

If you think letting them dig through a rice bin would be too messy (it will involve sweeping up after), you can always fill an empty, clear water or soda bottle with rice and other small objects, seal it up tightly and make an "I Spy" game with it. This bin is filled with rice (and it could be even cooler if made with DIY rainbow rice), but you can also fill it with dry beans, Kinetic sand, rocks, water beads, or shaving cream. Then give kids scoopers, tweezers and other tools and let them go digging, scooping and pouring! The idea of a sensory bin is to get them exposed to different textures and sensations, so it's good if they stick their hands in there, too. The idea is simple: Fill a bin with some kind of compound, like sand or rice, and then hide toys or other objects in it.

And activities that involve water also demand undivided attention, since little ones can drown in a water bin or bucket.īut, with you helping them out, these activities will be fun, engaging and educational, which leads to happy toddlers. (You know that already, but we have to say it.) Keep a watchful eye out for anything small that can be a choking hazard, because they will put everything in their mouths.

Of course, 1-year-olds can't play unsupervised. What safety concerns should I keep in mind when doing activities with a 1-year-old? But there are plenty of simple crafts, games that get their bodies moving, easy indoor activities and sensory experiences to try and grab their attention. That's the million-dollar question, because 12-month olds aren't going to stick with an activity if they find it too challenging or boring - and they'll let you know how you feel. How do you entertain a 1-year-old all day? Activities that help them work on their fine motor skills or gross motor skills, or anything that gives those brains a boost, is a boon.

But, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the skills that 1-year-olds are working on include imitating the adults around them (like babbling into a pretend phone), finding hidden objects, working on the all-important pincer grasp (picking up objects between a thumb and forefinger), walking on their own and eventually, sorting by shape or color, puling a toy behind them and running. The good news is that 1-year-olds are sponges, and nearly everything you do with them is a "learning activity," since they're still just exploring the worlds around them. These great activities for 1-year-olds will occupy their minds and get them working on their developmental skills - all without expensive materials (or, heaven forbid, screens). And while it may be tempting to buy into the hype that you need expensive toys to get a leg-up on their cognitive and physical development, the truth is there's plenty to be done that just require some simple household materials. While it's fascinating to see their minds developing as they interact with the world more and more, it's hard to find fun, easy, engaging activities that hit that sweet spot between what they want to do and what they can do. When it comes to finding activities for toddlers, 1-year-olds can be tough.
