Toddler Activities by Domain, 12-36 Months
Every activity in the library is a short, low-cost play idea for 12 to 36 months (corrected age) with steps, a ladder of easier and harder versions, what to watch for and the guidance behind it. Pick one that fits today's energy and the time you have.
52 pages in 3 groups: Cognitive (23), Language (23), Gross motor (6).
Updated
Cognitive
- Colander Cage Peekaboo 12–17 months · 3–6 minutes · no prep Colander Cage Peekaboo: a 3 to 6 minute cognitive activity for 12-17 months that practises finding hidden objects, with steps and safety notes.
- Pull the Blanket, Reach the Toy 12–17 months · 3–6 minutes · no prep Pull the Blanket, Reach the Toy: a 3 to 6 minute cognitive activity for 12-17 months that practises problem solving, with steps and safety notes.
- Real-Things Basket 12–18 months · 4–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Real-Things Basket: a 4 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 12-18 months that practises using objects the right way, with steps and safety notes.
- Scarf in a Tube Pull 12–18 months · 3–8 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Scarf in a Tube Pull: a 3 to 8 minute cognitive activity for 12-18 months that practises cause and effect. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Copy My Box Moves 13–20 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Copy My Box Moves: a 3 to 8 minute cognitive activity for 13-20 months that practises imitating actions. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Towel Roll Surprise 13–20 months · 5–12 minutes · no prep Towel Roll Surprise: a 5 to 12 minute cognitive activity for 13-20 months that practises finding hidden objects, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Tap Test: Pot, Box or Towel 14–22 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Tap Test: Pot, Box or Towel – a 3 to 8 minute cognitive activity for 14-22 months that practises cause and effect, with steps and safety notes.
- Two Lumps Under the Blanket 14–22 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Two Lumps Under the Blanket: a 3 to 8 minute cognitive activity for 14-22 months that practises finding hidden objects, with steps and safety notes.
- Muffin Tin Snack Hunt 16–26 months · 5–12 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Muffin Tin Snack Hunt: a 5 to 12 minute cognitive activity for 16-26 months that practises finding hidden objects, with steps and safety notes.
- Stir the Pot Like Me 16–24 months · 5–15 minutes · no prep Stir the Pot Like Me: a 5 to 15 minute cognitive activity for 16-24 months that practises imitating actions, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Box Lid Ramp Races 17–27 months · 5–15 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Box Lid Ramp Races: a 5 to 15 minute cognitive activity for 17-27 months that practises cause and effect. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Egg Carton Latch Surprise 17–25 months · 4–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Egg Carton Latch Surprise: a 4 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 17-25 months that practises problem solving, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Which Hole Fits? 18–28 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Which Hole Fits? A 5 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 18-28 months that practises problem solving. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Scarf Copycat Dance 19–28 months · 5–10 minutes · no prep Scarf Copycat Dance: a 5 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 19-28 months that practises imitating actions. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Colander Rain Pour 20–30 months · 8–15 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Colander Rain Pour: an 8 to 15 minute cognitive activity for 20-30 months that practises cause and effect. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Unpack the Shopping Tote 20–28 months · 5–12 minutes · no prep Unpack the Shopping Tote: a 5 to 12 minute cognitive activity for 20-28 months that practises using objects the right way, with steps and safety notes.
- Spoon Rake Rescue 24–32 months · 4–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Spoon Rake Rescue: a 4 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 24-32 months that practises problem solving. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Which Cup? Toddler Shell Game 24–34 months · 5–10 minutes · no prep Which Cup? Toddler Shell Game: a 5 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 24-34 months that practises finding hidden objects, with steps and safety notes.
- Things That Go Together 25–33 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Things That Go Together: a 5 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 25-33 months that practises using objects the right way, with steps and safety notes.
- Tube Garden Copycat 26–36 months · 5–12 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Tube Garden Copycat: a 5 to 12 minute cognitive activity for 26-36 months that practises imitating actions. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Shadow Stomp and Wave 27–36 months · 5–15 minutes · no prep Shadow Stomp and Wave: a 5 to 15 minute cognitive activity for 27-36 months that practises cause and effect, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Spoon, Sponge or Colander? 28–36 months · 8–15 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Spoon, Sponge or Colander? An 8 to 15 minute cognitive activity for 28-36 months that practises using objects the right way, with steps and safety notes.
- Tissue Box Mystery Feel 30–36 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Tissue Box Mystery Feel: a 5 to 10 minute cognitive activity for 30-36 months that practises finding hidden objects, with steps and safety notes.
Language
- Lap Book Point and Pause 12–20 months · 3–10 minutes · no prep Lap Book Point and Pause: a 3 to 10 minute language activity for 12-20 months that practises pointing to pictures, with steps and safety notes.
- Sock Puppet Hello 12–20 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Sock Puppet Hello: a 3 to 8 minute language activity for 12-20 months that practises conversation turns. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Window Watch Talk 12–24 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Window Watch Talk: a 3 to 8 minute language activity for 12-24 months that practises pointing to show. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Photo Wall Flap Hunt 13–22 months · 5–10 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Photo Wall Flap Hunt: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 13-22 months that practises understanding names of things, with steps and safety notes.
- Snack Signs: More and All Done 13–22 months · 5–15 minutes · no prep Snack Signs: More and All Done – a 5 to 15 minute language activity for 13-22 months that practises gestures and signs, with steps and safety notes.
- Clear Tub Ask for Help 14–22 months · 3–8 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Clear Tub Ask for Help: a 3 to 8 minute language activity for 14-22 months that practises pointing to ask. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Teddy Needs Help 14–21 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Teddy Needs Help: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 14-21 months that practises following directions with gestures, with steps and safety notes.
- Nose-to-Nose Mirror Game 15–26 months · 3–7 minutes · no prep Nose-to-Nose Mirror Game: a 3 to 7 minute language activity for 15-26 months that practises body parts. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Nature Tote Treasure Walk 16–28 months · 10–20 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Nature Tote Treasure Walk: a 10 to 20 minute language activity for 16-28 months that practises pointing to show, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Ready-Set-Go Car Ramp 16–26 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Ready-Set-Go Car Ramp: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 16-26 months that practises first words. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Shopping Cart Spotter 17–28 months · 5–15 minutes · no prep Shopping Cart Spotter: a 5 to 15 minute language activity for 17-28 months that practises naming things. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Tote Bag Fetch Mission 17–28 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Tote Bag Fetch Mission: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 17-28 months that practises following one-step directions, with steps and safety notes.
- Finish-the-Song Pause 18–30 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Finish-the-Song Pause: a 3 to 8 minute language activity for 18-30 months that practises first words. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Where's the Dog? Book Hunt 18–30 months · 5–12 minutes · no prep Where's the Dog? Book Hunt: a 5 to 12 minute language activity for 18-30 months that practises pointing to pictures, with steps and safety notes.
- Sticky Note Body Spots 19–30 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Sticky Note Body Spots: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 19-30 months that practises body parts. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Cardboard Garage Parking Talk 21–32 months · 5–15 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Cardboard Garage Parking Talk: a 5 to 15 minute language activity for 21-32 months that practises two-word phrases, with steps and safety notes.
- Family Photo Action Talk 24–34 months · 5–10 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Family Photo Action Talk: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 24-34 months that practises two-word phrases, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Silly Sock Directions 24–34 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Silly Sock Directions: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 24-34 months that practises following two-step directions, with steps and safety notes.
- Teddy's Two-Step Picnic 25–34 months · 5–15 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Teddy's Two-Step Picnic: a 5 to 15 minute language activity for 25-34 months that practises following two-step directions, with steps and safety notes.
- Mystery Tote Bag Guess 26–36 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Mystery Tote Bag Guess: a 5 to 10 minute language activity for 26-36 months that practises naming things. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Knock-Knock Box House 27–36 months · 5–15 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Knock-Knock Box House: a 5 to 15 minute language activity for 27-36 months that practises asking questions. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Bedtime Day Recap 28–36 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Bedtime Day Recap: a 3 to 8 minute language activity for 28-36 months that practises conversation turns. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
- Toy Car Trip Story 30–36 months · 10–20 minutes · 5 minutes of prep Toy Car Trip Story: a 10 to 20 minute language activity for 30-36 months that practises conversation turns. Steps, easier and harder versions, and safety notes.
Gross motor
- Bubble Squat-and-Pop 12–24 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Bubble Squat-and-Pop: a 3 to 8 minute gross motor activity for 12-24 months that practises squatting to play, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Cushion Mountain Climb 12–22 months · 5–12 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Cushion Mountain Climb: a 5 to 12 minute gross motor activity for 12-22 months that practises climbing on and off furniture, with steps and safety notes.
- Push-the-Box Train 12–20 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Push-the-Box Train: a 5 to 10 minute gross motor activity for 12-20 months that practises pushing and pulling, with steps, a harder version and safety notes.
- Walk-to-Me Hallway Steps 12–16 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Walk-to-Me Hallway Steps: a 3 to 8 minute gross motor activity for 12-16 months that practises walking on their own, with steps and safety notes.
- Sofa Climb, Feet-First Down 13–22 months · 3–8 minutes · no prep Sofa Climb, Feet-First Down: a 3 to 8 minute gross motor activity for 13-22 months that practises climbing on and off furniture, with steps and safety notes.
- Squat-and-Collect Bucket Walk 13–20 months · 5–10 minutes · 2 minutes of prep Squat-and-Collect Bucket Walk: a 5 to 10 minute gross motor activity for 13-20 months that practises squatting to play, with steps and safety notes.
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.