We all know it’s important to play with your young child. The right kind of play is fun, and it’s also interesting, educational, and a bonding experience. But figuring out how to interact and how to happily occupy a one-year-old throughout the day can be a challenge. Here are some ideas for activities to do with your one-year-old at home and have fun together on a daily basis. Remember babies and toddlers develop at different rates so if your child doesn’t seem ready for a certain activity, try it again in a month or two.
Here are some ideas for activities to do with your one-year-old at home and have fun together on a daily basis. Remember babies and toddlers develop at different rates so if your child doesn’t seem ready for a certain activity, try it again in a month or two.
Cooking in the kitchen
Get out the bowls, spoons, pots, and pans in your kitchen. You can pretend to mix things (throw a few blocks into a bowl, and we will mix them with a spoon).
Water play
Set up a water table and let them play in the water (even a bowl of water will be a blast for a one-year-old). Fill it with: Cups, toys, spoons, slotted spoons, toy cars & boats, straws (they blow bubbles in the water). Blow bubbles and add the thrill of the chase, and the fun grows exponentially. Encourage your child to go after the blowing bubbles and reach for them on his own.
Blow bubbles
And add the thrill of the chase, and the fun grows exponentially. Encourage your child to go after the blowing bubbles and reach for them on his own.
Go to the local library
Spend a morning looking at books and take some home!
Finger painting
Squirt some paint on paper and let your little artist delight in this sensory play.
Sort items
Such as pompoms in an empty ice cube tray or muffin tin.Play Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake Predictable,
Play Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake
Predictable, repetitive language in nursery rhymes establishes a social language routine from which toddlers and preschoolers can learn.
Play “Catch”
Sit down facing each other with your legs apart and toes touching. You can now roll the ball backward and forward to each other.
Have a tea party
And let your child practice pouring the “tea.”
Building blocks
And knock them down!
Puzzles
Put together simple wood puzzles. Start with puzzles with just a few pieces and chunky wooden handles, since the handles are easier for small, chubby hands to grasp than regular puzzle pieces.
Foam and Golf Tees
Grab a block of green floral foam. Put some golf tees in a bowl and have your little one carefully push each tee into the foam. Ready to clean up? Use that pincer grip to pull them out.