88+ Fun Activities and Play Ideas for One-Year-Olds
If you’ve been searching for easy toddler activities that keep your little one entertained while also encouraging their development, this post is your new best friend!
From sensory fun to creative crafts, these activities for one-year-olds are engaging, budget-friendly, and, most importantly, doable, even on the busiest days!
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This post is about fun activities and play ideas for one-year-olds
My toddler has been OBSESSED with some of these ideas, especially the DIY activities for one-year-olds that involve a little mess and a lot of fun. (Messy play is the best play, right?)
We’ve rounded up a mix of ideas, including a few from my own blog and some amazing inspiration from other talented bloggers.
Whether you’re looking for indoor fun on a rainy day or learning activities for one-year-olds that boost their motor skills, there’s something here for every kind of parent and toddler duo.
Looking for some outdoor fun? 51 Simple and Free Outdoor Activities for One-Year-Olds
Why These Activities Are a Must-Try
Toddlers are little bundles of energy, curiosity, and, let’s face it, chaos. This age is all about exploration, which means the more hands-on the activity, the better!
The activities we’ve chosen:
- Encourage imaginative play.
- Help develop fine and gross motor skills.
- Are low-prep (because we know you’re busy!).
From sensory bottles to sticker crafts to safe slime! These activities with one-year-olds are designed to keep them happily engaged while fostering creativity and learning.
Sticker Activities for 1-Year-Olds
Who doesn’t love stickers? This post has different sticker activities that build fine motor skills and encourage development while keeping those tiny hands busy.
Read more: Sticker Activities for 1-Year-Olds
Sensory Bottle with Hair Gel
These sensory bottles are a great example of DIY activities for one-year-olds. They’re mesmerizing to watch, fun to shake, and perfect for calming overstimulated toddlers.
Read more: Sensory Bottle with Hair Gel
7 Simple Activities for 1-Year-Olds at Home
We’ve all heard it: “Kids love household objects way more than their expensive toys!” And it’s absolutely true!
Over here, my daughter Lily has tested out these activities herself, and let me tell you, they kept her entertained for longer than 30 minutes, and if you’re a parent, you know that’s a big win!
Here you’ll find 7 simple and fun activities to keep your one-year-old entertained at home!
Read more: 7 Simple Activities for 1-Year-Olds at Home
Edible Pudding Slime
Let your toddler dive into sensory fun with this safe and edible pudding slime!
Made from simple, toddler-friendly ingredients, it’s perfect for little ones, with no harmful chemicals to worry about!
Read more: Edible Pudding Slime by The Soccer Mom Blog
64 Fun and Easy Things to Teach A One-Year-Old
Did you know you can teach your one-year-old a LOT already? This post is packed with simple, fun ideas to spark their curiosity and support their growing skills.
Perfect for keeping their day filled with engaging and playful activities!
Read more: Fun and Easy Things to Teach A One-Year-Old
Pretend Play for One-Year-Olds
Pretend play is one of the best activities for one-year-olds to develop creativity and problem-solving skills. Check out these fun ideas!
Read more: Pretend Play for One-Year-Olds
Seasonal Flashcards for Toddlers to Learn New Words
Are you looking for a fun and educational way to teach your toddler new words? These 92 free seasonal flashcards are perfect for making learning enjoyable!
Featuring images that match the four seasons—Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter—along with extra holiday-themed cards 🙂
Read more: Seasonal Flashcards for Toddlers
DIY Felt Monkey Hand Puppet
Although your one-year-old won’t be making this themselves, they’ll love playing with this puppet!
It’s a great option for activities with one-year-olds that encourage imaginative play.
Read more: DIY Felt Monkey Hand Puppet
Edible Cheerios Play Sand
Safe for one-year-olds who love to explore with their mouths, this sensory play activity is amazing for toddlers who enjoy messy fun!
Read more: Edible Cheerios Play Sand by The Soccer Mom Blog
Paint Chip Toddler Book: Fun, Educational, and Easy to Make
This DIY paint chip book is a creative and budget-friendly way to entertain and teach your toddler.
You can decorate the book together and introduce simple rainbow colors to your one-year-old in a fun and interactive way.
Not only is it a great activity to do with your little one, but it also doubles as a learning tool to help with color recognition and sensory exploration.
Read more: Paint Chip Toddler Book
Busy Book Printable
This free busy book printable is a lifesaver for parents with curious toddlers! Specifically designed for toddlers aged 1.5 years and above, this pack features three fun activities that are perfect for engaging your little one during quiet time!
Read more: Free Busy Book Printable by Little Ladoo
Q-Tip Painting for Toddlers
What is Q-tip painting? As the name suggests, it’s creating art with Q-tips (cotton swabs) and paint, either watercolor or acrylic.
This simple and fun activity introduces toddlers to the art form of Pointillism, where patterns are created with tiny dots.
Read more: Q-Tip Painting for Toddlers by Little Ladoo
Jell-O Alphabet Play by In the Kids’ Kitchen
What do you do with two boxes of strawberry Jell-O you didn’t plan to use? Turn them into a fun, educational sensory activity!
This creative idea combines play and learning as toddlers explore letters while enjoying the squishy, sticky texture of Jell-O.
Read more: Jell-O Alphabet Play by In the Kids’ Kitchen
You may also enjoy: 70+ One-Year-Old Toddler Hacks
Adorable Crafts Inspired by “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”
Bring Eric Carle’s beloved The Very Hungry Caterpillar to life with this adorable craft! It’s a perfect activity to practice fine motor skills while spending quality time with your little one!
Once your caterpillar and his food are complete, they double as props for your child to retell the story, a very fun and interactive way to extend the magic of this classic book!
Read more: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Crafts by In Love with Learning
Egg Shaker Songs and Activities
Get ready to shake, sing, and giggle with your toddler! Egg shaker songs and activities are a fantastic way to connect, be silly, and burn off some of that endless toddler energy!
In this post, you will find egg shaker ideas that are sure to bring laughter and fun to your day!
Read more: Egg Shaker Songs and Activities by In Love with Learning
Homemade Gluten-Free PlayDoh
Safe, non-toxic, and perfect for celiac kids and toddlers alike, this all-natural gluten-free PlayDoh is a rainy-day lifesaver!
With no artificial colors or chemicals, this easy DIY recipe is fun to make and keeps little ones entertained for hours.
The best part? You likely have all the ingredients you need already in your kitchen!
Homemade Gluten-Free PlayDoh by Strength and Sunshine
Soap Foam Sensory Box
For kids who love foam (who doesn’t?), this Soap Foam Sensory Bin is a hit!
Whether it’s a rainy day activity or a fun way to keep them busy in the kitchen while you cook, this mess-free setup entertains little ones for ages.
Read more: Soap Foam Sensory Bin In the Kids’ Kitchen
Snag Our Fun Seasonal Flashcards
Let’s make learning fun! These 92 cute seasonal flashcards are perfect for little ones to explore the magic of each season. Just download, print, and watch them enjoy a new way to learn about the world around them!
This list of fun activities and play ideas for one-year-olds is perfect for sparking your toddler’s curiosity, keeping them busy, and giving you a little breather. Have fun! 🙂
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