Looking for activities for 1 year olds? You can find TONS of activities for toddlers and preschoolers to do from fun sensory play to fantastic busy bags. The only problem is that a lot of this awesomeness is not geared for one year olds.
Toddlers and ‘1 year olds’ are the kiddos that are very active and engaged, but still have a hard time sitting still or put everything in their mouth.
RELATED: 60+ SENSORY ACTIVITIES FOR 1 YEAR OLDS
This is such a wonderful age though for learning through play and experimenting with the world around them. This list (that moms have tested and loved) has some really fun ideas just for these kids, you are sure to find tons of activities for one year olds!
Awesome Activities for 1 Year Olds
Sensory Play Activities for One Year Olds
When thinking about sensory play for 1 year olds, we want to find large parts, or enclosed items. Sensory play doesn’t have to cater only to touch! It can include scented play, or musical play as well – both excellent for the younger crowd.
Gingerbread Cloud Dough Sensory Bin
Apple Pie Sensory Bin with Scented Cloud Dough
Nebula Sensory Jar from Views From a Step Stool
Farm Sensory Bin from Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Edible Scented Salt-Free Rainbow Playdough from Preschool Powel Packets
Sensory Bags: Baby Safe, Simple and Fun from Views From a Step Stool
Star Sensory Soup Water Play from Modern Preschool
2 Ingredient Cloud Dough from My Bored Toddler
5 Easy Sensory Baby Activities from The Jenny Evolution
Simple Sensory Play: Letter A Sensory Play from Kori At Home
RELATED: PRINTABLE LIST OF 20 SIMPLE THINGS TO DO WITH A 1 YEAR OLD EVERY DAY
‘Inside Out’ Edible Water Beads for Sensory Play from Views From a Step Stool
Water Sensory Play from Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Baby Sensory Shakers from Sugar Aunts
Red, White and Blue Sensory Spaghetti from Views From a Step Stool
Oats Sensory Bin from Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Baby Safe Water Bead Sensory Play from Sugar Aunts
Color Mixing Sensory Bags from Views From a Step Stool
Shaving Crean Color Mixing Sensory Bag from Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Reflections Light Sensory Play from Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Edible Garden Sensory Bin from Views From a Step Stool
Goodnight Moon Sensory Bottle from The Pleasantest Thing
Valentine Sensory Bottle from Something to Offer
Get our FREE mini pamphlet with sensory play ideas, recipes and more below!
Arts & Crafts for One Year Olds
Arts and crafts with a 1 year old can be pretty overwhelming. But, remember, it’s about the process, not the end product. This is a great way to learn new colors, or experiment with what happens when colors get mixed together! Don’t underestimate your little ones ability to be observant 😉
Sensory Stomp Painting with Bubble Wrap
Marbled Hearts: Process Art for Kids
Marbled Shamrock Art: St. Patrick’s Day Process Art for Kids
Sensory Process Art with Recycled Materials and Weight
Homemade Puff Paint from Pantry Items from Views From a Step Stool
Ocean Themed Toddler Art from Crafts On Sea
Toilet Roll Octopus from My Bored Toddler
Water and Chalkboard Painting from My Mundane and Miraculous Life
Color Learning Activities for Toddlers from Mama’s Happy Hive
Magic Milk Marbled Paper from Views From a Step Stool
Ball Painting with Edible Paint from Views From a Step Stool
Gross Motor Games for 1 Year Olds
Kids need to move!! And 1 year olds are certainly great at this. Use that energy and get some of these gross motor games for 1 year olds and activities underway – you’ll be amazing at how much children learn when their whole body is engaged.
Montessori Inspired Activities for Toddlers from Mama’s Happy Hive
Postman Pat: A Shoe Box and Baby Food Jar Lids from Emma Owl
Brain Building from Sugar Aunts
Indoor Obstacle Course from Life with Moore Babies
Big Bottle Ball Drop from Kitchen Floor Crafts
DIY Toilet Paper Roll Building Blocks from Swoodson Says
P is for Pinecone Activities and Crafts from Happy and Blessed Home
Outdoor Painting with Homemade Window Paint from Views From a Step Stool
D is for Dolphin from My Bright Firefly
Sidewalk Paint from Pantry Items from Views From a Step Stool
Fine Motor Activities for 1 Year Olds
Your little one isn’t ready for handwriting just yet, but building up the muscles in their hands and fingers will get them nice and ready for it in a few years!
Fine Motor Activity with Straws and Pipe Cleaners from Living Life and Learning
Pom Pom Run: Pincer Grasp Practice from Views From a Step Stool
DIY Baby Activity Box from Danya Banya
Muffin Tin Color Sorting from Modern Preschool
Toddler Play with Straws and Cotton Swabs from Living Life and Learning
Pipe Cleaner and Straws Fine Motor Skills from Beauty Through Imperfection
Baby Play Velcro and PomPoms from Teach Me Mommy
Button Play for Fine Motor Skills from Kori At Home (use large buttons for this)
Busy Bags for 1 Year Olds from Teach Me Mommy
Contact Paper Miffy Activity from Crafts on Sea
Chalk Painting in the Rain from Views From a Step Stool
Toddler Busy Bag: Magnet Board Fun from My Bored Toddler
Fine Motor Play: Pipe Cleaners and a Cardboard Box from Emma Owl
Post It Flag Lion from Having Fun at Home
This list of activities for 1 year olds is sure to get you started with your little one at home. At the very least, I hope it inspires you to find some simple ways to engage your one year old. It doesn’t take a lot of supplies or an elaborate setup to have fun with your young ones!
Have so much fun with these 1 year old activities!
If you are looking for simple activities for 1 year olds that don’t require you to purchase anything, we have that too in a fun printable! Grab it below!
Also, print our Activity Cards for Toddlers, to take the guessing out of what to do!
More toddler fun!
Check out our related activities for 2 year olds and activities for 3 year olds!
WOW WOW WOW what a fantastic list of ideas!! No more “what to do” moments for a while!
Thanks for contributing!
Thanks for including our Valentine Sensory Bottles post. What a wonderful list!
Thanks for including my blocks!