30 Fun Activity Ideas for 14-18 Month-Olds to Play & Learn

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Welcome to the wonderful world of 14-18 month-olds! 🎉

If you’re a parent or caregiver to a Little One in this age range, you’re likely witnessing some incredible developmental leaps. This stage is a delightful mix of curiosity, exploration, and a whole lot of energy. Your toddler is now more mobile than ever, eager to walk, run, and climb their way into new adventures.

They’re also becoming little detectives, figuring out how things work and starting to express themselves with those precious first words. As they navigate this exciting period, providing them with engaging activities can make all the difference. It’s not just about keeping them busy – it’s about fostering their growth, development, and sheer joy of discovery.

I packed this post with 30 fun and stimulating activity ideas tailored for young children, particularly 14-month-old toddlers. Some are tried by our family, others suggested by friends 😊 

Each activity is designed to captivate the little kids’ short attention spans and cater to their developmental needs. From sensory play and water activities to imaginative games and simple puzzles, we’ve got a variety of options that will keep your little one entertained and learning. Whether you’re looking for indoor activities to brighten up a rainy day or outdoor fun to soak up some sunshine, you’ll find plenty of great ideas here.

My Little One is older by now, but I’ve seen firsthand how these activities can transform a regular day into a magical one. I remember the first time my Daughter successfully sorted shapes into her toy sorter. The look of triumph on her face was priceless! Or the time we had a living room dance party to her favorite nursery rhymes – the giggles were contagious, and we both had a blast. So grab a wooden spoon, a box of pom poms, or even a simple cardboard box, and get ready to dive into some quality time with your toddler.

Let’s turn those everyday moments into unforgettable memories. Ready to explore? 😊

Developmental Milestones

At 14-18 months old, your Little One is experiencing a burst of development. It’s an exciting time when they’re mastering new skills every day. My Nephew is almost that age now and I experience it now from a distance… honestly, I love this period, but this can definitely be challenging as well 😅

1. Physical Development

• Walking & Running: Those wobbly first steps are quickly turning into confident strides and even some running! Your tot is on the move, so get ready to chase.
• Climbing: Whether it’s the couch, stairs, or anything in reach, climbing becomes a favorite (and sometimes nerve-wracking) activity.
• Fine Motor Skills: They’re getting better at using their hands and fingers. Expect to see more precise actions like turning pages in a book, stacking blocks, or scribbling with crayons.

2. Cognitive Development

• Problem-Solving: They’re little detectives now, figuring out how things work. Simple puzzles and toys that require matching shapes or fitting pieces together are becoming fascinating.
• Imitation: Your child is starting to mimic everyday actions they see adults doing, like talking on the phone, brushing hair, or stirring a spoon in a bowl.

3. Language Development

• First Words: By this age, most toddlers will start saying a few words and might even combine two words together. It’s a time of rapid vocabulary expansion.
• Understanding: They can understand more than they can say. Simple instructions like “come here” or “give me the ball” are often followed with enthusiasm.

4. Social & Emotional Development

• Attachment & Independence: They’re torn between wanting to be independent and needing reassurance from their favorite adults. Expect lots of “moments” where they cling to you one minute and try to wriggle free the next.
• Play: Interactive play becomes more fun. They enjoy games like peekaboo, pat-a-cake, and simple pretend play. Playing alongside other children (parallel play) also starts around this time.

5. Self-Help Skills

• Eating: They’re getting better at feeding themselves with fingers and maybe even starting to use utensils, though it’s usually messy. 😅
• Dressing: While they can’t dress themselves fully yet, they might start helping with simple tasks like pushing their arms through sleeves or pulling off socks.

30 Fun Activity Ideas for 14-18 Month-Olds

1. Obstacle Course

• How to Play: Set up a simple obstacle course in your living room using pillows, cushions, and toys. Guide your child through the course, showing them how to climb over, crawl under, and navigate around obstacles.
• Equipment Needed: Pillows, cushions, toys.
• Why Is It Fun: Young toddlers love the challenge and excitement of navigating through a mini adventure.
• Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, problem-solving skills, and hand-eye coordination.

2. Pom Pom Drop

• How to Play: Cut a hole in the lid of a plastic container and have your child drop pom poms through the hole.
• Equipment Needed: Plastic container, pom poms.
• Why Is It Fun: The repetitive action is satisfying and engaging for little hands.
• Skills Developed: Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive skills.

3. Water Play with Small Toys

• How to Play: Fill a shallow basin with water and add small toys. Let your child splash and play with the toys.
• Equipment Needed: Shallow basin, small toys.
• Why Is It Fun: Water play is a fun sensory experience that young children enjoy.
• Skills Developed: Sensory skills, hand-eye coordination.

4. Finger Painting

• How to Play: Let your child use their fingers to paint on paper.
• Equipment Needed: Non-toxic finger paints, paper.
• Why Is It Fun: Messy play is always a hit, and it’s a great way for little artists to express themselves.
• Skills Developed: Creativity, fine motor skills, sensory play.

5. Shape Sorter

• How to Play: Show your child how to fit different shapes into the corresponding holes of a shape sorter.
• Equipment Needed: Shape sorter toy.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s like a mini puzzle for your 14-month-old baby.
• Skills Developed: Problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, cognitive skills.

6. Nursery Rhymes Sing-Along

• How to Play: Sing nursery rhymes with your child and encourage them to clap or dance along.
• Equipment Needed: None.
• Why Is It Fun: Singing and dancing are always a great time for young children.
• Skills Developed: Language skills, social interaction.

7. Tissue Paper Collage

• How to Play: Let your child tear tissue paper and stick the pieces onto a larger piece of construction paper.
• Equipment Needed: Tissue paper, construction paper, glue.
• Why Is It Fun: Tearing and sticking are fun sensory activities for little fingers.
• Skills Developed: Fine motor skills, creativity, sensory play.

8. Water Table Play

• How to Play: Fill a water table with water and let your child play with cups, spoons, and water toys.
• Equipment Needed: Water table, cups, spoons, water toys.
• Why Is It Fun: A fun way for young toddlers to explore water.
• Skills Developed: Sensory skills, hand-eye coordination.

9. Cardboard Box Tunnel

• How to Play: Create a tunnel out of a large cardboard box and let your child crawl through it.
• Equipment Needed: Large cardboard box.
• Why Is It Fun: Crawling through a tunnel feels like an adventure.
• Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, problem-solving skills.

10. Animal Action Cards

• How to Play: Show your child cards with pictures of different animals and demonstrate the sounds or actions the animals make.
• Equipment Needed: Animal action cards.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s a fun way for kids to learn about different animals.
• Skills Developed: Language skills, cognitive skills.

11. Push Toy Parade

• How to Play: Give your child a push toy and have a mini parade around the house.
• Equipment Needed: Push toy.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s a great way for kids to practice walking.
• Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, balance.

12. Sensory Bins

• How to Play: Fill a bin with different materials like rice, beans, or pasta, and let your child explore.
• Equipment Needed: Bin, various materials.
• Why Is It Fun: A great sensory activity for exploring different textures.
• Skills Developed: Sensory skills, fine motor skills.

13. Simple Puzzles

• How to Play: Introduce your child to simple wooden puzzles with large pieces.
• Equipment Needed: Simple wooden puzzles.
• Why Is It Fun: Solving puzzles is a fun challenge.
• Skills Developed: Problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination.

14. Pretend Cooking with a Wooden Spoon

• How to Play: Give your child a wooden spoon and some bowls to pretend cook.
• Equipment Needed: Wooden spoon, bowls.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s imaginative play that mimics what they see adults doing.
• Skills Developed: Imaginative play, fine motor skills.

15. Construction Paper Tear & Stick

• How to Play: Let your child tear pieces of construction paper and stick them onto a larger sheet.
• Equipment Needed: Construction paper, glue.
• Why Is It Fun: Tearing paper is satisfying for little hands.
• Skills Developed: Fine motor skills, sensory play.

16. Household Item Band

• How to Play: Use household items like pots, pans, and spoons to make music.
• Equipment Needed: Pots, pans, spoons.
• Why Is It Fun: Making noise is so much fun for young toddlers.
• Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination.

17. Bubble Chase

• How to Play: Blow bubbles and let your child chase and pop them.
• Equipment Needed: Bubble solution, bubble wand.
• Why Is It Fun: Chasing bubbles is an exciting activity.
• Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination.

18. Book Exploration

• How to Play: Read simple books with large pictures and simple words to your child.
• Equipment Needed: Picture books.
• Why Is It Fun: Books introduce new words and pictures.
• Skills Developed: Language skills, cognitive skills.

19. Color Sorting with Pom Poms

• How to Play: Have your child sort pom poms by color into different containers.
• Equipment Needed: Pom poms, containers.
• Why Is It Fun: Sorting by color is a fun way to learn different colors.
• Skills Developed: Cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination.

20. Dance Party

• How to Play: Play some fun music and have a dance party with your child.
• Equipment Needed: Music.
• Why Is It Fun: Dancing is a great way to burn energy.
• Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, social interaction.

21. Sensory Bottles

• How to Play: Fill plastic bottles with different materials like rice, beads, or water and glitter. Let your child shake and explore them.
• Equipment Needed: Plastic bottles, various materials.
• Why Is It Fun: Shaking bottles to see and hear different effects is a great sensory experience.
• Skills Developed: Sensory skills, fine motor skills.

22. High Chair Art

• How to Play: Secure your child in their high chair and let them create art with washable markers or crayons.
• Equipment Needed: Washable markers or crayons, paper.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s a contained and easy way for little artists to create.
• Skills Developed: Fine motor skills, creativity.

23. Texture Exploration

• How to Play: Let your child explore different textures using materials like sandpaper, fabric, and bubble wrap.
• Equipment Needed: Various textured materials.
• Why Is It Fun: Exploring different textures is an excellent way for sensory play.
• Skills Developed: Sensory skills, cognitive skills.

24. Ball Pit Fun

• How to Play: Fill a small inflatable pool with plastic balls and let your child play.
• Equipment Needed: Inflatable pool, plastic balls.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s like a mini adventure park at home.
• Skills Developed: Gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination.

25. Mirror Play

• How to Play: Sit with your child in front of a mirror and make faces or play peek-a-boo.
• Equipment Needed: Mirror.
• Why Is It Fun: Babies love seeing their reflection and making funny faces.
• Skills Developed: Social skills, self-awareness.

26. Sorting Small Toys

• How to Play: Have your child sort small toys into different containers.
• Equipment Needed: Small toys, containers.
• Why Is It Fun: Sorting is a fun way to explore different shapes and sizes.
• Skills Developed: Cognitive skills, fine motor skills.

27. Water Painting

• How to Play: Give your child a bowl of water and a paintbrush to paint on the sidewalk or a large piece of paper.
• Equipment Needed: Bowl of water, paintbrush, sidewalk or paper.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s a mess-free way to paint.
• Skills Developed: Fine motor skills, creativity.

28. Parachute Play with a Sheet

• How to Play: Use a large sheet as a parachute, lifting it up and down while your child sits underneath.
• Equipment Needed: Large sheet.
• Why Is It Fun: The floating motion of the sheet is mesmerizing.
• Skills Developed: Social skills, gross motor skills.

29. Imaginative Play with Dolls or Stuffed Animals

• How to Play: Encourage your child to play pretend with their favorite dolls or stuffed animals.
• Equipment Needed: Dolls or stuffed animals.
• Why Is It Fun: Pretend play is a great way for young children to use their imagination.
• Skills Developed: Imaginative play, social skills.

30. Family Dance and Sing-Along

• How to Play: Have a family dance and sing-along session with popular nursery rhymes.
• Equipment Needed: Music player.
• Why Is It Fun: It’s a fun way for family members to bond and enjoy quality time together.
• Skills Developed: Language skills, social interaction, gross motor skills.

Takeaway

And there you have it – 30 engaging and fun activities that will keep your 14-18 month-old busy, learning, and smiling! Let me know which ones are your favorites!

This age is all about exploration and discovery, and these activities provide the perfect balance of fun and education. The best part of these activities isn’t just the skills your child will develop, but the joy and bonding that come from spending quality time together. Whether it’s the giggles from a bubble chase, the concentration during a shape sorter game, or the creativity in finger painting, each moment is a building block in your child’s growth.

As parents, we sometimes worry about providing enough activities to stimulate our Little Ones, but the good news is that simple games and household items can be just as effective – and a lot of fun! Encouraging independent play, fostering social interaction with family members, and introducing new words and concepts through different activities are some of the best ways to support their development.

Every child develops at their own pace, so don’t stress if your toddler prefers some activities over others or takes a little longer to master certain skills!

Happy playing! 😊