring
• Tray or sensory bin

Fill the trays with water, and place a rubber duck in each section. Freeze until solid. Once ready, place the ice blocks with ducks in a tray or sensory bin, add a drop of blue food coloring for your one year old to explore. This is perfect for sensory learning and understanding temperature and melting.

7. Ring Grab and Sort

• Plastic sorting rings
• Tower for sorting

Attach a piece of contact paper to a wall or vertical surface with the sticky side out using painters tape. Hand over the plastic rings to your toddler to stick and remove from the contact paper and then sort them onto a nearby sorting tower. This activity encourages motor skill development and cognitive skills like sorting and categorizing.

8. Easy Cardboard DIY Busy Board

• Large piece of cardboard
• Variety of safe household items (e.g., old remote, calculator, old keys, light switches, zippers, wheels, buttons, textured fabrics, foil packaging)
• Strong glue or duct tape
• Non-toxic paint (optional)

Start by painting the cardboard in a bright, engaging color to serve as the background of your busy board (optional). Allow it to dry completely. Arrange a variety of tactile and interactive items such as old keys, light switches, zippers, and wheels on the cardboard. Once you’re satisfied with the layout, securely attach each item using strong glue or duct tape to ensure they are firmly in place and won’t pose a choking hazard. This busy board offers a plethora of activities that help develop fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and sensory processing as toddlers explore each element with curiosity.

9. Book Drop Toddler Activity

• A variety of sturdy board books or soft books
• A cardboard box
• Colorful tape (optional)

Choose a simple, cardboard box, cut a rectangular hole on the top similar in size to your board books. if you like, decorate it with colorful tape to make it visually appealing (have your toddler help!). Gather a selection of board books or soft books and place them next to the box. Encourage your toddler to pick up each book and drop it into the bin. This activity is fantastic for teaching cause and effect, and it helps develop fine motor skills as your little one grasps and releases the books. Plus, it’s a fun way for them to interact with their little library!

10. Mega Blok Jumping

• Mega Bloks or any large, lightweight building blocks
• Clear floor space

Use the Mega Bloks to create a small “obstacle course” on a clear area of the floor. Build simple structures such as low walls, towers, and paths that your toddler can navigate around. Encourage your toddler to jump over the low walls, walk along the paths, and step around or over the towers. This activity not only promotes physical exercise but also helps develop your toddler’s gross motor skills, balance, and coordination.

11. Snowball Pick Up

• Cardboard box
• Cotton balls

Place a cardboard box on the floor and scatter cotton balls just outside the box within arms reach, which will represent snowballs. Provide your toddler with a pair of tongs and invite them to get into box. Show them how to use the tongs to pick up the cotton balls and transfer them into the box to another container or area on the floor. This activity helps develop fine motor skills as your one year old practices grasping and releasing with the tongs. It’s also a great way for them to improve their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

12. Cardboard Tube Sticky Wall

• Cardboard tubes (from paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)

Begin by cutting the cardboard tubes into various lengths. Next, attach the contact paper to a wall or flat surface with the sticky side facing out, using painters tape to secure the edges. Now, hand the cardboard tube pieces to your toddler and encourage them to stick them onto the contact paper in whatever patterns or designs they like. This activity not only fosters creativity but also enhances fine motor skills as they manipulate the tubes and explore their tactile senses.

13. Egg or Ball Rescue

• Ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs
• Colorful bowls
• Large spoon

First, secure the painters tape across the sensory bin to create different sections—these will serve as sorting areas for the balls or eggs. Fill the bin with ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs in various colors. Place the colorful bowls around the bin or at a distance to match the colors of the balls or eggs. Hand your toddler a large spoon and encourage them to scoop the balls or eggs and sort them into the corresponding colored bowls. This activity is fantastic for teaching color recognition and improving fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination.

14. Window Washing

• Sensory bin table or large bin
• Soapy water
• Large sponges
• Outdoor window

Fill your sensory bin or a large bin with warm soapy water. Provide your toddler with a large sponge that’s easy for their little hands to grasp. Take them to an outdoor window that’s within their reach, and show them how to dip the sponge into the soapy water and then scrub the window. This activity not only gives them a sense of participating in household chores but also enhances their motor skills through scrubbing and wiping motions. Additionally, the sensory experience of soapy water and the physical activity involved can be both stimulating and enjoyable for your toddler.

15. Foil Puzzle Presents

• Aluminum foil
• Small toys or puzzle pieces

Begin by selecting a few small toys or puzzle pieces that are safe and suitable for your toddler. Wrap each item individually in aluminum foil, making sure they are fully covered. Spread out the foil-wrapped items on the floor or in a shallow box and invite your toddler to unwrap them. This activity is excellent for fine motor skill development as your child works to peel away the foil, and it also adds an element of surprise and discovery to their play.

16. The Drop Anything Sensory Bin 

• Cardboard tubes
• Various small objects (corks, markers, popsicle sticks)

Begin by securely taping various lengths of cardboard tubes to the inside walls of the sensory bin. Ensure that the tubes are affixed in a way that they can funnel objects from the top and let them drop out at different points within the bin. Once your tube setup is complete, provide your toddler with a selection of small objects such as corks, markers, and popsicle sticks. Show them how to drop these items into the tubes and watch them navigate through the makeshift maze to the bottom. This activity is fantastic for developing hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills, as they figure out which items fit down which tubes.

17. Vegetable Soup Bath

• Variety of plastic vegetables
• Bowls, pots, and pans
• Bathtub filled with water

Fill the bathtub with warm water to create a fun and inviting bath environment. Add several plastic vegetables to the bath, along with child-safe bowls, pots, and pans, and some large spoons for stirring. Encourage your toddler to ‘cook’ by mixing the vegetables in the pots and transferring them between different containers using the spoons. This activity turns bath time into an imaginative play session, where your child can pretend to make vegetable soup, enhancing both creative thinking and fine motor skills.

18. Foil Painting

• Printer paper
• Non-toxic paint
• Paintbrushes or sponges

Tape aluminum foil to the table. Set out a few colors of non-toxic paint along with brushes or sponges. Invite your toddler to paint directly on the foil, experiencing the unique texture and reflective effects that the foil adds to their artwork. Once done, press a sheet of paper onto the foil to print the picture on paper. This activity not only enhances creativity but also offers a novel sensory experience, as the paint moves differently on foil compared to regular paper.

19. Green Pea Transfer

What You’ll Need :

• Frozen green peas
• Small containers, Tupperware, or bowls

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a generous amount of frozen green peas. Place several small containers, Tupperware, or bowls around the bin or within reach of your child. Provide spoons suitable for their hands. The activity involves your child using the spoons to transfer peas from the sensory bin into the various containers. This task is great for developing fine motor skills as they scoop and manipulate the spoon, and it also encourages cognitive skills like sorting and counting as they may decide to sort the peas by quantity or even by size if there are slight variations. The cold touch of the frozen peas adds a sensory element that is both stimulating and a unique tactile experience for young children.

20. Bunny Sticky Wall

• Black marker

Start by drawing a simple outline of a bunny on the contact paper using the black marker. You can make it as big or as small as you like, depending on the space available. Next, affix the contact paper to a wall or any vertical surface with the sticky side facing out, securing it firmly with painters tape around the edges. Provide your toddler with a pile of cotton balls and encourage them to stick them along the bunny outline to fill it in. This activity is great for developing fine motor skills as little hands pick up and place the cotton balls, and it also encourages creativity and sensory exploration.

21. Yellow Rubber Ducky Sensory Bin

• Yellow food coloring

Fill your sensory bin with water and add a few drops of yellow food coloring to achieve a bright, cheerful yellow hue. Place several yellow rubber ducks in the water. Provide slotted spoons for your toddler to use, allowing them to scoop and catch the ducks as they float around. This simple setup not only makes for a visually appealing activity but also encourages motor skill development and hand-eye coordination as children attempt to scoop up the ducks with the spoons.

22. Playing with a Salad Spinner

• Salad spinner
• Pouch caps or small, lightweight objects
• Water and soap (optional for a bubbly effect)

Place the salad spinner on the floor or a stable, flat surface and open the top. If using pouch caps, have your toddler fill the basket with them. Alternatively, you can create a bubbly sensory experience by adding a small amount of water and a squirt of soap into the spinner. Show your toddler how to push down on the spinner handle or turn it, depending on the model. As they spin, they’ll be delighted by the whirling motion and, if using soap, the creation of bubbles. This activity is excellent for teaching cause and effect, as well as improving hand coordination and strength.

23. Snack Necklaces

• String or yarn (ensure it’s safe for children)
• Plastic embroidery needles
• Edible items with holes or that can be easily pierced, such as pretzels, cereal loops, dried apple rings, or gummy rings

Cut the string or yarn to a length that will comfortably fit over your child’s head once tied. Tape one end of the string to make it stiff, which will act like a needle and make threading easier or use a plastic embroidery needle. Lay out the edible items on a plate or tray and demonstrate to your toddler how to thread them onto the string. Once they have added enough items to make a full necklace, help them tie the ends together securely. This activity is great for fine motor development as kids practice their threading skills, and it also offers a tasty treat they can enjoy later.

24. Tape Rescue

• Colorful bowls for sorting

Start by taping the ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs to a flat surface like a table or a large tray using Washi tape. Create a criss-cross pattern over each ball or egg to secure them down, but ensure the tape is not too tightly wrapped so your toddler can pull them free. Place the colorful bowls nearby, assigning each bowl a color that matches the balls or eggs. Encourage your toddler to rescue the taped items by peeling off the tape and then sorting them into the corresponding colored bowls. This activity is excellent for developing fine motor skills as your child works to remove the tape, and it also teaches color recognition and sorting skills.

25. Balloon Ball Pit

• Sensory Bin

Start by blowing up several balloons in different colors. Place them in a sensory bin. Allow you toddler to discover them! Super easy. My twin toddlers loved this one.

26. Pouch Lid Drop

• Cardboard tubes (from paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
• Pouch lids (from baby food pouches or similar)

Begin by using painters tape to attach several cardboard tubes vertically to a wall or the side of a large furniture item like a bookshelf. Make sure the tubes are securely fastened and at a height accessible to your toddler. Next, give your toddler the collection of pouch lids. Show them how to drop the lids into the tops of the tubes and watch them as they travel down and emerge at the bottom. This activity encourages fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they manipulate the small lids and aim them into the tubes. It’s also great for teaching cause and effect, as toddlers see the immediate results of their actions.

27. Post-it Push

• Post-It notes
• Diaper wipes box (empty)

Start by sticking several Post-It notes on the wall. Leave the top of the box slightly open or remove the lid if possible. Show your toddler how to grab the post its notes from the wall and then push the Post-It notes through the slot where wipes typically come out. This simple action helps develop fine motor skills as they manipulate the small, lightweight papers and aim to get them into the box. The tactile feedback of the sticky notes and the soft resistance of the box slot make this a delightful sensory experience.

28. Under the Sea Sensory Bin

• Dried seaweed
• Plastic fish and under-the-sea creatures (such as starfish, crabs, and octopuses)

Fill the sensory bin with water to create an ocean-like environment. Add the dried seaweed to the water, allowing it to spread and float to enhance the undersea effect. Introduce various plastic under-the-sea creatures into the bin, placing them among the seaweed and on the bottom. This setup invites your toddler to dive into an imaginative play session, exploring the textures of the seaweed and the shapes and colors of the sea creatures. The water adds an extra layer of sensory experience, making the creatures seem as if they are swimming in the sea.

29. Farm Sensory & Discovery Bag

• Large Ziplock bag
• Wooden farm animal puzzle pieces
• Packing tape

Start by filling the large Ziplock bag with bird seed, which will serve as your base. Next, place several wooden farm animal puzzle pieces into the bag. These can include shapes like cows, chickens, pigs, and horses, adding a variety of textures and visual interest. Once all items are in the bag, seal it tightly, ensuring that it’s secure. Go over the seal with packing tape for extra security to prevent any spills. This sensory and discovery bag allows toddlers to manipulate the contents through the bag, feeling the shapes and textures of the puzzle pieces mixed with the bird seed without any mess.

30. Cloudy Day Sticky Wall

• Blue and yellow construction paper

Begin by taping blue construction paper and sun shapes from the yellow construction paper to the wall. Next, unroll a large piece of contact paper and carefully remove the backing to expose the sticky side. Use painters tape to secure the contact paper to a wall, sticky side facing out over the sky and sun. Provide a pile of cotton balls, which your toddler can stick onto the sky. This activity encourages creative expression as children decorate their cloudy day scene, and it’s great for developing fine motor skills as they handle the small cotton balls and delicate paper pieces.

31. Water Table and Pom Poms

• Water table or large shallow bin
• Pom poms (preferably large and colorful)
• Various scooping tools (such as cups, spoons, or small nets)

Fill your water table or a large shallow bin with water. Add a generous amount of colorful pom poms to the water. These will float and provide a visually appealing element for toddlers to interact with. Provide your toddler with various scooping tools like cups, spoons, or small nets to enhance the play experience. Encourage your one-year old to scoop, catch, and play with the pom poms using the tools provided. This activity not only allows for sensory exploration of different textures and weights as pom poms absorb water and change their buoyancy, but it also helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

32. Free the Musical Instruments

• Musical instruments
• Masking tape

Tape your musical instruments to the floor. Invite your toddler to free them and then start making music!

33. Corn Sensory Bin

• Sensory bin or large container
• Frozen corn kernels

Fill your sensory bin with a generous amount of frozen corn kernels. Add cold water to the bin, enough to partially submerge the corn. The addition of water will gradually thaw the corn, providing an interesting sensory contrast between the cold, hard kernels and the eventual softness as they warm up. This setup allows children to experience changes in texture and temperature, enhancing their sensory exploration. Encourage them to scoop, pour, and feel the corn with their hands, which promotes fine motor skills and provides a cooling play activity, especially beneficial on warm days.

34. Bubble Wrap Rainbow Stomp Painting

• Bubble wrap
• Non-toxic washable paint (multiple colors)
• Large sheets of paper or a roll of butcher paper
• Old clothes or a smock for your child

Start by taping a large sheet of paper or butcher paper to a flat surface, like the floor or a long table. Cut pieces of bubble wrap to fit over your toddler’s feet. Tape them around your one-ears bare feet. Hold their hands to help avoid slipping. Squirt different colors of paint onto the paper in a random or patterned design, creating a rainbow effect. Dress your child in old clothes or a smock. Let them step onto the paper with their bubble wrap feet and start stomping, walking, or even dancing to burst the bubbles and spread the paint around. The pressure from their movements will transfer colorful paint patterns onto the paper beneath, creating a vibrant, textured masterpiece.

35. Egg or Ball Balance

Collect several cardboard tubes and stand them upright on a flat surface, like a table or the floor. You might need to cut the tubes to different lengths for varied difficulty levels. Place the ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs near the base of each tube. The challenge for your child is to balance each ball or egg on top of the tubes without letting them fall off. This requires careful coordination and gentle handling, making it a great exercise for developing fine motor skills and patience.

36. Painting with Water

• Construction paper (blue works best)
• Paintbrushes or cotton balls or sponges

Begin by setting up a workspace for your child, ideally outdoors if weather permits, or on a surface that’s easy to clean. Lay out sheets of blue construction paper or a flatten or regular cardboard box to use as a canvas. Fill a bowl with water and provide your toddler with paintbrushes or cotton balls to use as painting tools. Show them how to dip their brush or cotton balls into the water and then “paint” on the paper or cardboard. The water will darken the paper where it’s applied, creating a “wet effect” that visually resembles actual paint. As the paper dries, the designs will fade, allowing for endless opportunities to create new artwork.

37. Color Sorting Box with Popsicle Sticks

• Large craft sticks

Quick Setup : Start by coloring each end of the large craft sticks with different colors using markers. You can use a range of colors depending on how challenging you want the sorting activity to be. Next, cut slits in the lid of the shoe box, ensuring each slit is wide enough to fit a craft stick. Label each slit with a color that corresponds to the colors on the craft sticks. Your child can then match the color on the stick to the labeled slit and insert the stick into the correct slot. This activity is excellent for teaching color recognition and improving fine motor skills.

38. Mushy Green Pea Sensory Bin

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with frozen green peas. Add enough water to slightly cover the peas. Let the peas thaw in the water, which creates a mushy texture for sensory play. This setup invites your one year old to scoop, mash, and explore the peas with their hands or with tools like spoons or cups. This activity is fantastic for sensory exploration as it allows children to feel the textures change from solid, icy peas to soft, mushy ones. It’s also a great way for them to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while engaging in creative, messy play.

39. Drop the Acorns

• Acorns (or Pom Poms)

Quick Setup : Begin by using the scissors to carefully cut holes in the top of the cardboard box, each large enough for an acorn or pom pom to pass through. Additionally, cut an entrance on one side of the box to allow your toddler to reach in and retrieve the acorns or pom poms later. Distribute the acorns or pom poms along with a pair of tongs to your child. Encourage them to use the tongs to pick up each acorn or pom pom and drop it through the holes. This activity helps develop fine motor skills through the use of tongs and provides a fun challenge in aiming and dropping the items through the holes. It’s also great for problem-solving as they figure out how to retrieve the items from inside the box.

40. Flower Tea Party Sensory Bin

• Tea party set (teacups, teapot, plates)
• Artificial sunflowers or other safe flowers
• Food coloring (optional)

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with water, adding a few drops of food coloring if you want to create a more visually stimulating experience—yellow works well to mimic a sunny, cheerful environment. Arrange the tea party set within the bin, placing the teacups, teapot, and plates so they are partially submerged or floating. Scatter the artificial flowers around the bin to enhance the thematic feel of a garden tea party. Invite your toddler to host a tea party, pouring and serving ‘tea’ (the colored water), and enjoying imaginative play with the floating flowers and tea set. This activity encourages creative play, fine motor skills development, and sensory exploration, all within a delightfully thematic setup.

41. Super Easy DIY Edible Paint Recipe

• Food coloring or natural coloring alternatives (beet juice, spinach juice, etc.)
• Small mixing bowls
• Whisk or spoon for stirring
• Paintbrushes
• White paper or edible paper (rice paper, wafer paper) for painting

Quick Setup : Begin by mixing equal parts of cornstarch and water in small mixing bowls to create a smooth paste. Adjust the consistency as needed; if it’s too thick, add more water; if too runny, add more cornstarch. Once you have a smooth base, divide it among different bowls depending on how many colors you want to make. Add a few drops of food coloring or natural juice to each bowl to achieve your desired colors. Stir well with a whisk or spoon until the color is evenly distributed. Set out your paper or edible paper and paintbrushes, and let your child experiment with their homemade, non-toxic edible paint. This recipe is not only safe for young children who might be tempted to taste their art materials, but it also allows for creative play without worrying about stains or chemicals.

42. Construction Site Ice Painting

• Ice cube tray
• Small construction trucks

Quick Setup : Start by filling the ice cube tray with water. Add a few drops of different colored food coloring to each compartment to create colorful ice cubes. Mix the colors gently to ensure they’re well distributed. Place the tray in the freezer and let the water freeze completely. Once the ice cubes are solid, pop them out of the tray and onto a large, flat surface that can get wet, such as a tray or a plastic tablecloth. Give your child the small construction trucks to push and maneuver the ice cubes around. As the ice melts, the colors will blend on the surface, creating a fun and colorful painting effect. This activity is not only a creative way to use construction trucks in play, but it also introduces concepts of color mixing and melting, making it educational as well as fun.

43. Cotton Pad Art Water Table

• Water table or sensory bin
• Washable markers
• Cotton pads

Quick Setup : Fill your water table or sensory bin with a shallow layer of water, just enough to allow the cotton pads to float without submerging completely. Hand out washable markers to your toddler and let them color on the cotton pads while they are dry. Encourage them to create various designs and patterns using different colors. Once they have finished decorating, place the colored cotton pads into the water. The children can then watch as the water begins to interact with the markers’ ink, creating beautiful watercolor effects. This activity encourages creativity and provides a fantastic visual display of how colors mix and spread on a different medium. It’s also a great opportunity for sensory play, combining the tactile experience of the cotton pads with the visual stimulation of changing colors.

44. Frozen Flower Bombs

• Reusable water balloons or an ice cube tray
• Faded flowers

Quick Setup : Begin by placing a few faded flower petals inside each compartment of your reusable water balloons or ice cube tray. If using an ice cube tray, you can arrange the petals to create visually appealing patterns. Fill each compartment with water, ensuring that the flowers are completely submerged. Carefully place the tray or balloons into the freezer and leave them overnight to freeze completely. Once frozen, remove the flower bombs from their molds. These can be used for sensory play, especially on a warm day, where toddlers can watch the ice melt and flowers emerge, or they can use the frozen flower bombs for gentle play in a pool or during a water table activity, observing how ice interacts with water and the environment. This activity not only offers sensory stimulation but also teaches children about the properties of water and ice and the natural beauty of flowers.

45. Pool Noodle Boats

• Pool noodles
• Scissors or a knife (for adult use only)
• Toothpicks or small sticks
• Paper or fabric (for sails)
• Permanent markers or stickers for decoration

Quick Setup : Start by cutting the pool noodles into sections about 3 inches sections, using scissors or a knife (adults only). These sections will serve as the boat hulls. . For the sails, cut triangles from paper or fabric. Attach each sail to a toothpick or small stick, then insert it into the pool noodle section. Once all the boats are assembled, fill a water table, bathtub, or even a small pool with water and let the children float their noodle boats. This activity is great for teaching basic principles of buoyancy and engineering, while also allowing kids to engage in creative play and water play simultaneously.

46. Fizzy Jungle

• Baking soda
• Eye droppers
• Jungle animal figurines
• Rocks, sticks, and leaves
• Green food coloring (optional)

Quick Setup : Begin by covering the bottom of your tray or sensory bin with a generous layer of baking soda. If you want to add an extra touch of the jungle, mix some green food coloring into the vinegar before the activity starts. Place various jungle animal figurines, rocks, sticks, and leaves on top of the baking soda to create a jungle scene. Fill several small containers with the colored vinegar and provide eye droppers for your toddler. Invite them to use the eye droppers to squirt vinegar onto the baking soda.

47. Bubble Foam Sensory Bin

• Large bin or container
• Hand mixer or whisk
• Toys or utensils for playing (optional)

Quick Setup : Start by filling your bin about a quarter full with water and add a generous squirt of dish soap. If you want to add a splash of color, mix in a few drops of food coloring. Use a hand mixer or whisk to whip the mixture until you get thick, fluffy foam. Once your bubble foam is ready, you can place a few waterproof toys or utensils in the bin for your child to explore with. This sensory bin activity is perfect for tactile exploration and can keep little ones entertained with the fascinating textures and visual appeal of colorful foam.

48. Pom Pom Tape Spider Web

• Masking or painters tape
• A doorway or large empty wall space

Quick Setup : Choose a doorway or a section of wall where you can easily create a tape spider web. Start by sticking lengths of tape across the space in a radial pattern, mimicking the spokes of a spider web. Overlap more tape to create a sticky surface with the sticky side facing out. Once your tape spider web is complete, give your child the pom poms and encourage them to throw them at the web. The goal is for the pom poms to stick to the tape, which can be a delightful challenge for little ones. This activity is great for developing hand-eye coordination and motor skills, and it also provides a fun way for children to learn about cause and effect as they see which pom poms stick and which fall off.

49. Shape Grab and Sort

• Shape sorter
• Plastic shapes

Start by securing a large piece of contact paper to a wall or vertical surface, sticky side out, using painters tape around the edges to hold it in place. Next, place the plastic shapes on the sticky contact paper. This could include various shapes like circles, squares, triangles, and more. Have your shape sorter nearby and ready. Encourage your toddler to peel each shape off the contact paper and then match and sort it into the corresponding slot on the shape sorter. This activity is excellent for developing fine motor skills as toddlers need to carefully grasp and pull the shapes off the sticky surface, and it also enhances cognitive abilities through the sorting and matching process.

50. Playing with Colored Rice

• Colored rice (various colors)
• A large sensory bin
• Spoons and scoopers
• Optional: funnels, small containers, or other pouring tools

Quick Setup : To prepare the colored rice . Find the easy recipe here . Fill your sensory bin with the now vibrant colored rice. Place colorful bowls around the bin and provide spoons, scoopers, and if available, funnels and small containers. This setup invites children to scoop, pour, and transfer the rice from the bin to the bowls, exploring the textures and sounds of the rice while manipulating the tools provided.

51. Mega Blok Painting

• Mega Bloks or similar large building blocks
• Washable paint
• Paper or large sheets of butcher paper
• Plates or shallow containers for paint

Quick Setup : Lay out large sheets of paper on a flat surface, or place the Mega Bloks in a sensory bin. Pour different colors of washable paint into plates or shallow containers. Show your toddler how to dip the flat sides or edges of the Mega Bloks into the paint, then press them onto the paper to create colorful prints and patterns. Or you can invite your toddler to use paint brushes to paint the Mega Bloks themselves. This activity is excellent for exploring color and printmaking, and it helps develop fine motor skills and creativity. Using the blocks in an unconventional way also adds a fun twist to typical painting activities, making it engaging and exciting for young children.

52. Ice Treasure Hunt

• Small toys, beads, or waterproof trinkets
• Ice cube trays or small containers
• Large container or sensory bin
• Tools for excavation (small hammers, salt, warm water in squeeze bottles)

Quick Setup : Begin by placing small toys, beads, or trinkets into ice cube trays or small containers. If you’d like, add a drop of food coloring to the water for a colorful effect. Fill the containers with water and freeze until solid, creating ice blocks with treasures embedded inside. Once frozen, pop the ice blocks out and place them into a large container or sensory bin. Provide your one-year old with tools like small hammers, salt, or warm water in squeeze bottles to help melt the ice and excavate the treasures. This activity is fantastic for sensory play and fine motor development as children chip away at the ice and discover hidden objects. It also introduces basic scientific concepts like the properties of water (freezing and melting) and encourages problem-solving and perseverance as they work to retrieve their treasures

53. Pom Pom Water Sensory Bin

• Pom poms (preferably large and waterproof)
• Slotted spoons, scoops, or nets

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin or large container with water. Toss in a generous amount of large, colorful pom poms. These should be waterproof or able to float to keep the activity engaging and not soggy. Hand out slotted spoons, scoops, or nets to your toddler for them to fish out the pom poms from the water. This activity not only provides a delightful sensory experience but also aids in the development of fine motor skills as your one-year old scoops and catchy the floating pom poms. It’s a simple setup that offers ample opportunities for play and exploration, enhancing hand-eye coordination and encouraging imaginative scenarios as children might pretend to cook, fish, or treasure hunt with the pom poms.

54. Tubes & Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

• Rainbow colored rice
• Variety of cardboard tubes

Quick Setup : Out of all the activities listed here this one has the longest set but my toddler played with it for days and days. It was totally worth the effort! Find the fill expanded instructions here .

55. Frozen LEGO

• LEGO bricks
• Small containers or ice cube trays

Quick Setup : Place Lego bricks into containers or ice cube trays, fill with water, and freeze. Once frozen, pop out the ice blocks and let children melt them or chip away at them to free the Legos. This activity is excellent for sensory play and teaching basic thermodynamics through a fun, interactive medium.

56. Playing with a Spray Bottle

• Spray bottle filled with water
• Various surfaces or plants to spray

Quick Setup : Fill a spray bottle with water and adjust to a gentle spray setting. Show children how to use the bottle to spray water on plants, outdoor walls, or even over chalk drawings to observe the effects. This activity is great for motor skill development and understanding cause and effect.

57. Feed the Fish Colour Sort

• Stacking cups
• Construction paper

Quick Setup : Cut out fish tails from construciton paper to match the colors of the stacking cups. Tape them to the floor and place the stacking bowls on them so they looks like little colorful fish. Invite toddler to sort the Pom Poms based on color.

58. Feed the Squirrel

• Empty dish soap bottled, marker, construction paper and glue
• sensory bin

Quick Setup : Create a squirrel out of the dish soap bottle by drawing the face and glueing on the tail from construction paper. Fill sensory bin with birdseed. Add bowls and scoopers and invite toddler to feed the squirrel the birdseed by filling up the dish soap bottle.

59. Cereal Sensory Bin

• Scoops, cups, and tweezers or toy animals like dinosaurs or farm animals

Quick Setup : Fill a sensory bin with cereal, especially those with different shapes, sizes, and textures. Provide tools like scoops and tweezers for children to explore and manipulate the cereal. This simple yet effective sensory bin is perfect for tactile and visual sensory development.

60. Ball Drop

• Ball pit ball

Cut holes in the cardboard box large enough to fit the ball pit balls. Colour the outside of the box using the marker to match the different colors of the ball. Invite your toddler to drop balls down the box based on the colors.

61. Button Match

What You’ll Need : Buttons, markers, a cardboard tube, contact paper .

Quick Setup : Trace the different button shapes on the cardboard tube using a marker or if your buttons are al the same shape, create colored dots based on the different buttons you have. Wrap a cardboard tube with contact paper, sticky side out. Let your toddler match and stick additional buttons over the shape or color.

62. Oats Sensory Bin

What You’ll Need : Oats, sensory bin, cups, scoops, or toy diggers, Easter eggs

Quick Setup : Fill the bin with oats and place various scoops, cups, or toy diggers inside. Encourage your child to scoop, pour, and dig through the oats, which helps improve their sensory exploration and motor skills while they enjoy the soothing texture of the oats.

63. DIY Lid Drop Box

What You’ll Need : Large box, various lids, scissors.

Quick Setup : Cut slots of different shapes and sizes into the sides of a large box. Collect various lids and teach your child to match each lid to the correctly shaped slot, improving their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.

64. LEGO Duplo Car Wash

• LEGO vehicles
• Brushes or sponges,
• Shallow tray.

Quick Setup : Fill a shallow tray with soapy water, and place various LEGO vehicles into it. Give your child brushes or sponges to wash the vehicles. This not only simulates a real-life car wash but also helps improve fine motor skills and sensory processing through tactile play with water and soap. Help you toddler build a mini car wash building using the LEGO.

65. Pipe Cleaner Lacing

What You’ll Need : Pipe cleaners, a colander or a salt spinner basket.

Quick Setup : Flip the colander or basket upside down and provide colorful pipe cleaners. Show your child how to thread the pipe cleaners through the holes, which helps develop their dexterity and cognitive skills through playful interaction.

66. Ball Wash

• Plastic balls,

Quick Setup : Fill a container with water and add some mild soap. Place dirty plastic balls into the water and give your child sponges or brushes to clean them. This activity mimics everyday cleaning tasks, teaching practical life skills and enhancing sensory experiences.

67. Pom Pom Drop

• Tubes (such as PVC pipes, cardboard tubes, or paper towel rolls)
• Tape (masking or painters)
• Pom poms in various sizes and colors
• Containers or buckets

Quick Setup : Start by securing the tubes vertically to a wall or chair using tape, arranging them so they create a series of chutes. Place containers or buckets at the bottom of each tube to catch the pom poms. Provide your child with a collection of colorful pom poms. Show them how to drop the pom poms into the tops of the tubes and watch as they tumble down into the containers. This activity is excellent for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as your child picks up and places each pom pom. It also introduces basic concepts of gravity and cause and effect, making it a fun and educational experience.

68. Mega Blok Wash

• Mega Bloks or large building blocks
• Mild soap or baby shampoo
• Brushes or sponges

Quick Setup : Fill a large bin or container with warm water and add a squirt of mild soap or baby shampoo to create a gentle cleaning solution. Place the Mega Bloks in the bin. Provide your child with brushes or sponges suitable for their hands. Encourage them to scrub and clean each block. This not only mimics real-life cleaning tasks, helping them to learn about household chores in a fun way, but also enhances their fine motor skills and sensory development through tactile play with soapy water.

69. Pom Pom Sensory Bin

• A large sensory bin or container
• A variety of colorful pom poms
• Tools such as tongs, scoops, or spoons
• Optional: Cups or small containers for sorting

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a colorful assortment of pom poms, which can vary in size and texture for a richer sensory experience. Provide your toddler with tools like tongs or scoops to handle and manipulate the pom poms. I added popsicle molds for something different. This helps enhance their fine motor skills and coordination. If you include cups or small containers, toddlers can also engage in sorting activities, which are great for color recognition and cognitive development.

70. Bubble Wrap Road

• Toy cars, trucks, or other small wheeled toys

Quick Setup : Lay out lengths of bubble wrap on the floor, securing the edges with tape to prevent slipping. The bubble wrap should be laid out like roads or tracks, you can use a sharpie to draw the lines in the road in the middle of the bubble wrap. Provide your child with toy cars, trucks, or any small wheeled toys to drive over the bubble wrap. As the toys move over the bubble wrap, the popping sound creates a fun auditory experience, and the texture under their hands or feet (if they walk on it) adds a tactile element to their play.

71. Painting Ice Cubes

• Food coloring or washable paint
• Popsicle sticks or small spoons (optional)
• Paper or a plastic tray

Begin by filling a sensory bin with ice cubes. Grab your washable kids paint and brushes and invite your child to paint the ice. This activity is not only great for exploring colors and cause and effect (observing how ice melts) but also for sensory play and fine motor development as they maneuver the cold cubes.

72. Frozen Pom Poms

• Colorful pom poms

Start by placing a few colorful pom poms into each compartment of an ice cube tray or small container. Fill each with water, ensuring the pom poms are submerged. Place the trays or containers in the freezer and let them freeze completely. Once frozen, remove the ice blocks from the trays and give them to your toddler to play with in a safe, supervised area, perhaps during bath time or on a water-resistant play mat. This activity is perfect for sensory exploration and can help teach concepts like cold, melting, and color mixing as the ice melts and the pom poms are freed.

73. Taste-Safe Bubble Foam

• 1 Can of Chick peas
• 1/4  Cream of Tartar
• Hand blender
• Blue food colouring

Begin by draining the liquid from a can of chickpeas into a large bowl. Add cream of tartar to help stabilize the mixture. If you want to add a splash of color, now’s the time to mix in a few drops of food coloring. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, beat the chickpea liquid vigorously until it becomes light and foamy, much like whipped cream. The texture should be thick enough to hold peaks. Once it’s ready, spread the foam out on a tray or directly onto a table covered with a clean surface. Let your toddler dive in and explore the fluffy texture with their hands. This activity is excellent for sensory play, allowing children to feel and play with the foam safely, and even taste it without worry.

74. Birdseed Kitchen Sensory Bin

• Kitchen utensils like pots, pans, spoons, and measuring cups
• Optional: small toy figures or additional natural elements like pine cones, leaves, and small stones

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with birdseed to create a base that mimics tiny grains or pebbles. Introduce various kitchen utensils such as pots, pans, spoons, and measuring cups into the bin. These tools will allow children to scoop, pour, and transfer the birdseed, mimicking cooking activities. If you choose, add small toy figures or natural elements like pine cones and leaves to enrich the sensory experience and inspire more imaginative play scenarios.

75. Ball Painting

• Washable paints in various colors
• Balls of different sizes and textures (such as golf balls, ping pong balls, and small rubber balls)
• A shallow box or tray to contain the paper and paint

Quick Setup : Spread the large sheets of paper or unroll a section of butcher paper to create your painting surface. Squirt different colors of washable paint onto the paper in various spots. Let your toddler roll, toss, or drop the balls across the paper. As the balls move through the paint and across the paper, they’ll create unique patterns and lines, depending on their size and texture.

76. Tube Pattern Matching

Quick Setup : Start by decorating the cardboard tubes ends with the different pattered washi tape. Cut holes in the cardboard box large enough to fit the tubes. Decorate the outside of the holes with the same tape used on the different tubes. Invite your toddler to sort the tubes by pattern by pushing them through the correct hole!

77. Magna-Tile Colour Sorting Boxes

• Magna-Tiles or similar magnetic building tiles
• Pom Poms or squeeze bottle caps
• Colorful tongs

Quick Setup : Use the magnetic tiles to create boxes in all the colors of the rainbow. Put the squeeze bottle caps in a pile and invite your one-year old toddler to use the tongs or their fingers to sort the caps in the correct colored box. This activity not only allows children to work on their color recognition skills but also encourages spatial awareness and fine motor development as they manipulate the magnetic tiles and match them to the right containers.

78. Water Table Kitchen

• Water table
• Various kitchen utensils (spoons, cups, funnels, ladles)
• Optional: Soap bubbles, plastic food items

Quick Setup : Fill the water table with water and if desired, add a few squirts of child-safe soap to create bubbles. Place the kitchen utensils and plastic food items in the water table. Invite your child to ‘cook’ and ‘serve’ meals using the utensils, enhancing their imaginative play and giving them a fun, sensory experience with the water and bubbles.

79. Paint the Toys

• Washable paints
• Old or washable toys that can be painted

Quick Setup : Set up a painting station with washable paints and brushes or sponges. Select a variety of old toys that are safe to paint. Show your child how to paint the toys, encouraging them to experiment with different colors and techniques. Once they are down, hand them a sponge and bucket pilled with warms soapy water and invite them to wash off the paint!

80. DIY obstacle course

• Various household items (chairs, cushions, boxes, blankets) or Various backyard toys if doing it outside such as slides, skipping ropes, chairs, boxes, hola hoops
• Small cones or markers
• Timer (optional for older children)

Quick Setup : Use household items to create a course in your living area or backyard. Set up stations that children need to navigate around, under, or through. For example, lay a blanket over two chairs to create a tunnel, use cushions for a hopping section, and boxes can be obstacles to weave around. This activity is excellent for promoting physical activity, enhancing motor skills, and improving problem-solving abilities as children figure out the best ways to navigate the course.

81. Rubber Duck Pond Sensory Bag

• Large resealable plastic bag
• Blue food coloring (optional)
• Small rubber ducks
• Green foam sheets

Quick Setup : Fill the plastic bag about halfway with water, adding a few drops of blue food coloring for a pond-like effect (option). Cut out Lilly pads from green foam sheets and place them in the bag. Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible, and secure with additional tape for safety. Secure with duct tape. Hand your toddlers some rubber duct and let the bound and swim their ducts on top of the pond, letting them ‘swim’ through the water. This is great mess-free sensory exploration and can be very calming for one-year old toddler.

82. Dried Pasta Sensory Bin

• Various types of dried pasta (different shapes and sizes)
• Additional items like scoops, cups, or toy cars (optional)

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with an assortment of dried pasta. You can enhance the sensory experience by adding items like scoops or cups for pouring and measuring, or toy cars for creating pasta ‘roads’ and landscapes. This setup encourages fine motor development, tactile exploration, and imaginative play, providing hours of engaging fun for little ones.

83. Sensory Bin with Shaving Cream

• Large sensory bin or container
• Shaving cream
• Toy animals, spoons, or small plastic items

Quick Setup : Fill the sensory bin with a generous amount of shaving cream to cover the bottom. Place various toy animals or spoons within the bin for your child to find and manipulate. This setup allows children to explore texture and sensory play, encouraging them to dig through the shaving cream to uncover hidden toys. It’s a fun and messy activity that enhances tactile awareness and can be very calming.

84. Mega Blok Rescue

• Painter’s tape or string

Quick Setup : Place Mega Bloks in the sensory bin. Place masking tape or string across the sensory bin in various directions. Invite your toddler to try and grab or rescue the blocks without touching the tape or string.

85. Feed and Wash the Animals

• Sensory table
• Toy animals
• Small bowls or containers for ‘food’ (can use pompoms, beads, or pretend food)
• Crushed cereal like cheerios
• Towels or sponges

Quick Setup : Fill one side of the sensory table or sensory bin with water and the other side with crushed cereal or oats. Add farm animal toys and small bowls and scooper. Add towels and sponges. Invite your toddler to feed the animals in. one bin and then wash them in the other bin with a sponge and dry them off with towels.

86. Fruit Sensory Water Play

• Large bin or water table
• Plastic fruits or real fruit
• Nets or scoops

Quick Setup : Fill the bin or water table with water and drop in various cut fruits. Provide nets or scoops for your toddler to ‘fish’ the fruits out of the water. This play activity is excellent for sensory exploration, developing fine motor skills, and teaching about different fruits while providing a cooling activity on hot days.

87. Magna Tile Cap Drop

• Bottle caps
• A container or designated drop zone

Quick Setup : Construct towers or various structures using Magna-Tiles and incorporate ledges or platforms where bottle caps can be balanced. Encourage your child to carefully place and drop bottle caps from the top of the magnetic tile structures into a container below. This game aids in the development of fine motor skills, coordination, and understanding of gravity and spatial relationships.

88. DIY Flip Book

• A stack of paper (Post-it notes work well for beginners)
• Book or puzzle

Quick Setup : Grab your toddler’s favorite book or puzzle. Place post-it notes over different picture in the book. You can also do this with a puzzle. Remove the pieces and place the post it notes over the space where the puzzle pieces go. Invite your one-ear old to remove the post its in the book and identify the object. For the puzzle have them remove the post it notes and return the correct puzzle piece.

89. Sensory bin with shredded paper

• Shredded paper
• Small balls, cups, or other small toys
• Optional: small figurines or items for hiding and seeking

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a generous amount of shredded paper, creating a fluffy, tactile base. Add small balls, cups, and other toys that your child can bury and discover within the paper. If you like, hide small figurines or items throughout the bin and encourage your child to go on a treasure hunt. This activity is excellent for sensory exploration as your toddler digs, pours, and scoops through the shredded paper. It helps develop fine motor skills and promotes imaginative play, offering endless opportunities for creative scenarios.

90. Easter Egg Puzzle Activity

• Large sheet of paper
• Dot markers
• Plastic Easter eggs (halved)
• Basket to hold the egg halves

Quick Setup : Lay the large sheet of paper on a flat surface. Use dot markers to create various colored dots across the page, spacing them out enough so each dot can be covered by a halved Easter egg. Place the halves of the plastic Easter eggs in different colors in a basket. Invite your one-year-old to match the color of each egg half to a corresponding dot on the paper and cover it. This activity is excellent for color recognition and fine motor development as your toddler needs to grasp the egg halves and place them precisely over the dots.

91. Painting Bread

• White bread slices
• Small bowls
• Clean paintbrushes

Quick Setup : Start by pouring a small amount of milk into several small bowls. Add a few drops of different food coloring to each bowl to create various “paint” colors. Stir well to mix the colors with the milk. Give your toddler a clean paintbrush for each color to avoid mixing the paints. Lay out the slices of white bread on a clean surface, and let your one year old paint on the bread with the milk and food coloring mixture. They can create colorful designs and patterns. Once they’re done painting, the bread can be toasted and then eaten as a fun and tasty treat.

92. Hand Sock Painting

• Non-toxic washable paint
• Paper or a large roll of butcher paper
• A tray or shallow containers for the paint
• Tape (if using paper)

Quick Setup : Spread out the paper or butcher paper on the floor or a table, securing it with tape to keep it in place if necessary. Pour different colors of washable paint into the tray or shallow containers. Have your toddler put on an old sock over each hand. Encourage them to dip their sock-covered hand into the paint and then press or smear the paint onto the paper, creating various designs and patterns. This activity is excellent for sensory exploration as the sock provides a unique texture, and the activity itself encourages creative expression and motor skill development.

93. Cardboard Tube Bowling

• Several cardboard tubes (from paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
• A small ball or a beanbag
• Tape or markers for decorating (optional)
• A flat surface like a hallway or a room with sufficient space

Quick Setup : If you wish, begin by decorating the cardboard tubes with tape or markers to make them more visually appealing and engaging for your one year old. Arrange the tubes in a triangle formation at one end of your chosen play area to mimic traditional bowling pin setup. Provide your toddler with a ball to use as the bowling ball. Encourage them to roll or toss the ball towards the tubes to try and knock them down.

94. Shredded Paper Garden Sensory Bin

• Brown shredded paper (as a substitute for soil)
• Pieces of brown material or brown yarn to enhance the dirt effect
• Artificial flowers
• Toy spade or small gardening tools
• Small pots or containers
• Gardening gloves (child-sized)

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with brown shredded paper, spreading it evenly to mimic the look of garden soil. If available, add extra layers of brown material or yarn for a more textured “dirt” feel. Scatter artificial flowers throughout the “soil,” partially burying them to look like they are growing. Place small pots or containers within the bin, which can be used to “plant” the flowers. Provide your toddler with a toy spade or gardening tools and a pair of gardening gloves to make the experience feel more authentic. Encourage them to dig, plant, and rearrange the flowers in the pots, mimicking real gardening activities.

95. Water Transfer Activity

• Two containers (one filled with water, the other empty)
• Sponges or pom poms
• Towels for spill management (optional)

Quick Setup : Place one container filled with water and the empty container side by side. You might want to set this up in an area where minor spills are not a concern, or place towels underneath for easier cleanup. Provide your toddler with sponges or pom poms. Show them how to soak the sponge or pom poms in the water-filled container, then squeeze them over the empty container to transfer the water. Encourage them to continue this process until the water is moved from one container to the other, or as long as their interest persists.

96. Spaghetti Drop Activity

• Dried spaghetti or thin sticks
• Tape (optional to secure tubes)

Quick Setup : Arrange the cardboard tubes vertically by standing them up on a table or taping them to a wall or edge of a table so they don’t tip over. Provide your child with handfuls of dried spaghetti or thin sticks. Challenge them to drop the spaghetti through the tubes, aiming to get them to pass through without sticking out. This simple yet engaging activity tests and enhances their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they learn to align and adjust their approach based on the tube’s position and the fall of the spaghetti.

97. Muffin Tin Veggie Sort

• Variety of small vegetables and fruit or play food vegetables
• Labels or colored markers (optional)

Quick Setup : Clean the muffin tin and prepare it for the sorting activity. If using real vegetables, select small ones such as cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, and snap peas, ensuring they are washed and safe for handling. If using play food, gather a variety of vegetable and fruit types. Optionally, you can label each muffin cup with a sticker or a colored marker to specify where each type of vegetable should go. Invite your child to sort the vegetables into the muffin cups based on type, color, or size, depending on the learning objective you wish to focus on.

98. Discovery Bin Activity

• A large bin or basket
• A variety of items to discover that are all similar (small toys the same color, or all soft items, or all kitchen tools, or all round fruits). Optional: themed items to fit a specific learning topic or season

Quick Setup : Scatter a variety of interesting objects throughout the bin. These can be anything from small toy figures that are the same color, soft balls and small stuffed animals or all kitchen tools or different types of veggies.

99. Wine Cork Push Activity

• Yogurt container with a lid

Quick Setup : Use the scissors to carefully cut a hole in the lid of the yogurt container. The hole should be just large enough to snugly fit the wine corks. Ensure the edges around the hole are smooth to avoid any sharp edges. Place several wine corks in front of your one-year-old, and show them how to push the corks through the hole into the container. This activity helps develop fine motor skills as the child practices pushing the corks through the hole, and also enhances problem-solving abilities as they figure out how to align and fit the corks into the hole.

100. Jumbo Pasta Sensory Bin

• Jumbo pasta (various shapes like shells, tubes, and spirals)
• Rice or dried peas for additional texture
• Optional: scoops, spoons, cups, or small containers for sorting and transferring

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a mix of jumbo pasta and either rice or dried peas to create a diverse tactile environment. The different textures and shapes will stimulate your child’s sensory exploration. Provide tools such as scoops and cups to encourage scooping, pouring, and transferring activities, which are great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can also incorporate color sorting or counting games by asking your child to sort the pasta types or count how many of each shape they can find, making the activity both fun and educational.

• Large cardboard boxes
• Tape (duct tape or strong packing tape)
• Scissors or a box cutter (for adult use only)
• Optional: markers, paint, or stickers for decoration

Quick Setup : Start by selecting one or more large cardboard boxes. If you have several boxes, you can create a longer tunnel by cutting off one end of each box and securely taping them together end-to-end. If using a single box, cut out both ends to form a tunnel. Reinforce the connections and any cut edges with tape to ensure stability and safety. If desired, decorate the outside of the tunnel with markers, paint, or stickers to add a fun, creative element. Place the tunnel in a play area, and encourage your child to crawl through. If you have other play tunnels, connect them to the box. This activity promotes gross motor skills as children crawl or scoot through the tunnel and can also spark imaginative play, as the tunnel can be integrated into various play scenarios like a race course, secret passageway, or fort.

Playing Safely

It’s important to note that when it comes to playing with 1 year olds, constant adult supervision is required to ensure their safety. While these no-prep activities can be fun and educational for young children, it’s important to remember that they may still be exploring the world and learning about cause and effect. This means that there may be potential hazards in the environment that they might not recognize, and it’s up to adults to ensure that they stay safe.

Therefore, before engaging in any of these activities, it’s important to make sure that the environment is free of any potential hazards, such as sharp objects or small items that could be choking hazards. Additionally, parents and caregivers should remain actively engaged and attentive to the child’s behavior and any changes in their surroundings during playtime.

While these activities can be enjoyable for both children and adults, safety should always be the top priority. By providing constant supervision and taking necessary precautions, parents and caregivers can ensure that their child has a fun and safe experience while playing and learning.

Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers  includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool  which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.  That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These  toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities  will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Book:  Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:  Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy  here .

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book:  Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?  The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years   old and up.

TV Show:  Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show  Curious Crafting  which launched in July 2022 on  TVOkids  and  TVOkids YouTube ! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC ! Watch it here !

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WANT YOU TRY ANY OF THESE NO-PREP ACTIVITIES FOR 1 YEAR OLDS WITH YOURS LATER? PIN IT NOW, AND FIND IT LATER!

Filed Under:

• Fine Motor Skills
• One Year Olds
• Sensory Bins, Bottles and Bags

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200+ Free Preschool Printables & Worksheets

Free preschool printables.

Letters & Letter Sounds

Name recognition puzzles, tracing, drawing & fine motor, other literacy printables, counting & numbers, other math printables, scissor skills, visual discrimination, science, geography, social studies, dot marker sheets, playdough mats, q-tip painting printables, seasonal & themed packs, 64 comments:.

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ST PATRICK'S DAY FOR TODDLERS

Preschool Worksheets PDF FREE Printable

Here is a list of free preschool worksheets pdf you can download and print from Planes & Balloons. You’ll find activities and worksheets that strengthen fine motor skills, early literacy and math skills, thinking and reasoning skills, focus and attention, and so much more.

Coloring pages

Language arts

Preschool math

Cut and paste

Same or different

free preschool worksheets age 3-4 pdf

Pre-K to Kindergarten Review

Grab this book full of engaging activities to prepare your little one for kindergarten!

Or use them in your nursery or preschool lesson plans throughout the year.

Preschool Number worksheets

You can easily turn a bunch of these worksheets into a cute preschool workbook for teaching numbers!

Tracing the numbers 1-20

Number flashcards 1-20

Halloween counting 1-20

Spring color by number

Christmas count and match

Preschool alphabet worksheets.

Check out these fun and educational alphabet activities for your preschoolers!

Spot and dot uppercase alphabet

Alphabet tracing worksheets printable

Tracing lowercase letters

Hot chocolate letter matching

Alphabet coloring book

Preschool shapes worksheets.

Free printable preschool learning materials free download pdf for your 3-4 year olds and 4-5 year old preschoolers!

Do a dot shapes worksheets

Frog shapes cut and paste

My shape book free printablE

Free Printable Shapes Worksheets

Tracing shapes worksheets

Nursery worksheets pdf.

Let your preschoolers practice visual discrimination with these fun same and different worksheets in your home or daycare!

Spring same and different

Same and different worksheets for preschool

Visual discrimination practice

Ocean same and different

CActus same and different

Preschool tracing worksheets pdf.

Tracing is a great preschool pre-writing activity , especially when you need one quickly and without much prep work. There are many tracing activities for preschoolers here, including tracing shapes, horizontal and vertical lines, and tracing pictures.

Tracing lines spring worksheets

Tracing fall pictures for preschool

Valentine’s Day number tracing

Alphabet tracing worksheets.

Transportation tracing pages

Preschool cut and paste worksheets.

Preschool cut and paste worksheets to practice scissor skills and fine motor skills.

Cut and paste Apple Worksheets

Cut and paste Easter eggs

Cut and paste For preschool

Cut and paste hearts

HALLOWEEN CUT AND PASTE

Preschool mazes printable.

These printable mazes will be a fun addition to your preschool playgroup activities.

Christmas mazes

Back to school mazes

Easter mazes

Mazes for preschoolers

Number mazes

Coloring is popular with little ones, especially if the coloring pages are in sync with their favorite topics such as bugs, cars, fall, Christmas, and more.

Preschool worksheet packet PDF

If you need a little bit of everything all in one printable, then these preschool packets pdf will help you out.

• Farm animals worksheets for preschoolers
• 4th of July worksheets for preschool
• Free printable days of the week bundle
• Halloween monster worksheets for preschoolers
• Circle time calendar template
• Berry picking learning pack
• Silly socks preschool learning pack
• Free printable Christmas worksheets for preschoolers
• Summer worksheets for pre-k and kindergarten
• Fall preschool worksheets packet
• Dental health preschool worksheets packet
• Preschool space activities learning binder
• Spring preschool worksheets printable pack
• Valentine’s Day preschool worksheets bundle
• Thanksgiving worksheets for preschoolers

Free Printables for Toddlers

Why not share this post!

Are you looking for free printables for toddlers - particularly 1, 2 or 3 year olds?  I know many of you homeschool and are always on the lookout for quality free educational printables for toddlers so I've put together a great free toddler printable collection for you.

If you're a homeschooling parent, or you're looking for some way to entertain your toddler printables can be a good way to go. If you're a regular reader of my site, you'll know that I encourage play based learning like these ABC activities for toddlers , Counting Activitie s and Science Experiments .

I do encourage you to avoid traditional worksheets for toddlers - at this age, toddlers shouldn't be learning by filling in pieces of paper. Trust me - play based is better!

What you can do though is use educational printables in your play.

These free printables for toddlers are designed to be used in a fun play based way. These printables are all free to download.

Our most popular free toddler printable is our color matching cards - these area huge hit! 

ALPHABET FREE TODDLER PRINTABLES

One of our most popular free printables for toddlers is our Alphabet do-a-dot printable - get yours HERE. 

Number Free Toddler Printables

Counting Do-A-Dot Printable 

Number to Ten Coloring Sheets 

Spring Free Printables for Toddlers

Spring Flower Playdough Mats - Free Toddler Printable

Autumn / Fall Free Toddler Printables

Free Autumn/ Fall Numbers to Ten Color & Tracing Sheets

Winter Free Printables for Toddlers

Free Printable Snowman Playdough Mats for Toddlers

Free Printable Winter Dot Pages for Toddlers

A fun fine motor activity idea for toddlers with a Winter theme.

Halloween Free Printables for Toddlers

Free Printable Halloween Playdough Mats for Toddlers

Free Printable Halloween Alphabet & Number Cards for Toddlers

Thanksgiving Free Printables for Toddlers

Looking for some fun free printable games for toddlers to do this Thanksgiving? Try this free Bingo printable game for toddlers. 

There's also a fun toddler free printable Scavenger Hunt game too.

FREE Printable Disguise the Turkey Craft for Toddlers

Print out this fun picture and get creative with how to 'hide' the turkey! So much fun!

CHRISTMAS FREE TODDLER PRINTABLES 

Christmas Do-a-Dot Pages 

Christmas Playdough Mats - Free Printable 

Free Printable Blank Christmas Ornaments for Toddlers to decorate

This is a great group activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Print them out and have them decorate them. Great to hang on the Christmas tree.

FREE Printable New Year's Eve Toddler Activities

Free Printable New Year's Eve Toddler Dot Printables

Get out your bingo markers or stickers and have fun with these New Year's Eve Dot Printables.

FREE Printable New Year's Eve Playdough Mats for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Free Printable New Year's Eve Scavenger Hunt for Toddlers

Free Printable Toddler New Year's Eve Bingo Game

Lunar New Year Free Toddler Printables

FREE Printable Lunar New Year Playdough Mats for Toddlers

Space Themed Free Toddler Printables

Free Printable Space Number Matching Cards

More toddler printable activities: 

The Very Hungry Caterillar Counting Mats

Sticker and Dot Makers Fine Motor Art Project - Moswood Connections

Zoo Train Printable Play Mat - Party Through the USA

Sock Matching Folder Game - Homeschooling My Kinetic Kids

Flower Shape Matching Activity - School Time Snippets

Printable Reward Charts

I Spy Shapes - Teach Me Mommy

Free Shapes Lacing Printable - 3 Dinosaurs

Free Printable Do-a-dot Rainbow Activity

Peek-a-Boo Farm Animals Activity - Buggy and Buddy

Make a Monster Activity - Fun with Mama

Color Matching Dominos Printable - Simple Fun for Kids

Summer Flower Color Matching

Free Printable Sign Language Flashcards - Look We Are Learning

Polar Bear Printable Craft - Fireflies and Mud Pies

Little Blue Truck ABC Animal Pick-Up - Growing Book the Book

Black and White Pattern Cards for Baby Tummy Time

Nature Craft Collage - Mother Natured

Shape Tracing Printable - Kiddy Charts

Animal Name Activity - Sandbox Academy

Octopus Do-a-Dot Fine Motor Activity 

Bug Scavenger Hunt Printable - Messy Little Monster

Printable Activity Dice - Twitchetts

Fish Crackers Counting Activity - Best Toys 4 Toddlers

Winter Themed Lego Puzzle Printable

Dinosaur Shape Matching Puzzle Printable - Powerful Mothering

Shape Roll & Color Printable Activity - Modern Preschool

Color Scavenger Hunt - Natural Beach Living

Loose Parts and Patterning - Pickleblums

Hide and Match Farm Animal Printable Puzzle - Toddler Approved

Animal Shadow Matching - Totschooling

Printable Mix & Match Puzzle - Itsy Bitsy and Fun

I hope you find these free toddler printables helpful. I'd love to see some pictures of your toddler using them. Share them in our Facebook group or on  Instagram  (follow  @myboredtoddler  and use  #MyBoredToddler  so we can all see).

Toddler Activities you might enjoy

ABC Activities for Toddlers 

Counting Activities for Toddlers 

Science Experiments for Toddlers and Preschoolers

75 Easy Sensory Activities For 1 Year Old Toddlers At Home

• Last Updated: November 16, 2022

By Xyla Clarito

Inside: a bumper list of easy sensory activities for 1 year olds, to keep your young toddler engaged at home..

Once your infant reaches the 12 month mark and is more physically active, alert and inquisitive about the big wide world, you may find yourself wondering what next?

How can you entertain your 1 year old at home all day? 

How can you provide your young toddler with the opportunity to continue their healthy development?

It can feel a little overwhelming, but don’t worry. 

There are just so many easy sensory activities for 1 year olds you can try at home. 

There’s no need for expensive baby classes!  (Although these are a great way to get out of the house and meet other moms.) 

You’ll likely have all the tools you need already to provide easy sensory play ideas for your 1 year old.

Here you’ll find plenty to inspire you.  Once you’ve got the gist, I’m sure you’ll find yourself conjuring up even more sensory activities for your 1 year old on the fly.

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Table of Contents

What sorts of things are 1-year-olds learning & exploring?

1-year-olds are a blank slate. They have much to learn. They’re learning about themselves and the world around them.  They’re exploring colors, shapes, textures and concepts constantly, experimenting and taking it all in. Their little brains are working so hard! 

Here are some specific skills your baby will be learning at a year old:

Fine motor and gross motor skills 

Musical instruments, wooden chunky puzzles, shape sorter toys, and blocks are some fine motor manipulatives that 1-year-olds love to explore. Through playing with these types of toys, your baby is learning the different shapes, spatial relationships, cause-and-effect, problem-solving, and more.

Your child will begin to learn body awareness through gross motor play. Climbing structures, age-appropriate swing/outdoor sets, push-and-pull toys, and water/sensory tables work to develop your child’s gross motor skills.

1-year-olds are learning how to walk, jump, throw, and climb. They’re also learning how to balance.

Language skills

A child’s vocabulary is built primarily through observations and experiences.

Through play, your 1-year-old is learning many new words, and phonetic sounds. They’re also learning about the letters of the alphabet. This comes together nicely to build their literacy skill foundation that will promote their language and speech development.

Cognitive abilities

1-year-olds are beginning to learn problem-solving skills through play and exploration. They’re learning to make connections between objects and experiences.

What are sensory play activities?

Sensory play is the expression and acquisition of knowledge and skills through exploration. Simply and more deliberately put, sensory play activities are focused on a child’s use of their five senses and engages them in learning.

If you’re wondering, what activities can you do with a 1-year-old? How you can stimulate your baby to ensure healthy development? How can you entertain your young toddler all day?

The answer to all of these is sensory play. 

MESS-FREE Sensory Activities for 1-Year-Olds

If you’re looking for a quick sensory activity to set up for your 1-year-old baby at home, this is the place to look first. Clean and dry, these sensory play ideas are a cinch to both prep and tidy up.

1. DIY Ball Pit

All you need to make a DIY ball pit is a baby pool or large cardboard box and colorful plastic ball pit balls.  And of course your willing 1 year old, who will need no invitation to get involved in this fun sensory activity.

You could facilitate this indoors or outdoors, making it fun for any time of year. You’d be surprised at how many ways your child will engage in this activity, as it is very open-ended.

In the summer months, add water and bubble solution to the colored balls and let your 1 year old enjoy a jacuzzi like experience!

2. Contact paper fun

Tape some contact paper to the table, wall or even a window.  That may be all you need to do!  The stickiness may be all they need for an entertaining and experimental sensory activity.  

You can also provide your 1 year old with different safe objects for further sensory experience.  Furry pipe cleaners, tissue paper, pieces of felt, strips of newspaper… paper or plastic straws. 

See what intrigues and entertains your 1 year old and simply follow their lead. One of mine got such a kick out of sticking his pacifier to the contact paper wall, taking it off, and sticking it on again.

3. Plastic Egg Play

Plastic eggs aren’t just for Easter time. Your child can create egg towers using the plastic eggs in halves. They can scoop them up with kitchen utensils, hide toys inside, rattle them in a closed plastic container, sort by color… a fun activity with endless possibilities.

An easy sensory play idea for babies under a year old is to turn plastic eggs into rattles, by filling them with rice or dry pasta.

Related post:  19 Cute & simple Easter activities for babies (sensory, art & more!)

4. Toys & Muffin Tins

Playing with small toys and a muffin tin is a great and easy way to introduce your child to early counting and sorting skills. As they move each toy object from compartment to compartment in the muffin tin, their fine motor skills particularly the pincer grasp, and cognitive abilities are strengthened.

You could also try placing balls into muffin tins for your 1 year old play and experiment with.

5. Tupperware Exploration

Everyone has a dreaded Tupperware drawer, right?! You open it, everything spills out, you can never find the right lid… This will be heaven for a 1 year old – a great sensory activity and opportunity for exploration.

I specifically keep all our plastic containers and lids in a drawer easily accessible to our 1 year old twins.  They have fun emptying it then trying to lid and unlid all the various Tupperware in the drawer nearly every single day, while I’m cooking.  Fun and such a good exercise to strengthen fine motor skills.

6. Texture Walk On

The sense of touch shouldn’t just be limited to the hands.  Little feet like to explore too!

Provide bins full of different textures and  materials for your 1 year old to walk in, and move to and from.  Of course they may well want to prod and explore with their hands too, but the idea is to provide ways in which they can walk on the different textures.

You could also simply place different textured items on the floor for them to walk over and through, such as bubble wrap, piles of ribbon/paper scraps, aluminum foil, cardboard egg cartons and other household items.

Be sure to tape large slippery items to the floor, for safety.

7. Explore Silicone Kitchen Utensils

Silicon has a lovely soft feel to it which your 1 year old may not be familiar with.  In addition, versus traditional metal ones, silicon utensils are safer and easier for little hands to handle. 

You could also use them to create a scoop-and-pour sensory activity with a sensory bin and water.  They also work well as musical instruments (my children’s preferred method) or why not paint with them.

8. Play With Jingle Bells

Play with jingle bells all year long! Turn on some music and create a dance party with the jingle bells. You could also make a sensory bin or bottle and fill it with jingle bells, or put down a piece of contact paper for your baby to stick the jingle bells on.  Again, be led by your 1 year old.

9. Tissue Paper Ripping

This activity is as simple as it sounds. Simply provide tissue paper in various colors for your child to explore and rip up.

This is a tactile experience and involves three of the five senses: touch, sight, and sound.  Such a simple sensory play activity for babies and young toddlers.

10. Walking And Crawling On Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is engaging and intriguing for infants. Simply tape bubble wrap to the floor to secure it and then let them follow their curiosities. 

The simple joy of walking and playing with bubble wrap underfoot has become a favorite activity for all 4 of my children.  My elder 2, at 5 and 6, still enjoy this now so it can keep them and their toddler siblings busy for quite some time! 

11. Crinkly Paper Play

This activity is so open-ended. Simply gather various types of crinkly paper, for example large chocolate wrapper, baking parchment, newspaper, aluminum foil and so on. 

The plastic tray inserts from boxes of chocolates make a lovely crinkly sound and are also very robust so can provide a fun sensory activity for many days.

Crinkly paper and other tactile materials are great to include in a busy basket. Simply fill the basket and let your child explore however they choose. 

12. Mirror Play

Provide a soft tummy time infant mirror or a Montessori mirror for your baby to explore their physical features and the texture of the shiny mirror.  Or you can simply use a full length mirror as long as it’s secure.

If you want to extend play you could turn it into an artistic sensory activity for your 1 year old.  Simply put a couple of drops of paint on the mirror and let your baby experiment with their fingers scribbling and color mixing. 

You can then transfer their “artwork” by pressing a blank piece of paper on their work.

13. Rubber band play

Wrap rubber bands around a plastic bottle and let your 1 year old stretch them and fiddle. They may even try to take them off.  A simple sensory activity that’ll also challenge fine motor skills.

14. Masking Tape Stick And Peel

Provide your 1 year old with pre-cut strips of masking tape while at the high chair or sitting on the floor.  Let your child press tape strips on and remove them over and over. 

Your young toddler might enjoy sticking the tape to various other objects too.  Try a erase board, ball, board book or toy.  Such an easy sensory activity for 1 year olds. 

Recommendation: fold over one side of the tape creating a small tab so it’s easier for your infant to grab and pull to remove. 

15. Touch and Feel Books

Touch and feel books present the perfect opportunity for on-the-go sensory exploration. They introduce different textures to your baby in a mess-free, low key way, providing an easy sensory activity for your 1-year-old. 

16. Play Silks

Play silks/dance scarves are fun to play with and can also be easily incorporated into other activities  Stuffing them into a tissue box or Oball makes for a fun sensory activity for a 1 year old who will enjoy pulling them out and stuffing it back in.

They’re also a great addition to a dressing up box for the toddler years, to use as capes, wings or a wrap dress for a princess.  With all their different colors, they can also be used to create a huge sea, river or landscape.  The possibilities are endless!

17. Mess free painting

This should be a way to get your little ones artistic creations on record, without any mess! Sounds too good to be true, right? Simply purchase a small canvas, apply blobs of paint and then loosly but securely wrap with plastic wrap.  Then let your 1 year old enjoy this fun mess-free paint sensory activity.

You could also use regular paper taped to a large wooden board or plastic chopping board instead of the canvas.

18. Pompoms and ice cube trays

Large colored pompoms are fun for young toddlers to play with – just be sure they don’t make it into their mouth.  Your 1 year old will enjoy placing them and moving them around the compartments of ice cube trays.  You can add toddler-friendly fine motor tools for them to use too.

You could also use colored cotton balls.

Sensory Bottle Ideas For 1-Year-Olds

Sensory bottles are a wonderful way for infants to explore smaller items that may pose a choke hazard.  So save those used plastic water bottles, because you’ll be able to put them to good use with these sensory bottle ideas.

Sensory bottles make great DIY sensory toys for taking out and about.  They make a good sensory activity to keep a 1 year old engaged while waiting at the doctors or sat in a high chair at a cafe. 

Just make sure the lid is taped tightly shut so the contents don’t empty into your handbag!

19. Glitter Calm-Down Bottle

To make a glitter bottle, you can keep it simple and just use water, glitter, and drops of food coloring. You could also jazz it up if you want by adding small toys like lego, sequins, beads, craft gems, and more.

If you want to slow down the movement of the bottle’s materials, add glitter glue, glycerin, or gel hand soap to increase the viscosity of the liquid.

20. Themed Festive Bottle

Fill a clear plastic bottle with items relating to the current time of year so your child can enjoy seasonal concepts.

For example, you could try jingle bells at Christmas or twinkly lights – pictured above in a giant plastic bottle. Or how about acorns during autumn, seeds during spring, and flowers during summer.  An easy way to provide a themed sensory activity for your baby or toddler.  

Check out more Christmas sensory activities here:  50 Christmas sensory activities & bins for toddlers & preschoolers

21. Rainstick Sensory Bottle

Rainstick sensory bottles are easy and fun to make. Add dry materials such as dry rice, sticks, dry pasta, dried beans, and other materials to create homemade rattle that makes a rain sound.

A rainstick bottle can be used as a DIY musical instrument as your child can shake it to the beat of their favorite songs. This activity presents tactile, auditory, and visual learning.

22. Loom band sensory bottle

Loom bands make for a fun filler for a sensory bottle – they float and almost dance around.  Simply add a handful of them to a bottle filled with water.  Then add a few drops of glycerin.

23. Lava Lamp-Style Bottle

Bring some ’90s-era inspiration into your child’s play with a lava lamp. You could make a homemade version (using water, oil, food coloring, and Alka Seltzer tablets), or you could purchase a pre-made lava lamp.

Sensory Bag Ideas For Your 1-Year-Old

Just like sensory bottles, sensory bags allow the exploration of small items that could potentially be dangerous for a baby or young toddler.   They’re also simple to set up and can be used time and time again, just like the bottles.

So grab some resealable plastic bags  and get ready to provide your 1 year old with plenty of easy sensory activities.

24. Water Beads Sensory Play

Water beads are an exciting new texture for your baby to feel and play with, as long as they’re contained in a securely fastened bag. You can find them on Amazon or at a craft store.

Fill a container with water beads and water and let it sit overnight so the beads soak up all the water.

The next morning, simply place them in a resealable plastic bag, tape to secure and let your child explore. 

25. Mess-Free Bag Painting

Fill a resealable plastic bag with a sheet of paper and some drips of paint. Seal the bag and tape it to a surface for your child to press and manipulate and create their own masterpiece.

This method of painting is great for kids that don’t like to get messy. You’ll appreciate the lack of cleanup too!

26. Window Hair Gel Bag Exploration

This activity is a great, introductory way to expose your baby to colors, which builds the foundation for color identification knowledge later on.

All you need to do is to fill resealable plastic bags with clear hair gel and food coloring.  Make each bag a different color and tape to the window to create a rainbow.

They’re fun to look at and, if you can tape them to a window low down, your 1 year will enjoy the sensory experience of squishing and prodding them.

Other Easy DIY Baby Sensory Toys

Here are some more DIY baby sensory “toys”’ that can be used repeatedly once created. They’re easy and straightforward to make with things you’ll likely have at home already.

Like sensory bottles and bags, plenty of them make for easy sensory activities for young toddlers and babies when you’re on the move and need to keep them entertained.

27. Sock Puppets

Turn socks into fun friends! This is a classic and easy activity. Simply gather a few socks from around the house.

You can use the socks as is, or you can add googly eyes to them to add some extra fun. Use your sock puppets in read-alouds to further engage your child.

28. Wipe Dispenser Sensory Box

Does your baby or toddler think it’s a fun idea to empty the wipe dispenser?  If I accidently leave a box of wipes on the floor, next minute half the wipes are out. All over the place! 

The answer: give them their very own wipe dispenser box filled with things they’re allowed to have and will enjoy playing with.  Think fabric scraps, washcloths, paper scraps. 

You could also use a tissue box to stuff things inside.

A fun sensory play idea for your 1 year old that will also strengthen their fine motor skills.

29. Homemade Taste-Safe Playdough

You can easily make edible homemade playdough using 1 cup of frosting and 2 cups of powdered sugar.

Helpful hint: Funfetti frosting comes pre-colored. You could use food coloring with white frosting too.

Playdough is so versatile, and with a recipe this simple you may be able to get your 1 year old involved in this making it too. 

30. Touch And Feel Board

This is a wonderful sensory activity for 1-year-olds. Simply attach multiple materials of different textures to a poster board, and allow your child to touch and explore.

Some examples of materials you could use are paper scraps, wrappers, dried uncooked rice and/or pasta, craft poms, cotton balls, bubble wrap, and more.

31. DIY Busy Board

You can make this as complex or as simple as you want. Simply attach multiple buckles, snaps, and locks to a wooden board. 

You could also make a busy board with felt or poster board and glue on lighter items such as velcro strips and shoelaces.

If dad or grandpa is a keen DIYer, this is one for them.

32. DIY Snow Globe

A DIY snow globe is a little like a sensory bottle, with craft and nature items floating around a water, glycerin and glitter mixture. 

However, you can make it more like a shop bought snow globe and glue characters or interesting objects to the lid of a Mason jar, which becomes the base of the snow globe.   

Since the jar is made of glass, this a sensory play activity you’ll have to do together with your 1 year old.  Also, stick to carpeted rooms rather than those with tiles.

33. Bottle Top Posting Tin

All you need for this fun and noisy sensory activity for your 12 month old is a large tin or plastic box and some bottle tops.  

Simply cut a slit in the top of the tin and show your child how to push and drop the bottle tops through the slit.  This is a sensory activity that your 1 year old will love! Young toddlers just love to post things.

An aluminum tin is ideal as it makes the sound louder and more exciting.

Once full, your toddler will probably enjoy shaking the tin or bottle like a maraca and making “music”.

34. Sensory Balloon Eggs

Sensory balloon eggs provide a fun tactile sensory activity for 12 month olds – all little kids in fact.  Simply fill a balloon with flour and tie the top.  Give it a squeeze and you’ll know why they’re also called DIY stress balls. 

Make a few and experiment with different fillings, like dried corn, rice, beans, oats, beads, sand etc.  Then let your child explore all the different textures.

Sensory balloon eggs are great for baby sensory play but will appeal just as much to older kids. My 5 year old particularly enjoys playing with them. They’re also a great tool for emotional regulation.

Dry Sensory Bin & Tray Ideas For 1-Year-Olds

These dry sensory bin and tray activities for 1-year-olds are so simple while helping to develop your child’s fine motor skills. They’re all quite open-ended, leaving plenty of room for experimentation and make it easy to tailor to your your young toddlers individual interests.

35. Rice, Scoops, & Cups

Fill a bin or tub with uncooked rice and provide different types of scoops and cups for your infant to explore. If you want to add an additional visual element, you can dye the rice with food coloring first.

To dye rice simply soak it in water dyed with food coloring overnight.  Or why not use blue food coloring for half the rice and yellow for the other half.  Provide the two colors in separate bins and and allow your 1 year old to mix them together to make green.  

36. Dried Pasta & Ice Cube Trays

Fill an ice cube tray with multiple types of uncooked pasta of various shapes and sizes. You could add in colored pasta too.  Your child will enjoy manipulating the pasta, moving them around and sorting them into different compartments. 

A muffin tin would work just fine, too.

To extend this easy sensory activity, you can also provide your 1 year old with measuring spoons, cups and tongs and other baby-safe kitchen utensils for them to maneuver the pasta with. 

37. Play with Beans & Pulses

Playing with beans is a fun no-prep sensory play activity for a year old at home.  You can also add some color in by dying them first.  Do dye the beans:

• place them into a resealable plastic bag
• add food coloring and a squirt of hand sanitizer
• shake the bag to mix
• empty the dyed beans onto a sheet of wax paper or wooden board
• spreading them out so they can dry
• once dry, they’re ready for play

Add the colored beans to a sensory bin and watch your child’s eyes light up as they explore.

38. Bottle Tops

Collect bottle tops and caps of different sizes and colors and when you have enough you can provide a cheap, fun and easy sensory activity for your 1 year old.  They can sort them, stack them, shake them around in the bin and simply explore.

You could also provide some large tools, like a wooden spoon or a slotted spoon and some tubs so your toddler can try to move them out of the bin into the tubs, sorting by color or size as they go. Or not sorting at all! Just let them play.  

39. Formula Spoons

Formula spoons are another thing you can accumulate a lot of very quickly.  I have a whole stash of formula spoons I’ve collected over the years.  They’re the ideal size for little hands and safe too, so are ideal to incorporate into sensory activities for 1-year-olds.

40. Cloud Dough

To make cloud dough, all you need is 2 cups cornstarch and 1 cup scented conditioner. Put both ingredients in a bowl and mix with a spoon, then knead with your hands.

Empty into a sensory bin or tray and let your child explore with or without tools. The texture is soft and silky and will be very intriguing for a young toddler.  They may not even need tools, just be led by your child.

Store in an airtight container after play to reuse. .

41. Blended Cheerios (Edible Sand) Sensory Bin

Got a box of Cheerios in the pantry? (I seem to have at least 3 at any one time…)

Grab a box of and crush the Cheerios into a fine powder using a blender. The Cheerio powder will be visually similar to sand, but will be edible too, making this an ideal sensory activity for 1 year olds that like to taste everything.

Place it in a sensory bin and add cars or other toys/tools your child desires. A fun and edible alternative to sand for a sensory bin.

Sensory Water Play Activities For Babies

Water play is so simple and easy to facilitate, while also fully engaging your child in play. These water sensory activities for 1-year-olds will be exciting for little hands to explore.

42. Squeeze Water Out Of A Sponge

This sensory activity is easy to set up and facilitate. Provide a tub of water, or do this activity while in the bathtub.

Give your child some sponges for them to soak up and squeeze the water out of. This strengthens the muscles that will eventually assist them in writing later on.

43. Play With A Water Table

Playing with a water table is as simple as it sounds. Simply pour in some water and let your toddler splash, scoop and pour.  Add a couple of water-friendly toys if you like.

If you don’t have a water table yet for your 1 year old, this is a good time to get one. (Here’s a water table that’ll keep your young toddler busy year after year.)

If not you, a large roasting dish or oven dish on top of a low table or on the floor will also do the job.

To add a visual element to this simple sensory activity, add colored bath tablets or food coloring to the water.

44. Pouring With Water Cups

Pouring is a wonderful action for acquiring and strengthening your child’s fine motor skills. It also works on cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and cause-and-effect. Provide your child with cups at the water table or at bathtime.

Make sure you provide cups that are small enough for your infant’s hands to grasp. A variety of cups would extend their learning (cups with handles, spouts, open cups, etc.)

45. Baby Pipettes

Toddler-sized pipettes make for an exciting addition to water play. You’ll probably need to help them fill the pipette but a 1 year old should be able to squeeze and will love seeing the water squirt out the end.  Squeezing the pipettes is a good fine motor activity , helping to strengthen the muscles in the hands and fingers.

Your child can also paint with pipettes by dripping different colors of paint or watercolors onto a coffee filter or kitchen towel. The colors will spread and merge across this type of paper adding a little artistic excitement to an easy sensory activity.

46. Bubble Bath

This sensory activity is something you may often do at bathtime already! Kids, big and small, love a bit of bubble bath every now and again.  If we get ahead on our bedtime routine, I like to plan an extended bathtime session and add some bubbles.

My 1 year old twins love it and one of the older kids normally get in too – they don’t fit in all that well if they all get in together now.

You could also add a bath bomb or colored bath tablets , to make it even more fun. They’ll need no encouragement to play with the bubbles!  Embrace your inner child and play with them too.

47. Animal Washing Station

This activity works best at the water table or with a large tub of water outside.  Provide sponges and scrub brushes with animal figurines. You can add soap to the water too and kill two birds with one stone by actually getting some of the toys clean!

Let your child wash the animals with the sponges and brushes you provide. My kids really enjoy this sensory play and love to make all the different animal sounds as they go!

48. Ball Pit Balls

Add ball pit balls to your water table or a tub filled with water. Provide large scoopers or shovels, slotted spoons cups, ladles, and bowls for your child to maneuver the balls with.

You can help them with color recognition by naming the colors of the ball they’re handling.  Your toddler will also start to learn introductory information on sorting by color through this activity.

49. Flower Soup

Simply make soup with flowers!  This is such a fun outdoor activity for toddlers for the warmer months.

Start by scavenging the garden or park for flowers and plants.  Break off petals and leaves – these are the ingredients for this fun sensory play idea.  Provide your 1 year old with old saucepans and something to stir and mix with.  Little cups, wooden spoons, a funnel, and kitchen utensils would enhance the dramatic play of cooking “soup”.

You could also add glitter to the water if desired. I like to add food coloring to water bottles as additional ingredients too.

Be sure to try their culinary masterpiece when they’re done!  There’s plenty of opportunity for a little tea party after, or soup party, should I say.

50. Citrus Water Play

Fill a tub/bowl/bin with water and slice some fruit, such as lemons, oranges and limes. You could cut them into wedges or wheel slices. Put the fruit in the water and your child can explore using all of their five senses.

51. Painting with water

A large sheet of cardboard, paint-brush and small tub of water is all you need for this fun painting sensory activity for your 1 year old. Simply let your toddler paint with the water.  They may get wet, but won’t end up head to do in sticky colors, like most baby painting activities! 

Edible Sensory Play Activities (Messy!)

Eating AND exploring? What could be better for a young toddler or baby? There will definitely be a mess factor in these edible sensory activities for 1-year-olds at home. But the fun they bring will make it worth the clean up!

52. Spaghetti Sensory Play

Cooked spaghetti is such a fun texture for your baby to play with. You can choose to dye the spaghetti with food coloring or just leave it as is.  

This spaghetti sensory play activity could be tailored to seasons and holidays by using specific colors and adding relevant toys and items.  I love the spooky eye ball spaghetti sensory bin above, put together for Halloween. 

53. Whipped Cream Painting

There are a couple of options for a whipped cream painting activity. You could paint with it in the bath, to contain the mess.  Start by creating different colors by adding food coloring to whipped cream separated into the different compartments of a muffin tray. Now you have a palette of colors for your 1 year old to paint with. 

Let your child paint the bathtub, their toys.  They’re sure to want to paint themselves too! Painting in the bath makes for such an easy clean-up. Wash everyone and everything down once you’re done.  

Another option is to use the colored whipped cream at the kitchen table or high chair with paper.  

54. Yogurt Painting & Smearing

Yogurt smearing is such an engaging sensory activity for 1-year-olds. Put yogurt on a cookie sheet and let your child go to town smearing it all over the sheet however they wish.  Or if your baby likes to throw everything on the floor, simple add some drops of yogurt to the their high chair table.

You can also add a few drops and swirls of fruit puree.  Add more than one color and flavor to up the visual and taste elements. 

55. Fruity Cheerios/Fruit Loops Sorting

You could use any multicolored cereal, food or treat for this sensory activity. Provide different colored cups – a multicolored stacking cup toy set works well for this.  Or you could try with different colored sheets of construction paper.

Work with your child on sorting the cereal by color onto each corresponding colored cup or paper. Try with just two colors at first, and if/when your 1 year old gets the hang of it, add more in.

They may be completely disinterested in the sorting and simply want to pick each one up and drop into any cup.  That’s ok.  Be led by their interests. It’s highly likely they’ll want to eat a few, or all of them, as they go. 

56. Rice Krispies Fun

You can use Rice Krispies as a sensory bin filler, and facilitate a scoop-and-pour activity with your young toddler.  If you have a toy hammer, bashing the Rice Krispies also makes for a fun and destructive sensory activity for toddlers.

You can also try painting with Rice Krispie treats. Dip them into paint, place on paper and have your child stamp and bash them. Or switch out the paint with colored frosting to keep the entire activity edible.

57. Edible Mud Sensory Bin

Here’s a particularly yummy sensory activity for 1 year olds with a sweet tooth.  This is definitely one to do early in the day and not too close to bedtime!

To create an edible mud sensory bin, use chocolate pudding as pretend mud. Add pigs or other farm animals to pretend they’re walloring around in it.

Another easy taste-safe mud recipe consists of 1 container of chocolate frosting and 1 ¼ cup of flour.

58. Oat and Cinnamon Sensory Bin Base

Oats and cinnamon are a lovely sensory bin filler for Fall or for a natural and gorgeous smelling sensory activity. Simply add oats and cinnamon to a bin and add any themed tools or toys you want.

59. Jello Dig

Make a pan of Jello and add small toys before it sets for your 1 year old to dig out and find. Choose colors and items to match the season or your child’s interests.

Wet TASTE-SAFE Sensory Bin & Tray Ideas for 1-Year-Olds

Here are some more wet and messy (but still easy) sensory activities for 1 year olds, that won’t exactly taste nice, but will be safe when they inevitably try to explore with their tongue or mouth.   

60. Ice Cube Play

There are so many more ways to play with ice cubes.Ice cube play is one of my favorite activities for babies and toddlers in the hot summer months.  You’d be amazed how long such a simple material can keep them entertained!

You can simply add ice cubes to a sensory bin and let them enjoy the cold hard sensations. You can  provide squeeze bottles or pipettes filled with warm and/or colored water.  Then help your 12 month old drop or squirt water at the ice cubes and watch them melt.

61. Real snow sensory bin

Another cold and fun sensory activity for your 1 year old for the winter months. Collect some real snow and dump in the bin and let your toddler get stuck in.  You’d be surprised how long the snow lasts.  

You could also freeze colored water with popsicle sticks standing in each compartment of the ice cube tray and create frozen paint sticks – what a cool paint option!  Then your child can “paint” on construction paper or on the patio outside.

62. Play With Pumpkin Innards

Playing with the slimey innards of a pumpkin makes for a fun Fall activity and at-home sensory play idea for your 1-year-old. Once the pumpkin carving fun is finished, don’t throw away the leftover pumpkin parts. Instead, dump the innards and seeds into a sensory bin or large container for your infant to explore. 

My 1 year olds twins loved this easy use sensory activity this year.  However, my older two have now grown out of it. 

“Too gooey” – my 6 year old.  “Disgusting!” – my 5 year old. They didn’t believe me when I said they used to love this very activity. 

63. Tapioca Pearls

If you soak tapioca pearls they have a soft and gelatinous consistency.  They’re a baby-safe alternative to water beads since they’re edible.  You can also dye them easily by adding food coloring to the water when you soak them.  

64. Aquafaba Foam

If you love making homemade humous, then this easy sensory activity makes use of the drained chickpea water.  Simply beat it with an electric whisk until it’s thick and foamy.  You can color it easily by adding a drop of food coloring.  

More Easy Sensory Play Activities Inc. Some Wet & Messy Ones

Bring on the messy fun! Here are some more 1-year-old sensory play ideas that will surely excite your child, and definitely require cleanup.

65. Finger Paint

For this activity, you’ll need paper, baby-safe paint and a smock. Use as few or as many colors as you want. Let your child paint “pictures”, experiment and explore in an open-ended way.

You could also have your 1 year old finger paint onto canvas to experience a different texture.  Fingers crossed you’ll have something to treasure forever at the end!  

66. Foot Painting

This activity is parent-led, but will feel so interesting on your toddlers foot. Cover the sole of your baby’s foot in paint, and press their painted foot on the paper.

There are loads of different footprint art options, but they can prove a challenge!  Rather tape a large sheet of paper or even newspaper to the floor and let them stamp their feet and walk all over it.  They’ll love watching their footprints emerge. 

You may even be able to rescue a few clean prints and keep them as a momento or try a footprint animal craft.

67. Play With Oobleck

To make oobleck, mix 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of water.  Add food coloring if you want colored oobleck it.

Start by mixing the water and food coloring together, then add the cornstarch little by little and stir until mixed. Add the oobleck to a tub or bowl for your child to play with.

You can then add additional items if you want or just leave it as is. Your 1 year old toddler is sure to enjoy this sticky, pliable substance either way. It makes for such fun messy sensory play. 

68. Playing with Real Mud

Time to get messy! This sensory activity uses mud – there’s nothing better than good clean mud to keep a baby or toddler content.  It can also boost their immune system .

You could have your child play outside in the mud after it rains, or bring the mud inside and put it in a tub. You can also provide tools for your child to explore the mud with.

Don’t forget to have towels on hand or fill the paddling pool or bath for after.

69. Bathtub Painting

For bathtub painting you can either buy premade bath paint or make your own. To make your own, mix equal amounts of cornstarch and water. Add food coloring to color it.

Use an ice cube tray or muffin pan to keep the different colored paints separate.

70. Bubble Foam

Bubble foam is such a fun sensory play activity for babies and toddler. To create bubble foam, you’ll need:

• tear-free bubble bath
• food coloring

Mix 2 parts water to 1 part bubble bath in a large bowl and beat vigorously with a whisk.  I’d definitely recommend an electric whisk.

You can just use one color or make make multiple batches in different colors and create rainbow bubble foam.

Then simply add to a sensory bin.  Tip: an under-the-bed storage tub provides plenty of space to play.

71. Eggshell Cracking

If you’re a lover of boiled eggs, your toddler may well have watched you crack the top with a teaspoon.  For another easy at home sensory activity with your 1 year old, save some eggshells, turn them upside down. Then place them back into the egg cups for your young toddler to have a go at cracking.  

My eldest daughter loved this – look at that concentration!

Other Easy Sensory Activities For 1-Year-Old Baby At Home

These easy activities are the best of the rest when it comes to easy sensory play activities for 1-year-olds at home.

72. Discovery Box or Basket

Put together a “discovery box” or basket simply by filling a box or basket with an assortment of similar items.

For example: different textures of balls, kitchen utensils, animal figurines, finger puppets, or anything else you have on hand.

73. Vegetable Peel Play

This simple activity uses leftover carrot peels and those from other vegetables as a sensory bin filler. Give your child a wooden spoon and bowl or tub of the vegetable peels.

They can engage in dramatic play (pretending to cook) while also exploring the different textures, colors and smells.

74. Explore The Garden Or Park

The garden or park and anywhere outside is full of so many sensory opportunities and experiences for a 1 year old to enjoy.  Take them outside to explore and learn about the world around them.  

Sometimes, the simplest activities can be the most engaging.

Simply let your toddler follow their curiosities, point at, touch, smell and listen as they please.  This is yet another simple sensory activity that helps cognitive development in young children.  

75. Crunch Through Leaves Or Fallen Seeds

Go on a nature walk to explore fallen leaves and seeds. Emphasize the sound of the crunch of the leaves as you walk through them to make it even more exciting!

You could also collect some dried leaves and add them to a sensory bin for a Fall themed sensory activity for your 1 year old.

76. Rolling Pin Play

Fill plastic reusable bags with various textured items, such as dried pasta or uncooked rice. Give your child a rolling pin and let them roll over the different bags of materials to explore the textures and different sounds each one makes.  

Tape the bags to the play surface to keep them from sliding and slipping.

Sensory Toys & Accessories To Invest In For Years Of Sensory Play & Activities To Come

Having a few sensory play staples to hand will be helpful to facilitate activities at home.  All of the below can be used for 12 month old sensory activities but will be used frequently through the toddler and preschooler years too.  

Water Table

A water table provides a designated space for water sensory activities for 1 year old babies at home. There’s a lot of choice and variety in size, price point and other functionalities.   You can find different types, sizes, and price points. This water table is one of our favorites. 

Sensory Play Table

A sensory table normally has two compartments so you can use two different materials at once.  It’s common to put water in one side and sand in the other but there’s so much more than you can do.

I like to put a different filler each with a specific theme, material or texture. I then let the kids play with them for a week or so before switiching the contents.  

Pipette Set

Toddler-sized pipettes can be used in so many different activities and have been mentioned a few times in this sensory play post.  Fill them with liquid watercolor and have your child drip and squeeze drops of paint onto a coffee filter to create beautiful art.

You can also fill pipettes with water and let your child play with them at their water table or with a sensory bin. These jumbo-size pipettes are ideal for little hands to grasp.

Sensory Water Play Mat

Water play mats are mess-free and great for tummy time infant exploration. Water play mats are appealing and exciting for your child throughout their development. They will likely still be asking to play with it well into toddlerhood.

Tips For Doing Sensory Activities With Your 1-Year-Old At Home

Let your toddler lead the play.

There’s no right or wrong way to play. Your 1 year old will gather more knowledge and have more valuable play experiences when allowed to follow their curiosities and interests.

Go big with protection!

For wet and messy sensory activities at home, protect an area much bigger than you intend to use. This makes for easier and quicker cleanup.

Don’t lose heart

Not every sensory activity will be a win.  If it doesn’t engage your toddler the way you’d hoped, don’t lose heart. Simply try it another time or move on altogther.   

Similarly, some sensory activities may keep your 1-year-old engaged for ages, some may not. It really doesn’t matter, just go with the flow.

Set boundaries

Set some boundaries and give frequent reminders.  Be gentle, yet firm. Your young toddler may not understand you fully, but it’s easier to start these things earlier!

Encourage language development

Make verbal observations and ask your child open-ended questions during the sensory play activities, whether they respond or not.  Simply narrating your 1-year-old’s actions will help increase their vocabulary and build their inner monologue.

Supervise your child at all times.

Be particularly cautious about which sensory materials you use, especially if they’re going through a phase of wanting to put everything in their mouth.

Enjoyed This List of Sensory Activities for 1-Year-Olds to Explore At-Home?

These fun baby and toddler activities will hopefully help you feel more equipped to facilitate sensory play with your little one at home. When in doubt, simplify.  Your child will have fun no matter what!

You deserve to have fun, too, so try not to stress too much. The more you experiment with sensory play, the more you’ll find yourself coming up with your own ideas.

Happy exploring!

Looking for Ideas to keep you toddlers busy at home? Check these out:

FAQS on sensory activities for 1 year olds

How can i stimulate my 1-year-old baby.

There are many ways to stimulate your baby, and most will have a sensory element to them. Sensory play activities test and strengthen cognitive skills, aiding brain development.  By exploring new textures, colors and materials and experimenting with different concepts, such as cause and effect, your 1 year old will be acquiring valuable new knowledge.

All you need to do is to provide a few materials and tools and your baby will do the rest. You’ll be swamped with ideas for fun and easy DIY sensory activities for your 1 year old by the end of this post!

What are the benefits of sensory play activities?

Sensory play benefits are multifaceted.  These types of activities primarily work to develop language, motor skills, and cognitive growth which will benefit your child in all developmental areas and phases of life.

Sensory play also assists in emotional regulation as it provides an outlet for expression.

Providing sensory activities for your 12 month old or young toddler is also such a lovely way to spend time with them.  Watching their budding curiosity and seeing them learn is such a joy!

Get your camera ready and don’t forget to take some video as well as pictures.

When to start baby sensory activities?

You can start sensory activities with your infant as early as you’re able to. In the early days you’ll be limited by the endless feeding, naps and diaper changes and doing anything extra will be the last thing on your mind. Of course all of these tasks will provide lots of sensory stimulation anyway. 

But once your baby is more alert and active you can start with other types of sensory input.  Simple things like looking at a book with high contrasting pictures. Watch those baby cues, in particular overtiredness , and be sure not to overstimulate baby.

I began more structured “sensory activities” with my children once they could easily participate in tummy time.  The ability to sit up without support for an extended period of time opens up the door to a load more easy sensory activities.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover how much your infant is capable of.

Related post: 33 Easy & engaging activities for 10 month olds

What do you need for 12-month-old sensory activities?

Most things you’ll need to do sensory activities with your 1-year-old, you’ll likely already have at home.  Dive into your kitchen cupboards and you’ll find things like food coloring, silicon tools and utensils, uncooked rice, dried or cooked pasta, aluminum foil, tubs of various sizes. 

Flour is also a valuable resource for DIY sensory activities for 1 year olds.  You can use it alone but also to make play dough, edible mud, cloud dough and so on.

Then there are other things you’ll likely have elsewhere at home, such as ribbon, felt, bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, tissue paper….

There are a few materials and products you may with to invest in (affiliate links to these are included when and where relevant.)

My favorite easy and inexpensive way to build a sensory activity stash is by going to the dollar store or the dollar section at a grocery or craft store to stock up on various materials.

Useful stuff? Want to save it for later?  Want to share with other moms? Click above or pin this image:

Got any comments or questions?

I’d love to here from you.  (Your email address will not be published.)

Or contact me direct at [email protected]

Want to dig a little deeper? Check out these other related posts:

50 Easy Giraffe Activities & Craft Ideas for Kids

29 Scarily Easy Skeleton Crafts for Kids

100 Best Fun Children’s Birthday Party Activities & Games

21 Fun & Easy Dinosaur Sensory Activities (inc Dinosaur Sensory Bin Ideas) For Toddlers

35+ Cute & Practical Nursery Bookshelf & Bookcase Ideas

27 Easy Wet & Dry Messy Play Ideas for 1 & 2 Year Old Toddlers

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Daycare Worksheets

Free Preschool Worksheets

The idea behind this website is to make a place where parents, teachers, and childcare professionals can download and print free educational resources for preschoolers. Preschool-aged children will benefit the most from the free printable worksheets on the site right now but we also plan on adding additional resources for younger kids.

Worksheets Cover English, Math, Activities, and General Learning

Our free worksheets are broken down into four main categories and cover different areas of early childhood education. The preschool English worksheets category includes spelling, reading, rhyming, phonics, and alphabet printables. They are designed for preschoolers’ cognitive and literacy development. The preschool activity worksheets category includes scissors practice, mazes, connect the dots, coloring, and tracing printables. They help children with developing fine motor skills and critical thinking ability. The preschool math worksheets category includes shapes, position and order, numbers, measurement, and counting printables. Children will become familiar with basic math skills. The preschool learning worksheets category includes weather, holiday, seasonal, colors, and telling time printables. They are a wonderful way for kids to learn the fundamental aspects of life. All of our free preschool worksheets can be downloaded in the PDF file format and then printed or you can print the worksheets directly in your browser.

Free to Use Anywhere including Preschools, Daycare Centers, Summer Camps, and at Home

One of the more common questions we get is “What are we allowed to do with the worksheets?”. You can do everything you want with our free daycare worksheets except sell them. Print as many as you want and make as many copies as you would like. You are also allowed to use our free worksheets anywhere, whether it be a preschool, summer camp, kindergarten, home, or a local daycare center. We want the worksheets we have created to be used by as many kids as possible.

These Preschool Printables are Different

Daycare worksheets cannot just be handed out and expected to be completed. A toddler who is two years old and a preschooler who is four years old learn differently than older children. Younger kids need to have different types of engagement in order to facilitate learning. Many of our preschool worksheets have more than one way they can be utilized. Teachers and parents can print a worksheet and then make learning game or activity out of it. Childcare professionals can also put together lesson plans using the free printables that can fit into a prekindergarten curriculum.

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Homework for Kids

Advice on how to make your children feel happy about doing homework..

Does it feel like that school assignment is going to take FOREVER to complete? Looking for some inspiration? Here's a list of quick tips to give you the extra push you need to finish that pesky paper . . . and put a smile on your face!

• Make a List, Check It Twice: If you have assignments flying at you from all different subjects, create a priority list that starts with what's due soonest as number one. Chances are the due dates will be spread out over time, so what you thought was a gigantic load of work won't actually be that overwhelming. Rate all the assignments based on how long you think they'll take, which ones seem like the hardest, or by subject. No matter how you rank them, you can start methodically working through them, and once you finish an assignment, go ahead and check it off your list!  
• Homework for kids: Get It Over With: If you only have one project to complete, JUST DO IT. Imagine how it's going to feel when that one essay is complete. You're free! You can play basketball! You can ride your bike! You can hang out with friends (assuming all their homework for kids is done too)!  
• Work With Study Buddies:  Bond over textbooks with your friends. As long as you guys keep focused on studying, working in a group may indeed increase your productivity. You're all working towards a common goal of completing your homework for kids and when it's time for a break, you're already together!  
• Homework for kids: Take a Break:  There's nothing wrong with taking a 15-minute break if you feel like you need to rejuvenate yourself. Get up, stretch, make a snack, IM friends, hop in the shower, call your grandma, write a letter — do something completely unrelated to homework for kids. Once you're refreshed, you'll be ready to concentrate again.  
• Reward Yourself:  Make a deal with yourself before you begin to make a sizable dent in your workload. It can be anything from "If I finish this paper a day early, I'll buy that new DVD I've wanted," to "When I finish 20 math problems, I get to watch the game on TV tonight."  
• Homework for kids: Tap Your Feet:  Understandably, some people can't concentrate with music playing. But if putting tunes on helps you plow through assignments, slip your favorite CD in the stereo or turn the radio on, and do your work to the flow of the melody. And consider this: studies have shown that the part of the brain that is used to solve mathematical problems is stimulated by classical music. So crank up the Mozart when you're multiplying fractions!  
• Homework for kids: Show the Teacher What You Can Do:  Maybe you're not looking forward to doing a paper because you got a bad grade on the last one. Well, take this as an opportunity to show the teacher what you've got! If you feel like the situation is hopeless, just imagine the look on your teacher's face when you blow him away with your brilliance.  
• Homework for kids: Pump Yourself Up:  Sometimes it's hard to settle down and do homework for kids because you've been sitting in class all day and need to burn off some excess energy. Do some jumping jacks or sit-ups, run a mile, or just dance around like crazy in your room. It'll get the adrenaline going, and you'll feel like homework is just a little hurdle to jump over. So get to it!

The 13 best birthday gift ideas for a 1-year-old

From books to musical toys, here's what to get a soon-to-be 1-year-old.

As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below*

If there's a one-year-old's birthday coming up on your calendar, you may be trying to figure out what to buy them. With so many options to choose from, we reached out to several experts to get their input on what types of toys and accessories make for the best first birthday gifts.

What to keep in mind when shopping for a first birthday gift

Prioritize safety:.

Any gifts intended for a 1-year-old should be age-appropriate and not contain any small parts or pieces that could pose a choking hazard, cautioned child experts Dr. Amanda Gummer, a child psychologist and founder of The Good Play Guide , and Dr. Erynne Bowers, a pediatrician with Orlando Health . For toys, look for the manufacturer's recommended age range. It's often listed in the product description or on the packaging.

Opt for sensory toys:

Since 1-year-olds are just beginning to explore their environments, toys that can stimulate their senses are great gift ideas.

"I love toys with soft, fuzzy, rough or smooth surfaces, like textured fabric books or sensory blocks. Musical toys that produce sounds are also great choices that will not only entertain little ones but will help them learn about cause and effect and what happens when they touch or press certain things," said Dr. Gummer.

Consider toys that foster developmental skills:

Toys that help nurture developmental skills make great gifts, too, said Dr. Bowers. For example, books can help develop a 1-year-old's fledgling communication skills, while puzzles, stacking blocks and crayons can help young toddlers work on their fine motor skills.

Don't overlook physical development, either. Around the 12-month mark is when many toddlers begin to take their first steps, so consider gifts that help encourage standing or walking.

With this criteria in mind, here are some of the best first-birthday gift ideas for the soon-to-be toddler in your life.

The best first birthday gift ideas

Baby Einstein Curiosity Activity Table

This Baby Einstein art and science activity table is the perfect toy to help inspire 1-year-olds to stand up and move around as they play. It features an assortment of colorful hands-on gadgets for toddlers to explore and develop their fine motor skills. What's more, it can play songs and introduce vocabulary words in three different languages.

Jellycat Fuddlewuddle Lion Stuffed Animal

For a high-quality and durable stuffed animal that can last for years, look no further than Jellycat, a brand that's well-known for their especially soft and cuddly plush toys. They come in a variety of designs from lions to dinosaurs, bears, rabbits and dogs.

Customizable Wooden Name Puzzle

Any chunky puzzle can help a 1-year-old develop their fine motor skills, but this personalized wood one makes for an especially great present since it can be customized with a child's name and their favorite animals, dinosaurs, vehicles or sports. Choose from over eight color themes and 100 puzzle characters to create a one-of-a-kind gift.

Mega Bloks Block Toys

These Mega Bloks can inspire open-ended play, as young children explore how to connect and build with them. Plus, their jumbo size makes them easier and safer for 1-year-olds to play with than traditional Legos.

Chuck Taylor All Star 2V Rainbow Print Sneaker

Available in both baby and toddler sizes, these miniature Chuck Taylor sneakers are a perfect first shoe for beginning walkers. They feature grippy rubber soles and two Velcro straps to help support 1-year-olds as they gain confidence in their walking skills.

Bright Baby Touch & Feel Boxed Book Set

Not only does this colorful book set help teach a 1-year-old all about different types of animals, its built-in touch and feel sensory experience allows toddlers to explore the books with their hands.

Crayola Egg Crayons (12-Count)

These washable, jumbo-sized crayon eggs are designed to be easier for young toddlers to grasp than traditional crayons. The egg-shaped ergonomic design fits perfectly into the palm of their hands, allowing 12-month-olds to create their first works of art while developing their hand strength.

Skip Hop 3-in-1 Baby Activity Toy

This three-in-one dog-themed scooter can grow with your child, transforming from a toy that a 1-year-old can push or pull with their hands to a ride-on or stand-on scooter that an older toddler can power with their feet. In addition, the toy's headlight has a button for toddlers to push to hear music as well as fun sound effects, like a horn.

Amazon Basics Shape Sorter and Rainbow Stacker Toys

Help a 1-year-old master stacking and sorting with these toys that teach colors, shapes and sizes. Made with durable wood and plastic materials, this set includes two classic toddler toys, a shape sorter and a ring stacker, for the price of one.

ABC What I Can Be! Personalized Children's Story Book

From an astronaut to a zookeeper, this softcover ABC-themed book explores all of the different types of careers a child might have when he or she grows up. Plus, it can be customized with a 1-year-old's name, home state, photo and more, making it a truly personalized and special gift.

LeapFrog Musical Rainbow Tea Party

This tea party set will engage all of a child's senses. It features a light-up teapot that can play seven songs and say over 50 phrases, including colors and numbers. The set also comes with six matching cake slices to foster imaginative, pretend play.

Infantino Stackables Activity Playset

This 18-piece set of squishy balls, rings and toys provides a variety of textures, shapes and colors for a 1-year-old to explore. Plus, the durable silicone material allows the toys to be played with both in and out of the bathtub.

Fisher-Price Little People Big Yellow School Bus Musical Learning Toy

1-year-olds can have fun with this Little People yellow school bus toy in several ways. They can play with the four included figurines both on and off the bus, or they can make the bus move by pulling it around with the attached handle while they walk. They can also push the four buttons on top of the bus to hear stimulating music and sounds.

* By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave Localish.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these products with you, Localish is not endorsing these products. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.

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