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18 Easy Play Ideas for Kids Ages 9-18 months

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How do I keep my one year old busy? What about my eighteen month old?
 
Inside this post we share 18+ easy play ideas for kids age nine months to eighteen months! You don't need tons of supplies! I'll bet you can do many of these activities using things you already have around the house!
 
RELATED: Sensory bins are a big hit with little toddlers! Try one of these 10 awesome fine motor sensory bins.

My youngest turns 16 months old today. Crazy! Although the majority of the activities we do are more for my preschooler and kindergartener, we've been trying to find activities that our baby/little toddler likes to do too.
 
I've been compiling several easy play ideas for 9-18 month olds so that I have a "go to" resource when I need a quick idea for my little guy. I like really simple activities that use very few materials because I don't usually have very much time to prepare anything. 
 
What are the best activities for one year olds?
 
Activities for one year olds need to be...
  • easy and quick to set up (attention spans are short!)
  • taste-safe (for kids who try to eat everything)
  • movement based (since they rarely sit still!)
 


These 18+ easy play ideas for kids ages 9-18 months are ones that I have tried or plan to try with my son... and they feature awesome ideas from many of my favorite bloggers... and a few from me too.

 
If you have a child in the 9-18 month age range, check these ideas out and see if any might work for your child. All kids are different and are also at different developmental stages so make sure you only do the activities that your child seems ready for... and then try any others in a few weeks or months. It is amazing how one week kids aren't interested in something or can't do it... and the next week all they want to do is that activity and it is easy for them.
 
18+ Easy Play Ideas for Kids Ages 9-18 months

 

Just click on the links below to get more details on these 18 easy play ideas for kids ages 9-18 months...

 

Sensory Play Ideas for Babies & One Year Olds

 



Sticky Grab by Happily Ever Mom

Make a Sensory bag via Plain Vanilla Mom

Green Pea Sensory Bag via Happy Toddler Playtime

Create a Water Sensory Bin via The Iowa Farmer's Wife

Go on a Texture Trip via Toddler Approved

Sparkly Squish Bag via Toddler Approved

Put together some soapy sensory jars via Hands On As We Grow

Create a treasure basket via The Imagination Tree

Make a Sensory Play Area via Toddler Approved

Ocean Squish Bag via Toddler Approved

 


Music & Art Ideas for Babies & One Year Olds

 



Edible Painting by Toddler Approved

Tummy Time Painting via Mama Papa Bubba

Cardboard Box Paint with Water via Toddler Approved

Put together rainbow bottles/music shakers via My Little 3 and M

Make some instruments via Toddler Approved
 
No-Mess Smush Painting via Happy Toddler Playtime
 
Do some destruction art via Creative with Kids
 
Sound Treasure Basket via Childhood 101
 
Do some mess free car painting via Toddler Approved
 
Stomp Painting via Views from a Stepstool


Gross & Fine Motor Ideas for Babies & One Year Olds

Card Slot Drop via Busy Toddler
 

Baby Ring Grab via Happy Toddler Playtime

Create a DIY tugging box via Laughing Kids Learn

Play with cardboard rolls and pom poms via Toddler Approved

Make a simple obstacle course via Hands On As We Grow

Drip Drop Car Wash via Toddler Approved

Clothespin Pull via Days with Grey

Building with Spices via Toddler Approved

Tape Pull Fine Motor Activity via Mama Papa Bubba
 
Do some ball and Tube Play via Octavia and Vicky

Make a Peek-a-boo Jigsaw via Nurturestore
 
Drive cars on the Window  via The Imagination Tree
 
Make a car ramp via Toddler Approved
 
Do some dropping and dumping via Toddler Approved
Kitchen Whisk Fine Motor via Hello Wonderful


A few other super duper simple ideas that I do with my 16 month old include...

 

  • Pretending to take naps in big sister's bed (and then waking up... and then "going back to sleep")
  • Shooting pom poms down ramps through paper towel rolls
  • Exploring a pan full of rice crispies using measuring cups... and then crushing them
  • Making a paper towel roll marble run for marbles, blocks, and pom poms
  • Splashing with hands in a pan of shallow water


If you have any other favorite easy play activities for 9-18 month old kiddos, please share them in the comments!

 





By the way, some of these activities are totally fun for siblings to do together or for kids 18 months + so give them a try if you have an older kiddo too who you think might like these.

 

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Comments

  1. Unknown says

    Thanks so much for sharing my ball and tube play post, I've had lots of lovely people popping over to check it out, much appreciated 🙂

    Reply

  2. Vicky @ Mess For Less says

    My kids are past this age, but I just love the idea of playing in a big siblings bed. Little ones always look up to older siblings so I bet that would be a big hit! Pinned and stumbled!

    Reply

  4. Mrs. O'Daniels says

    My 17 month old and 6 year old love playing with blown up balloons. They throw, hit and kick them around the living room. Nothing breaks and they have fun together! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
    mrsodaniels.blogspot.com

    Reply