Playing alongside others: how the skill grows from 15 to 36 months
Playing alongside others means playing near other children, then sometimes with them. Toddlers usually play side by side, watching and copying, before they play together. Playing next to other children and sometimes playing with them is a CDC 30-month milestone; noticing other children and joining them to play is a 36-month milestone. Below: 5 ladder steps and 5 activities that practise it.
Updated
Playing alongside others: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Plays nearby. Plays with sand or blocks next to another child without talking.
Activities that fit this step
- Playground Copycat Watch · 13–24 months · 10–20 min
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Blanket Picnic Playdate · 15–26 months · 10–20 min
Next step: Swaps glances. Looks at what the other child is doing and smiles.
Activities that fit this step
- Playground Copycat Watch · 13–24 months · 10–20 min
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Blanket Picnic Playdate · 15–26 months · 10–20 min
Next step: Joins briefly. Hands over a toy or joins a chase for a moment.
Activities that fit this step
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Blanket Picnic Playdate · 15–26 months · 10–20 min
- Side-by-Side Sandbox Scoops · 19–30 months · 10–20 min
Next step: Joins a game. Walks over to children playing and joins in.
Activities that fit this step
- Blanket Picnic Playdate · 15–26 months · 10–20 min
- Side-by-Side Sandbox Scoops · 19–30 months · 10–20 min
- Tape Parking Lot for Two · 25–33 months · 10–15 min
Top of the ladder (joins a game). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Blanket Picnic Playdate · 15–26 months · 10–20 min
- Side-by-Side Sandbox Scoops · 19–30 months · 10–20 min
- Tape Parking Lot for Two · 25–33 months · 10–15 min
The playing alongside others ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 15 to 36 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
-
Watches other children
Stays close to you while watching children play.
-
Plays nearby
Plays with sand or blocks next to another child without talking.
-
Swaps glances
Looks at what the other child is doing and smiles.
-
Joins briefly
Hands over a toy or joins a chase for a moment.
-
Joins a game
Walks over to children playing and joins in.
When playing alongside others usually shows up
This page follows playing alongside others from 15 to 36 months, a window that spans the 15-month, 18-month, 24-month, 30-month and 36-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 5 activities practise playing alongside others (3 as their main skill), for ages 13 to 33 months. Each needs a few minutes of setup. By age, they sit closest to steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the 5-step ladder.
Related items appear on the CDC checklists for 30 months and 36 months.
Related milestones
CDC checklist items (paraphrased) that involve playing alongside others. Checklists are for monitoring, not a test.
| Checklist | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 30 months | Plays near other children and now and then joins in with them. |
| 36 months | Spots other children playing and goes over to join them. |
Activities that practise playing alongside others
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 5 social-emotional. Quickest to start: Tape Parking Lot for Two (10–15 minutes).
Step 1: Watches other children
Step 2: Plays nearby
Step 3: Swaps glances
Step 4: Joins briefly
Skills practised alongside
The activities for playing alongside others most often also work on copying other children (3), posting objects (1), pouring (1), spatial words (1) and taking turns (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Plan short, regular time near other children: parks, libraries, playgroups.
- Bring duplicates of toys so side-by-side play does not turn into grabbing.
- Sit near your child at first, then move a little further away.
What to avoid
- Expecting cooperative play from a toddler; side by side is real social play at this age.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
If by 30 months your child shows no interest in other children at all, or by 3 never joins in play, mention it to the pediatrician.
Worried about playing alongside others between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start playing alongside others?
Playing next to other children and sometimes playing with them is a CDC 30-month milestone; noticing other children and joining them to play is a 36-month milestone. The first step to look for: stays close to you while watching children play.
How can I help my toddler with playing alongside others?
Plan short, regular time near other children: parks, libraries, playgroups. Bring duplicates of toys so side-by-side play does not turn into grabbing. A good first activity is Playground Copycat Watch (13–24 months).
What should I avoid when practising playing alongside others?
Expecting cooperative play from a toddler; side by side is real social play at this age.
When should I mention playing alongside others to the pediatrician?
If by 30 months your child shows no interest in other children at all, or by 3 never joins in play, mention it to the pediatrician. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.