Top Toddler Activities at 12 Months

The Ultimate Guide: 20+ development activities to engage and entertain your 12-month-old

Achieving your baby’s 1st birthday is an important milestone. Your baby is no longer an infant, but a toddler with personality, curiosity and a growing sense of independence. Your child enters a new phase at 12 months. Still a baby, in many respects, but full of energy and enthusiasm to tackle the world, or even the living room.

How can you best support your child’s learning through play the best?

It’s not necessary to buy the most expensive or complex toys. Your 12-month-old wants interaction, exploration and from you. This guide contains 20+ carefully selected activities that are not only fun but also designed to help your child thrive socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

Let’s get started!

1. Stacking Blocks & Building Towers

Why is it great?
It helps develop coordination and basic problem-solving. Your baby will learn to manipulate objects and understand balance. They will also develop spatial awareness.

Try it:
Use different blocks in terms of texture or size. As you play, tell the story: “Red Block on Top!” Uh-oh–it fell!”

Developmental benefits:

• Hand-eye coordination is improved

• Cause and effect are taught in this class.

• Encourages patience, persistence and perseverance

  

2. Peek-a-Boo Variations

How it works:
The game teaches object persistence. This is an important developmental concept for babies to understand that they still exist when hidden.

Make the game new:
Play peek-a-boo using toys, blankets or even a mirror. Allow your child to “peek” at you as well!

Tip
Use an easy-to-pull-down scarf or muslin fabric. The sheer fabric will build anticipation without fear.

3. Mess-Free Finger Painting

How To Play:
Use non-toxic, washable paints on paper or a tray. Encourage spreading, squishing and mixing colours. Mess-free version:

Place blobs in a Ziplock bag and seal it. Tape it to the window or table. You can let your child smear the colours.

Teaches:

• Creative expression

• Color Recognition

• Tactile exploration

4. Nature Walks and Outdoor Exploration

Create a mini-adventure:
Identify trees, flowers and bugs. Allow your baby to touch the grass, smell the flowers and feel the textures of bark or leaves.

Urban Alternative:
Talk to your child about cars, bikes and dogs. Look for buses and construction vehicles–fascinating for toddlers!

Why is it important:

• Enhances sensory integration

• Encourages language and observation

• Building awareness of the world

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5. Interactive Storytime

Move beyond reading:
Use sounds, point at pictures and ask questions such as “Where is the cat?”

Try Book Types:

• Book Lift-the flap

• Touch-and-feel books

• Rhyming or repetitive text

  

Developmental boost:

• Expands vocabulary

• Attention span is increased by using a variety of stimuli

• Encourages a love for learning

6. Cardboard Box Tunnel Games

Why is it brilliant?
Big boxes can be transformed into forts or cars, trains, tunnels, and more. Allow your child to crawl or hide in the box.

Decorate with flair:
Draw windows and doors or use stickers. Put cushions or soft toys inside to create a cozy den.

Skills developed:

• Gross motor movement

• Problem-solving

• Imagine your imagination

7. Crayon Doodles

Begin with the basics:
Tape a large sheet of paper on the floor or table.

What to expect:
Scribbling is just the beginning–eventually, your toddler will start to mimic shapes and patterns.

Builds:

• Fine Motor Strength

• Pre-writing and grip skills

• Colour and Shape Awareness

8. Sticker Art Magic

Play:
Peel easy-grip stickers for your baby and let them place them on paper.

Tip for parents:
Start with a simple sticker and then choose reusable ones to have fun again.

Teaches:

• Fine Motor Coordination

• Hand dominance

• Think outside the box

9. Spaghetti Sensory Bin

Set-up:
Cool, cooked spaghetti in a tray makes for irresistible tactile fun. For extra fun, add a few drops of food colouring.

Simple & safe:
If they sneak a bite, use plain spaghetti that is unsalted.

Develops:

• Sensory awareness

• Texture Recognition

• Open-ended Play

10. Exploration of Shaving Cream (Bagged version)

No mess:
Add some food dye to the ziplock bag of shaving cream. It’s easy to do. Tape the bag on a surface, and then let your child mix and squish it.

Why does it work?

• Safe for young explorers

• Stimulates curiosity

• Teaches colour mixing

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11. Mirror Games

Play with reflections:
Wear hats, clap, or pull faces in front of the mirror.

Play Idea:
Ask “Who is that?” to see if the child points or smiles. This promotes awareness.

Milestone Alert:
Many toddlers start to recognise themselves between 15-18 months.

12. Play Water Games for the Win

Start:
Fill the plastic basin, bathtub, or other container with warm water. Add plastic cups, spoons or bath toys.

Promotes the following skills:

• Early science (splashing, pouring)

• Hand control

• Sensory Integration

Safety Note:
Do not leave your child unattended around water.

13. Create Your Music Shakers

Make your DIY instruments:
Fill up clean bottles with rice or lentils. Add ribbons or stickers to make it more visually appealing.

Use while singing:
Play with music or rhymes to help teach rhythm.

Learning benefits:

• Motor coordination

• Listening skills

• Self-expression

14. Play Pretend with Dolls or Teddies

What you should do:
Hug the doll and “feed” it. Your child will start to imitate you and begin creating stories.

Why is it important?

• Teaches empathy

• Role-playing is encouraged

• Strengthens emotional understanding

15. Dress-Up Discovery

Easy setup:
Provide hats and scarves. Allow your child to experience the feeling of dressing differently.

Try it:
Use the mirror when dressing up for more giggles.

Boosts:

• Creativity

• Physical Confidence

• Communication

  

16. Edible Playdough

A safe recipe idea:
Combine yogurt and cornstarch to form a dough. Add food colouring to add variety.

Why babies like it:
It is safe to squish and poke it, as well as (occasionally) eat it.

Benefits:

• Strengthens finger muscles

• Sensory development is promoted

• Encourages imaginative play

17. Bubble Time

Indoors or outdoors:
The bubbles are captivating. Your toddler will try to grab them, chase them, or clap.

Skills improved:

• Eye tracking

• Movement coordination

• Spatial awareness

Variation
Use of a straw with soapy water to create table bubbles

18. Pots & Pans Drum Set

Instant Percussion:
Transform your kitchen with bowls and spoons into a musical studio.

Why is it powerful?

• Develops rhythm, timing and pacing

• Releases energy

• Learn how to control volume

19. Daily Counting

Include it in your game:
As you build or climb stairs, count the number of blocks, snacks, and steps.

Book to read:
“Ten Little Fingers”, “Counting Kisses”, and “Ten Little Fingers.”

Cognitive growth:

• Basic math explained

• Memory building

• Teaches sequencing

20. Blanket Fort Adventures

Create easily:
Use cushions, chairs, and blankets. Play peek-a-boo, read a story, or crawl in together.

Why is it a favourite?

• Offering a sensory retreat

• Sparks of storytelling

• Builds emotional security

Expert tips for 12-Month Playtime success

1. Keep Playtime Short and Sweet

Expect 5-15 minute focus bursts. At this age, toddlers have a short attention span. Rotate the activities.

2. You can follow their Interests

Focus on their favourite animals or vehicles. This will engage them and allow for more play.

3. Do not fear repetition

The same activity is something that babies love to do repeatedly. This repetition strengthens learning.

4. The Right Challenge

They’ll be bored if it’s too simple. Too hard? You’ll make them frustrated. Adjust your watch and pay attention.

Conclusion: More than just Play

Playing is not just a way to pass the time, it’s a way for your baby to learn about life. Each block they stack, each bubble they pop and every giggle that they share help build brain pathways.

As a parent, you’re your child’s favourite toy. You are also their teacher and cheerleader. Playing is an investment for your child’s future. It will help them learn to communicate, solve problems, and navigate through the world.

If you are building a tower or making music together, or even just reading under a blanket, know that these small moments will help to build a child who is confident, curious and capable.

Now, go and play!