learning activities 18 month old

25+ 18 Month Old Activities Your Toddler Will Love

by Marissa Labuz | Jul 24, 2023

Toddlers are a joy for parents, but they are a bit of a handful. One of the joys of toddlerhood is that they are so interested in the world around them, but that also means you need to have plenty of 18 month old activities ready.

Otherwise, you will struggle to keep the out of harms way!

Toddlers seem to have a knack for finding things they shouldn’t be doing, so keeping them busy is essential. That’s why you want to know different things to do with your 18 month old.

You can’t go to the park every day!

Toddlers are learning and growing, making this a fascinating age. So, let’s take a look at some things you can try with your 18 month old to keep them entertained and learning at the same time.

Related : What to Teach an 18 Month Old: 14 Skills to Develop

What Should a 18 Month Old Be Learning?

An 18 month old toddler is constantly learning and changing; this stage is when your child is walking and using basic words. They love to explore, learn, and play together. Also, toddlers at this age show more independence and interest in pretend play.

All toddlers learn at a different pace, but here is a general list of what your 18 month old is learning at this age. Use this to help pick out things to do with 18 month olds!

• Shaking his head no in response to his needs.
• Expresses new emotions like frustration, guilt, shame, and possessiveness.
• Separation anxiety peaks around 18 months.
• Pointing at objects he wants.
• Pretend plays by feeding stuffed animals or baby dolls.
• Points to body parts when asked.
• Helps undressed himself.
• Pulls toys along while walking.
• Attempts to walk up the stairs.
• More words develop, usually one to two new words per week.

25 Activities for your 18 Month Old

1. play with shapes.

You don’t have to be fancy or plan elaborate things for your 18 month old to do. Sometimes, simple is all that’s needed, like playing some with shape sorting toys.

Make sure you have a Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube . It’s a classic toy that all kids love; it requires focus and attention. Over time, your child will master all of the shapes.

Another easy idea is to take stiff pieces of felt and cut out shapes. Then, have your child sort them. Make sure to store them to reuse later!

Grab my Colors & Shapes Toddler Busy Binder !

2. Sidewalk Shape Activity

This Sidewalk Chalk Shape Game is as simple as it gets and will keep your toddler or preschooler busy for a bit! All you need is some sidewalk chalk and pavement and you have a fun game for your little one! It’s like a life-size game board where your child can learn, explore, or practice their shapes and colors. 

Draw the shapes on your patio or driveway. Then, you call out the shape and color, and your toddler has to jump to it!

Related : Sidewalk Chalk Shape Learning Game

3. Sorting by Colors

Sorting by colors is always one of the top 18 month old activities. Colors are often one of the first things toddlers identify by name, and they love to use their new skills.

You’ll find a lot of ways to do this!

One of the easiest is by placing four sheets of construction paper – each a different color – on the table. Then, give your toddler some color sorting bears or these fun jumping frogs .

4. Sort Colors in Muffin Tins

Grab those muffin tins out of your cabinet and use them to sort colors. I like color bears for this, but you really can use any item. Toddlers love this activity, and since you can use change the items, it has endless potentials.

Related : Sorting Colors With Muffin Tins Activity

5. Play Colorama

I know the instructions for Colorama say that it’s best for kids 3 years old and up, but it has different levels of playing. The easiest level is do-able for a toddler. Parents split all the shapes between the players and everyone has to find the matching space for their shapes. It’s not competitive – you take turns.

There are a lot of ways to use this as your child gets older.

6. Practice Stacking

Toddlers love stacking. It’s a great time to introduce a new stacker to your toddler; we love the Melissa & Doug Rainbow Wooden Ring Stacker . It’s a little more advanced than simply blocks. By 18 to 24 months old, your toddler is ready for a bit more of a challenge.

If you don’t want to buy new toys, grab some different sized cans out of the pantry and use those. I swear my toddler stacked food cans out of my drawers for months before finding it uninteresting.

7. Learn Letters

18 months is a great time to introduce letters, but don’t expect your child to grasp them at this age. Rather, it’s a good time to introduce toys that use letters in play.

For example, all toddlers love foam bath letters . You can point out the letters and spell words, like their name, on the tub walls. It’s a no-pressure toy but encourages early learning.

Related : 14+ Simple Activities to Teach Toddlers the Alphabet

8. Fish for Letters

Use those letters for a simple activity – fishing for letters. Fill up a baby pool with some water and toss in foam letters. Let your child scoop them out, and once they start to recognize the letters, you can call one out and let your child find it.

Related : Fishing For Letters Toddler Outdoor Activity

9. Stick Letters to Window

Another activity with those little foam letters is to stick them to windows or glass doors. All you have to is put them into a bowl and spray some water on them. They stick well when wet.

Your toddler will find it fascinating that the letters stick to the window!

10. Pom-Pom Drop

This PomPom Tube Drop activity is very simple and only requires 3 items. Most of them you probably already have at home.

The pompom tube drop is a developmental activity that will help to improve fine motor skills (using the small muscles of the hands and fingers) and understanding cause-and-effect and problem-solving . 

Parents can add more learning to this activity by adding vocabulary, counting, and color recognition.

Related : Pom Pom Tube Drop: Toddler Developmental Activity

11. Match Animal Figures

I think this idea is so fun!

Grab the First 100 Animals book along with a set of farm animals – these are versatile and great to have on hand! Ask your toddler to look for a farm animal in the book and match them.

This book has a lot of animals, so you easily can use TOOB sets like their insect set and marine life set as well.

Grab my Farm Toddler & Preschool Packet !

12. Hang with Other Toddlers

Get your toddler out with other kids his age; it’s definitely one of the best things to do with 18 month olds.

Toddlers are social creatures, and they love to be with kids their age. At this age, their social skills are developing, and while they may not play together, they will parallel play at this age.

13. Climb on Playground Structures

Toddlers love to climb; it targets their tactile and gross motor skills needs. Climbing helps your toddlers learn to balance and learn body awareness. it also encourages hand and shoulder strength, trunk control, and builds core strength.

Plus, your little toddler loves to explore and climb. As your child climbs the same structure regularly, you’ll notice their confidence growing.

Local playgrounds offer plenty of climbing structures for kids, but if you don’t want to go to the playground all the time, get a climbing tower for your backyard. We love our climbing dome ; it gets so much use!

14. Take Daily Walks Together

If you can’t figure out new 18 month old activities, take daily walks together. Not only do walks target all senses, but your child will work on gross and fine motor skills, visual skills, and hand-eye coordination.

Taking walks around the block gives you opportunities for adventure with your toddler. You never know what you will see, and toddlers are naturally curious. Don’t rush your walks; spend time and let your child see what he wants to see.

Your child may shred up some leaves, break sticks, pick flowers, and lift up rocks. All of these are working on skills, and walking on different surfaces and inclines practices gross motor skills.

Related : Easter Bunny Hop Gross Motor Activity for Toddlers and Preschool with Free Printable

15. Read Books Together

Of course, reading books together with your child is always one of the best 18 month old activities. Reading helps your child grow his vocabulary by hearing brand new words. It’s one of the best things you can do for your child to encourage early literacy.

Related : 30 Books about Feelings for Preschoolers

16. Pull Toys Behind

Chances are your toddler is moving and walking all around your house now, so it’s the perfect time to introduce a pulling toy.

You’ll find all sorts of options, but a classic pick is the VTech Pull & Sing Puppy . As your toddler pulls the toy behind him, it sings and plays songs.

17. Enjoy Sensory Bottles

All kids, especially toddlers, love sensory bottles. The ideas and options are endless, and they’re affordable to make. Sensory bottles hold your child’s attention, and you can involve your toddler in the making of the bottle as well.

Related : How to Make Simple DIY Glitter Sensory Bottles

18. Play in Fake Snow

If you need fun winter 18 month old activities, make a sensory in that uses some fake snow. Instead of getting cold outside, you enjoy the winter and sensory play – two things your toddler understands.

Get creative; you can hide all sorts of things in the fake snow!

Related : Winter Sensory Bin with Fake Snow: A Winter Activity

19. Play in a Blanket Fort

One of the easiest 18 month old activities is to make a blanket fort with chairs and blankets. I bet you did this as a kid, and it’s just as exciting for your kids as it was for you.

Grab some of your kitchen chairs, toss some blankets over them, put pillows underneath, and have fun. Your toddler will love crawling in and out of the covered fort.

20. Splash in the Bath Tub

Need a rainy day activity? Put your toddler in the bath tub for some play time.

All you really need is some cups, spoons, and other items for your child to use in the water. They can splash and have fun until they’re over this activity.

Just remember to stay in the room for safety purposes.

21. Toy Water Scoop

Simply fill your plastic storage container or bowl with water and throw some plastic toys in. Add in some scoopable items like serving spoons, stacking cups, or small shovels to give them something to scoop with.

I often use food pouch lids for this. They’re something we typically toss, but they work for this activity and color sorting.

Related : Toy Water Scoop Sensory Bin

22. Have Sensory Fun with Play-Doh

Toddlers love play dough; it helps with fine motor development while strengthening their hands.

When your give your toddler play dough for the first time, you might notice him squeezing and pulling it apart. With plenty of open-ended play opportunities, you will notice your child trying other things, such as:

• Hiding objects in the play dough

You can always make your own play dough, but if you aren’t interested in DIY, grab some packs of Play-Doh to keep at home. It’s always one of the best rainy day activities for 18 month olds.

Related : How to Fix Dry Play Doh: 5 Ways to Rehydrate Play Doh

23. Finger Paint and Make a Mess

Bring out your toddler’s artistic side and finger paint.

Listen, I know – dealing with messes is the last thing you want to do, but it’s worth it. Not only is finger painting a form of sensory play, but kids need a chance to work on those artistic skills in a free environment. Making crafts doesn’t develop artistic skills in the same way.

All you need is some simple washable finger-paints and mixed media paper. Using thicker paper helps prevent the paint from leaking through.

24. Finger Paint WITHOUT The Mess

Sometimes, making a mess just doesn’t fit into your plans for the day. That’s okay!

This no-mess finger paint activity idea came when trying to give my toddlers a fun experience right after a bath. I realized that I didn’t want them to get all messy once again so I came up with this activity.

You put the paint on a plate inside of a plastic bag – or just put the paint in the bags! – and finger paint. I suggest making sure you duct tape the ends closed to ensure no explosions happen.

Related : No-Mess Finger Paint Activity

25. Doodle with Chalk

I can’t lie; I love chalk. It’s pretty much a no-mess art supply since chalk brushes off easily.

Drawing with chalk is fun for all ages; it feels different than crayons and disappears with water or wiping away. A chalkboard easel provides plenty of fun for your toddler and gives your child the opportunity to doodle, scribe, and draw lines.

I love the Melissa & Doug Standing Art Easel . One side is a chalkboard, and the other side is a dry erase board. It also holds paper for drawing and has space for paint cups.

It’s not too hard to find enjoyable 18 month old activities. Pay attention to what your child enjoys the most when selecting the things to do that day together!

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Activities for 18 Month Old Toddlers

As a mother and teacher with two kids of my own, I understand the unique needs and developmental milestones of 18-month-old children. This stage is an exciting time filled with rapid growth and exploration. It is crucial to provide age-appropriate activities that support their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. 

In this guide, I will emphasize the importance of tailoring activities for 18 month old toddlers to their specific needs. By engaging in the best activities, we can foster their growth, curiosity, and overall well-being.

Customize Activities – Consider Your Child’s Behavior and Tendencies

As parents, we know our own children best. It’s important to consider our child’s behavior and tendencies when selecting activities for them. Some of the activities mentioned here may not be suitable for all children, especially if they have a habit of putting objects in their mouths or exploring different tastes through sensory play. It’s crucial to make a decision based on their individual behavior and preferences.

If your child tends to put things in their mouth, there are precautions you can take to ensure their safety during playtime. For instance, if they are playing with smaller objects, you may consider allowing them to have their dummy or pacifier as a safer alternative to satisfy their oral exploration. Alternatively, you can opt for edible versions of sensory materials like Aquaphaba or yogurt, which provide a safer experience if ingested.

Regardless of the activity you choose, close supervision is key. Keep a watchful eye on your child throughout the entire play session to ensure their well-being and prevent any potential hazards. It’s important to prioritize their safety and be actively involved in their play.

It’s worth noting that all the activities suggested here were tested and enjoyed by our own children. We understand the importance of creating a safe and engaging environment for our little ones. However, what works for one child may not work for another. Adapt the activities to fit your child’s needs and always prioritize their safety and well-being.

Remember, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child. By considering their behaviors and preferences, you can make informed decisions about which activities are most suitable for their individual needs. Enjoy exploring and engaging in activities that bring joy, learning, and safety to your child’s playtime.

Sensory Activities for 18 Month Old

Muddy piggy sensory play.

If your little tots adore pigs, especially Old MacDonald’s oink oink and Peppa, then this sensory play setup is perfect for them. 

What will You Need?

• Brushes , sponges
• Plastic pigs

What to Do?

Prepare a safe muddy sensory bin for your child’s play. Introduce toy pigs for an immersive experience. Use child-sized brushes and sponges for cleaning the muddy pigs, developing motor skills and coordination.

Benefits of muddy play: Boosts mental health and well-being, enhances understanding of the world, and supports physical development and sensory perception.

Designate a play area, protect surfaces, and maintain hygiene. Enjoy the educational and joyful Muddy Piggy Sensory Play with your child!

Taste-Safe Mud Options

Additionally, it’s important to note that if you prefer an edible option for the mud in the Muddy Piggy Sensory Play, there are alternatives available. Here are a few edible mud options you can consider:

• Chocolate Pudding Mud: Use chocolate pudding for a tasty experience.
• Oatmeal Mud: Create a mud-like texture with cooked and cooled oatmeal .
• Yogurt Mud: Mix yogurt with cocoa powder for a creamy twist.

Ensure safety and supervision, and consider allergies and restrictions. Enjoy the edible options in the sensory play!

Shaving Cream Bath Paint

Unleash your child’s creativity in the exciting bathtub! With shaving cream and food coloring, transform bath time into an artistic adventure. Enjoy mess-friendly fun that’s easily washable. The bathtub is the perfect canvas for creative exploration, allowing your child to express themselves freely. Use non-slip bath mats for safety.

• Shaving cream
• Food coloring
• Muffin Tin – optional
• Nonslip Bath Mat

@messylearningkids #messylearningkids #shavingcreamart #shavingcreambathpaint #bathpaint #bathpainters #shavingfoamfun #bathactivities #messypainter😁 #shavingcream ♬ Bath Time – Bobby Doowah

Mix food coloring into shaving cream to create the Shaving Cream Bath Paint. Use a muffin pan for organizing colors. Place a non-slip bath mat in the tub for safety.

Your child can dip fingers or brushes into the paint, enjoying the texture and creating colorful strokes on the tub’s surface.

Clean-up is easy – simply rinse the tub to remove the paint. For a safer option, consider using Aquaphaba instead of shaving cream.

Enjoy a bathtub adventure with artistic expression and easy clean-up.

Let your child’s imagination shine with the Shaving Cream Bath Paint. 

Lemonade Sensory Bin

What could be more refreshing on a hot day than a cold glass of lemonade? While nothing compares to a cold glass of lemonade, this sensory experience will engage their senses and ignite their imagination.

• Muffin tray
• Lemon slices
• Spoons, scoops

What to Do? 

Arrange lemon slices in a muffin tray for a visually appealing sensory bin. Fill each slot with water, and freeze overnight to create frozen lemon slices.

Transfer the frozen slices to a bin, and add water for play. Let your child freely explore the bin with cups, spoons, and scoops. It can be great pretend play as they can sip lemonade, stir the slices, or engage in sensory play.

The Lemonade Sensory Bin stimulates senses, develops motor skills, and encourages imaginative play.

Car Wash Water Play

Get ready to beat the summer heat with a refreshing and engaging fun game that toddlers love! This exciting playtime will not only cool off your little ones but also encourage them to enjoy the process of washing while enhancing their fine motor skills and imaginative play. Let’s dive into the details and expand on this interactive adventure:

• Sensory Tray
• Shaving foam
• Watering can
• Legos (optional)

Prepare a washing station with small toys on a tray or in a bin. Line up the cars and add shaving foam for a soapy surface. Fill a watering can for rinsing.

Let your kids take charge of the car wash. They scoop and apply foam with sponges, enjoying the sensory experience. Hand them the watering can rinse off the foam, enhancing fine motor skills and water control.

Add Legos to build a drive-through car wash for imaginative play and storytelling.

This sensory activity develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. 

Cow Milking Activity For Kids

Engage your little ones in this hands-on, educational, cause and effect activity! This interactive play will not only entertain them but also enhance their fine motor skills while learning about the process of milking a cow.

• Rubber gloves (clear or white)
• White paint
• Baby Bottle , sippy cup , or toddler glass

Begin by painting the water white using white paint. This step adds a visual representation of milk to enhance realism. Fill the rubber gloves with water, leaving enough space to tie a knot and create four fingers for the udder.

Hang the gloves on sturdy support or ask for assistance. Place a table underneath to catch drips or use a tray with a bin for easy cleanup. Poke small holes in the fingers of the gloves to simulate udders. Demonstrate the milking process to your child, gently squeezing the gloves to release water.

Encourage your child to take over and continue milking. This activity develops fine motor skills, hand muscles, coordination, and precision.

The Cow Milking Activity provides a better understanding of milking while honing fine motor skills. It also offers tactile and sensory play, promoting learning through exploration and imitation.

To make it more immersive, incorporate a pretend milk-pouring component. While your child milks the gloves, pour a small amount of real milk into a container of their choice.

Hand the container to your child and encourage them to taste the milk. This sensory connection deepens their understanding and engagement. Consider any dietary restrictions or allergies when choosing the type of milk.

Combining milking with the taste of real milk creates a multi-sensory experience, sparking curiosity and imagination in your child. It enhances the authenticity of the activity and fosters their understanding of the farm-to-table concept.

Hidden Hearts in the Colored Water

Embark on a delightful sensory adventure with the Hunting for Red Hearts sensory bin! This great activity combines the thrill of treasure hunting with the mesmerizing properties of a red water sensory bin mixed with cornstarch. Let’s dive into the details here . 

Bubble Foam – Aquaphaba

We have previously written an article on bubble foams, exploring various sensory bin settings and different methods for kids to play with them. However, this time, we are excited to introduce a unique twist: Edible Bubble Foam! This new variation offers a safe and edible sensory play experience for toddlers. 

Making Edible Bubble Foam is as simple as making traditional bubble foam. The only difference lies in the ingredients. Instead of using bubble soap, you will use the liquid found in canned chickpeas. 

In our previous post, you can discover a plethora of sensory bin ideas and fun activities involving traditional bubble foams. Be sure to check out that article for inspiration and detailed instructions.

Splash in the Bath Tub with Pom Poms

Sensory baths are beneficial for toddlers and young children. They provide sensory stimulation, relaxation, and help develop fine motor skills. Sensory baths also promote language and cognitive development, encourage bonding and social interaction, and support emotional regulation.

They offer a holistic and enjoyable experience for children’s overall development. For an extra festive touch, we’ve added a Halloween theme to make it even more thrilling! Let’s discover the magic of pom poms and embark on a spooktacular sensory adventure.

Patchwork Sensory Bottle

Introducing the Elmer the Elephant-Themed Patchwork Sensory Bottle . This enchanting creation combines sensory play with characters from the beloved Elmer the Elephant books.

The bottle is filled with vibrant colors and captivating materials, representing Elmer’s patchwork world. 

As you shake and tilt the bottle, a symphony of sights, sounds, and textures unfolds, engaging the senses and sparking the imagination.

The colorful visuals mirror Elmer’s appearance, while the various textures invite exploration and enhance fine motor skills.

With its Elmer theme, the sensory bottle becomes a tool for storytelling and imaginative play, encouraging creativity and language development. 

Ideal for parents, educators, and caregivers, this sensory bottle offers a fusion of stimuli, promoting sensory exploration and cognitive development. Immerse children in a world of vibrant colors, textures, and imaginative play.

Let their senses be captivated as they embark on a sensory journey inspired by the charm and wonder of Elmer’s patchwork world.

You can also create your own themed sensory bottles, like ocean adventures, galaxy exploration, garden discovery, dinosaur expedition, or fairy tale magic. Remember, the possibilities are endless!

Painting on Ice – Sensory Art

This engaging activity combines the thrill of painting with the icy allure of frozen canvases. Watch as your child’s creativity comes to life on the melting ice, creating beautiful patterns and vibrant colors.

Get ready to embark on a sensory adventure that will captivate both the eyes and the imagination. Let’s dive into the world of Painting on Ice and explore the magic of this unique art experience.

Get ready for a mesmerizing and hands-on sensory experience with Oobleck! This fascinating substance has the unique property of being both a liquid and a solid, offering endless possibilities for exploration and play.

And the best part? We have created a variety of Oobleck recipes that are perfect for toddlers too, including options without cornstarch and with baking soda . There’s an Oobleck recipe to suit every little explorer. Get ready to have some sensory fun!

Edible Play Dough

This delightful activity combines the joy of play dough with the excitement of being able to safely explore and even taste their creations. Made from simple and edible ingredients, this playdough opens up a world of sensory exploration and imaginative play.

Join your little ones on a journey of hands-on fun as they mold, shape, and create with this safe and tasty playdough or even salt dough . 

Muddy Worms

This exciting activity allows children to dive into a squishy and slimy sensory experience while indulging their curiosity and creativity. Plus, if you’re concerned about little ones putting things in their mouths, rest assured that you can easily remove the plastic bugs and ensure a safe and enjoyable playtime.

Get ready to get messy and engage your child’s senses with this delightful Edible Mud and Worm Pie activity, perfect for those who love exploring new textures and getting hands-on with imaginative play!

Making Tree Faces

Step into the enchanting world of nature-inspired creativity with Making Tree Faces ! This delightful activity allows kids to transform ordinary trees into whimsical and expressive characters using mud and natural materials.

With just a touch of imagination and a few gathered treasures from the outdoors, children can bring trees to life and add a touch of magic to their surroundings.

Scoop the Baubles

This festive and engaging activity is perfect for toddlers, adding an extra dose of holiday cheer to their playtime. As the Christmas season approaches, what better way to celebrate than by incorporating the joy of ornaments into a fun and interactive game?

With Scoop the Ornaments, little ones can engage their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration while scooping and transferring colorful ornaments.

Join in the holiday excitement as your toddler immerses themselves in this merry activity, fostering a love for the Christmas spirit and creating cherished memories. Let the festivities begin with Scoop the Baubles !

Fine Motor Learning Activities for Toddlers

Straw in the box fine motor activity.

This was a quick idea of mine, once I saw that my daughter really enjoys playing with colorful straws. The toothpick part was an additional idea while preparing for the first activity. These outdoor and indoor activities for 18 month old tots are good for improving fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

What will you need? 

• Pringles Container

What to Do with the Straws?

We reused an empty Pringles container for the straw activity. Just punch a few holes in the lid with a hole puncher, sharp knife, or scissors. Then give your toddler a bunch of straws and show them how to push them through the holes into the container.

Cereals Threading

Engage your toddler in a delightful and hands-on activity with Cereals Threading! This simple yet engaging activity offers a fantastic opportunity for your little one to practice fine motor skills while having fun. 

• O-shaped cereal, like Fruit Loops, Oreos, etc

Gather holed cereals like O-shaped or fruit loops for threading. Use Play-Doh (or for a safer version make your own edible playdough) and spaghetti as the base.

Guide your toddler to thread cereals onto spaghetti strands, developing motor skills and concentration.

They can create patterns, count, and explore textures. This activity promotes math skills and sensory perception.

Tape Rescue Animals

This engaging and hands-on activity involves using tape to create unique animal traps and then rescuing them in a thrilling pretend-play rescue mission. Watch as your little one’s creativity and problem-solving skills come to life as they embark on animal-saving adventures.

Get ready for a wild and imaginative experience that will have your toddler eagerly stepping into the role of a hero. Let the rescue mission begin with the Animal Tape Rescue !

Easter Q-Tips Peg Cardboard

Q-Tips Peg Cardboard toddler activities develop fine motor skills, and also provide opportunities to create colorful artworks! It’s a fun and creative way to keep kids engaged while also providing an opportunity to develop their hand-eye coordination. This time we made Easter-themed Peg Cardboards . 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Footprint Activity

Step into the colorful world of Eric Carle’s beloved character, the Hungry Caterpillar, with this exciting activity! Designed for young children, the Hungry Caterpillar Footprint Activity brings art and education together in a fun and interactive way. By following simple steps, you can create an enjoyable learning experience that introduces children to the concept of days of the week.

To get started, download the printable materials and gather the necessary supplies. Then, watch as your little ones have a blast creating their own caterpillar footprints and exploring the days of the week through art. It’s a wonderful opportunity to combine creativity and learning, allowing children to engage their imaginations while developing important skills.

So, get ready to embark on a colorful adventure with the Hungry Caterpillar Footprint Activity! Watch as your little ones learn new skills, grow, and have loads of fun along the way. Let the magic of Eric Carle’s iconic character come to life in this delightful and educational activity.

Smash the Pumpkin with Your 18 Month Old Baby

Get ready for a ghoulishly good time with this simple and spooktacular Halloween activity idea! It’s the perfect way to keep the little ones entertained and engaged during this exciting holiday.

Get creative and make your very own playdough pumpkins, and then let your child unleash their energy by smashing them in a delightfully fun and spooky way. This activity combines sensory play, creativity, and a touch of Halloween mischief to create an unforgettable experience.

So, grab your playdough and get ready to create and smash your way into Halloween fun !

Sticker mania

Stickers have stood the test of time as a beloved childhood activity, but did you know they offer more than just entertainment? Stickers can also be a fantastic tool for developing fine motor skills in children. As little one’s peel, place, and manipulate stickers, they refine their hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and precision.

This simple yet engaging activity provides an opportunity for children to practice their fine motor skills while having a blast with colorful and adhesive creations. So, grab a sheet of stickers and let your child’s fine motor development flourish in a fun and interactive way!

Stacking – Learning Toys

Introduce your little one to the fascinating world of stacking with these engaging learning toys designed for 18-month-olds! Stacking toys are not only entertaining but also promotes essential developmental skills such as fine motor coordination, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.

Watch as your child explores the concept of balance, improves their hand-eye coordination, and delights in the joy of stacking colorful blocks.

But that’s not all! We also have an article featuring a wide range of learning toys for children aged 2 and above . Be sure to check it out for even more exciting options to support your child’s growth and learning. 

Gross Motor for 18 Month Old Toddlers

Glow in the dark trampoline.

Instead of the classic Hide and Seek I tried to include a super amazing gross motor activity. Enhance the magical experience of Glow in the Dark Trampoline Jumping by taking the glow sticks to a whole new level! Attach the glow sticks to your child’s body, creating a luminous stick figure that adds an extra element of fun and creativity to their bouncing adventure.

• Glow sticks

Attach glow sticks to clothes to create a glowing stick figure on the trampoline.

As the sun sets and darkness falls, the magic begins. Step onto the trampoline with your child and let the glow-in-the-dark fun commence! Encourage your child to explore different poses, dance moves, and jumping styles to make their stick figure come alive. 

Remember to ensure adequate supervision during the activity to maintain safety and prevent any accidents. Provide clear guidelines and remind your child to follow proper trampoline safety rules, such as jumping in the center and avoiding somersaults or risky maneuvers.

Glow in the Dark Trampoline Jumping is an unforgettable and magical experience that combines active play and visual delight. It’s an opportunity for your child to explore their jumping skills while being immersed in a glowing wonderland.

Climb on Playground Structures

Climbing on playground structures can be an exciting and engaging activity for 18-month-old toddlers. As they continue to develop their gross motor skills and coordination, exploring playground structures can provide valuable opportunities for growth and exploration.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that adult supervision and safety precautions are crucial during this stage of their development.

Key points to consider

Choose age-appropriate structures: Look for playground structures that are designed for younger children and are suitable for their size, strength, and abilities. These structures often have lower platforms, shorter slides, and handrails or bars that are within reach for toddlers.

Ensure a safe environment: Before letting your toddler climb on the playground structures, ensure that the playground is well-maintained and free from any potential hazards. Check for loose or broken parts, sharp edges, and any potential tripping hazards.

Supervise closely: Keep a close eye on your toddler as they explore and climb on the structures. Be within arm’s reach to provide support and assistance if needed. Encourage them to use handrails or other designated supports to maintain balance and stability.

Encourage safe climbing techniques: Teach your toddler how to climb safely by showing them where to place their hands and feet and guiding them through each step. Emphasize the importance of taking one step at a time and being aware of their surroundings.

Foster independence: Allow your toddler to explore and climb independently, but always be ready to provide assistance when necessary. Encourage them to problem-solve and figure out their own way to navigate the structure, while still ensuring their safety.

Celebrate accomplishments: Praise and celebrate your toddler’s achievements as they successfully climb and explore the playground structures. This positive reinforcement will boost their confidence and encourage further exploration and development of their climbing skills.

If you want to you can even buy your own climbing toys for indoor and outdoor fun, like:

Climbing Dome for Toddlers

This innovative toy offers not just one, but two exciting ways to play.

Rocking mode provides a fantastic opportunity for your child to develop balance and body control while flipping it over transforms it into a climbing and jumping adventure.

Foam Climbing Blocks

With these blocks, little ones can climb, crawl, and slide, engaging in active play while having a blast. The blocks also serve as a valuable learning tool.

Toddler Slide with Climbing Steps

The 5-in-1 Toddler Playground is a fantastic addition to any play area. With its multiple activity areas including stairs, slides, storage spaces, a basketball area, and a play telescope, this playground provides endless opportunities for children to improve their physical coordination and develop essential motor skills.

Rocking Climbing Toy

This versatile climbing toy offers endless play possibilities. It can be a climbing arch, tunnel, cradle, or swing, providing hours of active fun and relaxation.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more climbing toys available in the market. It’s important to choose toys that are age-appropriate, sturdy, and safe for your child to use.

Furthermore, if you’re interested in exploring a wide range of outdoor toys suitable for 1-year-olds and beyond , we have a comprehensive article that covers various options.

It provides detailed information on different outdoor toys, including climbing toys, ride-on toys, sand and water play, and much more. You can refer to our article for in-depth guidance on selecting the best outdoor toys for your toddler’s developmental needs and interests.

Outdoor playtime with climbing toys not only promotes physical development but also stimulates imagination, social skills, and cognitive abilities. 

Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so it’s important to be patient and supportive as your toddler explores their abilities on the playground structures. With appropriate supervision, a safe environment, and encouragement, climbing on playground structures can be a fun and beneficial experience for your 18-month-old toddler.

Art & Craft Activities Toddler will Love

Slide painting with splash balls.

Looking for a fun and easy way to add some color to your world? This activity is great for kids of all ages and is a fun way to create a masterpiece while spending time outdoors.

• Splash balls
• Roll of paper
• Tape and scissors
• Food coloring or other paint
• Small bowls

Roll down the paper and secure it to the slide. Use food coloring or paint for a vibrant palette. Dip splash balls in paint and release them down the slide. Create patterns and designs.

Supervise toddlers closely and ensure safety. Adjust slide height if needed.

Let the painted paper dry and admire your masterpiece. This activity promotes creativity and motor skills.

Doodle with Chalk or Paint with Water on Sidewalks

Doodling with chalk (or painting with water for a safer option) is a simple and enjoyable activity that toddlers can engage in to unleash their creativity and develop their fine motor skills. 

• Sidewalk chalk in various colors
• Paintbrushes

Find a safe outdoor area with smooth pavement for chalk doodling. Give your toddler a selection of sidewalk chalk in different colors. Encourage them to hold the chalk and explore its texture and colors. Demonstrate how to make marks on the ground by doodling simple shapes or lines.

Engage with your toddler during the activity by asking open-ended questions about their drawings. Encourage them to describe what they’re creating or tell a story about their artwork. This helps stimulate their creativity and language development.

Once your toddler has finished doodling, celebrate their artistic accomplishments! Take a moment to admire their artwork together and let them know how proud you are of their creative efforts.

Doodling with chalk provides a wonderful opportunity for toddlers to express themselves artistically, develop their fine motor skills, and engage in sensory exploration. Encourage them to enjoy the process of creating colorful masterpieces while fostering their imagination and creativity.

Egg Carton Art – Low Prep Activity for Your 18 Month Old Tot

Indulge in a low-prep activity that every mom will appreciate. The best part? You probably already have the materials (household items) you need right at home! Gather an egg carton and some water paint, and get ready to embark on a creative journey with your child.

• Non toxic paint
• Palette – optional

Settle down with a well-deserved cuppa, and let your child’s imagination run wild as they give a new look to the old egg carton.

Provide them with a palette of water paint and brushes, allowing them to explore various colors and unleash their creativity. They can paint each compartment of the egg carton using different hues, creating a vibrant and personalized masterpiece.

An added bonus? By repurposing and giving a fresh makeover to the egg carton, you’re also practicing recycling and being mindful of the environment. It’s a win-win situation, nurturing creativity and promoting sustainability.

Cotton Ball Ice Cream Activity

Get ready for a delightful and refreshing activity that brings the joy of ice cream to life: the Cotton Ball Ice Cream Activity! This activity requires minimal preparation and is perfect for a sunny day.

• Cotton balls 

Cut triangles from cardboard for the ice cream cones. Place the cotton balls on top. Pour water into the bowls and add a few drops of food coloring in each bowl. 

Invite your children to color the ice cream cotton balls by transferring the colors with droppers. 

Enjoy the sensory and creative fun of making delicious-looking ice cream cones.

Printing with Sponge Slices

Explore the world of art and creativity with the exciting activity of Printing with Sponge Slices . Using simple materials like sponges and paint, your child can create unique and colorful prints. It’s a hands-on experience that combines art, sensory play, and imagination. Get ready to dive into the world of printing and watch as your child’s creativity comes to life on paper!

Handprint Art (Fireworks, Celebration)

Introduce your toddler to the world of art and creativity with the exciting activity of Handprint Paintings. Watch their eyes light up as they create vibrant and personalized artwork using their own little hands.

This activity not only allows your toddler to express their creativity but also promotes sensory exploration and fine motor skills. It’s a wonderful way for them to engage with different textures, colors, and shapes while having loads of fun.

This time we were making handprint fireworks ! Let their imagination soar as they bring their handprint to life, creating lasting memories and masterpieces.

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50 Best activities for 18 month old toddlers at home

• Last Updated: June 27, 2022

By Sarah Peerless

18 months is roughly when your sweet, precious baby takes a sharp turn into the tornado of toddlerhood! Don’t get me wrong though; it’s so much fun. The key to keeping the peace during this time of transition and immense growth is intentionality. 

The more intentional you are with providing and facilitating suitable activities for your toddler, the calmer the at-home learning environment will be.

We’ve compiled a list of the best activities for 18 month old toddlers to do at home that will both help you support their learning and keep them entertained.

This post contains affiliate links.  If you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Key Developmental Milestones For An 18 Month Old Toddler

There are a few major developmental areas and milestones for an 18 month old toddler to harness and refine. These areas include the progression of: 

• Gross Motor Skills
• Pincer grasp: thumb and forefinger hold
• Language Skills 
• Social-Emotional Skills
• Cognitive Skills

Fine Motor Skills At 18 Months Old

A child needs strong fine motor skills to be able to complete activities and tasks throughout life. Smaller, more refined movements develop a child’s fine motor skills. 

One of the major fine motor skill developments at 18 months is the pincer grasp, which is essentially the ability to hold items between their thumb and forefinger. This sets a child up for success especially when it comes to scribbling and early, emergent writing. 

Strengthened fine motor skills enable a child to hold a writing utensil, drink from a cup, and use cutlery at mealtimes. 

Gross Motor Skills At 18 Months Old

Gross motor skills will equip a child to accomplish physical tasks throughout childhood and the rest of their life. Strengthening larger muscles such as core and leg muscles help to further develop a child’s gross motor skills. 

At 18 months of age, your child should be able  to walk unassisted/independently, experiment with running, navigate up sets of stairs, push and pull toys, and squat to pick items up. 

How many words should an 18 month say?

Around 18 months of age, a child should be able to say approximately 10-25 words. They should also be mimicking adults around them, and participating in simple conversations to continually develop their language skills. They will be able to repeat words they hear from others, and answer basic questions (with yes/no answers) at 18 months of age.

How do I keep my 18 month old toddler busy at home? 

You may also be asking, “How do I entertain my 18 month old all day?”

18 month olds are busy and into everything as they explore the world around them. As they gain new skills and abilities, they are able to do more, resulting in more action and activity. 

As frustrating as it can be to have your 18 month old getting into everything, it’s actually very developmentally appropriate!

Hopefully, this serves as a comfort for you as you constantly traipse behind them, cleaning up as you go!

Do toddlers get bored at home?

They do get bored, but not in the same way that adults get bored. They have inherent mechanisms that protect them from doing things that “waste time.” 

Toddlers are constantly learning, and every experience is new and exciting for them, so it’s hard to get bored under those circumstances.

If you discover your toddler is beginning to get bored, try to provide them with a new, exciting activity – this list of activities specifically aimed at 18 month olds should help in that department.

How often should I be playing with my toddler?

Playing is like a love language for children. Playing together is the best way to spend quality time with your toddler. It’s important for establishing, cultivating, and nurturing your relationship with your child.  However, it’s also important for them to learn independent play.

The overall recommendation is at least 5-10 minutes each day. This will provide quality bonding time while also enabling them to learn independent play. 

It doesn’t have to be as long or as often as you may think, because a little bit goes a long way.

What should I be teaching my 18 month old?

Your 18 month old should be exposed to a variety of topics, concepts, and skills in order to further their development. Some of these concepts include colors, shapes, sizes, textures, matching and early sorting, vocabulary, and more. 

You can also help them develop skills such as holding and navigating eating utensils by themselves, and dressing themselves.

Lots of the activities in this list of best activities for 18 month olds will help develop and strengthen their overall learning and knowledge.

Should an 18 month old know colors?

Around 18 months, a child will begin to be able to recognize different colors , but they will not be able to verbally identify them until approximately age 2 and a half. 

Some children can do this sooner, and others later, but within their second year, their color recognition and ability to verbally name different colors will solidify.

How can I teach my 18 month old colors?

Teaching them the names of colors is as simple as narrating everyday activities.  “You’re wearing a red shirt today.”

You can also ask them questions like, “Where is the red flower? Can you see the yellow car?” They may be able to point and identify the different colored objects. 

Having frequent conversations with them about colors will help sharpen their knowledge and ability to understand and learn the names of colors themselves.

THE BEST ACTIVITIES FOR 18 MONTH OLD TODDLERS!

Super easy indoor activities for 18 month old toddlers.

These are no-prep or minimal-prep indoor activities for toddlers. These are the ones you need to have up your sleeve when the weather turns!  They’re perfect rainy day activities for 18 month olds. 

Equally, when you’re low on energy or patience (we all have those days) and can’t handle much mess for whatever reason these are the ones you want first!

1. Pom Pom Transfer

This is another fun pom pom activity from Mom Brite ! Put pom poms into the compartments of a muffin tin or ice cube trays. 

Hand your child a spoon and let them spoon the pom poms back and forth. This activity works to strengthen your child’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

2. Resealable Plastic Bag Painting

If your toddler wants to paint but you can’t face the mess, this activity for 18 month olds is ideal.

You need a resealable plastic bag, piece of paper, and various colors of paint. Place the piece of paper inside the plastic bag with a few globs of paint, and seal the bag shut. Tape the open, zipper end of the bag so nothing seeps out. 

You can also tape the bag to the table to keep it from moving around while your child paints. Have your child smush and manipulate the bag to allow the paint to get all over the piece of paper in the bag!

Or try this Muddy Pig Art from Taming Little Monsters .  Place the free pig printable in a resealable plastic bag, along with shaving cream and a little bit of brown paint. 

Let your child apply the “mud” wherever they want on the pig! Then take the pig out to dry and admire the results.

3. Sensory Bags

While they do take a bit of prep, once you’ve made a sensory bag, it can be used time and time again.

Mimosas and Motherhood has a very detailed and informative post on sensory bags for toddlers. They are a great way for children to explore certain smaller items without being able to put anything in their mouth.  

This activity is open-ended, and can be themed however you want with whatever contents you have.  You’d be surprised what you can do with basic household items to facilitate your child’s learning while keeping them engaged and entertained.

4. Window Resealable Plastic Bag Exploration

This activity is similar to the resealable bag painting above, but substitute out the paint with hair gel instead. This invites a new exciting texture for your child to explore. You can color the hair gel with food coloring, or add items to the bag for your 18 month old to investigate.

5. Posting Something Into Something Else!

Squeezing toy cars into the opening of a large plastic bottle kept my toddler entertained for quite some time.  A large plastic milk bottle would work well if you don’t have a 5L water bottle as picture.

Then of course there was much fun to be had shaking the toys up and down once the bottle was nearly full.  Since the cars were then fairly stuck, it made for a nice impromptu tidying up activity!

However, you could increase the interest in this activity for your 18 month old by cutting a large hole low down in the side of the bottle, so that the toys will fall out again once rattled.  This is one I have to try with the twins once they reach toddlerhood.

So simple, and possibly the best indoor activity for 18 month olds.

Sensory Activities For 18 Month Olds

Sensory play is so important for a child’s overall development. Through sensory exploration, your child is actively discovering the world around them through their five senses. They are making observations, predictions, and experimenting in order to discover different outcomes. 

6. Make And Play With Rainbow Spaghetti

Taming Little Monsters has a recipe that shows you how to easily make rainbow spaghetti. One of the most fun ways to explore rainbow spaghetti is by making a sensory bin with it. 

Once you’ve made the rainbow spaghetti, add utensils and tools for your toddler to explore this new texture and the vibrant colors with.

7. Play with Oobleck

Oobleck is neither a solid or liquid. It’s almost similar to a slime, but has a little more structure. Oobleck is based on the Dr. Seuss book Bartholomew and the Oobleck, so you could read this book with your child to further extend the activity. 

It’s made of only two ingredients: cornstarch and water.  You can add paint or food coloring to make it colorful too. Check Kids Activity Zone for a step-by-step how-to.

Your 18 month old toddler can play with it as it is or you can tools or toys to the mix.  Your child will enjoy experimenting with this sticky new substance.  Just have a bowl of water and some towels on stand by!

8. Jello Alphabet Sensory Bin

For this activity, you only need two packets of Jello and some alphabet letter toys.  Simply place the letters into the Jello and let it set. In the Kids Kitchen has more details and tips into setting this simple activity up.    

While your child is exploring the letters within the Jello sensory bin, you can make the correct phonetic sounds of each letter your child pulls out.

This adds an additional educational element to this explorative, fun activity! 

Your toddler is sure to want to eat some Jello, adding to the sensory experience.  Just be sure to they don’t put the letters in their mouths.

9. Making And Playing With Playdough

Playing with playdough is usually the “main event” of any playdough-related activity.  However, the process of making it can be just as fun – maybe even more so – as well as engaging and educational. 

Crafts by Amanda has an easy recipe for homemade playdough that only takes 10 minutes and uses 6 ingredients. 

Although the recipe has a recommended age of 6+ years, due to the stovetop/heat source, you can let your 18 month old help in the measuring and pouring, leaving you to do the cooking part. 

For a taste-safe recipe (it has no cream of tartar) that requires less cooking, try this one from Lil Tigers .  

Your toddler will probably enjoy this new sensory activity all on its own – just squishing and smooching it through their fingers.  But you can also add cookie cutters, tools or suitable toys to make it even more engaging.

10. Soap Foam Sensory Bin

Making soap foam is one of my toddlers favorite activities! Simply blend together drink crystals (similar to Kool-Aid), dish soap, and water in a blender.   The Kids Kitchen has a great recipe you can reference. 

Provide various tools and utensils for your child to explore the soap foam with: a whisk, scooper, scrubber, sponges, toys of various types (vehicles, animals, etc), letter/number magnets, and many more. 

You could also turn this into a scavenger hunt activity by having your 18 month old find the items within the foam!

11. Experiment with Paper Mache

You need a bit of prep time for this one as the paper needs to sit in the water for a while but you can get your toddler involved in this part too.  

They will love ripping the paper, and this is a sensory experience in itself.

You can make ornaments with it (put it in a candy mold to make shapes), and make letters and numbers with it. 

You can essentially make whatever you want! Using a hairdryer will speed up the drying process.

Refer to the tutorial from Craftsy Hacks for more details on making paper mache.

12. Arctic Ice Sensory Play

This activity is fun to play with during hot weather days. For this activity, make “igloos” by freezing water using different containers.  

You can freeze the animals inside ice blocks for your child to “rescue” them. Your child can hammer the ice blocks, and play with arctic animal figures (penguins, polar bears, etc.) 

Follow the step-by-step process from Simply Full of Delight to learn exactly how to set this one up.

13. Love Themed Sensory Bin

A fun love-themed sensory bin for Valentine’s Day or any time of year, as love is always in season! DFW Crafts is a great reference for creating this sensory bin. 

Simply use what you have on hand to add in the kitchen and around the house. Dried popcorn kernels as a sensory bin base, pom poms, hearts, pipe cleaners (to shape into hearts or other designs), etc., as sensory bin fillers. 

Scoopers, sifters, rakes, shovels, and any other tools will be an exciting element to add to your toddler.

This age loves to explore by putting materials in their mouths, so be sure to supervise your child closely throughout this activity.  

14. Water Bead Sensory Window

Submerge water beads in water for a few hours prior to doing this activity so they can expand. Once they’ve grown, put the water beads into a resealable plastic bag. Tape the bag closed and attach it to the window with tape. 

Your 18 month old can explore the interesting texture of the water bead bag with their hands, and also enjoy this activity visually with all the vibrant, beautiful colors. 

It’s a lovely multifaceted sensory activity to engage your toddler. 

15. Tape Resist Painting

First, make a desired shape or letter out of tape on cardstock paper. Next, have your child cover the paper, making designs with paint markers or regular paint. 

Let the paint fully dry before peeling. Peel off the tape to reveal the design. The Soccer Mom Blog has a step by step post featuring this project with images that can help ensure your success.

16. DIY Monster Sensory Bag

Simply draw “monsters” on a resealable plastic baggie, fill it with shaving cream and googly eyes, and let your child explore. Team Cartwright has more details.

A fun activity for toddlers that refines their fine motor skills and facilitates cognitive concepts, such as cause and effect.

17. Play With Kinetic Sand or “Moon” sand

Kinetic sand is such fun to play with, it has to be up there as one of the best sensory activities for 18 months old.  You can buy it but it’s also interesting, fun and simple to make at home. 

Simply mix flour and oil together in a ratio of 8:1.  Any type of flour or oil will work, use whatever you have.  You can also try adding sand in, in place of some of the flour.

It’s so easy to make that your 18 month old toddler can help too. 

They’re sure to love playing with this homemade moon sand – it is so super soft, light and fluffy while being moldable. I have to admit I also really enjoyed playing with this with my toddlers too!

18. Finger Paint On Aluminum Foil

Rather than paint on paper, which can get sodden and start to tear with little ones that paint back and forth, back and forth, try aluminum foil.  It’s such a different activity and a fun sensory experience you’re 18 month old will love.  You can use washable tempera paint or another baby-safe paint.  Check out this post from Taming Little Monsters for more detail on foil painting.

Montessori Activities For 18 Month Olds

You may be wondering, “What classifies an activity as Montessori?” The Montessori method holds significance in the ideal of independence in a young child’s learning process. 

A common focus of Montessori is summed up by this popular quote, “Help me do it myself.”

Independence can also help avoid a temper tantrum or two, as your toddler is more able to do the things they want without assistance.

Montessori learning also places emphasis on exploring nature/natural elements and processes, as well as hands-on exploration. 

These activities for 18 month old toddlers below highlight these ideals of Montessori play. 

19. Cheerios Fine Motor Snack Activity 

Keep it simple with this Cheerios stringing activity! This is great for fine motor practice, developing hand-eye coordination skills plus other cognitive skills. Living Life & Learning has a guide for you to reference. 

You will need a skewer and Cheerios. You could also provide yarn or other types of string for a flexible version for older toddlers.  However, for an 18 month old, stick one end of the skewer into a lump of play dough, to secure it.  

Let your toddler stack the Cheerios onto the skewer.  This is an engaging and taste-safe activity idea for toddlers.

20. Making Straw Jewelry

Using cut straws and pipe cleaners, your toddler can create custom jewelry pieces. The rigid pipe cleaners make it easy for children this age to manipulate.

This activity strengthens the small muscles in your child’s wrist, fingers, and hands to further develop their fine motor skills. 

Making straw jewelry also teaches determination and perseverance as your child will likely have to make several attempts without giving up in order to accomplish their intended objective.  It’s such a fun Montessori activity for 18 month olds.

21. Dyed Rice For Sensory Bin

Dyed rice is such a fun and interesting material to explore. You can create whatever colors you want, and it only takes a few ingredients: rubbing alcohol (or white vinegar), food coloring, and uncooked rice. 

Mimosas and Motherhood has a recipe and detailed guide. You can create themed sensory bins with dyed rice, and use various tools to explore it with. 

If you store the colored rice carefully, avoiding damp, wet conditions, it can last a long time! I have Valentine’s Day and Christmas colored rice from three years ago that we still use each year. 

22. Toys In Tin Foil Unwrapping 

Wrap some small toys and/or objects in tin foil, place them in a container of some kind, and then let your 18  month old unwrap them.  hand it to your child for them to go to town on! 

This activity for 18 month olds will be extremely engaging as it will take some concentration to unwrap each item. 

It’ll be exciting for them too, discovering a new item each time!  

23. Fridge Door Pom Pom Drop

This activity by Taming Little Monsters is a fun game that fuels curiosity that will last for an extended period of time! It’s mess-free and low maintenance. 

Simply tape toilet paper rolls and paper tubes to the refrigerator door and provide pom poms for your child to drop through.

24. Walking Through And Over Different Textures 

This activity is so simple and easy but very conversational and thought-provoking! Walk with your toddler on different textured areas so they can explore with their bodies. 

You could walk on an uneven or rougher part of the road, traipse through a grassy area, and walk through pine straw, mulch, woodchips, or sand. Make sure your child is properly supervised in order to keep them safe.

A good activity for physical development too, as they learn to balance and navigate different surfaces.

We encourage you to facilitate conversations with your toddler as they explore, so they can learn how to make and vocalize observations: “Is the texture smooth or bumpy? Squishy or solid? Is the surface warm or cool?”

25. Water Pouring Table

Provide various tools, such as different-sized cups, funnels, sifters, eye droppers, and more for your child to continually pour water with. Provide bowls and other small containers for them to pour the water into. 

You could try this at the sink or outside at a water table.

Your 18 month old toddler will simply enjoy pouring water over and over – they’ll have such a fun time!

To make the activity even more intriguing add food coloring to the water to give it color.

This is a good activity to take to bath time.

26. Doing “Chores”

This activity is so simple, but vital for establishing independence, and empowering your child to simple and important tasks themselves. 

You’ll probably find they’ve already tried to copy some of they chores they’ve seen you do – babies and toddlers have amazing observational skills and are great imitators.

So encourage your 18 month old to try wiping surfaces, bringing empty dishes to the counter or the sink when finished, wiping up spills.  They can also help put clothes into the dryer, and putting folded clothes from the laundry basket into dresser drawers . 

27. Bird Watching/Feeding

You could make this activity as formal or as informal as you want and adapt it according to your toddler’s interest and ability.

For an 18 month old, keep it simple.  Talk about bird sounds and characteristics of birds – beaks, wings, feathers, talons to help with object-noun association skills.

You can do this for any animal to help your toddler learn animal names.

Other Fun Learning Activities For 18 Month Olds

Below are some miscellaneous crafts and activities for 18 month old toddlers to try out. Variety is so important in a child’s learning process, exposing them to different materials and experiences, helping them to build on and develop different types of skills while also engaging and entertaining them. 

28. Paper Plate Ladybugs

Your child will get to create a cute little ladybug friend to play with once this activity is complete. You’ll need paper plates, paint, glue, paintbrushes, and googly eyes. Crafts by Amanda has more details in her post about this ladybug craft. 

This art project and easy activity for toddlers will help fine motor development, as well as introduce them to dramatic play concepts as they play and use their imagination with their ladybug.

29. Color matching exercise

This is a fun and simple color matching activity ideal for 18 month olds as well as older toddlers. Set up a table with a few sheets of construction paper, each one a different primary color.  Then collect toys and any other small, toddler-safe objects and match them to the correct sheet of colored paper.

30. Cardboard Box Car Ramp  

This cardboard box car ramp by A Little Pinch of Perfect is so cool! You will likely need to build and create the ramps, but your child can be involved in whatever way you see fit. 

Your 18 month old will absolutely love sending cars down the ramp and see what happens.  This will aid cognitive development as they experiment and make predictions as to what will happen.

31. Q Tip Painting

Little Ladoo has free, printable q-tip painting sheets for you to use with your toddler. Your child will have to focus pretty intently to accomplish the task of dot painting with the q-tip, which works to develop their determination and perseverance. 

These are valuable cognitive concepts for them to have that will sustain them for life.

32. Dot Pages For Dot Markers 

Dot markers are an exciting way to change things up a bit! They’re not quite paint, and also not quite markers.  With their large, chunky size, they’re easy for toddlers to hold.

You can choose dot marker pages for many different themes, seasons, shapes, etc. Check Two Pink Peonies for some free pages, as pictured.

Dot marker pictures make a fun and easy learning activity for 18 month olds and older toddlers too. 

33. Fox And Panda Craft

This fox and panda paper heart craft from Ruffles and Rain Boots is a simple art activity that’ll help your 18 month old with fine motor skill development. This activity will surely keep your little one’s hands and fingers busy. 

It also actively works on cognitive development.  This craft is a bit like doing a puzzle as your child attempts to fit everything together.

34. Paper Plate Farm Animals

In this activity, your child gets to create a paper plate sheep and duck! 

It’ll help teach your child about different animal sounds and characteristics while refining those fine motor motors.  It’s also a fun and creative art activity. Mess for Less has a great tutorial to get you started.

35. Sponge Painting

Painting with sponges helps children explore a new and exciting texture. Sponges can make an interesting pattern on sheets of paper. Busy Toddler has a post with additional resources and tips for your reference. 

You can also purchase sponge paint brushes (there are some that are pre-shaped into various designs) or you can create your own simply by cutting up a kitchen sponge.

Your child can stamp with it, brush with it, and make masterpieces with sponge brushes! 

Gross Motor Activities For 18 Month Olds

Gross motor development is crucial for young children, as gross motor movement is involved in so many areas of their life. Developing strong leg and core muscles enables a child to be more stable on their feet, and travel from place to place. 

Below are some of the best activities for 18 month old toddlers when it comes to gross motor skill development.  Key though is to have fun! Take your toddlers lead and just go with it.  You’ll be surprised at the amazing games you end up playing together!

These games also make great rainy day activities for 18 month olds, for when you need to get those wiggles out but are stuck indoors.

36. Play Ball

This is a simple and self-explanatory activity, with many opportunities to play in open-ended ways. 

If you’re looking for ideas, why not set up a “goal” simply by providing a cardboard box to kick in to.  

Or try throwing or rolling the ball back and forth between the two of you or bounce it off the garage or side of the house.

37. Play With A Cardboard Box

This is another self-explanatory activity where the possibilities are endless. Your child can color on the box, get in and out of the box, set it up however they want, and participate in dramatic play. 

They can put their stuffed animals and blankets in it to make a cozy reading spot. It can be used as a pretend lemonade stand or cashier countertop, whatever your 18 month toddler desires.

38. Walk Like An Animal Game

A classic game that makes a great activity for an 18 month old.  Slither like a snake, stand like a flamingo, swing like a monkey, hop like a frog, chomp like a crocodile…the list goes on!

You could print off images of animals to use in this activity, or simply call them out loud.

39. Walk the Line

Make lines on the ground with masking tape, and have your child walk the line. This will improve balance and coordination and involves motor planning too.

You don’t have to only make straight lines! Make zig zags and other shapes for your child to experiment with moving along.

If you have tiles, you could also just draw lines on the floor with chalk.

40. Obstacle course

At 18 months, this doesn’t have to be anything complicated.  Large cushions to clamber over and a table to climb through and some painters tape lines to jump over can keep a toddler entertained for quite some time.  And wear them out! 

You can also easily adapt this for older toddlers and siblings.  You could give them a ball or a larger object to carry while they navigate the course.

This will help toddlers develop their gross motor muscles and aid all sorts of skills, from spatial awareness and bilateral coordination to balance, motor planning and judgment of distance skills.

But perhaps more importantly, an obstacle course is a real energy burner; it’s definitely one of the best rainy day activities for 18-month olds!

41. Balloon Keepy Uppies

All kids love balloons and your 18 month old won’t be any different!  A fun game to play is trying to keep the balloon up into the air.  It also works on hand-eye coordination and motor planning while also building strength in those little arm muscles. 

42. Hide and seek

On oldie and a goldie!  Hide and seek is a lovely family game that your 18 month will enjoy taking part in. If you have older kids they can hide with your toddler and help with the seeking part.

Outdoor Activities For 18 Month Olds

Outdoor play is vital for a child! They learn so much through outdoor play, and their gross motor development is advanced greatly through most outdoor activities.

Experiencing the world around them through outside play is so valuable, so facilitating some outdoor activities for your 18 month old is a must. 

43. Washable Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Parenting Chaos has a fun recipe for spray, puffy sidewalk chalk paint that can be used in squeeze bottles. This sidewalk chalk paint washes off the driveway easily and is fun to make together too. 

You could also draw a hopscotch onto the paving stones and have a go at playing it with your toddler.  Fun outdoor process art that you can turn into a great gross motor activity for your 18 month old.

44. Water Balloon Painting

This water balloon painting from Lil Tigers is an intriguing twist on typical painting and such a fun activity for 18 month olds. All you need is paper, tape, washable paint, and water balloons. Fill the balloon with water, and put the paint colors in a muffin tray. 

Have your child dip the filled water balloons in the liquid paint colors, and roll the balloons on the paper carefully without them bursting. 

You can also fill the water balloons with paint and let your toddler pop them on the paper by throwing them or by using their fingers.

Just have a bucket of water and some paper towel ready for clean up!

45. Toy Washing Tub

Let your toddler wash their toy cars in a bin or storage tub, water table, or baby pool.

Provide sponges, rags, scrubbers, and some kind of soap, such as dish soap or bubble bath solution. 

You could add food coloring to the water for an interesting variation to this fun water activity.

46. Chasing And Popping Bubbles

This is a simple, easy-to-facilitate activity that your 18 month old will love. Blow bubbles for them to play with, either manually or with a bubble machine. 

You can play music for them, and have them dance to it with the bubbles. Have them pop the bubbles by clapping their hands together, and clapping different rhythms to the music!

47. Sand/Water Table Play

Sand and water table play is a multifaceted activity for 18 month olds. You can make your sand/water tables themed: add ocean animals and shells for an ocean theme, dinosaur figures for a dinosaur theme, etc. 

Provide various tools, utensils, and toys for your child to explore the elements with. Having a variety of exciting, different tools can engage them for longer and extend their play.

48. Introductory Gardening Activities

18 month olds are a lot more capable than the general public realizes, and they also love to help!  Getting them involved in some easy gardening activities will help set them up for success later in life.

Some examples include watering flowers, scooping soil, misting plants, and more. These tasks work on your child’s fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, and language/vocabulary skills.

Airplane Activities For 18 Month Olds

Airplane trips with toddlers can be anxiety-inducing. One of the best tips is to be prepared. Having a variety of inexpensive, easy-to-transport activities and fun ideas is key. 

49. Reusable Stickers

Reusable stickers are a great travel option. You can use them in a sticker book or on a cheap dry-erase board so your 18 month old can take them off and put them back on again. 

You can also invest in some large puffy stickers, and play with them off and on the tray table of the airplane. Paper stickers won’t come off as easily, so puffy/plastic stickers will work much better for this.

50. Gel Window Clings

You can use gel window clings on airplane windows or tray tables. They are an interesting texture and they can be used multiple times. 

If your child isn’t in a window seat, these clings can also stick to the airplane tray table, or a cheap small dry erase board. They are easy to find at the dollar store, dollar spot, or craft store.

51. Activity Baby Book  

Activity books are a great way to keep little hands busy on an airplane. This  Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book is ideal for 18 month olds.  It has 5 different peekaboo animals for a fun exploratory experience and a sweet little story alongside. 

It’s also machine washable, so you don’t have to worry about it getting dirty on your travels.  Overall, a great airplane activity for 18 month olds.

52. Magnetic Doodle Pad

Magnetic doodle pads are a no-mess travel activity that your child can explore in an open-ended way by creating their own scribbles and drawings. 

These doodle pads will be enjoyed for many years to come – my 4 year old still enjoys her.  They’re not expensive and a worthwhile investment.  

53. Travel Flashcards  

Flashcards can be either homemade or store-bought. These cloth flashcards are ideal for toddlers and looking at all the pictures will make a fun airplane activity for an 18 month old.  

If you make the flashcards yourself, you could include images relating to the travel destination. You can also attach the flashcards to a ring, for ease on your travels. 

Bonus: you could even have your child help make the flashcards. It will increase their confidence and self-esteem to see their own creations within their activity.

54. Indestructible Books 

Indestructible books are an easy, efficient way to travel with books! They’re inexpensive, they don’t take up a lot of space in a backpack/bag, they span multiple topics, and won’t easily rip or retain signs of excess wear. 

Your child will be able to expand their language skills and imagination even while traveling.

Ready to get started with some easy activities with your 18 month old?

We hope that these activities for 18 month olds have sparked some inspiration within you.  You should now feel better equipped to facilitate intentional play with your toddler and provide easy ways to entertain them.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be purposeful. 

FAQS on activities for toddlers 18 months old

What games can you play with an 18 month old.

Most games you can play with your 18 month old baby involve using their body.  Forget thoughts of board games, concentrate on playing and open-ended activities which often turn into games!

Putting on some music and playing “dance party” is so simple and fun. This age also loves to play the Freeze Dance game.

A simple matching/ memory game for toddlers can also engage them, but at 18 months, focus on more open-ended activities.  There are a huge selection in the list of toddler activities below.  

Do you let your 18 month old watch TV?

If you’re wanting to put the TV on sometimes, 18 months is an acceptable age to introduce it in small quantities. 

The overall recommendation is no screen time during the first year, but by 18 months, small increments of screen time to watch educational shows or songs is acceptable if you feel you want to try it!

In most areas of parenthood and life in general, my motto tends to be, “Everything in moderation.” Life is best lived with balance. Are treats yummy and fun? Absolutely! However, they must be balanced out with nutrient-dense foods as well. 

This philosophy applies well to screen time and TV exposure, too. Balancing out screen time with enriching, educational activities is a recipe for well-rounded success.

Is playdough good for an 18 month old toddler?

15-18 months is a good time to introduce playdough, but they won’t be able to play with it completely independently until age 2 or 3 depending on the child. 

Having your 18 month old child explore playdough with you is a good way for them to experiment with it!

______________________________________________________

Need more inspiration to keep your toddler or preschooler busy? Check out the following posts:

• 39 simple & sanity-saving activities for toddlers to do at home (minimal prep, minimal mess)
• 49 Simple & fun outdoor activities for preschoolers 
• 10+ Fun & simple dry messy play ideas for 1 and 2-year-olds 
• Marble rolling: easy art activity for toddlers & preschoolers
• DIY twist-top boards: fine motor & fun learning for little ones 
• 21 Easy Finger Painting Ideas For Babies 1-2 Years Old
• 39 Fun & easy arts projects & crafts for 1 & 2 year olds
• 50+ Indoor gross motor activities for 1,2 & 3 year olds

For Fall & Halloween:

• 50 CUTE and SUPER SIMPLE Fall crafts for toddlers
• 37 Not-so-spooky Halloween crafts & activities for your toddler
• STUPIDLY EASY pipe cleaner spider craft for toddlers (no prep & no mess!)
• Puffy paint spider web craft – fine motor control for kids
• Leaf monster craft for toddlers: super-friendly, sorry scary (!), and perfect for Fall
• Super simple cutting activity for toddlers: 3D apple or pumpkin craft
• 25 Fall activities for toddlers & simple, low prep & educational (and for you, sanity-saving!)
• 35 Mortifyingly fun mummy Crafts for Halloween
• 29 Scarily Easy Skeleton Crafts for Kids

For Christmas:

• 55 cute Christmas crafts for toddlers & preschoolers (stress-free, minimal mess)
• Stupidly easy paint chip Christmas tree card (easy enough for little toddlers)
• Homemade snowman Christmas card to make with your toddlers (cute, simple, fun!)
• Silver pasta Christmas tree ornaments – a cute and simple toddler craft and keepsake
• Salt dough Christmas tree ornaments to make with toddlers – simple and stunning!
• 29+ adorable Christmas ornaments to make with your toddlers 
• 43 easy-peasy Christmas activities for toddlers & preschoolers
• 50 Christmas crafts for preschoolers & fun, cute and mostly VERY simple

Other seasonal activity posts:

• 41 Easy Father Day crafts for toddlers (2 & 3 year olds)
• 45 Cute & Easy Mothers Day Crafts for toddlers & preschoolers to make
• 75 easy fun Easter crafts and activities for 3 years olds (toddlers, preschoolers+ all little kids!)

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:

25 Fun & easy fall arts, crafts & sensory activities for infants & toddlers

65 Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers 1,2 & 3 years old

75 Not-so-spooky Halloween Crafts & Activities For Toddlers

45 Cute & Easy Valentine’s Day Arts & Crafts for Toddlers

55 Fun Easy Water Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

77 Spookylicious Halloween treats for toddlers

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Baby related inspirations

45+ Learning Activities For 18-24 month olds. Toddler activities.

This article is updated as Scarlett is growing up, so you’ll see different month ages mentioned here.

1. Move the buttons into the circle

Put a few buttons in a ziplock bag, add some hair gel, draw a circle on the back of the bag, and tape it to the window. The purpose of the activity is to move all those buttons inside the circle. It’s great for the development of motor skills for those little fingers! I also drew the eyes and the nose of a cat, to make it look like he’s eating the buttons. Another variation of this activity is to place buttons of 2 colors in the bag and draw 2 circles of those colors on the bag, and then the goal of the activity would be to move the buttons to the circle of the same color.

2. Shape monster activities

Originally I made these shape monsters for stringing activity but we came up with some other ideas on how to play with them. They are made out of felt sheets  (you want the stiff ones to keep the shape). I cut out squares, triangles and circles, put googly eyes on them, and made a slit in the middle of each shape. Googly eyes are optional if you think your child might put them in his or her mouth. Scarlett wasn’t interested in taking the eyes off, so I kept them. I made an identical pair for each shape. Here are a few ways how we play with these shape monsters:

• First of all, having those slits in the middle of each shape, allows Scarlett to put them on her fingers, so they kind of turn into finger puppet monsters. When she puts one shape on her finger, I ask her to find an identical one and put it on the finger on the other hand.
• I have been using a plastic box from a bento box take-out that we ordered recently for sorting activities. Shapes can be sorted by type in each container section.
• I separated two identical pairs of shape monsters into 2 piles. As Scarlett takes one shape from one pile, I ask her to find a matching pair from another, and arrange them on a table in pairs.

Another activity idea is to put these shape monsters on craft sticks or straws.

3. Fishing game for toddlers

This game took me 5 minutes to make. I cut out shapes of fish from cardstock paper , placed adhesive magnetic discs  on each one, and made a fishing pole by wrapping a strong magnet in a piece of tulle and tying it to a pen. We took turns catching and releasing fish, and it was fun!

4. Tickle game

This is a very fun game to play with a toddler. Hide a feather underneath one of the wipes pack flip lids attached to a board and encourage your toddler to look for it. Once the feather is found, use it to tickle your toddler with it. I keep all the other lids empty, but as an option, small flat animal toys or magnets can be placed there for discovery. I used hot glue to attach flip lids for durability but they are still sticky if you use them right away after removing them from a wipes pack. This game was inspired by The Tickle Book which has flaps with tickle monsters hiding underneath.

5. Paint on ice

Painting can be more fun for kids when they paint on something unusual. We tried painting on ice, and it seemed like a great painting and sensory activity for her, she was very curious about what is happening. We used regular finger paint and brushes for this activity.

6. Matching socks

I saw how interested Scarlett was in sorting clean laundry, so I gave her baby socks to practice pairing them. These socks worked great because they have animal faces on them, she really enjoyed matching them, and I had a 5-minute break.

7. Quiet time in DIY lounge

We converted our snow tubes into lounge chairs for kids to use over the summer. They are soft and comfortable to sit on and are perfect for quiet time activities. We brought some blankets for comfort and my daughter brought her stuffed toys with her. My daughter read some books and my son painted with water on a Water Wow book.

8. Discover family members in boxes

This game can be either played as a memory game or as a discovery game. Younger kids will have fun discovering familiar faces. I made it for the purpose of playing a memory game – I arranged pictures of family members in different boxes and the purpose of the game is to remember where each person lives. That’s why I decorated each box differently. Our grandparents live far so Scarlett doesn’t get to see them much so I thought this game would be helpful to remember them. But she seems to have the most fun discovering herself!

9. Matching animal figures to book images

First 100 Animals  book is great for this activity. I ask Scarlett to look for a toy that’s on the picture and place it next to it. We invested in a variety of Schleich Animals , because they have very good quality and resemblance to real animals, but any animal toys would work for this activity.

10. Finger puppets made out of a latex glove

These finger puppets took me less than 2 minutes to make. While they don’t look exactly like ducks, Scarlett was still excited to watch me sing “5 little ducks”, she then tried to put them on her fingers and overall seemed to believe these were ducks. Older kids can get really creative with latex glove finger puppets, and glue feathers and other materials to them.

11. Sticking foam letters to the window

This activity also gave me about 10 minutes of mommy time. Foam Letters  stick to a window or mirror when wet, so I sprinkled them a bit with water and gave Scarlett the container. She seemed really impressed that the letters were sticking to the window, and kept taking them off and putting them on. It’s also great for learning letters.

12. Build a tower and crush into it with a truck

It’s a lot of fun to see a tower being crushed into by a truck. We have been using these Stacking Cups for a variety of activities.

13. Animal action cards

These animal action cards are a hit with Scarlett. She started to do some of these actions when she was about 18 months old, and now at 23 months old she is able to do almost all of them besides standing on one leg like a flamingo, and puffing her cheeks like a chipmunk. She asks me to play with these cards over and over again. I showed her how to do the actions the first time we played with these and now she does them on her own. It’s fun for the whole family, we clap when she does it right, and she lets her energy out in a fun way. The digital version of these cards is available  here  and a printed version is here .

14. Make a tree by flattening playdough balls

This activity was a success for us. We started using playdough when Scarlett was about 20 months old, and it seems that every day Scarlett likes it more and more. Today I gave her a plate with green playdough balls, drew a tree trunk, and showed her how to flatten the balls in order to make the tree crown. It’s great for motor skills and for sensory experience, but I still have to watch her closely to make sure playdough is not going into her mouth.

15. Make regular stickers reusable

After placing stickers on regular paper, my toddler would get mad that the stickers couldn’t be peeled off the paper, so we made this little hack. Place a sheet of paper inside a clear sheet protector and the stickers can be peeled off many more times.

16. Walking on bubble wrap road

If you get any packages with bubble wrap, don’t throw it away! I taped bubble wrap to the floor, and Scarlett had so much fun walking on it. She also crawled on it, and tried to pop the bubbles with her hands. It’s a great sensory experience. I probably enjoyed it as much as her, but had to get off the bubble wrap road to leave the popping for her – the sacrifices we do for our children 🙂

17. Fox family handprint art

We made this handprint art for father’s day, even though my husband participated in this project as well to leave his handprint and knew it was coming, there was still an element of surprise since he didn’t know what we would do with his handprint 🙂 I first painted a blue background on canvas myself, let it dry, and then had our family leave their handprints. We added fox faces after the handprints were dry. I like that it’s ready to hang, great for memories, and perfect for our fox-themed room. I found this good deal on seven pack of 12″ x 12″ canvas and we are using them for our projects.

18. Inserting craft sticks into a box

This is an easy activity to set up for any DIY enthusiast, like me. I taped 3 pieces of different colored construction paper to the top of the box and made slits in the box to fit the craft sticks. The idea is for a toddler to insert Colored Craft Sticks of the appropriate color into the slits. The activity complexity can be variated by cutting slits in different directions, and this is how I made this box, but my recommendation is, actually, to make the slits in the same direction, as I saw how hard it was for a 19-month-old Scarlett to find the right way to insert sticks.

19. Montessori busy board

We discovered this fantastic busy board , crafted from felt and packed with engaging activities for toddlers. From matching shapes, letters, numbers, and colors to practicing fine motor skills with snaps, laces, zippers, and buttons, it offers a range of developmental opportunities. This hands-on experience not only develops hand-eye coordination but also helps the development of self-care skills, in line with Montessori education principles. It’s a wonderful way for little ones to learn and grow while having fun!

20. Rolling ping pong balls into houses

This title of the activity explains itself. We used  ping pong colored balls  and played with the whole family. After we were done rolling ping pong balls, we switched to sending cars to these little garages – it turns out Scarlett’s has had a collection of little racing cars that were great for this activity.

21. Sensory play with frozen flowers

We had flowers left over after Mother’s day, so I put some of them into an ice cube tray and froze it. Later on, it was a fun sensory experience for Scarlett to play with these flowery ice cubes. She poured water on them from a teapot and watched them melt.

22. Stickers on a frog window activity

First, I drew a picture of a frog on a piece of paper. Then I put it inside a clear sheet protector, taped it to the window, and gave green round stickers  to Scarlett to put on a frog. Scarlett is 20 months old now and it seems that she understood what she needs to do. We tried this activity at 18 months as well, and at that point, she was placing stickers all over the sheet. I like to use a clear sheet protector since stickers can be removed and changed position, and also because the drawing can be reused with another sheet protector.

23. Matching foam numbers to their outlines

Foam Letters  are great for all kinds of activities. Here we just match a number shape to the outline of the shape. I used markers of the same colors for the outline. At 20 months, Scarlett easily does this activity. I’m not sure if it’s because we did lots of bingo matching games with her or not. This activity is great for learning numbers if you are saying them loud once they are matched.

24. Obstacle course

When it’s over 90 degrees hot in New York, we try to come up with gross motor activities to do at home since this baby doesn’t like to sit still. My daily rotation boxes  turned out to be useful for building an obstacle course. I showed Scarlett how to step over the obstacles and she got busy repeating.

25. Montessori animal match game/bingo game

This game was inspired by Montessori Animal Match game . I made this bingo game by gluing these flash cards  to 3 poster boards – for each member of our family. I selected flash cards for the objects that I could put in a bag. Then we followed the rules of a bingo game – I pulled objects from the bag one by one and placed them on the board of the person who had that picture. Whoever fills the board first wins the game. This is an associative lotto game because the objects do not look exactly the same way as they are pictured on the cards, so the child has to associate them with the card. Another version to play this game is to match cards from a deck to cards on the board ( for this, you will need 2 identical packs of flashcards). This game is great for learning new words and letters. I don’t think Scarlett understood the winning part of the game yet, but she enjoyed matching objects.

26. Memory game

I lay out 4 cards in front of Scarlett. I name them. Then I flip cards over and ask her where one of the cards is. For example, I lay out cards with balloons, a car, a flower, and a cat, I flip them over, without mixing, and then I ask her: “Show me where the flower is”. She flips a card and we check if she got it right. If she got it, I keep that card picture side up and ask her to find a cat, and so on. The quantity of the cards can be increased as the child gets better at the game.

27. Balancing balls on paper tubes

This is a no-prep activity – I love those. It’s great to teach kids what size balls to pick to place on paper tubes – large balls will not stay up, and super small balls will fall inside the tube. Placing balls on tubes without destroying the nearby structures is another learning experience.

28. Sponge water play

Scarlett has been going through a sink water play recently. A while ago I showed her how to carry a step stool to wherever she wants to stand, and now sometimes I regret I ever showed her 🙂 That stool is going everywhere, and in particular, she loves bringing it to the bathroom, so I spend a lot of time sitting in the bathroom with her. She loves washing animals in water – I try to bring a different one each time, and she also loves sponges. Sponges are great, they are bright in color, and are so fun to squeeze water out of them and soak them in the water again.

29. Sorting pompoms by color

First, I placed round stickers of different colors in each slot of a mini muffin tray (an ice tray can be used too). Then, I put pompoms in a container and showed Scarlett how to find a pompom of a matching color and put it in the appropriate slot. We used 0.75″ round stickers – I got the larger size stickers so we can use them for other projects and Scarlett would be able to hold them with little hands. Later we added tweezers for transferring pompoms, it turned out to be a great fine motor and color-match activity. Pompoms can fit into a child’s mouth, please use extra caution with this activity, don’t leave the child alone with pompoms.

30. Kisses and tickles game

This game is my short version of Djeco Bisous Bedtime game . The Bisous game is really cute, I got it for Scarlett but we only use half of the game for now. The game includes cards, a boy and a girl figures, a bed, and a little mattress. The game is played by taking cards from the deck until 3 cards are found – a pillow, a lovey, and a sheet – that’s when the child (a boy or a girl) is ready to go to sleep. While you look for those 3 cards in a deck, you come across other cards that you need to do actions for – kiss the tummy, kiss the forehead, tickle or sing a song – we play this part of the game. I removed cards with a sheet, a pillow, a lovey, and some other cards from the deck, and only kept the action cards. We play in a way where she takes a card from a deck, and I do the action to her – tickle her, give her kisses, sing a song, etc. I recreated a short version of the game in  this printable . It includes 12 cards with actions that we mostly use. It’s really fun to play!

31. Sensory walk

Walking on different sensory surfaces is a great massaging and stimulating activity. I used cardboard stock to cut out feet shapes and then used a hot glue gun for gluing sensory materials: rice, cotton balls, bottle lids, beans, and stainless steel scrubber. I made 2 of each with an idea to use them later for the Montessori guessing activity when a child is blindfolded and has to match 2 identical surfaces. After making these, my advice is to make these sensory boards in rectangular shapes – it would be easier for a child to walk back and forth on them.

32. Domino effect

Jenga game is so great to have. Besides using it for a fun jenga game (when our toddler is asleep), we also use it for a variety of toddler activities. For example, creating a domino effect. I help Scarlett build these lines of blocks, and then she “helps” me by knocking off the first block and watching all others fall gracefully.

33. Sorting frogs by color

I was looking for a while for a collection of animals of different colors for color sorting activities. Sorting bears were just more expensive, so I was happy to find these jumping frogs . These jumping frogs are great for little fingers to practice fine motor skills and they are just so fun! We also did this quick sorting activity –  I placed 4 sheets of construction paper of different colors and selected frogs of those colors to be sorted to the sheet of the appropriate color.

34. Pair matching

Pouch food lids are great for activities. I arranged lids of different colors in a row in an egg organizer and asked Scarlett to find a lid of the matching color and put it next to it. First, she was putting the lid of the matching color on top, and perhaps it’s an easier way to group them by color. Pouch lids can fit into a child’s mouth, please use extra caution with this activity, don’t leave the child alone with the lids.

35. Colorama board game

Colorama board game is great for toddlers, it has a few different levels of playing. The easiest one is: you split all shapes between the players and everyone has to find the matching space for their shapes by taking turns. We also play with it as a puzzle – Scarlett gets all pieces and looks for the matching space. It’s great for learning shapes and colors. One note though, the shapes can fit in the child’s mouth – so you need to be extra careful if your child is still putting things in the mouth.

36. Scooping lids out of water

Here is another activity with food pouch lids. Scarlett loves it mostly because it has to do with water probably 🙂 She’s still struggling using the scoop from Learning Resources Tool Set , she uses 2 hands to handle it, but it’s definitely getting better. Great activity for motor skills and tool handling. Lids can fit into a child’s mouth, please use extra caution with this activity, don’t leave the child alone with the lids.

37. Famous paintings match a card with velcro game

I wanted to get Scarlett to develop a taste in art early on, and I decided to start with the most famous paintings of all times by the greatest artists: Botticelli, da Vinci, Seurat, Salvador Dali, Picasso, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, and others. I picked the brightest paintings and thought of a way we can play a game with her using these paintings at this age. We have been doing a few matching card activities for a while, so I also added velcro squares to get each card attached to its spot for more interactivity.

We got 12 paintings arranged in 2 sheets. Each painting has a title with the name of the artist and the name of the painting underneath it. I printed 2 copies and used Adhesive Cardstock  on the back of both sheets to make them thicker. Then I cut one copy into cards and added sticky velcro squares. For now, we are playing the match-a-card game, but later on, it can be played as a bingo game when all cards are assembled in a deck, and players take turns picking a card. Whoever fills their board first, wins. The printable file can be downloaded  here .

38. Number sorting

We did this activity in order to get Scarlett to learn to recognize numbers up to 5. First I arranged foam numbers from Foam Letters and Numbers Set in paper plates, then we took each number that was previously cut out from felt, and found a matching plate for it. As with the first activity with the shape monsters, stiff felt sheets  work the best.

39. Whack a mushroom Montessori activity

We made mushrooms by placing pouch food lids on craft sticks inserted into a box. We used the box I previously made for craft sticks sorting by color but any box can be used if you cut out the bottom and make slits on top. Then a toddler can really have fun by whacking each one of those “mushrooms”. Pouch lids can fit into a child’s mouth, please use extra caution with this activity, don’t leave the child alone with the lids.

40. DIY Domino

Activity book, 41. stringing activity.

We have a String A Farm  set for stringing activities but here is an easy version of stringing with paper tubes cut in pieces. A string with a stick can be made at home as well by using a pen and a string, similar to the one described in the fishing game above.

42. Sweep pompoms into the square

This is a great Montessori activity to get kids involved in household chores and to make it fun. I used tape to make a square on the floor and gave Scarlett this really cute broom that I got from the Flying Tiger store. Then I showed her how to get pompoms into the box. Pompoms can be substituted with anything else, for example, pieces of paper. Pompoms can fit into a child’s mouth, please use extra caution with this activity, don’t leave the child alone with pompoms.

43. Blowing pompoms into the house

I think I wrote a few times already about the importance of blowing activities for speech development. Here’s a simple activity we do –  blowing pompoms into the house. Any box can be used for this activity, the bigger – the easier it is to get pompoms into it. We originally started with mini pompoms  since they are easier to blow, and later moved on to bigger size pompoms. Pompoms can fit into a child’s mouth, please use extra caution with this activity, don’t leave the child alone with pompoms.

44. Fun Faces with Contact Paper

🌟👧🧒 With a sheet of contact paper as our canvas, we gathered an assortment of exciting materials like feathers , lids, craft sticks, straw pieces, yarn, pom-poms, and large googly eyes .   🌈🎭✨ Mix and match colors, textures, and shapes to make whimsical and fun faces! This is also a fun activity to use the recyclables – playdoh lids, straws, paper and cardboard pieces. 🌈🎉

45.  Play a game with food

My daughter is a picky eater, so I try to include games with food in our routine as well – surprisingly they help her eat a lot more food while having fun.

This  Take a bite game  has been super helpful in getting my daughter to eat. It includes cards with actions that kids need to repeat. Some actions are funny, like ‘Make a silly face’ or ‘Tickles’, some actions are cute, like ‘Hugs’, and some action cards say ‘Take a bite’ – so my daughter gets to eat bites of food in between other actions. This game is really cute with plenty of hugs, tickles, and kisses with your child. A digital version is also available here .

46. Make a chalk art

This activity was added a few years later than the activities above. The toddler in this picture is my son, who is 2 now.  Recently we have been doing a few chalk art projects, it’s a great opportunity to take fun pictures of the kids. Here we drew a beach scene. My older daughter was my art director 🙂 she was telling me what to draw and helped me draw some parts and my toddler did the posing and the playing on the beach. Highly recommended it, it was so much fun for both kids!

If you like this post, check out my post about right brain education method that targets memory and creativity development in early childhood. That post includes some free download materials as well.

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55 thoughts on “45+ Learning Activities For 18-24 month olds. Toddler activities.”

You are a genius! I love reading your ideas. Thank you for sharing these. I will definitely be using them with my boy and I have shared your post on my blog’s Facebook Page. I think I might just be your biggest fan 🙂

Thank you so much for your nice words! It makes me very happy to know that these activities are being used!

You should sell the cards on Etsy as a download

Thank you! I was thinking about it.

Hi. Due to lockdown here in my country my 22 month old seems to be upset we are currently on the 15th day of lockdown. He is so done with his toys and I came here fr ideas. But now I’m upset coz wen I went thru dese activities I feel my son doesn’t seem to be so understandable. He doesn’t speak anything just few words like mama dad’s car dats it. I really dono how to entertain him. He is so energetic I can’t sit him down to play such activities. Except for the ice paint. Pls do leave suggestions for me.

Great ideas, we’ll definitely try them out !

Thank you! Hope your toddler likes them 🙂

I love your memory game! There are many preschool teacher groups on Facebook that would be interested. Have you posted information there?

Thank you for nice words! No, from my experience Facebook groups don’t allow marketing your own products – so I kind of gave up. I didn’t really make a good marketing plan from the beginning.

Great ideas ! Keep up your wonderful job …Inspiring

Thank you for kind words!

i don’t meant to alarm you, but there is a lizard in the sink (sponge game) lol

Lol. My daughter loves her little alligator toy, I don’t know why O_O ))

• Pingback: 10 Fun, Cognitive Activities for Toddlers | Priscilla Jordan

Thank you, well done❤️

I’m so glad you liked the post! Thank you for reading!

These are some of the best ideas I seen on Pinterest!! You are one creative Mama. Thank you for the ideas. I have started doing some of these with my little guy (17 mo) and he loves them.

Thank you for kind words! I’m so happy you and your son likes them!

These are by far the best activities I’ve seen on pinterest. I’ve been trying to find new activities for my 21 month old, that would actually keep his attention. I can’t wait to try some of these out.

I hope your son likes them! I’m glad to share!

So excited to try most of these activities with my toddler classroom! It’s my first time teaching this age group and blogs like yours are life-savers 😄 Thank you for sharing!

I’m so glad it helps! Thank you for reading!

This is just so good! Thank you for sharing these with the other mothers really in need:)

Thanks for your inspiring ideas!! I will try to do them as my practicum activities 😀 Hope it goes well haha!

Wow u inspired me a lot…. definitely I will try to do at least few of them… am excited to play with my daughter…. thanks for sharing

These are some of the most creative ideas I have seen out there! Thank you so much!

Thank you! I’m so glad you liked them!

I look forward to trying these ideas! They are educational and easy to set up!

I’m so glad you found this information helpful!

These are very creative and the the ability to create these at home with minimal cost – the best, the you for sharing

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Such fantastic ideas! Thank you so much for sharing.

Your activity ideas are absolutely great ! I was looking for inspiration and I definitely found what I needed. Thank you !

Thank you so much for sharing these ideas. I just got my 18 month old granddaughter full time and we get bored so I googled activities for an 18 month old and there it was. I’m excited to play these games with her. Thanks again.

Such amazing ideas! Thank you for sharing!

Cool ideas🤙 keep it up😃 thanks for sharing ❤

Would love more info of the bingo games

Hi Emma, you need 2 things to play this game: flash cards of animals and toys of animals to mach the flash cards. So if you have a flash card with a giraffe on it, you need a giraffe toy. Place all toys in a bag. Glue flash cards to a large sheet of paper. Alternatively, you can just hand out a few cards to each player. Then take out one animal from the bag, and ask: Who has this animal? The person who has a flash card with this animal, gets the toy. The person who gets animal toys on all their flashcards wins. Hope it helps!

These are amazing. Long before this 2020 quarantine happens, you have made such wonderful activities. They are super useful for these times. Thank you so much.

Such a helpful article, thank you!

Helpful during this quarantine!

Great ideas. I’ll try the wet letter on the window with my 18 mon old boy. Thanks!

Great ideas, thank you. I am entertaining my 18 month old grandson tomorrow and your activities have given me some brilliant things to do with him. I don’t like the idea of ‘here are some toys, get on with it’, I prefer interaction for some of the time at least. You have saved the day tomorrow. Thank you.

Mine is almost 22 month todller. Though I really wanna try these activities with her, I doubt she will understand and follow what she is expected to do. For example- she knows her color but doesn’t really sort. I have tried couple of times with her amd she doesn’t sort it. May be not interested? How do u explain and teach a toddler of what she is expected to do with every activity

Hi Priya, All kids are different and if you see your child not interested in the activity, perhaps she is not ready. I usually show to my daughter how to do an activity myself, in this example, try to sort in front of her and talk through what you are doing and why. And if she is still not interested, try to come back to an activity in a month or two, to see if she is ready then. Hope it helps!

Wow! Thank you for such a great range and variety of fun ideas! I’m always on the lookout for fun activities for cold and rainy days. I’m looking forward to trying the obstacle course!

I’m so glad you liked them!

I just want to say THANK YOU! I coutnot believe how easy it was to find several activities that I was excited to do with my 1.5 year old baby. Thank you for sharing all of this creative and beautiful ideas!

Such a great article! Thank you so much for sharing! I am so excited to try these activities with my baby!

Thanks for sharing

Thank you for reading!

Lovely activities!!! Thanks!

Thank you so much!!! It´s been really helpful!!!

Wow these are all really creative and clever ideas using things we would mostly already have in the house. Thanks so much for sharing these online for everyone to benefit from.

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Home • Toddler • Play And Activities

25+ Fun Games And Activities For Your 18-Month-Old Baby

Great ideas to boost their language, imagination, and physical development.

Dr. Nirmala Dharap has 32 years of experience working as a pediatrician in various hospitals and clinics. Currently, she runs her private practice, Dharap Children's Clinic, in Pune. Her areas of specialization include bronchial asthma, gro... more

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Image: ShutterStock

Your 18-month-old toddler is bound to be moving around independently. You may want to know about some exciting games and activities for 18-month-old babies to keep them engaged. Whether toddling around, scribbling something on the walls, saying the first word, or even getting the first tooth, these are the milestones that must be tracked . There is a time when you must engage your child and keep them occupied to ensure healthy physical and mental development.

Here are some of the games that you may consider exploring and trying for your toddler.

Key Developmental Milestones For An 18-Month-Old

Within one-and-a-half years, your baby has learned a lot. Right from looking and smiling at you to crawling and throwing tantrums, you have seen them do all that . So, what do they learn now? ( 1 ) ( 2 )

• Better attention and thinking: If your 18-month-old loves a game, toy or an activity they will sit and play with it for a longer time than they did as a baby. They will also be good at interpreting cause and effect actions and use past experiences to draw inferences.
• Improved physical development: They can now walk quite independently and can run in short bursts. Their muscles are capable of performing complex actions like feeding themselves with a spoon (clumsily, though!), removing some pieces of clothing like a jacket or sweater, and wearing simple footwear like flip-flops.
• Shaper senses: Your toddler can now see objects and recognize faces at a distance. They will also remember familiar sounds (mom’s hair dryer, dad’s car horn), and respond appropriately to it. If they did not like a food item earlier, they would refuse to eat it again since they remember the taste.
• Improved social skills: They enjoy sitting in front of their parents to play. They will then show you achievements in the activity and expect a reward or appreciation. They may throw a tantrum when they are forced to be in the company of people they do not like. An 18-month-old will be cautious towards strangers and display affection towards familiar faces. They may now also speak simple but meaningful words.

Babies usually start speaking at 10-15 months of age, though it may vary. As shown in the graph below, babies can be gradual learners, learning about 10-20 words per month, or some babies might start speaking late and at a much slower rate but may have a sudden vocabulary spurt at 18-month age. They may know about 100 words at 19 months old, significantly higher than roughly 40 words at 18 months old.

Vocabulary growth in babies aged 14-20 months

Therefore, what can be the right? Keep reading to explore some interesting and age-appropriate games and activities that will give an impetus to learning of an 18 month old baby.

25+ Games And Activities For 18-Month-Olds

Every time you play with your toddler, try a different game to make playtime fun and engaging. Then, see which activity they like the most. We have divided the 18-month-old activities and games into three categories to make it easy for you to choose:

• Developmental activities
• Educational and learning activities
• Sensory activities

Developmental Activities

Developmental activities target the physical, mental and social development of your baby.

Image: IStock

You will need: Your partner, a music player, and a few other tots.

How to: Make the tots stand in a row with your partner leading it. Instruct them to dance at the same spot while the music plays. The moment the music stops, you shout “Freeze!” and everyone freezes at their place. Do not have any elimination, but give a treat to the one who stays still for the longest time. Ensure that all get a treat by the end of the game. The idea of having your partner dance with them is to provide a visual cue to the tots in case they get confused ( 3 ). You can dress up your toddler for the activity and ask your partner to dress up, too, to make the activity more fun and exciting.

Skills developed: Social play i X Collaborative interactions of peers during play. , muscle coordination

2. The laundry basket game

Image: Shutterstock

You will need: A laundry basket full of clothes

How to: Fill the laundry basket with clothes and put it in front of the baby. Ask them to “take out” the clothes from the basket. Show them how to do it in case they do not understand. Once they take out all the clothes, ask them to put them back again. Reinforce the activity by asking them “Did you put the clothes in the basket?” to which they would nod their head and say “Yes!”

Skills developed: Instruction obedience, instruction-action interplay

3. Walk the line

You will need: Packaging duct tape

How to: Stick the tape in a straight line on the floor for a length of around eight feet. Once done, ask your baby to place their feet along the line and walk from one end to another. In case they wobble, exclaim some words of encouragement. The best way to initiate this game for 18-month-olds is to lead the way and walk the line to make them follow you. You can also hold their hand for extra support.

Skills developed: Body balance, fine muscle control

4. Ball meets the bucket

You will need: A light plastic ball, a bucket or basket

How to: This is a great activity to develop the motor skills of your 18-month-old. Draw a line on the floor with chalk and make the toddler stand behind it. Place the bucket about three feet away and ask them to throw the ball, overhand, into the bucket. Repeat the activity regularly, and once your baby achieves a certain skill, increase the distance between them and the bucket.

Skills developed: Gross motor skills, judgment of distance

5. Puzzles and mazes

You will need: Old carton boxes – no taller than your little one

How to: Here is an amazing outdoor play for your 18-month-old. Take some old carton boxes, and disassemble to form single sheets. Keep sorting them in a way to create mazes in an outdoor area or lawn. You can refer to any simple paper-based maze or puzzles for reference and replicate the design in three dimensions. Once done, ask your little one to enter the maze and encourage him to find his way out. Keep the length of the maze small and simple. Make some small changes to the maze to keep things exciting.

Skills developed: Basic problem-solving, understanding of space-direction interplay

6. Zig-zag walk

You will need: Small toy traffic cones, a toy

How to: Arrange the cones in a zig-zag pattern for a distance of about 10 feet. Make your toddler walk through the cones. Place a toy at the end of the trail and when your 18-month-old reaches the end, ask him to pick the toy and come back the same path. Great game on a lazy afternoon! You can ask your toddler to hold one of their push-and-pull toys and walk through the cones to add more fun to the activity and help improve your toddler’s walking, balance, and coordination skills.

Skills developed: Muscle coordination, body balance

7. The slipping ice

You will need: Bowl, chopping board, ice cubes

How to: You can play this right on your dining table. Take a bowl and hold a chopping board at an inclination close to it. Ask the baby to pick an ice cube and slide it over the chopping board in a manner that the cube falls into the bowl. Keep moving the bowl to different positions to up the challenge and maintain the baby’s interest. The sight of a sliding ice cube is surely going to keep him engrossed. You can color the ice cube by dissolving some food-based color in the water before freezing it.

Skills developed: Object motion interpretation

8. Pass the ball at once!

You will need: A couple of light plastic balls

How to: Sit down on the floor and make your toddler sit opposite you at a distance of about two feet. Give them a plastic ball while you hold one yourself. Ask them to pass the ball, and you slide your ball toward them the moment they do. Repeat the instruction, and you pass yours again when they pass the ball. Soon, they will understand that they will attain a ball from your end when they slide theirs. It will help improve their hand-eye coordination and prediction skills through this ball play.

Skills developed: Cause and effect, Understanding a pre-decided event

9. Find hidden object

You will need: Some small toys

How to: It is a great indoor activity for your 18-month-old. Make your toddler stand at the doorway while you hide about a dozen small toys all across the room. Do it in their line of sight, which means they see you hiding the objects. Once you are done, ask them to find the hidden toys one by one. Prompt and encourage them all throughout the peek-a-boo activity that will help enhance their exploration skills.

Skills developed: Memory recall, event-memory interplay i X A mental construction of a scene recalled from a single occurrence of said scene.

10. Join the music

You will need: Small drums, rattle, some musical instruments, and your partner

How to: Here is a great way to have your very own musical ensemble. Give your partner a rattle while you take another musical instrument like a guitar. Give the toy drum to your baby and ask him to beat it when you play a certain note. Maintain a certain rhythm so that the baby understands the exact moment he needs to tap the drum.

Melissa, a mother of three and former teacher, shares a few development activities she tried with her son Kade on her blog Oh Hey Let’s Play! Emphasizing the engagement of musical instruments, she writes, “When Kade and I played with these together, I would demonstrate different ways to use the instruments, talk about loud/quiet, fast/slow and describe the different sounds we could make ( i ).”

Skills developed: Music-rhythm interplay, basic coordination

11. Hide and seek

You will need: You, your baby and partner

How to: Nothing beats a good old family game! You can play this game indoors or outdoors. Make it a point you hide at places where your baby is quite likely to find you. This is a great way of spending quality time with your baby ( 4 ).

Skills developed: Social bonding, Curiosity

Educational and Learning Activities

These activities are educational in nature and acquaint your 18-month old to basic pre-schooling knowledge.

12. Match the tag

You will need: Sheet of paper, a pen

How to: Write down the names of basic household items like bed, shoe, table, etc. each on a piece of paper. Show these tags to your toddler and point at the item it means. Do so a couple of times. Shuffle the tags and then hand each tag at a time and ask your baby to place it on the object. Remember your baby cannot read. Therefore, they will understand the tag by the sound only. So repeat the word until they understand. In case they seem disoriented, prompt them with words like “Oh look where the bed is.” Repeat the activity regularly, each time with a new set of objects.

Skills developed: Language skills, object-noun association i X The ability of a child to connect objects with related words.

13. Simon says…

You will need: Your partner

How to: Ask your partner to play the part of Simon. They must exclaim “Simon says…” followed by an action phrase. If they say “Simon says, touch your nose!”. Ask your child to touch their nose. Your partner says “Simon says, touch your ears!”. You touch your ears while looking at your toddler, and he will repeat the same. Continue the activity with other parts of the body and objects.

Skills developed: Basic learning of various parts of the body, object-noun association

14. Everything in pairs, please

You will need: Pair of cards with identical illustrations

How to: Take a set of cards and lay them on a table. Give the corresponding set of cards to your toddler and ask them to place it beside the card with the matching image. Use verbal cues to encourage them to find it. Every time they find a match and form a pair, encourage them with some appreciative words. Use simple images on the cards like that of a cat, dog or other objects that the baby can recognize.

Skills developed: Object and pattern recognition, understanding pairs

15. Match balls and basket

You will need: Three or more colored baskets with plastic balls of corresponding colors.

How to: The activity is quite similar to the previous one. Take three baskets of a color each and place them in a row. Bring another basket with several balls that correspond to the color of the baskets. Ask your toddler to pick the balls and place them in the basket of a matching color. Give them clues if they make a mistake, and appreciate them whenever they get a match right.

Skills developed: Color recognition , grouping similar items together

16. Counting on fingers

You will need: You and your baby

How to: An 18-month-old will be able to use their fingers with improved dexterity. This makes it a great time to introduce them to basic numbers through fingers. You can start with numbers from 1 to 5, and if the baby shows interest, you can teach them up to 10. The best way to start is to show them a finger and say “one” then show them two fingers and say “two”, and so forth. To reinforce the numbers in their mind, show them the number of fingers and ask them “How many?” and let them reply with the number.

Skills developed: Basic preschool mathematics, basic number-quantity association i X The ability to connect a numeral to the associated number of objects.

17. Trace the drawing

You will need: Basic drawings, butter paper

How to: Your toddler will love holding a crayon and scribbling around on surfaces. Channelize their interest in art through trace and draw activity . You can buy any tracing book available in the market or print your own simple illustrations and make them trace on a butter paper. Make sure the illustrations are simple for them to draw. They may trace clumsily, but they are just getting started!

Skills developed: Introduction to art, hand-eye coordination

18. Paper folding

You will need: Colored paper

How to: Fold some colored papers into basic shapes and show him the steps you take to fold the paper. Start with basic shapes like a paper fan, which your toddler can play with later. The best way to involve him in the activity is to grab his attention by saying “Look what mommy is making!”. Once you get his attention hand him a paper and hold his hands and help him replicate the folds you made.

Skills developed: Introduction to art, interpretation, and imitation

19. String the guitar

You will need: A guitar

How to: Music can transfix a baby. Make your baby sit in your lap. Bring a guitar close to you and hold it so they can see the strings. Strum on the strings and see your baby’s reaction; ask them to play on the strings. Let them experiment while you make sure their fingers are not hurt ( 5 ).

Skills developed: Introduction to music, tactile response

20. Building blocks

You will need: A building block set

How to: One classic game for toddlers that involves stacking objects is building blocks. Building blocks come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, making them versatile tools for teaching toddlers different ways of stacking objects properly. So buy a building block set that is vividly colored to attract your 18-month-old’s attention.

Parents of four and creators of the YouTube channel The Carnahan Fam stand behind this activity. In one of their videos, Kaleigh, the mom, shares that they use building blocks activity for their 18-month-old son’s fine motor skill development. She also calls out the names of the colors on the blocks while her son is stacking them on top of one another for a more interactive session ( ii ).

Skills developed: Knowledge of object interaction and balance

Sensory Activities

These activities stimulate the sensory reflexes of your baby and help him interpret things.

21. Animal sounds

You will need: Recordings of various animal sounds

How to: Play an audio of an animal sound, for example, a lion roaring, and exclaim to your toddler, “Whoa, that is a lion!”. Do so with other animal sounds and then play them again. Each time a sound is played, prompt your toddler to name the animal. You can even mimic the sound to add an element of fun and make your baby learn better. In between, you can play music and get involved in signing and dancing with your toddler.

Skills developed: Sound-object association i X The ability to make an association between sounds and objects and store the information in the memory. , sound recall

22. Smell the name!

You will need: Your baby’s favorite food items

How to: Make them sit in your lap and gently cover their eyes with your hand. Bring their favorite food item close to their nose and tell its name. Prompt them to say the name along with you. Use food items with short and simple names that are easy for an 18-month-old to pronounce.

Skills developed: Object-smell association

23. Dough lumps

You will need: Wheat flour dough and a plate

How to: Toddlers love exploring objects with their hands. Here is a fun sensory activity for your 18-month-old. Take some wheat flour dough and show your baby how to make lumps using your hands. Ask them to make lumps and place them on a plate. You can make these dough balls together. They will get messy after the activity, so play before their bath time ( 6 ). You can perform this activity with baby-friendly play dough as well.

Skills developed: Shape making, tactile experience

24. Paint palm print!

You will need: Food-based colors, piece of paper

How to: Buy some edible colors or make some at home using vegetable puree. Make a set of five colors and pour them into bowls. Ask your baby to dip their palm in the color and leave a palm print on a piece of paper. Encourage them to make some designs and praise them with words like “Wow, that’s nice”. their artwork may not last since the paints are food-based, but they will be safe in case they put their hands in their mouth. You can do the same activity with a twist, asking your baby to dip their fingers in the color and create abstract finger paintings!

Skills developed: Color familiarization through touch and vision

25. Family photo time

You will need: Family photo album

How to: Sit with your baby and open the family album. Point your finger at each individual in the photographs and ask him who that person is. He will definitely recognize his parents, but this is the right time to acquaint him with other relatives. Every time you point at someone in the picture, mention the relationship, and make your toddler repeat it.

Skills developed: Visual memory reinforcement, Face recognition

26. Bean bag toss

You will need: Soft bean bags or fabric pouches in different colors, hula hoops

How to: Place the hula hoops on the ground, ensuring they are at a suitable distance from your child. Demonstrate how to pick up a bean bag and toss it gently toward one of the hula hoops. Prompt your child to observe as the bean bag lands either in or close to the target. When your child successfully lands a bean bag into a target, show appreciation by using positive words, clapping, or smiling, conveying to them that they have done an excellent job.

Skills developed: Hand-eye coordination, sensory exploration

Those were some amazing games and activities for an 18-month old baby to nurture his sensory, cognitive and physical development . But to make them interesting, you need to know the trade secrets.

5 Basic Tips For Parents Of 18-Month-Olds

Follow these secrets of having a fun time with your 18-month-old ( 7 ).

• Babies can be moody and throw temper tantrums. So, introduce an activity when he is in a playful mood.
• Keep switching between different activities. Also up the challenge in an activity if you observe that your baby finds the game so easy that he gets bored quickly.
• Each baby is unique. Be patient if your baby takes more time than their peers to understand and participate in an activity.
• Do not thrust a game on your 18-month-old in case he repeatedly shows disinterest to the point of frustration and crying.
• Always interact with your baby no matter what the game. Do not just be a mute observer. Speak to your baby , prompt him, and hold his hand to help him. An 18-month-old will show more interest if you play along and provide feedback and encouragement.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can parents and caregivers create an environment that encourages learning for an 18-month-old?

To encourage learning in an 18-month-old, parents and caregivers should ensure the baby has enough space to move around and explore freely. While moving around will promote healthy development, exploring things can help their learning ( 8 ). You can also include learning games and activities, such as block play, Simon says, Match the tag, and Counting on fingers, in their play routine to encourage learning. Puppet shows are another interactive way to encourage a toddler to learn while having fun.

2. What are some tips for developing my 18-month-old baby’s language skills?

Babies and toddlers can start speaking and developing vocabulary at their own pace. However, interacting with them regularly and asking questions, teaching simple songs and rhymes, and engaging them in activities, such as pretend play can help them improve their language skills ( 9 ).

3. What tips and tricks can I use to make playing with an 18-month-old baby enjoyable?

Playing with an 18-month-old is a fun experience, but you can make these moments more enjoyable by including fun games and activities, following your baby’s lead, playing outside, and making funny noises and faces while playing.

While planning games and activities for an 18-month-old, consider their developmental milestones. Understand that each child grows at their own pace and hence refrain from panicking if your child is not able to perform a particular task. Instead, introduce the activity to them and let their comfort levels take the lead. It may also help to include activities focussing on each area of their development. This way, your child can simultaneously work on their cognitive, motor, and observation skills for holistic development.

Infographic: Games And Activities For Your 18-Month-Old

By this age, your baby would have learned to communicate little things; and it is essential to engage them in diverse activities that enhance their skills and overall development. This infographic suggests some simple activities and games for your 18-month-old; look for the ones most suitable for their interests.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Key Pointers

• An 18-month old baby has better attention and thinking, improved physical development, sharper senses, and improved social skills.
• Freeze, Walk the line, Puzzles and mazes, Pass the ball at once, and Slipping ice, which are great developmental activities.
• Educational and learning activities such as Simon says, Counting on fingers, Trace the drawing, Building blocks, and String the guitar are also beneficial.
• Sensory activities like Animal sounds, Dough lumps, Paint palm print, and Family photo time can be enjoyable and stimulating for babies.

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Gain inspiration for some great indoor activities that will enhance the fine motor skills of your toddler. From rolling, and stacking, to posting, you will find plenty of fun activities.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

• Milestones for an 18-Month-Old Child https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/ue5756
• Important Milestones: Your Child By Eighteen Months https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-18mo.html
• Freeze Dance. https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/play-ideas-tips/play-ideas/freeze-dance.aspx#.YiBxcuhBy3A
• Games. https://pathways.org/all-ages/games/
• Indoor play ideas to stimulate young children at home. https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/games-child-development
• 17 Sensational Sensory Activities for Toddlers. https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/sensory-activities-for-toddlers/
• Tips on Playing with Babies and Toddlers. https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/tips-on-playing-with-babies-and-toddlers
• Nurturing Environments. https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/infant-toddler-resource-guide/infanttoddler-care-providers/nurturing-environments/preparing
• Tips on Learning to Talk. https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/tips-on-learning-to-talk/
• Fact-checker

Dr. Nirmala Shireesh Dharap DNB, DCH

Rohit garoo bsc, mba, dr. ritika shah bds, clc, trisha chakraborty ma, bed, latest articles, 17 best ipad and android painting and drawing apps for kids.

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25 Activities for an 18 Month Old [Simple & Super Fun!]

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Toddler’s attention spans are notoriously short, which you’ve probably realized if you’ve ever tried to entertain your 18 month old for an hour, let alone a whole day or week. At this age, your tot is likely exploring their environment at a fast pace. They are also probably getting into everything possible in the process. Keep them entertained, engaged and learning with these 25 fun toddler activities that are perfect for an 18-month-old.

25 Fun Activities for an 18 Month Old

Sensory Play Activities

Both energy and emotions tend to be high with toddlers, so sensory play activities are great! They bring a bit of calm to your 18-month-old’s day. The options are nearly endless when it comes to sensory experiences, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Taste-Safe Sensory Doughs ”“ Use non-toxic dough and child-safe cookie cutters to encourage your child to smash, squish and roll the dough, as well as creating fun shapes.
• Rice/Chickpea Bin ”“ Fill a plastic bin with rice or chickpeas and encourage free-play. Let your child use his hands in the bin, but also provide spoons and scoops to aid in his exploration.
• Chasing Bubbles ”“ If the weather permits, take your 18-month-old outside and blow bubbles for him to chase, grab and stomp on. These bubble machines make it so fun because you can jump around and play, too!

• Shaving Cream Play ”“ This one can get a little messy and is best done right before bath time! Spray shaving cream onto a table or tray. Then let your child use their fingers to spread, smear and “paint” in it.
• Pom-Pom Sticky Wall ”“ Use painter’s tape to secure a contact paper to the wall ”“ the sticky side facing out. Provide your kiddo with colorful pom-poms and let them create a masterpiece.

Creative Play Activities

Creative and imaginative play helps toddlers develop physical, intellectual and social skills ”“ and it’s fun! Unleash your 18 month old’s creativity with these activities:

• Painting with Nature ”“ Head outside and grab a few sticks, rocks, leaves or flowers for a special painting project. Encourage your child to use these things, instead of a paintbrush, to create his next masterpiece.
• Marble Art ”“ If painting is a favorite activity, grab an empty show box and squirt multiple paint colors inside. Next, have your toddler drop marbles into the box and roll them around to create fun marble art. I like these bigger marbles , as they are less likely to end up in your kiddo’s mouth. 
• Mess-Free Painting ”“ To enjoy paint while keeping the mess at bay, squirt paint into a plastic bag and tape each side to a table or window using easy-to-remove painter’s tape. Your child can finger paint mess-free by manipulating the paint inside the plastic.

• Velcro Blocks ”“ At 18 months, your toddler likely loves trying to stack blocks. However, it’s normal for him to be frustrated at his limited stacking skills at this age. Add Velcro to wooden blocks for extra tacking power ”“ plus, he’ll love pulling the blocks apart, too.
• Sticker Mural ”“ Combining both sensory and creative play, stickers are a toddler favorite. Affix a large piece of butcher paper to the wall and let your toddler create a sticker mural!
• Stacking Games ”“ Sometimes, it’s the most mundane material that entertains 18-month-olds the most. Give your toddler a dozen paper cups or LEGOS and let him stack and play.

Nature Play Activities for 18 Month Olds

Sometimes, store-bought toys and games just won’t do. When your 18-month-old needs a change of pace, let Mother Nature entertain him with activities like these:

• Dissecting Flowers ”“ For a toddler with busy fingers and a curious mind, there’s nothing more fun than pulling petals and leaves from different types of flowers.
• Nature Soup ”“ Give your kiddo a bucket of water and let him fill it with “soup ingredients” like rocks, plants, dirt, and grass. Don’t forget a big spoon for stirring!
• Mud Play ”“ Did you know that playing in the dirt is known to boost a child’s immune system? It’s true! No need to wait for rain either; you can use a water table or empty sandbox to mix up your own mud. Trust me, you will have hours of messy fun.
• Nature Sticky Bracelet ”“ Make a bracelet for your child using tape, making sure to keep the sticky side facing away from his skin. Let him collect all the cool things he can find in your yard or the park and attach them to his bracelet.
• Nature Walk ”“ Fresh air is good for both the body and mind. Consider a nature walk where you collect all the interesting things your 18-month-old finds. You can make a collage with them later, or use them in a future batch of Nature Soup.

Water Play Activities

Perhaps one of the most popular sensory activities for 18-month-olds, water play deserves its own category simply because there are so many options. Consider activities like:

• Washing Toys ”“ You probably need to clean them anyway. Why not set your toddler up at the sink and make a bubble bath for him to clean all his toys?
• Washing Fruit ”“ Let your kiddo help prep for snack time by washing apples. All you need is a bucket of water and a clean toothbrush for scrubbing.
• Scooping and Pouring ”“ This is as simple as it gets, but it can occupy an 18-month-old while also helping to build fine motor skills. Provide a container full of water, an empty container and a scoop and encourage him to scoop and pour all the water into the empty bucket.
• Lego Bath ”“ Add new interest to bath time by adding a Lego Duplo set (linked set is for 2+, so keep a close eye and take out small pieces!) or similar waterproof toy to the water.

Kitchen Play Activities for 18 Month Olds

One of the most difficult things for parents can be to entertain a toddler while trying to cook a meal. Get your kiddo involved in a project in the kitchen so you can keep an eye on him while meal-prepping ”“ it’s a win-win! Here are a few activities to try:

• Banana Peeling ”“ For this activity, cut a banana into thin slices with the peel still on. Then, let your toddler peel each piece individually ”“ and eat it, of course!
• Toddler Cooking ”“ If you have any stale cereal or expired spices in your cupboards, let your 18-month-old get creative and combine it all in a mixing bowl. Add water and let him stir and “cook” just like you.
• Cookie Sheet Magnet Play ”“ Grab a set of toddler-safe magnets, like these cute wooden animals , and a metal cookie sheet. Simply let your little one arrange and rearrange the magnets on the sheet!
• Muffin Tin Sorting Game ”“ Mix up various snacks (like goldfish crackers and Cheerios) in a bowl, and ask your toddler to sort each snack-type into a different section of a muffin tin.
• Yogurt Painting ”“ Add a bit of food coloring to a few small containers of yogurt and let your little one “paint” his plate with his finger or a spoon.

While it does require some creativity and ingenuity to keep an 18-month-old busy and engaged, the above activities provide necessary outlets for his fast-growing brain and his busy toddler body.

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52 Super Fun Things to do with Toddlers [Easy & Fun Activities]

The 10 Best Baby Push Walkers for Your Baby on the Move

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23 Fun And Creative Activities for 18 Month Old Toddlers!

Are you on the hunt for fun and engaging activities for your 18-month-old? Look no further! In this article, we’ll share our top picks for activities that will keep your little one entertained and help them develop important skills. From sensory play to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered.

7 Development Activities For 18 Month Old Toddlers

There are loads of specific developmental activities you can introduce to your toddler to promote both gross motor and fine motor skills.

These motor activities for 18 month old toddlers should be fun but they do not have to be complex.

It is useful to have a few indoor and outdoor activities of this kind up your sleeve to keep a curious toddler occupied and to keep things interesting for you too. Here are some of my favourites:

Looking to get your little one to sleep quickly and effortlessly? Check out my  Bedtime and Nap Cheat Sheet  and master the art of making daytime naps and bedtimes as seamless as possible.

7 Learning Activities For 18 Month Old Toddlers

Now we can move onto simple activities for 18 month old toddlers that are designed for basic preschool learning.

Learning through play is the key here.

As with older children, your toddler may show signs of being more adept at some skills than others but that is absolutely fine.

Encouragement and praise are what is important at this stage in their development.

6 Sensory Activities For 18 Month Old Toddlers

Fun activities that involve the senses are great for stimulating your toddler’s sensory reflexes .

Children under the age of 3 explore their world through their senses so sensory-based activities for 18 month old toddlers will help them interpret the world they live in!

REMEMBER: Always supervise your children around water, no matter how shallow.

3 Everyday Activities For 18 Month Old Toddlers

These activities for 18 month old toddlers are not what I would call “traditional play”… 

They are everyday activities that promote healthy communication, boost your toddler’s development , and grow their family connections. with everyday household objects.

The 3 activities listed below should be non-pressurised and be integrated into your everyday lives.

TOP TIP: Here is a comprehensive list of my favourite books for toddlers to help you fill out their library!

Before Beginning An Activity With Your 18 Month Old

Here are some basic tips to keep in mind when embarking on activities with your toddler!

• Always participate in the activity with your toddler! Chat to them, prompt them, encourage and praise but DO NOT take over. Let your toddler lead the pace!
• It goes without saying that toddlers can be very moody if they’re tired… so aim to introduce activities into the day when they are well-rested and in a playful mood.
• Playing and interacting with your toddler should be an enjoyable experience for you both. If your toddler is showing resistance to a specific game or activity move on. 
• Remember that each baby is unique and you must be patient. If your toddler is taking longer than his peers to grasp a task, don’t panic! They have plenty of time to learn and they will all move at their own individual pace.
• Do not persist with a certain activity if it does not appeal to your toddler or if they are finding it frustrating. You can leave it for a while and try again at a later stage or it may be something they just do not enjoy.

How To Choose The Best Activities For 18 Month Old

It is also important to remember that 18 month old toddlers do not like to be bored.

They are on the cusp of wanting to be more independent and defiant… so it is hugely important to keep them on track with regards to structure and routine and teaching them how to share and be kind!

At this stage, you need to choose the correct activities for 18 month old toddlers that will complement and stimulate both their physical, mental and social development .

“Research demonstrates that developmentally appropriate play with parents and peers is a singular opportunity to promote the social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain. Furthermore, play supports the formation of the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with all caregivers that children need to thrive.” American Academy Of Paediatrics

Put simply…

Choose activities for 18 month old toddlers that are engaging, fun, creative and stimulating to ensure your little one gets the most out of every play opportunity!

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Month 18: Top 10 Sensory Activities for 18 month old toddler

Home » Toddler » Toddler Activities » Month 18: Top 10 Sensory Activities for 18 month old toddler

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As an Occupational Therapist and a Mom I have put together top activities for your 18 month old toddler. These activities will focus on strengthening their cognitive (mind) and motor (movement) development.

Ladies and gentleman please prepare for landing at Playground Airport. Local time is play-time and the temperature is moderately pleasant for kids.

For your safety and comfort, I will remain seated with my seat belt fastened until captain mom turns off the fasten seat belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the playground and that it is safe to disembark the stroller.

“On behalf of mommy Airlines, I’d like to thank…”

Bam! I don’t think mom knows what hit her as I leap out of the stroller running like flash towards the playground structure; growing giganotosaurus in size the closer I get to it. My head bobbing, surfer blonde hair waving in all directions … adrenaline increasing (wow that’s a big word for me). As I approach the playground, it towers above me.

Within the playground structure, a stratoslidotron (a slide) shines at me; this is a structure known for accelerating superheroes down a guided path. Without hesitation I begin the 1.23 sec flash climb to the top.. wow… another 0.32 seconds and down I go.. woohoo…. That was fun!

As I look around I see fellow toddlers running around the playground with smiles ear to ear. A rush of serotonin pushes me to join the funtivities. Zoom! I’m running under structures, over the small mushrooms and … Hmmm… there is a large ladder in front of me. All the big kids climbed up so quickly. Hmmm… can I do it? Let’s try.

Up I go the first step… yikes slipped down. Lets try again! Up… up… I made it!!! When I turn around I see captain mom clapping and smiling. I started to clap away. Wait… where are the kids? They are all the way on the other side. OK… off I go! See you all next month.

Every day our toddlers are getting more confident. Just like Josh liking to push himself and test his limits. Having an environment where there are more skilled children allows him to get more motivated and try new things. A playground is a perfect location to have fun and learn new skills.

Here are my top 10 sensory activities for your 18 month old toddler.

As always, these activities have been tried and tested.

Activities for your 18 month old toddler

1. climbing the playground structures.

Little toddlers love to explore. Their confidence is increasing. A playground is a perfect location to help them explore and learn new skills.

Most local playgrounds provide many structures that your little one can climb.

2. Play dough fun

Play dough is lots of fun and has many benefits.

How to Play

When introducing play dough, give your little one time to explore how it feels. They may start squeezing and pulling it apart. After a few minutes start introducing new concepts. After a while you may provide an open-ended play opportunity to see what else they can come up with.

Let me get you started with the following ideas. Play dough can be:

• Pulled apart
• Squeezed into different directions
• You can hide objects in it. Start with larger objects such as toy coins, little animals etc. The first few times you may need to hide the objects for them.
• Once things are hidden in play dough your little one can start digging through it and pull them out.
• Poking is also fun. Start with them using their pointer finger to make holes in the play dough.
• Introduce play dough toys that can poke and manipulate play dough.

I also recommend singing songs to match a particular action you are trying to encourage them to do. Make up songs about rolling, poking or squeezing play dough as you play.

No–cook Play Dough Recipe:

Ingredients:.

• 2 cups plain flour
• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cups of boing water
• Food coloring

What to do:

• Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
• In another bowl add water and mix it with food coloring
• Add both mixtures together
• Stir until combined (it still might be sticky)
• Allow it to rest
• Take it out of the bowl and knead it until the stickiness is gone
• If after a few minutes of kneading it’s still sticky then keep adding small amounts of flour. Keep adding until you have reached perfect play dough consistency.

3. Rumble play

This can be a very regulating activity with many benefits. The main goal however is to have fun! As the name of the game suggests it’s rumble time. Find an open area so you and your toddler don’t bump into surrounding furniture.

Things you can do : cuddle them while falling backwards or sideways, lift them up, turn them around. Let them jump around on pillows or you (if you feel comfortable with that).

Occupational Therapy Tip:

If you notice that your toddler is getting over excited. Stop and take a break. Once your toddler has calmed down you can play again.

4. Feather blowing

Skills developed.

By doing activities that involve the mouth, your toddler gets to work on their oral motor skills. Oral motor activities have benefits related to speech, feeding and regulation.

By blowing feathers your toddler practices how to coordinate their lips, cheeks and jaw with airflow. Their muscle tone gets strengthened. They build awareness of their mouth, tongue, lips and jaw. Overall this is a great activity that strengthens your toddler’s muscles and builds coordination.

I started with feathers, as they are the easiest to blow. You want your child to feel some success to increase their motivation to play. Seeing a feather move is very exciting. Knowing that you are the one that made it move is even more so.

You can start by demonstrating it. Blow on your child’s hands or face so they know how it feels. Then, blow the feather. I recommend placing the feather on your hand and keeping it close to your toddlers mouth. This will ensure that even a small amount of air will move the feather. As they get more comfortable with it you can move it further away. You can also place it on a table and have them blow the feather off.

5. Doodle fun with chalk

Drawing with chalk is lots of fun. It feels different then crayons and it disappears when wet.  The primary goal is to have fun with it! It’s not about drawing perfect lines.  It is about learning the cause and effect and scribbling. You can encourage them to draw horizontal and vertical lines but it’s ok if they won’t do it yet.

OT (Occupational Therapist) Tips

– Try drawing on different surfaces (wood, cement, paper, chalk board). – Drawing on a vertical surface is very beneficial. Working on a vertical surface strengthens muscles in the shoulders and in the wrist. Those are important for many fine motor skills such as writing and cutting. – Have fun drawing but also show them what happens when you put water on it. Encourage your toddler to clean the surface using large hand movements. Movements that go up and down, side to side and around in a circle. – Using chalk, water, large hand movments as well as drawing on multiple surfaces provides a mulitsensory learning environment. Using mulitple senses allows more cognitive connections and associations to be made with this concept. Meaning they will remember and retain information more easily. Practicing these movements will make it easier for your toddler to later draw lines and circles.

6. Spice it up

Equipment:  Empty spice container, cut up pipe cleaners

Your toddler will be strengthening their hands while opening and closing the container.  This activity can be graded up or down depending on your toddler.

Option 1. Open and close the container while putting the pipe cleaners in and out.

Option 2. Open and close the lid while putting the pipe cleaners through the small holes (see picture above).

7. Dancing Caterpillar

This caterpillar has been one of my favorite toys for many years now. It is a toy that can grow with your child for many years.

At this age you can throw away the instructions with the game for another year or so. Instead try my idea.

Equipment:  Just the dancing caterpillar and blueberries

On each of the caterpillar arms place one blueberry. (Note: You can use other foods/snacks that your child prefers).

Then get the caterpillar dancing and have your toddler collect the blueberries and eat them. If your toddler struggles to take them off while the caterpillar is moving try it stationary first.

8. Messy play: Pool of flowers

Equipment:  Large container of water, flower petals and cups, spoons, ladles or whatever your toddler decides he wants to play with in the water bath.

This can be a very open ended activity. Follow your child’s lead and present some guidance if they feel stuck. Some ideas include: pouring water from one container to the next, fishing out individual petals, searching for hidden objects, sticking the petals on the wall or your nose!

9. Walk about

Taking your toddler for a walk around the block can put you on a path for some adventures. You never know what you may encounter. Just remember not to rush your toddler.

Your toddler can practice many fine motor skills by shredding leaves, breaking sticks apart or picking little flowers from the ground.

Their shoulders and hands can strengthen as they lift heavy rocks to find what creatures are hiding underneath it.

Your toddler can practice their gross motor skills as they walk on different surfaces and different inclines.

They also stimulate their visual and auditory senses by simply being and observing the surrounding environment.

10. Dance party

It’s time to let your hair down and get goofy with your toddler. You probably spend a lot of your time teaching your toddler about boundaries but with this activity it’s time to make room for some fun.

Put on your or your toddler’s favorite music and dance! Dance on the floor, the couch and maybe get your toddler flying in the air. Anything goes. Just make sure to laugh and have fun!

There you have it. My top 10 Sensory Activities for your 18 month old toddler. These are bound to spark up other ideas. Let me know what activities you have tried in the comments section below.

Remember: Each baby develops at their own pace. If your child is not ready or not interested in this month’s activities, just try them again in a few weeks.

Disclaimer: The activities in this blog are intended for sensory play. They are not a replacement for treatment of children with Sensory Processing Disorder, are not medical advice and should not be used in place of the care of a medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. These activities should be facilitated and supervised by an adult. All activities are to be performed at your own risk and in no event shall Sensory Lifestyle   be liable for any damages.

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Activities for 18 month old.

One of the biggest tasks for us mommies is to keep our infant busy with some learning activities. But for many new mothers, it is a hectic chore to keep their 18 month old baby.

So, what is the solution? Most importantly, what are our options? Well, if you are looking for the best daily activities for your 18 month old, you are at the right place.

This article will guide you about the best learning, sensory, and indoor printable activities that you can try without any fuss. We also got you covered with the rainy day and fun outdoor activities too.

The bonus point is, if you’re planning to travel in the near future, we also got some pretty hacks to keep your baby busy in the airplane during the whole flight. So, worry not, and keep on reading!

Table of Contents

18 month old milestones

Well, now your toddler is 1.5 years old. This is the time when they are full of hyper energy and love to explore everything. Keep in mind that it is normal for an 18 month old baby to show some tantrums.

In case you’re looking for what is the normal behavior for kids at this age, then here’s the information we don’t want you to miss:

• They can understand and repeat the commonly used items like cups, glass, and spoons.
• They know how to hold the cup and can sense the difference between hot and cold.
• An eighteen month old toddler can walk and sit freely without any assistance.
• At this age, it is normal for toddlers to show some regression and disturbed sleep patterns.

Children of this age can intake solid food items for breakfast and lunch. Also, this is the perfect time for weaning off breastfeeding schedule .

30 Daily Activities For Your 18 Month Old Baby

Toddler gets excited very easily. Well, that is the curse of blessing because as soon as you try that activity with them, there is no charm in it for them. But we have a perfect solution for this problem of yours.

Our editors have collaborated with experienced mothers and gathered some of the perfect extravagant activities to try every day. So that sums up to a new activity for each day. 

Learning Activities For 18 Month Old

Learning is very important for toddlers. With this young and active mind, they can adapt to new things very quickly. So, here are the best learning activities that will surely get their interest.

1. Match The Socks

I used to play this game a lot with my little baby. It is a fun way of teaching your kid about patterns and colors.

To ensure that they remember the color names, speak the shade color and ask them to match it with its pair.

2. Walk On Bubble Wrap

Let me assure you that this is going to be so much fun. All you need to do is place a bubble wrap mat on the floor and encourage your kid to walk over it.

The kid will feel a change in the texture of the surface. It is a fun way to teach your child about shapes and objects.

3. Can You Draw The Same?

For this activity, you will need paper and some crayons. Then draw some shapes on the paper and challenge your kid to whether they can make it or not.

Let me assure you that toddlers of this age love to accept challenges, and they will try their best to prove you wrong. 

4. Match The Animals With Toys

This is a fun way of teaching your toddler the animals’ names. To execute this activity, you will need a Playbook and a matching set of toys.

Take out all the twice and ask your kid to match the toys with the pictures in the Playbook. This is the best and most effective way (we tested it).

5. Balance The Ball On The Roll

 We all have tissue paper rolls stored in our pantry. Well, this is a time when we need to use them.

Place the tissue paper rolls in a row and give your toddler some colorful balls. Then ask them to balance the balls over the rolls. 

Sensory Activities For 18 Month Old

Sensory activities are great and essential for a kid’s mental development. It encourages them to think and plan effectively.

That’s why child psychologists always recommend including some sensory activities in the daily routine of toddlers.

1. Try The Sensory Walk

This is the perfect activity that you can do in your living room. Arrange some small rectangular wooden boards and ask your kid to walk between them.

You can also do this with pots or old books. At the end of the walk, give your child some sweets to celebrate their first milestone!

2. Play With Dough

Children love to play with the dough. Well, you can add a little twist to this play. Give your child dough or slime. And ask them to make their favorite animal shape.

Keep in mind that this is going to be a messy play, but worry not; we also got you covered on how to remove slime from children’s clothes .

3. Kitchen Band Play

This activity will surely make your toddler giggle. Place Steel pots in front of your kid and start taping over them. Well, you can wake up your inner singer and sing some rhymes along with it.

Let me assure you that after some time, your kid will also start singing. This is the perfect activity to boost their confidence. 

4. Build A Block House

Usually, an 18 month old Kid has a lot of block sets. And they love to play with them. So why not give them the challenge to build a home by their block set?

By doing so, they can picture their imagination. This activity is great for promoting Motor skills in your toddler.

5. The Water Play

Water-based activities are perfect for teaching your child about balance. You can fill a bucket full of water and ask your kid to transfer half the water to the other bucket.

For more fun, you can add a colored ice cube to the water and challenge them to transfer all water before it changes color.

Rainy Day Activities For 18 Month Old

Keeping your kid inside a home on a rainy day is probably the most hectic task for parents. For toddlers, rain is amazing, and they love to play in rainwater which may result in seasonal flu.

So how to keep your toddler engaged in fun activities during rainy days? Well, worry not, here are some of our test hacks that work every time!

1. Read A Nursery Book Together

Reading is a perfect way to keep your child easy on a rainy day without giving them a phone.

You can read their favorite storybook, or you could also write a fairy tale with them. To build their interest in reading, give them a little treat after this task.

2. Watching A Movie Together

This activity may seem a little off to you, but it is essential to watch television with your toddlers. This will strengthen your bond with them.

In the meantime, you can also practice positive parenting . We strongly suggest you watch a toy movie rather than a soap opera.

3. Let’s Bake A Cake

If you want to protect your child from rain, then you must have an equally interesting task. Well, toddlers love cake and chocolate treats. So why not bake a cake together?

This will keep them inside war and busy with productive activity, and after that, you can enjoy a pure delicacy.

4. Shake A Leg Together

Be assured that your toddler is going to love this activity. As they say, when it rains, do dance. So be ready to shake your leg.

Play the favorite song of your kid and start dancing like no one is watching you. At the start, your child will giggle, but after a few moments, they will join you.

5. Flip Through Old Photos

Every family has tons of photos. We, parents, love to click and save photos of our children. A rainy day is a perfect time to go through all the old memories.

Show your child the funny photos and tell them how they used to act silly yet adorable. 

Montessori Activities For 18 Month Old 

Montessori activities promote self-learning and encourage kids to explore more. That’s why they are preferred by parents planning to leave their children in daycare. These activities also help them to learn and play effortlessly.

1. Practice Reading Aloud

The first thing that daycare teachers teach your children is reading. So why not be a step ahead? You can read a rhyme book aloud with your toddler.

By doing so, you are killing two birds with one stone as your kid will practice speaking and unconsciously remember some nursery rhymes.

2. Cut The Bread Slice

For this activity, you have to be near your toddler all the time. Place a piece of bread on a plate and give your child a plastic knife. After that, tell them to cut the slice into square and rectangular shapes.

You can also give them a bottle cap with a circle shape. While practicing it, always be around to prevent any mishaps.

3. Practice Finger Painting

This DIY Montessori activity is essential for self-awareness. You can get edible paint and ask your kid to dip their fingers into it. You can also make some paintings with it.

We strongly suggest you get edible paint rather than the normal dye. As your kid may eat it during this activity.

4. Prepare Your Own Lunch

In Montessori or daycare centers , you are supposed to give your child a lunch box. So why not start their training a little early?

You can give them lunch essentials and ask them to make their own lunch box. Be available to help them but first, let the kid showcase their imagination.

5. Pretend Cleaning Task

Cleaning is one of the practical Montessori activities. You can ask your child to clean the living room.

For an authentic touch, you could place some books or throw some wrappers, ask your child to pick them up, and throw them in the dustbin. If they do it without even asking, trade them with chocolate candy.

Printable Activities For 18 Months Old

18 months is a suitable age to introduce some printable activities. These activities will teach your child how to make shapes and how to fill the colors in them. These easy, fantastic tasks will keep your baby busy for prolonged hours.

1. Replicate A Painting

Print a famous painting and place carbon paper underneath it. Then ask your toddler to draw it.

Due to the carbon paper, you will get the impression of the painting. Then fill it with colors. For more fun, limit your toddler to primary colors only.

2. Print A 3D Ball

This idea is only suitable for you if you have a 3D printer at home. You can print a ball or any shape and give it to your kid.

For a comparison, give a normal ball and ask your toddler whether they can feel the change in texture or not. 

3. Circle The Dot

This easy yet interesting activity is great for kids up to 2 years of age. You can print a piece of paper full of dots and ask your toddler to make circles by joining the dots.

It may take them a while to understand the task completely, but you can also help them by showing an example.

4. Go With Some Number Art

If you are teaching your alphabet or numbers, then you are going to love this idea. Print number art or alphabets and encroach your toddler to read them allowed.

You can also laminate the paper and make a bet with your kids that they cannot fill color to the numbers.

5. Try Some Paper Art

Pleasing children with paper art is getting more popular day by day. It may be a hectic little task for parents, but for the happiness of our child, we can do this.

Watch a YouTube tutorial and make DIY paper art. For more fun, you can also teach it to your children.

Indoor Activities For 18 Month Old

Want to keep your kid busy indoors? But the problem is many parents give their young children cell phones or turn on the televisions just to keep them happy and engaged. That is not so great for the kid’s health and schedule.

Instead of more screen time, Try our below-listed activities that you can execute effortlessly.

1. Make Flower Ice Cubes

This is a great way by which you can keep your kid busy and productive simultaneously. Give them an ice tray. Pour some food colors into it and fill it up with water.

After that, place it in your freezer and show your children how water will become denser and change its color.

2. Toddler Unusual Photoshoot

This indoor activity is mainly for parents rather than toddlers. You need to dress them in fancy clothes and do a photoshoot.

Encourage your toddler to strike some poses. If you want to make things extravagant, you can do a cartoon character photoshoot.

3. Teach Them Emotions

Emotions drive our behavior, but our little ones don’t know how to tackle anger and fear. Well, with this activity, you can teach them a valuable lesson about expressing and controlling their emotions.

You can ask them to draw shapes representing the smile, cry, and confused look.

4. Sponge Water Play

Kids love to make mess with a sponge, and eventually, it is a great way to keep them busy playing happily. Well, I used to give water and a sponge to my daughter and ask her to clean the tiles.

By doing so, I was killing two birds with one stone. You can try this too at home.

5. Put On Fake Makeup!

If your little one is more into arts and crafts, then this is the perfect idea for you to try. You can act as a client and let your little one be the beautician.

Ask them to give you a nice makeover without using any real product. Let me assure you that kids just love this, and they can spend hours doing it.

Airplane Activities For 18 Month Old

Nothing is more irritating than being on a flight with a crying child. To be honest, it can be difficult to deal with kids while on airplanes.

So that is why it is essential to tackle them and keep them busy during the flight. Here are some of the interesting ideas that might come in handy during such situations.

• Keep them busy in sticker books.
• Put on their favorite movie and let them watch it.
• Take their favorite toy on a flight.
• Take some candies and snacks Along with you to give them during the flight.
• You can also put a color book in your hand carry and let your child do some art and craft.

Be very gentle with your kid on the flight. Keep in mind that it is normal for little ones to cry. Never raise your voice, and try your best to deal nicely in any situation.

Wrapping It Up!

18 months old is a very special age as, at this age, toddlers love to explore and do things according to their imaginations. It is best to keep them busy with some learning and fun activities.

It is normal for toddlers to show interest in one activity one day and find no charm in it the next day. That’s why parents need to adapt to new, fun, and unique activities every week.

We hope that this article helps you to create a great parenting Bond with your toddler. Well, in the meantime, be happy and keep on loving your children!

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50 Activities For 18 Months Old Babies To Have Fun

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Do you want your 18-month-old to be calm and engaged? Then, try out any of these activities for 18 months old, and you won’t regret it.

If you are with a handful of toddlers at home, school, or anywhere, you will have to question your sanity if you do not know how to manage them, and in what ways can you do this?

Engaging them in activities that will spark their curiosity, attract their attention, and make them want to try new things and have fun all at the same time.

Be ready; some of these activities will make them make a big mess, so you should start thinking of ways to manage these messes alongside.

Handling mess is hard for you, right? Maybe you should probably think of getting them toys or fixing them with different programs on TV as an easier option, instead of all the mess and stress.

Well, it is not a good idea if you are thinking along this line. Think of the vital skills like motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and tactile skills that your kids would miss out on if you do not engage them. It’s indeed worth it.

In this article, I have written 50 activities for 18 months old, carefully selected to help you engage your little toddler and make him start developing the necessary skills and reaching developmental milestones.

These activities include games for 18-month-olds, learning activities, indoor activities, sensory activities, rainy day activities, airplane activities, outdoor activities, car activities, and activities for 18-month-olds at home.

Some Developmental Milestones For 18 months Old

it is important to note the developmental milestones for your child to know the activities they can engage in. That’s why you need to take note of the ability of your child at 18 months before planning activities for 18 months old for them.

These are some traits and behaviors your little one should show by 18 months. You should start helping your little one reach these milestones by training. Below are some developmental milestones for 18 months old:

• Better attention span.
• Improved sensitivity.
• Physical development.
• Better social skills.
• Interest in things.
• Follow some gestures.
• Saying some simple words.
• Points to what they want.
• Can imitate simple things like potty, toothbrush, telephone, etc.
• They start trying to undress.

Note that not all kids show these milestones all at once, so train your child to the behaviors you want him to have instead of comparing or complaining.

If you notice your child does not show any of these skills, you may have to call your pediatrician, as this is not a good sign.

Tips To Make Activities For 18 Month Old Fun And Productive

Before we look through the 50 activities for 18 months old, let’s see some tips that would make these toddler activities both fun and productive.

• Introduce the game to the toddler and let him take it up from there while you watch and guide him.
• Every activity does not always have a set plan or goal, as it almost always changes. Instead, go with the flow.
• Follow your toddler’s pace.
• Most toddlers put things in their mouths, so try to ensure you get edible and nontoxic things for play.
• Be ready for the mess, so prepare ahead with the right clothes, waterproof covers, etc., to reduce clutter.
• Join your kids in fun.
• Your toddler can leave an activity and return to it again, so be ready for it.
• Plan activities beforehand; that’s why you have these 50 activities for 18 months old if you are short of ideas.
• Sometimes, involving the whole family in these activities can be more fun for your toddler.

50 Fun Activities For 18 Month Old Babies

I bet you can wait to get started, jotting down ideas and activities for your 18 months Old. Well, I am all set to share them; below are 50 activities for 18 months old you don’t want to miss.

1.  Slimy Spaghetti

This is one sensory activity for 18 months old. It is super easy to make this. You can use leftover spaghetti or noodles for this or cook up a new batch just for this purpose.

Once you have your cooked spaghetti, divide the spaghetti into smaller containers, add some gel edible food color, and then mix it up.

Add a few drops of oil to make the pasta slimy. The colors will surely attract your toddler, and he will be eager to touch, cut the strands to pieces and even eat some, and it’s ok if he does all that.

2.  Play With Playdough

Play dough is something you should add as fun toys and gifts for your toddler; see more gift ideas in the post 50 gift ideas for kids.

Get a nontoxic play dough and give it to your 18 months old so he can feel it. Or you may do a demo by smashing it or making miniature figurines before him.

Doing this would surely attract his attention. Allow him to explore the texture. Let him roll, squash, squeeze or even bite it. It would help develop his grasp, hand-eye coordination, and bilateral coordination.

3.  Play With A Small Bag Of Flour

Toddlers would love to explore and play with sand and while it can be fun, toddlers often put things in their mouth. To safeguard against this, give your toddler a small bag of flour instead.

Let them play and explore the texture, be very watchful and observant with this as you don’t want your child snorting excess of it and choking.

4.  Make Edible Shaving Cream For Your Kid To Play With

Whisk some egg whites, and add a few drops of vinegar into it. Then, sift in some corn flour till the paste is a bit stiff and spread it on a tray.

Take some scoops to make some moustache on your chin. This would surely draw your toddler’s attention, and he would want to try too.

5.  Blow Up Bubbles

It is a great outdoor activity for 18 months old on a calm day. You both can go out, have fun, blow, and swash bubbles using a bubble machine.

6.  Paint On Sticky Paper

This activity may be pretty messy, but I assure you, your little one would so love it. Take sticky paper and tape it on the wall. Make sure the sticky part is not taped to the wall.

Get small paint, especially edible ones, brushes and make a collage on the sticky wall. Make sure he does a handprint when you both are done.

He can finish it up with some sprinkles. This is one activity for 18 months olds should not be missed.

7.  Stickers On The Wall

Do you want both creative and sensory activities for 18 months at home? Then let your kid stick stickers on the wall to create a beautiful mural.

8.  Stack Up

Stacking up Lego blocks is an everyday activity for 18 months olds. I recommend you get the mega Lego blocks or crates so they do not easily swallow it up. Also, check for the ones that are made with non-toxic materials.

9.  Let Them Play In The Mud

Muddy-play is a rainy day activity for 18 months olds. You can let your little one play with his friends or other siblings. Let them explore the soft soil, mash, squash, and even smear it all over.

Many toddlers love this, and yes, he will be messy; just be sure to watch that he doesn’t put mud in his mouth and has a thorough bath after hours of mud play.

10.  Scoop And Pour

My son has loved this activity to date and it is one of the activities for 18 months olds you can try today. Fill the bathtub or fill a little bucket and encourage your child to fill up an empty bucket with a little cup.

11.  Picking Flowers

For toddlers who love the outdoor scene, an activity you can try out with them is to collect flowers and let them cut the beautiful petals, leaves, and stalks, sprinkling them on a bucket of water.

This is a refreshing activity for 18 months olds. Ensure your child does not play with flowers that irritate their senses.

12.  Muddy Soup

I loved this one while I was younger, and I know many toddlers do. Get a small bucket of water and let your kid fill in stones, sand, leaves, and sticks into the bucket to make a muddy soup.

Do not miss out on the fun part. Let them stir with a large ladle spoon. This is an exciting activity for 18 months olds as it gives them the illusion of making soup.

Children like to mirror their parents, so indulge them.

13.  Toy Bath

Run a bath with lots of bubbles and let your little kiddo bathe his bath toys. Be close by while he does this so he does not swallow soap or sink into the water.

14.  Peel Up Bananas

This activity for 18 months old can teach your child to grasp and develop hand-eye coordination. Cut up bananas with the skin still on them.

Peel one in his presence and eat it. It should spur him to peel up the cut-up pieces by himself. It also teaches him how to peel bananas when he wants to eat one, as a bonus.

15.  Sorting Out

You have colorful cereals, right? Mix them up and guide your toddler to sort them out, color by color. This fun activity for 18 months olds can help your child learn colors and counting, etc.

16.  Make Him Play With Cookie Dough

Using edible cookie dough, get cookie cutters in fun shapes or designs like stars, cars, etc., and let him join in the fun of mixing up, cutting and baking cookies for the family.

17.  Let Your Child Play With The Mixed Dough

Add water into the flour and some food coloring, if you want some colors. Then let your kid touch it and feel the texture. This is an excellent activity for 18 months olds to explore textures.

18.  Sorting Out Colorful Ribbons

Get a transparent bottle and let your little one try this creative activity for 18 months olds. Add different colorful ribbons into the bottles and pour in some sprinkles. Cover it and shake it up.

Allow your toddlers to watch the colors as the ribbons twirl and they’ll be engaged.

19.  Play With Colorful Straws And Coriander

For this fun activity for your 18 months old, set the coriander on a table and pass some straws inside the holes of the coriander.

Your kid would be excited to try it out too. Allow him to continue piping different colors of straws through the coriander.

20.  Let Him Play On The Playground

If your kid has not played on a playground before, he should try it out now that he is 18 months. Guide your 18 months old to climb steps and slide, swing, and have fun with the playground structures.

He would learn balance, motor planning, hand and shoulder coordination, etc. It would also boost his confidence as he sees and plays with other kids/ and allow him to explore, which is excellent for your little one.

21.  Rumble Jumble

It is an excellent activity for 18-month-old. My son loves this, and we still play this game at two. Use a play mat or the bed so that you both don’t hit on any object.

Roll your little one backwards or sideways, tickle, cuddle, lift him up and down, and have a good laugh together. It’s so much fun.

22.  Scribbling

Using crayons, chalk, or colored pencils, let your toddler scribble on a paper, board, or drawing book and let him learn how to grasp.

You can try drawing simple lines and shapes with him too. This activity for 18 months old will help develop motor skills like writing.

23.  Paint With Crayons Or Colored Pencils

Your toddler may not be able to draw a basic shape. Draw a circle or square and paint it with a crayon. Let him learn how to do what you did by painting the shape.

24.  Play With Toy Caterpillars With Dangling Arms

Use this toy to make a fun activity for your 18months old. You both can stick small colorful cereals on the arms of the caterpillar and let your toddler collect them and try to eat them up while they dangle in the toy.

25.  Create A Pool Of Petals And Lots More

Grab some colorful flowers and dissect their petals. Then add it to a bowl or tray of water to create a petal pool. You can add other things like small rubber toys, cups, spoons, etc., and let your kid have fun playing with them.

This is an excellent way for your kids to express themselves. You all can create music together by using plastic bowls and plates as drums and sticks and see if you can recreate the tune of Baby Shark or play any favorite music of your kid.

Allow your 18 months old jump, stomp and dance it out, it is exciting and fun for him, just make sure he is in a safe environment.

27.  Marble Painting

It is a fun activity for 18-month-old to try out with your baby. Get different colors and paint with a brush and apply them to give a marble design.

28.  Let Your Toddler Help You Wash Fruits

The next time you are preparing fruit salad, enlist your little toddler’s aid and let him help wash fruits. Start with little fruits like berries.

Later he can earn to wash bigger fruits like apples, mangoes, etc. He should do this with a bucket or bowl of water and a tiny toothbrush (not previously used).

29.  Let Him Act As The Cook

I am pretty sure your little one must have watched you cook up things in the kitchen, and he will want to try it out too. Well, do not make him miss the opportunity.

Getting a small kitchen for your toddler would be great for trying “cook .”If you do not have one, you can get small pans, plates and, spoons and, old cereals, cups and let him cook up a storm. You can let him make muddy soup or mix flour with water.

30.  Stacking Up

Get plates and cups of the exact sizes, scatter them up and see if your toddler can stack up the plates and cups. When he can complete this task, switch things up by adding plates and cups of different sizes to make it a bit more fun.

31.  Let Him Be Your Garden Assistant

Let him pick dead leaves and things; let him play with the sand and pebbles while you are in the garden. It would make him learn about his environment and keep him busy.

32.  Take A Walk Around The Block

A simple way for your child to get acquainted with his environment. If you always go outdoors around your neighborhood with your kid, he will soon be able to connect and understand his environment.

So going for a walk outdoors is an excellent activity for 18 months old.

33.  Visit The Pool

It is an ideal time to introduce you to 18 months old to the use of the swimming pool. You use the bath at home or your private swimming pool, or the pool in your community or city.

Be sure to get nice pool clothes and be ready to do this activity inside the water with your kid.

34.  Visit The Beach

Beach time is not only a time to connect as a family, your little one can have fun and learn while doing that. He can learn to build sandcastles, pick pebbles, unravel shells, etc.

35.  A Visit To A Children’s Amusement Park

Your kid shouldn’t miss this at this age because it offers an excellent opportunity to learn and have fun. Your child develops his communication skills and makes new friends.

Children’s amusement parks are easier to use for 18 months than public parks, so plan to take your 18 months old to a children’s amusement park.

36.  You Can Get Squigz Toys For Them To Play With

Squigz toys are amazing for your kids especially on a flight,  which will surely amaze your little one. Ensure you get the bigger sizes for little toddlers, so they do not swallow them up.

It will keep them engaged and distracted while you fly and make them less anxious about the unfamiliar environment.

37.  Let Them Play With Finger Puppets

Buy your 18 months old a lot of finger puppets and show them how to play with them. They can decide to come up with an excellent play while on the flight.

This activity for 18 months old can excite your baby and make the flight fun for them. Children are excellent story tellers even if you don’t always understand them. They have a wild imagination, let them explore it.

38.  Let Them String Edible Necklaces And Brackets

Carry along with small packs of different colored cereals and beads and a thread to string beautiful edible bracelets and necklaces while onboard a plane.

39.  Painting A Water Coloring Book

This can be a great activity when they’re on the plane. The book comes in different themes, but one thing is sure: this activity helps to keep your toddler engaged, so it’s a great airplane activity for 18-month-olds.

40.  Sing Along The Ride

Want a fun and not-so-dull car ride? Then you and the kids should take turns singing all-time favorite rhymes and poems that they enjoy singing. As each one sings, everyone should sing along with them.

Your 18 months old is not let out from this activity. I bet he will be so eager to join in the fun.

He can mumble favorite tunes like Baa baa black sheep and old MacDonald. It’s an activity for 18 months old; you should try it on your next ride.

41.  Let Him Play With Colorful Cars, Train Tracks, Or A Train Track Or Board

It would make him feel like he is the one driving the vehicle and keep him pretty engaged and give a bit of free time to take a nap.

Just don’t nap so far away as babies tend to explore their environment.

42.  Stick On

Sticking stickers during a car ride can be great fun. Make your toddler stick beautiful stickers on a book or the window while driving. Make sure this does not affect your view of the road as you drive.

This is a fun activity for 18 month olds to keep busy.

43.  Make Little Monsters Out Of Shape

Get colorful cardboard and a pen, cut out shapes, glue in little white squares, and make eyes with them; cut out a tiny portion that can stick between your child’s fingers; with this, your little one can learn to create colors and shapes.

44.  Circular Motion

This is one fun activity for 18 months old at home. In a zip lock bag, add some buttons and stick them together with a transparent gel. Then draw a cycle around the buttons in the bag with a marker.

Encourage your toddler to push the buttons in and out of the circle. He may also match the buttons according to colors.

45.  Ice Painting

A painting on ice takes painting to another level. Get large ice cubes and paint on them. Let your toddler watch how the ice melts with the colors.

46.  Matching Socks

Know how well your kid can identify colors and things by getting him to match little socks with their correct pair. Your child can learn a lot, like colors, counting, and critical thinking skills.

47. Let Them Remove Elastic Bads From Objects

Let your toddler put colorful elastic bands on a toy and see if he can remove them himself.

Next, test him and let him try putting in the elastic bands on straws and pull them out himself. This activity will help build fine motor skills.

48.  Playing With Bubble Wrap

I always love the feel of bubble wrap on the hand, and I bet many people do. Make your toddler try out this sensory activity.

Please give him a bubble wrap and let him feel and play with it. You can also tape it on the floor of your sidewalk in your home and let him walk on it with shoes on and barefooted.

49.  Make Him Float A Kite

Doing this outside the house would be more fun. Make a kite for your little one and demonstrate how to float one to him. You can do this either in the park or your yard.

Then give him the string to float them himself and watch how excited he becomes from flying a kite. This is a fun activity for 18 months olds to try.

50.  Blowing Action

While trying to train your child’s mouth muscles, give him miniature balloons with pipes and let him learn how to blow them. He can also learn to blow by blowing air bubbles.

For toddlers below 18 months old, you can check out activities you can engage them with by clicking this link here .

These 50 activities for your 18 months old were awesome, right? You can start trying them out on the weekend and tell me how they went on the comment session. Be good and loads of love!

Save this for later, momma!

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46 Of The Best Indoor Activities For 18 Month Olds

By: Author Brenda Kosciuk

Posted on Published: June 23, 2022  - Last updated: July 15, 2023

Does being stuck inside all day long with your 18 month old give you anxiety? I remember when my daughter when through the phase of taking out a bin of toys, dumping it, then moving on to the next bin.

It’s exhausting!

Sometimes we need to know how to keep toddlers busy and from destroying the house.

So, whether it’s a rainy day, the cold winter months or or you simply can’t do any outdoor kid’s activities today, I hope this list of simple activities is helpful!

What activities should I be doing with my 18 month old?

There are many ways that you can involve your 18 month old in your activities throughout the day (such as cooking and cleaning). Singing, reading, counting and reciting the ABCs are also things that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine.

What should I be teaching my 18 month old?

My favorite approach is to incorporate “teaching” into the everyday moments. Count the stairs as you are going up. Sing the ABCs as you are brushing your toddler’s teeth. Talk about what you see when you’re in the car, taking a walk, running errands, etc.

This post contains affiliate links.

Indoor Activities For An 18 Month Old

1. Have Your Child “Help” You

Toddlers at this age LOVE to be helpful (and believe me, it doesn’t last forever so soak it up while it lasts!)

If you are cleaning, having your toddler help clean him from destroying the house. He can:

• wash the floors, the cabinets, the table, etc with a rag and bucket of water.
• put the dirty laundry into the washer
• take the groceries out of their bags
• water the plants
• dust with a dry rag

Reading with toddlers is one of the most beneficial indoor activities for kids of all ages that you can do and is so important in the development of language skills.

Make sure to keep books easily accessible in all areas of the house that your toddler frequents. Reading doesn’t only have to occur at night!

And if your toddler asks to read his favorite book AGAIN?! Just do it! I know that reading Goodnight Moon AGAIN is torture for us but so beneficial for them.

Check out my favorite 2-year old stories . There’s much more out there than nursery rhymes!

3. Do Puzzles

5. play with stickers.

I find that reusable sticker books are best for the toddler stage.

6. Build A Fort

You can pillows, cushions and chairs to build a fort that your child will hopefully play in for longer than it took you to assemble it.

We can hope, right?

7. Play “Find The Object”

Ask your child to find random things around the house (and then put them back, of course!)

Some ideas would be:

• find something red
• find two small toys
• find a farm animal
• find a doll
• find different shapes

This is a great activity for when you are tired or sick and need to just sit on the couch for a while.

8. Bring Outdoor Toys Indoors

If you have the space, bring your toddler’s larger outdoor toys (not a full sized play set of course but the smaller larger things) inside for more energy-burning opportunities.

9. Play Board Games

Start teaching your toddler how to work cooperatively and take turns with these fun game ideas .

Even young toddlers will love Don’t Break The Ice and The Fishing Game .

10. Play Hide And Go Seek

Hide and seek is a great game for an 18 month old going through separation anxiety. It will help him learn that just because you are out of view does not mean you are gone!

If you’re not feeling the traditional game, I like to do this with objects (so that I don’t have to hide or seek).

Simply hide household objects around a room and have your toddler find them.

If he’s struggling, you can add in some hold/cold action.

11. Take A Blanket Ride

This is SO helpful if your toddler isn’t wanting to do something (go to bed, take a bath, etc). Which probably happens all the time, right?

Take him there on a blanket ride. It will work every time I promise. Distraction is KEY.

12. Play With A Baby Doll

This is a great pretend play activity for both boys and girls and is perfect if you have a baby or are expecting. Make it a part of your day!

If you are showering, your toddler could bathe the baby . If you are preparing food, your toddler could feed the baby doll. It’s also a great sleep cue! “Okay, it’s almost time for your nap! Why don’t you put your baby doll down for her nap?”

13. Play In The Dark

Arm your child with a flashlight and go to a dark room. He will probably simply have fun exploring.

14. Roughhouse On The Bed

The good thing about this activity is that you get to lay down. And that you and your child will have a TON of fun.

The bad news? Nothing.

15. Paint The Windows With Shaving Cream

As long as your 18 month old doesn’t put everything in his mouth, this is a great one. Bonus: when he’s done, you can clean it off the window and CLEAN the window at the same time.

I know you have toddler hand prints all over your windows.

16. Play With A Ball

Get those gross motor skills working by throwing, catching, rolling and chasing after a ball.

17. Practice Throwing

Set up a laundry basket on the ground and have your child practice throwing a ball or bean bag into it.

18. Play Red Light, Green Light

This is such a classic, but it’s so good and doesn’t require a lot of energy from you.

19. Play With A Cardboard Box

Keep any bigger cardboard boxes that you get and your toddler will have a ball playing with them. He can hide in it, climb on top of it, ride in it and have fun using his imagination to come up with endless ideas.

Developmental Activities

This list of fine motor activities is fun and also develops essential cognitive skills.

20. Stack Empty Tupperware Containers

Toddlers love to stack items and knock them down and it absolutely helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Tupperware is probably something that you have a lot of, so this is the perfect activity for your 18 month old when you are in the kitchen.

I’m sure you have child-proofed your kitchen cabinets, but if you have the space, leave one open and accessible to your toddler.

You can put the Tupperware in this cabinet, and your child can access it at anytime!

You can also include a wooden spoon and now your Tupperware become musical instruments.

21. Work On Potty Training

It might sound early, but pay attention to your child’s cues. Both of my children started to show potty training readiness around 18 months old.

According to a study referenced in the Jornel de Pediatria, in 1947 60% of children were potty trained by 18 months of age. That percentage is much lower now.

Crazy, right?

Some signs of potty training readiness are:

• pulling at a wet or dirty diaper
• hiding to pee or poop
• showing interest in others using the bathroom

If your 18 month old is showing any of these readiness signs, it won’t hurt to start working toward potty training.

You can see more information on how I potty trained both of my children before age 2 . (And I did it SUPER simply, don’t worry. It won’t be like having another full-time job).

22. Play With Pom Poms

Give your child a whole bunch of pom poms. You can have him transfer them from one container to another.

This will help fine-tune your toddler’s pincer grip, which is such an essential fine-motor skill.

You could also have him sort the pom poms by different colors, numbers, sizes, etc. The possibilities are endless!

**You can do the same with cotton balls if you don’t have pom poms.

23. Take The Month Long Physical Activity Challenge

Develop your toddler’s physical skills through daily challenges.

For example, time your child and see how long it takes him to:

• balance on one foot
• complete a stuffed animal relay race
• throw a ball into the laundry hamper

Then, see if your child can beat his time! This activity comes with 30 printable badges to give to your child once he has succeeded.

Challenging Activities For Preschoolers

24. Play Laser Chase

Take a laser and shine it around the floor. Your child will love to catch it. Seriously. Not. Kidding. Is it something you do with a cat? Yes. But sometimes our toddlers act like animals, so…

Does your toddler have WAY too much energy? Check out  how to wear out a toddler .

25. Wipes Box Lid Sorting

Does that title make sense? I don’t think so.

Take an empty baby wipes box and a bunch of lids that you’re no longer using and have your 18 year old place them in the wipes box and take them out.

And place them in and take them out. Hopefully for a long time.

26. Get A Mini Trampoline

A mini trampoline is such a great purchase (it’s pretty inexpensive) and it will entertain your child for years to come.

27. Go Bowling

Set your toddler up with plastic balls and a bunch of empty soda bottles and teach him how to bowl.

28. Create An Obstacle Course

Use whatever you can find around the house that your toddler can climb over, crawl through, run around, balance on, etc in order to create a simple obstacle course .

You can use:

• laundry baskets
• a 2×4

29. Create A Jumping Course

Place things on the floor for your child to jump over:

• plastic bowls turned upside down

Don’t be afraid to give your toddler control over the activity! Have him set up the course himself.

30. Do Gymnastics

You can practice simple skills like:

• wheelbarrow walks
• handstands with his feet on the couch
• somersaults
• jumping over small items
• balancing (put a line of painter’s tape on the floor and have your child walk it)

Educational Activities

31. learn about science.

Put baking soda onto a cookie sheet or a plate. Give your child cups of colored vinegar and a medicine dropper.

He will love to see the chemical reaction that happens again and again as he drops the vinegar onto the baking soda.

32. Practice Letter Recognition

Make learning letters fun . You can:

• Play Climb the Mountain- Place alphabet flashcards on the steps, shout out a letter and have your child climb the mountain to find it
• Play Squirt the Letter- Write letters on a chalk board or dry erase board, shout out a letter and have your toddler squirt it with a water bottle

Check out more of my fun ABC activities.

33. Pretend To Be Different Animals

Give your toddler different animal prompts, such as:

• meow like a cat
• quack like a duck
• jump like a kangaroo
• run like a cheetah
• hop like a frog

34. Have An Object Relay

This activity can be used to learn new words or concepts or just for fun.

Put something (animal figurines, colors, numbers, etc) on one end of the room and sit on the other.

Then call out names of the items and have your child run over to grab the item and bring it back to you.

35. Play Simon Says

Play songs that require movement such as:

• Baby Shark (if you can stand it!)
• The Hokey Pokey
• Head, Shoulders, Knees And Toes

37. Count Everything

Count anything and everything you can throughout the day:

• the stairs as you’re climbing them
• goldfish before your child eats them
• cars that go by as you’re watching out the window

Arts And Crafts

Sensory play ideas are always a good idea.

38. Finger Paint

Finger painting is a fun activity that can be done with what you have around the house. Use some food coloring and some whipped cream for an edible finger painting option.

You can even put dollops of paint inside a ziplock bag and have your toddler squeeze the bag in order to combine the colors.

39. Play With Play Doh

There are so many options with Play Doh. You can:

• hide objects in the Play Doh
• have your child make a road for his cars out of Play Doh
• make shapes out of it
• stamp letters into it using magnetic letters
• make indents in it with household objects
• create an animal environment complete with hills, streams, lakes, etc.

40. Play With Ice Cubes

Your toddler will love playing with ice cubes (and eating them, too). Simply put some ice cubes into a container of water.

If your really ambitious, you can freeze small toys in the ice cubes and have your toddler melt them with warm water.

41. Create A Sensory Bin

Dump a bunch of dry rice into a container and allow your child to play with it.

I love hiding a bunch of small toys in it and asking my child to try to find it.

42. Stomp On Bubble Wrap

I’m sure you’ve got a few Amazon boxes on the porch!

43. Play In A Sandbox Or With Kinetic Sand

Water play are some of toddlers favorite sensory activities. You don’t need to go outside in order to have fun with water!

44. A Pouring Water Station

This will likely be the most engaging activity you do with your 19 month old all day.

Fill up a plastic storage bin with water and give your child plastic pitchers, measuring cups and drinking cups. Have your child pour from one container to another.

45. Extend Bath Time

If your toddler is enjoying his time in the bath, let him stay in there until the water gets too chilly. Have two baths in one day if you need to!

46. Wash The Dishes

Set your toddler up with a stool or learning tower at the sink with slow running water and a little soap to make some bubbles. Add in containers, plastic cups, bowls, spoons, strainers, ladles, etc.

I hope you found some different things to add to your daily routine with this list of indoor toddler activities!

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Hands On As We Grow®

Hands on kids activities for hands on moms. Focusing on kids activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Activities for 18 Month Olds

Below you'll find many toddler activities that are perfect for 18 to 24 month olds.

We have also created a fun and simple week of activities that's perfect for toddlers (1-3 year olds) to enjoy.

All you need to do is simply enter your email below to get the week of activities to do this week with your toddler.

In this fun week of toddler activities, you'll get a taste of what we provide inside The Activity Room.

While this week for you to download is sample week just for toddlers (1-3 year olds), The Activity Room provides weeks of fun for 2-5 year olds, week after week, continually! The fun literally never ends!

We also provide an extra themed week of activities to our annual members that are committed for the entire year. So much fun to be had!

Looking for more toddler activities?

To find a toddler activity you're looking for, you can do a search in the search bar found at the top of the page, or search by topic or category that's found in a pulldown menu below.

Browse our activities for toddlers by age below (at least the age the we did them at!).

Please note: This is just the age that we tried these activities in our house. These activities may be suitable for other ages. As well as not suitable for your child that is of this age. Please take into consideration the level of development that your child is at.

Other Ages to Explore:

• 12 Month Olds
• 2 Year Olds

Looking for something? Search for activities:

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18 Month Old Activities: Fun and Educational Ideas for Toddlers

Parents of 18-month-olds are always looking for fun and engaging activities to keep their toddlers busy while also promoting their development. At this age, children are rapidly developing their cognitive, motor, and social skills. Therefore, it’s important to provide them with activities that stimulate their minds and bodies.

There are many activities that parents can do with their 18-month-olds that are not only fun but also promote development. For instance, playing with shapes can help toddlers develop their cognitive skills. They can learn to identify shapes, colors, and sizes while also developing their problem-solving skills. Parents can use various materials such as blocks, puzzles, or even food to teach their toddlers about shapes.

Another activity that parents can do with their 18-month-olds is pretend play. Pretend play can help toddlers develop their social and emotional skills. They can learn to express themselves, develop empathy, and learn to share while also having fun. Parents can encourage their toddlers to pretend to feed stuffed animals or baby toys , or even play dress-up. These activities can help toddlers develop their imagination and creativity while also promoting their development.

Table of Contents

Understanding Your 18-Month-Old’s Development

At 18 months old, children are in a phase of rapid growth and development. They are becoming more independent, curious, and expressive. Understanding their developmental milestones can help parents and caregivers support their child’s growth and provide appropriate activities to help them learn and explore.

Developmental Milestones

By 18 months, most children are able to walk, climb stairs with help, and run. They are also developing fine motor skills, such as using a spoon or crayon. Language skills are also developing rapidly, and most children can say several words and follow simple instructions.

Socially, children at this age are becoming more aware of others and may start to show empathy. They may also begin to experience separation anxiety when away from their primary caregiver. Cognitive skills are also developing, and children are becoming more curious and interested in exploring their environment.

Physical Skills

Physical development is a major aspect of an 18-month-old’s growth. They are becoming more coordinated and may be able to walk backwards or sideways. They are also learning to climb and may be able to climb onto furniture or playground equipment with assistance. Fine motor skills are also developing, and children may be able to use a spoon or fork to feed themselves, scribble with a crayon, or stack blocks.

Language Skills

Language development is another important aspect of an 18-month-old’s growth. Most children at this age can say several words, and some may even be able to say simple phrases. They are also starting to understand more complex instructions and may be able to follow simple directions.

Social Skills

Social development is also important for 18-month-olds. They are becoming more aware of others and may start to show empathy. They may also begin to play alongside other children, although they may not yet be able to fully interact with them. Separation anxiety is also common at this age, as children become more attached to their primary caregiver.

Cognitive Skills

Cognitive development is also progressing rapidly at 18 months. Children are becoming more curious and interested in exploring their environment. They may be able to identify familiar objects and begin to understand cause and effect. They are also starting to develop memory skills and may be able to remember simple routines or where objects are located.

Emotional development is an important aspect of an 18-month-old’s growth. They are becoming more expressive and may show a wider range of emotions, such as joy, frustration, or anger. They may also start to develop a sense of humor and enjoy making others laugh.

In conclusion, understanding an 18-month-old’s development can help parents and caregivers provide appropriate activities and support their child’s growth. By focusing on physical, language, social, cognitive, and emotional development, parents can help their children reach important milestones and prepare for the next stage of development.

Motor Skill Activities

At 18 months old, toddlers are rapidly developing their motor skills. Motor skills are the ability to use and control muscles to perform various actions. There are two types of motor skills: gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills involve the larger muscles of the body, such as those used for crawling, walking, and jumping. Fine motor skills involve the smaller muscles of the body, such as those used for grasping, manipulating, and holding objects. Here are some fun and engaging motor skill activities for 18-month-olds:

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills are important for developing coordination, balance, and strength. Here are some activities that can help your toddler develop their gross motor skills:

• Building blocks: Building blocks are a great way to encourage your toddler to use their gross motor skills. They can stack blocks to make towers or knock them down to improve their hand-eye coordination.
• Stacking: Stacking cups or bowls is a fun way to improve your toddler’s gross motor skills. They can stack them high and knock them down, which helps with balance and coordination.
• Pass the ball: Playing catch or pass the ball with your toddler can help improve their gross motor skills. It encourages them to use their arms and legs to throw and catch the ball.

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are important for developing hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Here are some activities that can help your toddler develop their fine motor skills:

• Playdough: Playing with playdough is a fun way to improve your toddler’s fine motor skills. They can roll it, squeeze it, and shape it, which helps with hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• Local playground: Taking your toddler to a local playground can help improve their fine motor skills. They can climb, slide, and swing, which helps with balance and coordination.
• Pass the ball: Playing pass the ball can also help improve your toddler’s fine motor skills. It encourages them to catch and throw the ball, which helps with hand-eye coordination.

In conclusion, there are many fun and engaging motor skill activities for 18-month-olds. These activities can help improve their gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and overall development.

Sensory Play Activities

Sensory play activities are an excellent way to engage and stimulate an 18-month-old’s senses, helping them to develop their cognitive and motor skills. Here are some fun and easy sensory play activities that parents can try with their little ones:

• Color Sorting: Set up a color sorting activity by gathering different colored objects such as blocks, balls, and toys. Encourage the toddler to sort the objects by color, helping them to develop their color recognition skills.

• Shape Sorting: Similar to color sorting, shape sorting activities can help toddlers develop their shape recognition skills. Gather different-shaped objects such as blocks, toys, and containers and encourage the toddler to sort them by shape.
• Water Play: Toddlers love playing with water, and it can be a great sensory activity. Fill up a small container with water and let the toddler splash around and explore the water with their hands and feet. You can also add some bath toys for extra fun.
• Cotton Ball Play: Cotton balls are a great sensory material that can be used in a variety of ways. You can fill up a container with cotton balls and let the toddler explore the texture and sensation of the cotton balls with their hands. You can also use cotton balls for color and shape sorting activities.

Overall, sensory play activities are a great way to engage and stimulate an 18-month-old’s senses. Parents can use a variety of materials such as cotton balls and water to create fun and engaging activities that help their little ones develop their cognitive and motor skills.

Language and Cognitive Development Activities

Language development.

At 18 months, toddlers are rapidly developing their language skills. Parents can help their children by engaging in activities that promote language development. One effective way to do this is by talking to the child frequently and using simple words and sentences. This will help the child to learn new words and understand basic sentence structures.

Reading books is another great way to promote language development. Parents can choose books with simple words and colorful illustrations. Nursery rhymes are also a fun way to introduce new words and concepts to toddlers. Singing songs and reciting rhymes can help children to learn new vocabulary and improve their memory skills.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development is another important area of development for 18-month-old toddlers. Parents can help their children to develop cognitive skills by engaging in activities that promote problem-solving and cause-and-effect thinking.

One way to do this is by providing toys and games that require problem-solving skills. For example, puzzles and shape-sorting toys can help toddlers to develop their problem-solving skills. Playing games that require cause-and-effect thinking, such as stacking blocks or knocking them down, can also be helpful.

Teaching an 18-month-old to follow simple instructions can also promote cognitive development. For example, parents can ask their child to find a specific toy or object in the room. This can help children to develop their memory and problem-solving skills.

Overall, language and cognitive development are critical areas of development for 18-month-old toddlers. By engaging in activities that promote language and cognitive skills, parents can help their children to develop these important skills and prepare them for lifelong learning.

Social and Emotional Development Activities

At 18 months, toddlers are developing social and emotional skills at a rapid pace. Engaging in activities that promote social bonding and emotional understanding can help foster healthy development in these areas.

Social Bonding

Social bonding activities are important for toddlers to develop a sense of trust and attachment with their caregivers. Some activities that promote social bonding include:

• Snuggling with your child: Physical touch, such as hugs and snuggles, can help your child feel loved and secure.
• Playing games together: Simple games like “Simon Says” or “Peek-a-Boo” can help your child develop communication skills and build a sense of trust with you.
• Imaginative play: Pretend play, such as playing house or doctor, can help your child develop social skills and learn to interact with others.

Emotional Understanding

Toddlers are also learning to understand and express their emotions. Activities that promote emotional understanding can help your child develop emotional intelligence and learn to regulate their emotions. Some activities that promote emotional understanding include:

• Reading books about emotions: Reading books that explore different emotions can help your child learn to identify and express their own emotions.
• Playing “Emotion Charades”: This game involves acting out different emotions and having your child guess what emotion you are portraying. It can help your child learn to recognize emotions in others and develop empathy.
• Acknowledging separation anxiety: Separation anxiety is a common emotion for toddlers. Acknowledging your child’s feelings and providing comfort can help them learn to regulate their emotions and feel more secure.

Engaging in social and emotional development activities with your 18-month-old can help promote healthy development in these areas. By providing opportunities for social bonding and emotional understanding, you can help your child develop important skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Activities for Different Environments

When it comes to keeping an 18-month-old entertained, it’s important to have a variety of activities to suit different environments. Here are some ideas for indoor, outdoor, and rainy day activities that can keep your little one engaged and happy.

Indoor Activities

When the weather outside is too hot or too cold, or when you just need to stay inside, there are plenty of fun activities you can do with your 18-month-old. Here are some ideas:

• Sensory Play: Fill a plastic bin with rice or chickpeas and encourage free-play. You can also make taste-safe sensory doughs using non-toxic dough and child-safe cookie cutters to encourage your child to smash, squish, and roll the dough.
• Pretend Play: Encourage your child to engage in pretend play by feeding stuffed animals or baby dolls. You can also set up a play kitchen or doctor’s office for them to play in.
• Arts and Crafts: Provide your child with washable markers, crayons, and paper to encourage them to draw and color. You can also make simple crafts like paper plate masks or finger painting.
• Music and Movement: Play some music and encourage your child to dance or sing along. You can also make a simple obstacle course using pillows, cushions, and blankets.

Outdoor Activities

When the weather is nice, it’s great to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. Here are some outdoor activities that are perfect for 18-month-olds:

• Playground Fun: Take your child to a local playground with age-appropriate equipment, such as swings and slides. Make sure to supervise your child at all times.
• Nature Walks: Take a leisurely walk in a nearby park or nature reserve and encourage your child to explore the natural world around them. You can point out different trees, flowers, and animals.
• Water Play: Set up a small pool or water table in your backyard and let your child splash and play with water toys.
• Ball Games: Play simple ball games like rolling a ball back and forth or playing catch.

Rainy Day Activities

When the weather is not cooperating, it’s important to have some activities on hand to keep your child busy and happy. Here are some ideas for rainy day activities:

• Indoor Obstacle Course: Create an indoor obstacle course using pillows, cushions, and blankets. You can also add in some tunnels or boxes for your child to crawl through.
• Reading and Storytelling: Spend some time reading books or telling stories to your child. You can also encourage them to “read” their own books by looking at the pictures and making up their own stories.
• Baking and Cooking: Get your child involved in the kitchen by letting them help you mix ingredients or decorate cookies.
• Building Blocks: Encourage your child to build towers and structures using blocks or other building toys.

No matter what the environment, there are plenty of activities you can do with your 18-month-old to keep them engaged and happy. With a little creativity and planning, you can make every day a fun and exciting adventure.

Fun Games and Activities

Playing games and engaging in activities with an 18-month-old can be both fun and educational. Here are some ideas to try:

Laundry Basket Game

One fun game to play with an 18-month-old is the laundry basket game. Simply put a laundry basket on the floor and encourage the child to throw soft toys or balls into it. This game can help improve hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.

Matching games are great for developing cognitive skills in toddlers. You can create a simple matching game by cutting out pictures of animals or other objects and then having the child match them to the corresponding picture. This activity can help improve memory and concentration.

Toddlers love animals, so incorporating them into games and activities can be a great way to engage them. You can create a simple animal-themed sensory bin by filling a container with rice or beans and hiding plastic animals inside. The child can then dig through the rice or beans to find the animals, which can help improve fine motor skills and sensory exploration.

Pretend Play

Pretend play is an important part of a child’s development, as it helps them learn about the world around them. You can encourage pretend play by providing dress-up clothes or simple props, such as a play kitchen or doctor’s kit. This can help improve social and emotional skills.

Teaching a child about their body parts can be a fun and educational activity. You can sing songs or play games that involve naming body parts, such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” This can help improve vocabulary and body awareness.

Overall, there are many fun and educational games and activities that can be played with an 18-month-old. By incorporating activities that involve matching, animals, pretend play, and body parts, parents and caregivers can help promote cognitive, physical, and social development in young children.

In conclusion, there are many activities that parents and caregivers can do with 18-month-old toddlers to promote learning, development, and sensory exploration. From simple shape-sorting toys to more complex games that build communication skills, there are plenty of options to keep little ones engaged and entertained.

It’s important to remember that every child is unique and may have different interests and abilities. Parents should follow their child’s lead and adjust activities to suit their needs. For example, some children may enjoy mess-free painting using plastic bags, while others may prefer stacking blocks or playing with sensory materials like playdough or sand.

In addition to these activities, parents can also incorporate outdoor play, reading, and music into their child’s routines to promote gross motor skills, language development, and creativity. It’s important to provide a safe and stimulating environment that encourages exploration and curiosity.

Overall, with a little creativity and patience, parents can provide a variety of activities for their 18-month-old toddlers that promote learning, sensory exploration, and fun. By following their child’s lead and adjusting activities to suit their needs, parents can help their little ones grow and thrive.

activities for 18 month old indoor activities outdoor activities

Written by Emily Richards

I'm Emily, passionate mom of two adorable little explorers and a dedicated blogger. With a background in child psychology, I've always been fascinated by the intricacies of child development and parenting. My journey into motherhood sparked a desire to share my experiences and insights with fellow parents navigating the beautiful chaos of raising kids. From tackling toddler tantrums to uncovering the best educational toys, I'm here to lend a helping hand.

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Activities for Toddlers (18 months-4 years)

Last updated December 4th, 2023 .

Article by:

Cara Dumaplin

RN, BSN, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Just so you know, I do review everything I recommend. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission. Learn more about affiliate links

Need some inspiration for activities for toddlers? Let’s walk through things to do with toddlers (18 months - 4 years), ideas for indoor and outdoor activities, sensory play, gross motor activities, and more. 

For little ones 0-18 months, check out these Baby Activities .

Did you know how your toddler spends awake time plays a role in their sleep? It’s true! Just like adults, toddlers sleep better when they move their bodies and use their brains during awake time.

Of course, awake time isn’t the only important factor in toddler sleep. If you need help piecing together the whole picture of toddler sleep, I have classes for you! Whether your little one is under 2 years old or 2-4 years old , my classes will meet your toddler right where they are developmentally and give you a customizable plan to help you meet your sleep goals so your family can thrive.

A note about development and choosing activities for toddlers: # anchor

If you have a toddler, you’re probably noticing some big developmental strides. Toddlers typically have a big burst of language and show interest in pretend play. They’re improving their gross motor skills, like running and climbing. They’re also expressing an increased desire for independence.

These months (and years) tend to be full of your toddler experimenting with cause and effect and testing boundaries. They’re learning about their ability to impact the world around them and that their actions can cause reactions. You may even notice some changes in your toddler’s sleep .

Expert Tip: When it comes to toddler sleep, it’s vital that we consider your child’s emotional, mental, and physical development. I’d love to share more about filling your toddler’s tanks and the importance of looking at your little one as a complex, whole human.

Let me share activities for toddlers by age:

Activities for your 18-24 month old: # anchor

Activities for an 18 month old # anchor.

Invite your toddler to help you with everyday tasks. They love imitation! This could look like wiping the table, filling a water bottle, or feeding a pet.

Build an obstacle course using soft objects, like pillows or cushions. Add in some soft balls to entice your little one to try rolling, throwing, and chasing.

Read board books together. Books with rhyming and repetition are great for this age. Ask your toddler to point to familiar pictures in the book (“Where is the doggy?”) to help build language skills.

Promote fine motor skills by playing with large letter or animal magnets on the fridge. Don’t have any? Taping pom poms or other small toys on the fridge works too! (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any small objects.)

Here are ideas for the best toys for 18 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 19 month old # anchor

Explore a local playground or library! Check with your local library or community center to see if they offer free activities for toddlers. 

Set up a shallow storage bin with some water, add some small floating objects (like ping pong balls or small plastic blocks) and let your toddler scoop out the objects with measuring cups. (Safety Tip: Be sure to keep a close eye on your toddler with any water-related activity.)

Encourage pretend play using a stuffed animal. Let your toddler pretend to feed their doll with a play spoon and bowl, change their diaper, or wipe a pretend stuffy nose. This helps develop imagination, social skills, and creativity! 

Grab a paintbrush and a cup of water and let your toddler paint the driveway!

Practice stacking blocks and see how many your toddler can do on their own.

Here are ideas for the best toys for 19 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 20 month old # anchor

Play with plastic toys and water! You can use a shallow storage bin, a water table, or even the bathtub to give plastic toys a bath with a scrub brush or wash cloth. Think plastic baby dolls, dinosaur toys, or plastic trucks. (Safety Tip: Be sure to keep a close eye on your toddler with any water-related activity.)  

Try a sorting activity. Grab a few colors of construction paper and toys around the house that match those colors. Let your toddler sort the toys by color (They might need your help.). (There are also some great non-DIY options available. I linked them below.)

Go outside! Grab some sidewalk chalk and watch your little artist explore. Draw some shapes and name them for your toddler. 

Practice starting to kick a ball. (This usually works better with a larger ball at this age.)

Bake something together. Let your toddler pour in some ingredients and mix them up! 

Hand over the crayons and a blank piece of paper and let your toddler create a masterpiece. 

Here are ideas for the best toys for 20 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 21 month old # anchor

Make a simple memory game. Print or draw 4 pictures of familiar objects or animals. Turn them face down and ask your toddler to find them. Example: “Where’s the dog?” When your toddler flips over the correct picture, leave it facing up, and repeat for the remaining pictures. 

Play in water! Make some different shapes out of sponges (or buy some premade sponges). Have your toddler squeeze water out of the sponges, while becoming more familiar with shapes at the same time. You can also use the sponges for sponge painting! (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any water-related activity.)

Try a color matching activity. Color some craft sticks (or buy already colored sticks) and have your toddler match them to the same colored construction paper, a container of the same color (like a cup or bowl), or objects around the house that match the color. 

Practice making animal sounds! Bonus: add in animal pictures or figurines for more fun.

Here are ideas for the best toys for 21 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 22 month old # anchor

Take turns by doing a stacking activity together. Use “my turn” and “your turn” to help your toddler practice this concept. 

Help your toddler identify body parts by placing a gift bow on different body parts, like head, belly, and feet. Once they seem to get the hang of this, you can practice following directions by having them put the bow on their own body parts (“Put the bow on your head”).

Play “Hide and Seek” around the house. Hide a familiar object, like a stuffed animal, and then find it together. You can help your toddler’s vocabulary by using descriptive words like “under," "on," and "in” to describe where the object is hidden. 

Get creative with toilet paper rolls. Make tunnels for toy cars, slides for pom poms, and binoculars to play “I Spy.” 

Offer large wooden beads (think BIG so that they aren’t a choking hazard) and have your toddler string them on a shoestring. 

Encourage your toddler to use items in different ways. Model using a block as a toy phone or a play bowl as a hat. 

Here are ideas for the best toys for 22 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 23 month old # anchor

Play search and find as you read. “Do you see the car on this page?” “Which animal is on the rug?” This can help with language development. 

Promote fine motor skills with a threading activity by having your toddler pull pipe cleaners from the holes of a colander. Once they get the hang of pulling, give them a chance to put them through the holes on their own (You’ll probably need to guide them to start.). 

Build with blocks- make towers to knock over or play with!

Try to keep a balloon in the air by taking turns batting it around. You can also try kicking for gross motor skill development. 

Allow your toddler to be in control of turning the pages when you read a book.

Hold your child’s hands and practice “jumping” off the lowest stair or a curb. That small jump down with your support helps your child learn to jump on their own on the floor.

Here are ideas for the best toys for 23 month olds to use in your activities.

These are suggestions for activities for toddlers 18-24 months. Keep in mind, every toddler develops at their own pace. You can try these activities before, throughout, and after these months. Your toddler will continue to learn and explore their world with the same activities even at different ages.

If you need help setting up your toddler’s day, I have sample schedules for you.

Activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds: # anchor

Activities for 2 year olds # anchor.

Encourage motor skill development by building with toys like Duplo blocks, foam blocks, or suction cup builders.

Read your favorite books together. Encourage language development by asking your toddler to point to different objects “Can you find the cow’s baby?” “Which ball is red?” “Which monkey has a banana?”

Build a fort! Set up some chairs and throw a big blanket over them. Read together in the fort, use a flashlight, or bring some toys in! 

Promote your toddler’s independent play along with problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination with puzzles. 

Grab a small spray bottle and fill it with water. Let your 2 year old help “wash” the windows, wipe down a table, or spray plants outside. 

Use a toy dollhouse made for toddlers to let your child play out familiar stories about their day. They will love reenacting bedtime, a parent leaving for work, etc. with small figurines.

Try a play kitchen to let your toddler serve and cook food. 

Toddlers love to use stamps to create artwork. Find washable stamp pads, give them stamps that fit well in their hands, and let them create their best work!

Here are ideas for the best toys for 2 year olds to use in your activities.

Activities for 3 year olds # anchor

Try a scavenger hunt around the house or in the yard. Make a list of 5-7 familiar objects (use images instead of words for even more independence) and then send your toddler to go find them. 

Have a picnic (real or pretend) together in the yard or at a park. If it’s rainy outside, you can also have a carpet picnic!

Engage in imaginary play. Maybe this looks like play “cooking” using measuring cups and bowls from your kitchen, playing “farm” with farm animal figurines, or playing “doctor” with a toy doctor set. 

Promote creativity through art. You can use crayons or paint sticks with paper. A great mess-free option is a magnetic doodle board.

Use painters’ tape to create a road on the floor. Let your 3 year old drive their cars all around. Add blocks or other structures to make a whole city!

Use a pretend tool set to let your toddler build and “fix” things around the house.

Try out magnetic dress up dolls as a fun way to let your toddler create new scenes and characters.

Have your toddler lay down on a large sheet of paper and trace their body. Let them color in clothes, facial features, hair, etc.. 

Grab a plastic baby doll and an empty plastic tub (or use the sink) and let your 3 year old give the baby a bath. (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any water-related activity.)

Here are ideas for the best toys for 3 year olds to use in your activities.

Activities for 4 year olds # anchor

Have a “freeze” dance party! Play music for 10-15 seconds, then stop the music, and shout “Freeze!” Demonstrate this for your toddler until they get the hang of it and join you. 

Work on fine motor skills and your child’s creativity with arts and crafts. Think chalk on the driveway, letting your child decorate with stickers, or making patterns with beads on pipe cleaners.  

Play “I Spy” together to develop your toddler’s observational skills. This can be a great game when you’re in the waiting room, when you’re exploring the park, or even when you’re reading a book.

Give your toddler a chance to use their imagination by creating a pretend restaurant. Boxes from the pantry, toy food, or even drawings of food can all be part of the fun. (There are some good already-made kid versions available as well. I linked them for you below.)

Find toys with small figurines to let your 4 year old play out social scenes or create their own stories.

Bake and decorate cookies together. 4 year olds love to help in the kitchen!

Make a dress up bin with old Halloween costumes, random hats, scarves, aprons, or other accessories. 4 year olds love to dress up in character. 

Here are ideas for the best toys for 4 year olds to use in your activities.

Need help with toddler nap schedules or setting up your 2, 3, or 4 year old’s day? I have a blog on nap schedules for you.

What are sensory activities for toddlers? # anchor

Sensory activities are those that engage our senses: sight, touch, taste, sound, or smell. These activities play a vital role in development. Your child’s motor, language, social, and emotional skills all grow through sensory play. These activities can also be calming and promote self-regulation. 

Here are some ideas for sensory activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds: 

Splash around at a water table or in the bath. Use measuring cups and funnels and watch how the water moves. Bring a few small toys and have your toddler guess which ones will sink and which will float. (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any water-related activity.)

Dig for buried treasure. Fill a shallow bin with oats or rice and hide small objects like pom poms or puzzle pieces to let your little one explore with their hands or scoops.

Play with play dough. Let your toddler create whatever they can imagine. If needed, provide some prompting to get started. Try a small rolling pin or craft sticks for extra fun. 

Try finger painting. This kind of creative sensory activity helps your toddler use their senses and decision-making skills. 

Make music together. Let your toddler use their imagination with wooden spoons, bowls, and pots. 

Here are ideas for sensory toys for toddlers .

What are gross motor activities for toddlers? # anchor

Gross motor skills typically use whole body movements and involve large muscles like the arms, legs, and torso. 

Whole body movement and gross motor activities are so important because:

They can lead to increased coordination and development of other skills like fine motor and language. 

They allow your toddler to better understand and control their body. 

They help fill your toddler’s tired tank™ .

Here are some ideas: 

Practice climbing. Take a few trips up and down the stairs- add in counting or singing for extra entertainment. Allow your little one to explore at the park. Or try out a climbing triangle. 

Practice balancing. Place a long strip of painter’s tape along the floor and have your little one try to stay on the line as they walk. Try out a balance bike (Don’t forget a helmet!). Balance stepping stones can be a fun addition to an obstacle course at home. 

Practice jumping. Place a few strips of painter’s tape on the floor and have your little one jump to each piece (only a few inches apart for a 2 year old and 1-2 feet apart for 3 and 4 year olds). Try jumping in and out of hoops laid on the floor. Pretend to be frogs or bunnies and hop around the room. 

Here are ideas for gross motor toys for toddlers .

Fine motor activities for toddlers # anchor

Fine motor skills involve movements using the small muscles in our body like hands, lips, tongue, and eyes. When little ones do fine motor activities, they are improving their hand-eye coordination, preparing their mouth for improved speech, and developing the skills that will allow them to grasp a pencil and write in the future.

Here are some fine motor activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds:

Play with play dough. You can use store bought or make your own at home. Squeezing and interacting with play dough helps to strengthen those tiny hand muscles.

Have fun with art. Holding pencils, crayons, markers, or a paintbrush are all ways that your toddler can build those fine motor skills. Let art be a process, instead of worrying about a “perfect” craft or finished product.

Try out stickers. Pulling stickers off a sticker sheet and place them on paper (or even on an arm or hand) is a perfect game to practice fine motor skills.

Make eating fun! Try adding foods with different textures to your toddler’s plate, foods that need utensils, and finger foods. Experimenting with using these tools, their hands, and coordinating bringing food to their mouth are all part of developing fine motor skills.

Cut with plastic scissors or safety scissors. Practice cutting paper, cooked noodles, or play dough. If your toddler isn’t quite ready for cutting, using their fingers to tear paper is a great first step.

Dress up your stuffed animal. Use doll clothes or even newborn clothes and let your toddler practice putting clothes onto a doll, buttoning buttons, zipping a zipper, and pulling on socks. 

Here are ideas for fine motor toys for toddlers .

What are indoor activities for toddlers? # anchor

Looking for ideas for indoor rainy day activities for your toddler? Even if the weather is keeping you from getting outside, play and movement are building blocks to sleep success. Many of the activity ideas above can be done inside, but here are some more indoor activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds:

Play Hide and Seek in different ways. 

Take turns hiding a stuffed animal and then finding it together. 

Take turns hiding from each other. Start with small increments your toddler’s first few times playing. Count until 10 to hide and come out from hiding if they’re having a hard time finding you after 30-60 seconds. Increase the time as your toddler gets the hang of the game. 

Add in a matching game. Use different colored sticky notes or draw different shapes on sticky notes and then hide them around the house. Have your little one find them and then sort them in matching categories. 

Hide plastic eggs around the house (It’s an Easter egg hunt year round!).

Create an obstacle course. Use pillows to walk across, painter’s tape to jump to, soft balls to toss into bowls, and a tent made from chairs and a blanket to crawl under. Add in whatever activities your little one enjoys. Bonus: this is also a great way to build gross motor skills!

Build together. Use blocks to make a tower. Cushions and chairs to build a fort. Cups to stack. A house made of boxes. Encourage them to use their imagination to guide this activity. 

Sing songs that help your little one identify body parts, like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” “The Hokey Pokey,” or “Tooty Ta.” Movement songs like these are both sensory and gross motor activities!

Here are ideas for indoor toys for toddlers .

What are outdoor activities for toddlers? # anchor

If you’re able, try to get outside with your little one! Exposure to light during the day helps with sleep pressure , which is key to falling asleep and staying asleep. Many of the above activities for toddlers can be done outside, but here are some more outdoor activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds: 

Catch bubbles! Use a bubble machine or blow bubbles. Running and jumping to catch them also helps with gross motor skills. 

Go on a nature or neighborhood walk. Think of things you want to find together: Can we find a red bird, a blue bird, and a yellow bird? Can we find a red car, black car, and a white car? 

Create a nature collection in a bucket or a brown paper bag. Can we find 5 leaves? 3 rocks? 1 stick? Then let your little one use their imagination for how they want to play with their collection. Tip: Before starting this activity, be sure to let your toddler know that this collection will stay outside (unless you’re okay with it coming inside). 

Engage in sensory play with sand. Play in a sandbox or put some sensory sand in a shallow bin and let your little one explore. Use shovels or other utensils to move sand around or bury some small toys. 

Find outdoor things to paint with like a pinecone, stick, or leaf and see what you can make.

Do you have a slide in your backyard? Let your little one pile leaves (or snow) at the bottom to slide into.

Are you in an area with acorns or other small objects? Use a wrapping paper tube as a chute to drop them from one space to another, like down the stairs or from the seat of a bench to the ground. 

Play follow the leader and let your toddler lead. Crawl, climb, and play following them around.

Head to the park! Parks can be a great space to practice gross motor skills, meet friends, and use up some of that toddler energy.

Here are ideas for the best outdoor toys for toddlers .

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Related articles.

Learning Activities for 18 Month Olds to Do at Home

Posted on Last updated: April 13, 2023

Here’s a variety of learning activities for 18 month old toddlers. This variety of activities is a great way for helping young toddlers develop lifelong skills. It is a great opportunity to spend to spend quality time together playing and learning. I love simple activities (using household items if possible) that don’t take a lot of prep time.

18 month olds are often in the midst of a language explosion (learning and saying new words). My little guy loves repeating the last words of my sentences. So as he’s working, I’ve been making sure to narrate what he’s doing as he does it. This is the best way to help develop language skills.

Grab a block of floral styrofoam from The Dollar Tree and add a handful of golf tees and you will have this easy activity for your toddler. I promise your toddler will LOVE pushing the tees into the foam and then working to pull them out. It’s one of our favorite fine motor activities and it is a great way to naturally develop the pincer grasp.

Dropping Buttons

Early Sorting

G has started to get some tot trays, such as this sorting tray. I filled a small bowl with automotive beads (I found mine at Joanns Fabrics) and provided an ice cube tray. Other fun things you can give your toddler to sort are gems, pom poms, small blocks, etc.

At this stage, we’re working on letting him explore, naming colors, and introducing the concept of 1:1 counting by encouraging each spot to get ONE bead. Picking up the beads and dropping them into the tray helps to build fine motor skills. A muffin tin is also a good idea for this type of activity.

Sensory Tub

Spread out a towel or a shower curtain liner, pour some rice in a plastic container, and grab some tiny objects to hide. Simple things like pom poms, gems, craft sticks, small toys, beads, etc. This is one of G’s AND M’s (age 5.5) favorite sensory bins. They can sort and sift and discover new things for a good hour! Sensory bins are a fun activity for young children and older children too.

Other sensory play ideas include water play, shaving cream, pasta, water beads, etc. Sometimes messy play can be a turn off for us moms, but doing it outside or with the towel underneath helps me. It’s worth the mess because it’s so beneficial and they have a great time. One of the best things is if you put it in a plastic shoe size storage container, when you are finished you can just put the lid back on and store it for next time.

Caps and Lids

Whenever G finishes off a squeezy food pouch, I clean the lid and toss it in a wipes container. He loves to get the box out and just play, sometimes pushing the lids through the box’s opening and sometimes stacking. He surprises me each time with a creative way to play with them.

These are a great idea to save because they are super versatile learning tools that we can later use in different ways to sort, count, or pattern!

Written by Jill

Our NEW eBook: Learn and Play with Your Toddler

An Easy to Read Resource of Monthly Activity Ideas for Your Toddler!

Make sure to check out:

Learning with Your 17 Month Old

Playing and Learning with Your 2 Year Old

Fun Activities for a Busy 2 Year Old

Tuesday 27th of January 2015

these activities use small objects just waiting for a child that young to put in mouth to choke. I get that they are not to be left alone but golf tees? And marble like orbs? Not for me. If one of these objects were to roll away etc. leave it to a toddler to find them. My son at 3 once put a game disk in his mouth to hide and resulted in an ER visit. So with GK i am shy about those small pieces. I know many kids do not put everything in mouth but my GS does. How about games with larger objects?

We appreciate your opinion and feedback about these activities. I agree, the smaller materials are not for EVERY child. Each child is different and many will experiment by putting them in their mouth. If you know your child tends to explore by putting them in his/her mouth try using large pom poms, blocks, etc. Search through our other toddler activities and you will find many choices that include larger manipulatives.

Amy Blanchard

Friday 29th of March 2013

I've been collecting lids from pouches for a long time now to use in art projects later (they make great wheels for toilet paper tube cars!). I just piled them into a wipes container and my 18-month-old is having a blast dumping and filling and putting them in the little hole. GENIUS!

Wednesday 7th of November 2012

I have an 18 month old so I love how these posts fit exactly. She turned 18 months today!!

JDaniel4's Mom

Tuesday 6th of November 2012

My guy loved doing these things too.

WELL BEINGS WITH ALYSIA

8 Types of Outdoor Learning Activities for an 18-Month-Old

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. I’ve only linked to products because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.

Outdoor learning activities help develop all domains of learning. Playing outside allows toddlers to explore the natural world through hands-on play.

Outdoor play also allows for risk-taking play , an essential piece of toddler development. Outdoor learning stimulates all the senses, including the proprioceptive and vestibular senses .

Already feel like you know about toddler sensory development? Go straight to the list of  Outdoor Learning Activities for 18-Month-Olds.

Table of Contents

What are outdoor learning activities.

• What are the Benefits of Outdoor Learning Activities for Toddlers?
• What Should I be Teaching an 18-month-Old?
• How Do I Teach My Toddler About Nature?

List of Outdoor Learning Activities for 18-Month-Olds

Safety during outdoor learning activities.

Outdoor learning activities usually fall into gross motor play or nature play but can include sensory and creative play .

Outdoor learning is a piece of a holistic approach to toddler learning and development. Outdoor learning activities can easily promote each developmental domain, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

What are the Benefits of Outdoor Learning Activities for 18-Month-Olds?

There are multiple benefits to outdoor learning activities for 18-month-olds (and children of any age).

Some benefits include:

• Developing gross motor skills, including balance and coordination
• Stimulating the senses, including the vestibular and proprioceptive senses
• Promoting creativity and imagination
• Encouraging exploration of the environment around them
• Developing language and social skills while playing with others

Outdoor learning activities also boost a child’s physical and mental health .

Outdoor learning activities are open-ended and stimulating, which helps toddlers connect with nature and fosters early interest in environmentalism .

What Should I be Teaching an 18-Month-Old?

18-month-olds should be learning about the world around them. They should be moving, exploring, and developing through hands-on, child-led play. Learn more about stages of play theories .

As a caregiver, your role in your child’s learning is connecting them to the world around them in developmentally appropriate ways.

If you have concerns about your toddler’s development, you can:

• Talk to your child’s pediatrician
• Use the  CDC Milestone Tracker App   or  PDFs
• Reach out to your   local early intervention agency   for an evaluation

How do I Teach my Toddler about Nature?

In early childhood education, nature refers to anything in the physical world, including plants, animals, the landscape, or naturally-occurring materials.

Nature play (indoors and especially outdoors) is a great learning opportunity for toddlers. Toddlers connect with nature through outdoor learning activities. These are opportunities to experience the outdoors in a hands-on, sensory-stimulating way.

Young children also learn to love nature when caregivers i nstill an appreciation of the outdoors early . Caregivers should prioritize time outside and model how to connect with nature. Your toddler will observe and assume your attitude towards nature and time outdoors.

#1 Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a classic way to move and explore. For 18-month-olds, a scavenger hunt needs to be less about the search and more about making a discovery. Here are some hands-on scavenger hunt ideas.

• Texture  – Seek out different textures and take time to touch them. Think about rough tree bark, fluffy dandelions, sharp rocks, pointy pine needles, goopy mud, or wet sand.
• Colors  – Search for an item of every color or see how many things you can find that are the same color. Take time to touch, smell, or listen to what you find.
• Sounds  – Search for different sounds, even better if you can make the sounds yourself. Ideas for sounds could be rocks splashing, bird songs, buzzing bugs, crunching gravel, scratching sticks, or blowing wind.

Skills Developed : Language skills, gross and fine motor skills, sensory stimulation

Get more Creative Scavenger Hunt Ideas and Free Quick-Download PDFs .

#2 Painting Trees

Toddlers use a whole different set of muscles when they can paint on surfaces besides flat paper on tables.

Out of respect for the trees and nature, please use natural, non-toxic paints for this activity. Or skip the paint altogether and dip paintbrushes into water.

• Paint on  logs, branches, pinecones, or pieces of tree bark .
• Paint  directly on trees . Encourage your toddler to reach up high and down low to paint.
• Use painter’s tape to  hang large sheets of paper  on trees. The bark creates exciting textures in their artwork.

Skills Developed : Sensory stimulation, gross and fine motor skills, creative skills

#3 Water and Sidewalk Chalk Art

Outdoor learning activity #3 involves many different ways to use sidewalk chalk. I love adding water to any sidewalk chalk activity because the chalk colors are more vibrant, and the water adds a richer sensory experience. Like painting on trees, sidewalk chalk encourages toddlers to use their muscles and creative skills in new ways.

• Use sidewalk chalk on  wet surfaces . You can go out after a rain (or during a rainshower) or wet down the sidewalks before drawing.
• Offer your toddler a  spray bottle  to use while they draw with chalk.
• Dip chalk  into a small pan of water before drawing.
• Create a  paint out of sidewalk chalk . Save the last tiny bits of chalk sticks, crush them into a powder, and whisk with water.

Skills Developed : Cognitive skills, creative skills, gross and fine motor skills, sensory stimulation

#4 Exploring with Balls

• The classic  kicking, throwing, bouncing, or catching  balls. At 18 months, toddlers learn to catch large balls against their bodies with both arms.
• Rolling  balls down (and up) slides.
• Chase and Steal . Toddlers love a giggly, goofy game of chase. The game is even more fun when you can take turns stealing the ball back and forth. Just keep an eye on their expressions because toddlers’ feelings can get hurt if they are not consenting participants. 

Skills Developed : Gross motor skills, social skills, cognitive skills

#4 Push, Pull, & Drag

Toddlers enjoy feeling strong when they move large or heavy objects. They get the benefits of physical activity and feel proud of accomplishing something. This activity also targets the proprioceptive sensory system.  

You can simply set these items out as invitations to play. Another option is to create obstacles for your child to move around or draw chalk lines for them to follow. Or you can actively encourage children to transfer stuffed animals, toys, pinecones, or sticks using one of the following methods.

• Wheelbarrows

Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, cognitive skills, emotional development, sensory stimulation 

#5 Painting with Water

Water play is so nice, I’ve added it twice. Or actually three times? Depending on which activities you do, you can target various developmental skills.

• Painting on Ice – fill a tray or bin with ice cubes and invite your toddler to paint.
• Painting on Snow – self-explanatory, I think. If you check stores during wintertime, you can buy paint sticks for Snow. You can also put water with food coloring into squeeze bottles or spray bottles to paint the Snow.
• Painting with Paint Rollers and Paintbrushes – put water into pails and paint trays (instead of paint). Use brushes and rollers to paint the sidewalks and walls with water.

Skills Developed: Cognitive learning, creative play, physical skills

#6 Take Books Outdoors

I stand by the idea. Reading outside is a pretty straightforward outdoor learning activity. You ake a beloved indoor activity for 18-month-olds and bring it outside. Toddlers get the benefits of both reading and nature all at once.

Skills Developed: Language skills, literacy skills, cognitive skills

#7 Spraying Water

Toddlers love water play: the more splashing and spilling they can do, the better. You can do a lovely pouring station, pull out a kiddie pool, or hook up a sprinkler. However, I wanted to share some other options for exploring water (aka making a giant soaking mess).

• Spray Bottles
• Pump Bottles (empty soap or lotion bottles)
• Squeeze Bottles (empty shampoo or body wash)
• Bulb Basters

Skills Developed: Gross and fine motor, sensory stimulation

#8 Sensory Table Activities

Usually, sensory tables or water tables are filled with, you got it,  water and sand . Sensory play gives toddlers an immersive opportunity to develop physical and cognitive skills while stimulating the senses.

You can purchase a water table or easily create a sensory bin with a plastic tote box with a lid. I prefer a bin because it can sit on the floor or quickly go with me outdoors.

Nature-based sensory table activity ideas:

• Flowers – dissect the parts of the flower
• Pesticide-Free Soil
• Corn Kernels
• Pasta – dry or cooked

You should closely supervise children during these experiences . 

Skills Developed: Honestly, sensory play has it all. 10/10 recommend.

• Always consider what is safe and appropriate for your child.
• Ensure all materials are safe for children to handle, such as paints without harmful chemicals and sharp tools are safe.
• Learn how to create reasonable boundaries for risk-taking play.

Extend outdoor learning activities even further using open-ended questions :

• Treasure Baskets: A Powerful Learning Tool for Babies & Toddlers
• 11 Powerful Benefits of Heuristic Play for Child Development
• Heuristic Play: Simple, Impactful Ideas for Babies and Toddlers
• Sorting and Classifying: How to Make STEM Skills Fun
• The Magic of Container Play: Boost Baby & Toddler Learning

Developmental Therapist

Hello, I'm Alysia (uh-lee-shuh), a developmental therapist for infants and toddlers with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. As the founder of Well Beings with Alysia, I'm demystifying child development for parents and early educators. Learn how to introduce the play-based activities, books, nature materials, and toys I use in classrooms and early intervention. Contact me: [email protected]

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