12 Amazing Activities for a 1 Year Old

These creative activities for 1 year olds are easy ways to play with baby. Finding activities for a 12 month old can be a little challenging. Every baby is at a different level, but entertaining a baby is made simple with this list of activities for a 1 year old!

Best Baby Activities

I consider myself well-versed in the world of babies and development of play because we had 6 kids, in six years – I know, we’re crazy.  

Sometimes I think all I “do” is herd tots all day. I asked other moms on social media to share some of their best activities for one year olds and was astounded at the list of things I have yet to explore with my child (and the activities we did together without even knowing it).   

Homemade Baby Toys Make Easy 1 Year Old Activities

1. Tag Blanket Craft – Creative Explore Activity

You can have an older sibling help create this homemade baby toy – it is a mini tag blanket, perfect for the diaper bag!

It also promotes fine motor skills, but in a great way! It is also a fun activity to help with hand-eye coordination.

2. Homemade Baby Game for Dropping Activity

Sometimes the simple toys are the ones that best engage our kids!   In this simple toddler game, grab a metal bowl and a ball (solid plastic is best for noise factor).   Listen to the ball roll as your child plays and “swishes” the bowl.

This is a fun way to promote sensory play! Look at the ball move, hear the sound it makes, see the light reflecting off the bowl. 

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Learning Games for 1 year olds

3. Baby Can Interact with Singing Your ABCs

Have fun teaching your toddler to recognize the ABCs. Start with the simple alphabet song! I know it seems simple, but it can be the foundation for learning the rest of their life. Learning new skills can be so much fun. It is also great for language development. 

ABC Intro Books for 1 Year Olds

4. Best Nursery Rhymes for Babies

Love nursery rhymes?   I do – Here is a top ten list of Classic Childrens Nursery Rhymes. Developing language skills and cognitive development with nursery rhymes is one of my favorite way to teach my busy toddler.

Nursery Rhyme Books for 1 Year Olds

5. Finger Play 

Help your child learn to associate words with actions through finger plays. Little Moments has ideas on ways to enjoy “finger” games with 1 year olds. This is great for little hands and one of the simple ways to work on gross motor skills and learn new things and different things.

Finger Play & Finger Puppet Books for 1 Year Olds

6. Read Aloud

Begin encouraging literacy in your child when they are young with these tips for reading books to young children.  Love the “How to read to a baby“, suggestion to re-enact portions of the stories to help your child enjoy the plot.

Read Aloud Books for 1 Year Olds

7. Play Trays for Learning

Looking for a way to keep your 1 year old occupied? This Reading Mama, has a collection of teaching trays that are perfect for the highchair. Contain and engage your child when you are doing chores in the kitchen.

8. Infant Massage

Looking for a great sensory experience for baby? Baby Massage is a terrific way to connect with your infant and help them relax.

9. Tape Game for 1 Year Olds

One of our favorite road trip tips with toddlers is to give them a roll of painters tape. Our one year olds could be interested for an hour with sticky fun. Child Station enjoys fun with her tots using contact paper in this sticky one year old activity.

10. 1 year old Art Project

Art for one year olds, yup, you heard right. Even your youngest children can paint with this edible finger paint recipe.  Even better, make meal time a fun experience by letting them play and paint with their food.

11. Container Game for 1 Year Olds

A fun game for one year old is to transfer items from one container to another container.   Muffin tins and other non-breakable dishes become great toys. Don’t want to use a tin?   Look in your recycle bin for a box you can adapt to be a shape sorter DIY toy for your toddler.

12. Kick the Balloon Game

Help your child explore objects as they bat balloons. In this fun game for kids, consider taping them to the bottom of a table or to the back of the car seat in front of them for some “kicking” fun.

13. Shiny Paper Game

For a multi-sensory kids activity, give your child a piece of shiny paper. The thicker cellophane that is metallic is perfect. It makes a crinkle noise and is sure to get and keep your child’s attention!

More Activities for a 1 Year Old

14. How To Keep A 1 Year Old Entertained

We have a ton of resources here at Kids Activities for how to keep a 1 year old busy! <–We have been there!  Believe me!

15. DIY Baby Toys For 1 Year Olds

One thing we like to do is make DIY baby toys. One year olds often get bored of toys easily and store-bought ones can be expensive.  So this is a fun solution.

16. Fun Ways To Entertain A Baby

And if you are looking for fun ways to entertain a baby, we got you covered!

More Fun Activities For Babies From Kids Activities Blog:

Which baby activity is your favorite? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!