problem solving skills for 18 month old

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Important Milestones: Your Child By Eighteen Months

CDC’s milestones and parent tips have been updated and new checklist ages have been added (15 and 30 months). For more information about the updates to CDC’s developmental milestones, please review the Pediatrics journal article  and these  important key points .

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by 18 months by completing a checklist with CDC’s free Milestone Tracker mobile app, for iOS  and Android  devices, using the Digital Online Checklist , or by printing the checklist [1MB, 2 Pages, Print Only]  below.

“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools .

What most babies do by this age:

Social/emotional milestones.

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Language/Communication Milestones

Cognitive milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving), movement/physical development milestones, points to show you something interesting.

Puts hands out for you to wash them

Looks at a few pages in a book with you

Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

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Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes

Feeds himself with his fingers

Tries to use a spoon

Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

Other important things to share with the doctor…

• What are some things you and your baby do together?
• What are some things your baby likes to do?
• Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
• Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
• Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

Concerned About Your Child’s Development? Act Early.

You know your child best. Don’t wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child’s doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at 9, 18, and 30 months and for autism at 18 and 24 months or whenever a parent or provider has a concern.

If you or the doctor are still concerned:

• Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
• Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI .

For more on how to help your child, visit cdc.gov/Concerned .

As your child’s first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your child’s doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your child’s development.

• Use positive words and give more attention to behaviors you want to see (“wanted behaviors”). For example, “Look how nicely you put the toy away.” Give less attention to those you don’t want to see.
• Encourage “pretend” play. Give your child a spoon so she can pretend to feed her stuffed animal. Take turns pretending.
• Help your child learn about others’ feelings and about positive ways to react. For example, when he sees a child who is sad, say “He looks sad. Let’s bring him a teddy.”
• Ask simple questions to help your child think about what’s around her. For example, ask her, “What is that?”
• Let your child use a cup without a lid for drinking and practice eating with a spoon. Learning to eat and drink is messy but fun!
• Give simple choices. Let your child choose between two things. For example, when dressing, ask him if he wants to wear the red or blue shirt.
• Have steady routines for sleeping and eating. For example, sit at the table with your child when she’s eating meals and snacks. This helps set mealtime routines for your family.
• Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to video calling with loved ones. Screen time is not recommended for children younger than 2 years of age. Children learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others. Limit your own screen time when you are with your child so you are able to respond to her words and actions.
• Ask your child’s doctor and/or teachers if your child is ready for toilet training. Most children are not successful at toilet training until 2 to 3 years old. If he is not ready, it can cause stress and setbacks, which can cause training to take longer.
• Expect tantrums. They are normal at this age and should become shorter and happen less often as your child gets older. You can try distractions, but it’s ok to ignore the tantrum. Give him some time to calm down and move on.
• Talk with your child by facing her and getting down to her eye level when possible. This helps your child “see” what you’re saying through your eyes and face, not just your words.
• Start to teach your child the names for body parts by pointing them out and saying things like “Here’s your nose, here’s my nose,” while pointing to her nose and your own.
• Try to respond to your child’s behavior in a safe, and loving way. Stay consistent as much as possible.
• Teach your child more words by adding to the words she says. For example, if she says “Dog,” say “Yes, that’s a dog. Dogs say ‘woof, woof.’”
• Play with your child by rolling balls back and forth, pushing toy cars, and putting blocks or other items in and out of containers.
• Read books and talk about the pictures using simple words.
• Play simple games where both of you have a part to play. Blow bubbles and let your child pop them. Say things as he pops them, such as “Pop, pop.”
• Create a spot in your home for your child to go to when he’s upset. Stay nearby so your child knows he is safe and can come to you for help calming as needed.
• Give toys that your child can push or pull safely.
• Give toys and things to your child that encourage “pretend” play, such as a doll and a baby blanket.

Special acknowledgments to the subject matter experts and others who contributed to the review of data and selection of developmental milestones, especially Paul H. Lipkin, MD, Michelle M. Macias, MD, Julie F. Pajek, PhD, Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, Karnesha Slaughter, MPH, Jane K. Squires,  PhD, Toni M. Whitaker, MD, Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD, and Jennifer M. Zubler, MD.

Sincere gratitude to Natalia Benza, MD and José O. Rodríguez, MD, MBA for their thoughtful review of the Spanish-language translation of these milestones.

• Developmental Disabilities
• Child Development
• Positive Parenting Tips
• National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
• Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds

Print Milestone Checklist

English [1 MB, 2 Pages, Print Only] Spanish [1 MB, 2 Pages, Print Only]

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Activities for 18 Month Old Toddlers

As a mother and teacher with two kids of my own, I understand the unique needs and developmental milestones of 18-month-old children. This stage is an exciting time filled with rapid growth and exploration. It is crucial to provide age-appropriate activities that support their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. 

In this guide, I will emphasize the importance of tailoring activities for 18 month old toddlers to their specific needs. By engaging in the best activities, we can foster their growth, curiosity, and overall well-being.

Customize Activities – Consider Your Child’s Behavior and Tendencies

As parents, we know our own children best. It’s important to consider our child’s behavior and tendencies when selecting activities for them. Some of the activities mentioned here may not be suitable for all children, especially if they have a habit of putting objects in their mouths or exploring different tastes through sensory play. It’s crucial to make a decision based on their individual behavior and preferences.

If your child tends to put things in their mouth, there are precautions you can take to ensure their safety during playtime. For instance, if they are playing with smaller objects, you may consider allowing them to have their dummy or pacifier as a safer alternative to satisfy their oral exploration. Alternatively, you can opt for edible versions of sensory materials like Aquaphaba or yogurt, which provide a safer experience if ingested.

Regardless of the activity you choose, close supervision is key. Keep a watchful eye on your child throughout the entire play session to ensure their well-being and prevent any potential hazards. It’s important to prioritize their safety and be actively involved in their play.

It’s worth noting that all the activities suggested here were tested and enjoyed by our own children. We understand the importance of creating a safe and engaging environment for our little ones. However, what works for one child may not work for another. Adapt the activities to fit your child’s needs and always prioritize their safety and well-being.

Remember, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child. By considering their behaviors and preferences, you can make informed decisions about which activities are most suitable for their individual needs. Enjoy exploring and engaging in activities that bring joy, learning, and safety to your child’s playtime.

Sensory Activities for 18 Month Old

Muddy piggy sensory play.

If your little tots adore pigs, especially Old MacDonald’s oink oink and Peppa, then this sensory play setup is perfect for them. 

What will You Need?

• Brushes , sponges
• Plastic pigs

What to Do?

Prepare a safe muddy sensory bin for your child’s play. Introduce toy pigs for an immersive experience. Use child-sized brushes and sponges for cleaning the muddy pigs, developing motor skills and coordination.

Benefits of muddy play: Boosts mental health and well-being, enhances understanding of the world, and supports physical development and sensory perception.

Designate a play area, protect surfaces, and maintain hygiene. Enjoy the educational and joyful Muddy Piggy Sensory Play with your child!

Taste-Safe Mud Options

Additionally, it’s important to note that if you prefer an edible option for the mud in the Muddy Piggy Sensory Play, there are alternatives available. Here are a few edible mud options you can consider:

• Chocolate Pudding Mud: Use chocolate pudding for a tasty experience.
• Oatmeal Mud: Create a mud-like texture with cooked and cooled oatmeal .
• Yogurt Mud: Mix yogurt with cocoa powder for a creamy twist.

Ensure safety and supervision, and consider allergies and restrictions. Enjoy the edible options in the sensory play!

Shaving Cream Bath Paint

Unleash your child’s creativity in the exciting bathtub! With shaving cream and food coloring, transform bath time into an artistic adventure. Enjoy mess-friendly fun that’s easily washable. The bathtub is the perfect canvas for creative exploration, allowing your child to express themselves freely. Use non-slip bath mats for safety.

• Shaving cream
• Food coloring
• Muffin Tin – optional
• Nonslip Bath Mat

@messylearningkids #messylearningkids #shavingcreamart #shavingcreambathpaint #bathpaint #bathpainters #shavingfoamfun #bathactivities #messypainter😁 #shavingcream ♬ Bath Time – Bobby Doowah

Mix food coloring into shaving cream to create the Shaving Cream Bath Paint. Use a muffin pan for organizing colors. Place a non-slip bath mat in the tub for safety.

Your child can dip fingers or brushes into the paint, enjoying the texture and creating colorful strokes on the tub’s surface.

Clean-up is easy – simply rinse the tub to remove the paint. For a safer option, consider using Aquaphaba instead of shaving cream.

Enjoy a bathtub adventure with artistic expression and easy clean-up.

Let your child’s imagination shine with the Shaving Cream Bath Paint. 

Lemonade Sensory Bin

What could be more refreshing on a hot day than a cold glass of lemonade? While nothing compares to a cold glass of lemonade, this sensory experience will engage their senses and ignite their imagination.

• Muffin tray
• Lemon slices
• Spoons, scoops

What to Do? 

Arrange lemon slices in a muffin tray for a visually appealing sensory bin. Fill each slot with water, and freeze overnight to create frozen lemon slices.

Transfer the frozen slices to a bin, and add water for play. Let your child freely explore the bin with cups, spoons, and scoops. It can be great pretend play as they can sip lemonade, stir the slices, or engage in sensory play.

The Lemonade Sensory Bin stimulates senses, develops motor skills, and encourages imaginative play.

Car Wash Water Play

Get ready to beat the summer heat with a refreshing and engaging fun game that toddlers love! This exciting playtime will not only cool off your little ones but also encourage them to enjoy the process of washing while enhancing their fine motor skills and imaginative play. Let’s dive into the details and expand on this interactive adventure:

• Sensory Tray
• Shaving foam
• Watering can
• Legos (optional)

Prepare a washing station with small toys on a tray or in a bin. Line up the cars and add shaving foam for a soapy surface. Fill a watering can for rinsing.

Let your kids take charge of the car wash. They scoop and apply foam with sponges, enjoying the sensory experience. Hand them the watering can rinse off the foam, enhancing fine motor skills and water control.

Add Legos to build a drive-through car wash for imaginative play and storytelling.

This sensory activity develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. 

Cow Milking Activity For Kids

Engage your little ones in this hands-on, educational, cause and effect activity! This interactive play will not only entertain them but also enhance their fine motor skills while learning about the process of milking a cow.

• Rubber gloves (clear or white)
• White paint
• Baby Bottle , sippy cup , or toddler glass

Begin by painting the water white using white paint. This step adds a visual representation of milk to enhance realism. Fill the rubber gloves with water, leaving enough space to tie a knot and create four fingers for the udder.

Hang the gloves on sturdy support or ask for assistance. Place a table underneath to catch drips or use a tray with a bin for easy cleanup. Poke small holes in the fingers of the gloves to simulate udders. Demonstrate the milking process to your child, gently squeezing the gloves to release water.

Encourage your child to take over and continue milking. This activity develops fine motor skills, hand muscles, coordination, and precision.

The Cow Milking Activity provides a better understanding of milking while honing fine motor skills. It also offers tactile and sensory play, promoting learning through exploration and imitation.

To make it more immersive, incorporate a pretend milk-pouring component. While your child milks the gloves, pour a small amount of real milk into a container of their choice.

Hand the container to your child and encourage them to taste the milk. This sensory connection deepens their understanding and engagement. Consider any dietary restrictions or allergies when choosing the type of milk.

Combining milking with the taste of real milk creates a multi-sensory experience, sparking curiosity and imagination in your child. It enhances the authenticity of the activity and fosters their understanding of the farm-to-table concept.

Hidden Hearts in the Colored Water

Embark on a delightful sensory adventure with the Hunting for Red Hearts sensory bin! This great activity combines the thrill of treasure hunting with the mesmerizing properties of a red water sensory bin mixed with cornstarch. Let’s dive into the details here . 

Bubble Foam – Aquaphaba

We have previously written an article on bubble foams, exploring various sensory bin settings and different methods for kids to play with them. However, this time, we are excited to introduce a unique twist: Edible Bubble Foam! This new variation offers a safe and edible sensory play experience for toddlers. 

Making Edible Bubble Foam is as simple as making traditional bubble foam. The only difference lies in the ingredients. Instead of using bubble soap, you will use the liquid found in canned chickpeas. 

In our previous post, you can discover a plethora of sensory bin ideas and fun activities involving traditional bubble foams. Be sure to check out that article for inspiration and detailed instructions.

Splash in the Bath Tub with Pom Poms

Sensory baths are beneficial for toddlers and young children. They provide sensory stimulation, relaxation, and help develop fine motor skills. Sensory baths also promote language and cognitive development, encourage bonding and social interaction, and support emotional regulation.

They offer a holistic and enjoyable experience for children’s overall development. For an extra festive touch, we’ve added a Halloween theme to make it even more thrilling! Let’s discover the magic of pom poms and embark on a spooktacular sensory adventure.

Patchwork Sensory Bottle

Introducing the Elmer the Elephant-Themed Patchwork Sensory Bottle . This enchanting creation combines sensory play with characters from the beloved Elmer the Elephant books.

The bottle is filled with vibrant colors and captivating materials, representing Elmer’s patchwork world. 

As you shake and tilt the bottle, a symphony of sights, sounds, and textures unfolds, engaging the senses and sparking the imagination.

The colorful visuals mirror Elmer’s appearance, while the various textures invite exploration and enhance fine motor skills.

With its Elmer theme, the sensory bottle becomes a tool for storytelling and imaginative play, encouraging creativity and language development. 

Ideal for parents, educators, and caregivers, this sensory bottle offers a fusion of stimuli, promoting sensory exploration and cognitive development. Immerse children in a world of vibrant colors, textures, and imaginative play.

Let their senses be captivated as they embark on a sensory journey inspired by the charm and wonder of Elmer’s patchwork world.

You can also create your own themed sensory bottles, like ocean adventures, galaxy exploration, garden discovery, dinosaur expedition, or fairy tale magic. Remember, the possibilities are endless!

Painting on Ice – Sensory Art

This engaging activity combines the thrill of painting with the icy allure of frozen canvases. Watch as your child’s creativity comes to life on the melting ice, creating beautiful patterns and vibrant colors.

Get ready to embark on a sensory adventure that will captivate both the eyes and the imagination. Let’s dive into the world of Painting on Ice and explore the magic of this unique art experience.

Get ready for a mesmerizing and hands-on sensory experience with Oobleck! This fascinating substance has the unique property of being both a liquid and a solid, offering endless possibilities for exploration and play.

And the best part? We have created a variety of Oobleck recipes that are perfect for toddlers too, including options without cornstarch and with baking soda . There’s an Oobleck recipe to suit every little explorer. Get ready to have some sensory fun!

Edible Play Dough

This delightful activity combines the joy of play dough with the excitement of being able to safely explore and even taste their creations. Made from simple and edible ingredients, this playdough opens up a world of sensory exploration and imaginative play.

Join your little ones on a journey of hands-on fun as they mold, shape, and create with this safe and tasty playdough or even salt dough . 

Muddy Worms

This exciting activity allows children to dive into a squishy and slimy sensory experience while indulging their curiosity and creativity. Plus, if you’re concerned about little ones putting things in their mouths, rest assured that you can easily remove the plastic bugs and ensure a safe and enjoyable playtime.

Get ready to get messy and engage your child’s senses with this delightful Edible Mud and Worm Pie activity, perfect for those who love exploring new textures and getting hands-on with imaginative play!

Making Tree Faces

Step into the enchanting world of nature-inspired creativity with Making Tree Faces ! This delightful activity allows kids to transform ordinary trees into whimsical and expressive characters using mud and natural materials.

With just a touch of imagination and a few gathered treasures from the outdoors, children can bring trees to life and add a touch of magic to their surroundings.

Scoop the Baubles

This festive and engaging activity is perfect for toddlers, adding an extra dose of holiday cheer to their playtime. As the Christmas season approaches, what better way to celebrate than by incorporating the joy of ornaments into a fun and interactive game?

With Scoop the Ornaments, little ones can engage their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration while scooping and transferring colorful ornaments.

Join in the holiday excitement as your toddler immerses themselves in this merry activity, fostering a love for the Christmas spirit and creating cherished memories. Let the festivities begin with Scoop the Baubles !

Fine Motor Learning Activities for Toddlers

Straw in the box fine motor activity.

This was a quick idea of mine, once I saw that my daughter really enjoys playing with colorful straws. The toothpick part was an additional idea while preparing for the first activity. These outdoor and indoor activities for 18 month old tots are good for improving fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

What will you need? 

• Pringles Container

What to Do with the Straws?

We reused an empty Pringles container for the straw activity. Just punch a few holes in the lid with a hole puncher, sharp knife, or scissors. Then give your toddler a bunch of straws and show them how to push them through the holes into the container.

Cereals Threading

Engage your toddler in a delightful and hands-on activity with Cereals Threading! This simple yet engaging activity offers a fantastic opportunity for your little one to practice fine motor skills while having fun. 

• O-shaped cereal, like Fruit Loops, Oreos, etc

Gather holed cereals like O-shaped or fruit loops for threading. Use Play-Doh (or for a safer version make your own edible playdough) and spaghetti as the base.

Guide your toddler to thread cereals onto spaghetti strands, developing motor skills and concentration.

They can create patterns, count, and explore textures. This activity promotes math skills and sensory perception.

Tape Rescue Animals

This engaging and hands-on activity involves using tape to create unique animal traps and then rescuing them in a thrilling pretend-play rescue mission. Watch as your little one’s creativity and problem-solving skills come to life as they embark on animal-saving adventures.

Get ready for a wild and imaginative experience that will have your toddler eagerly stepping into the role of a hero. Let the rescue mission begin with the Animal Tape Rescue !

Easter Q-Tips Peg Cardboard

Q-Tips Peg Cardboard toddler activities develop fine motor skills, and also provide opportunities to create colorful artworks! It’s a fun and creative way to keep kids engaged while also providing an opportunity to develop their hand-eye coordination. This time we made Easter-themed Peg Cardboards . 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Footprint Activity

Step into the colorful world of Eric Carle’s beloved character, the Hungry Caterpillar, with this exciting activity! Designed for young children, the Hungry Caterpillar Footprint Activity brings art and education together in a fun and interactive way. By following simple steps, you can create an enjoyable learning experience that introduces children to the concept of days of the week.

To get started, download the printable materials and gather the necessary supplies. Then, watch as your little ones have a blast creating their own caterpillar footprints and exploring the days of the week through art. It’s a wonderful opportunity to combine creativity and learning, allowing children to engage their imaginations while developing important skills.

So, get ready to embark on a colorful adventure with the Hungry Caterpillar Footprint Activity! Watch as your little ones learn new skills, grow, and have loads of fun along the way. Let the magic of Eric Carle’s iconic character come to life in this delightful and educational activity.

Smash the Pumpkin with Your 18 Month Old Baby

Get ready for a ghoulishly good time with this simple and spooktacular Halloween activity idea! It’s the perfect way to keep the little ones entertained and engaged during this exciting holiday.

Get creative and make your very own playdough pumpkins, and then let your child unleash their energy by smashing them in a delightfully fun and spooky way. This activity combines sensory play, creativity, and a touch of Halloween mischief to create an unforgettable experience.

So, grab your playdough and get ready to create and smash your way into Halloween fun !

Sticker mania

Stickers have stood the test of time as a beloved childhood activity, but did you know they offer more than just entertainment? Stickers can also be a fantastic tool for developing fine motor skills in children. As little one’s peel, place, and manipulate stickers, they refine their hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and precision.

This simple yet engaging activity provides an opportunity for children to practice their fine motor skills while having a blast with colorful and adhesive creations. So, grab a sheet of stickers and let your child’s fine motor development flourish in a fun and interactive way!

Stacking – Learning Toys

Introduce your little one to the fascinating world of stacking with these engaging learning toys designed for 18-month-olds! Stacking toys are not only entertaining but also promotes essential developmental skills such as fine motor coordination, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.

Watch as your child explores the concept of balance, improves their hand-eye coordination, and delights in the joy of stacking colorful blocks.

But that’s not all! We also have an article featuring a wide range of learning toys for children aged 2 and above . Be sure to check it out for even more exciting options to support your child’s growth and learning. 

Gross Motor for 18 Month Old Toddlers

Glow in the dark trampoline.

Instead of the classic Hide and Seek I tried to include a super amazing gross motor activity. Enhance the magical experience of Glow in the Dark Trampoline Jumping by taking the glow sticks to a whole new level! Attach the glow sticks to your child’s body, creating a luminous stick figure that adds an extra element of fun and creativity to their bouncing adventure.

• Glow sticks

Attach glow sticks to clothes to create a glowing stick figure on the trampoline.

As the sun sets and darkness falls, the magic begins. Step onto the trampoline with your child and let the glow-in-the-dark fun commence! Encourage your child to explore different poses, dance moves, and jumping styles to make their stick figure come alive. 

Remember to ensure adequate supervision during the activity to maintain safety and prevent any accidents. Provide clear guidelines and remind your child to follow proper trampoline safety rules, such as jumping in the center and avoiding somersaults or risky maneuvers.

Glow in the Dark Trampoline Jumping is an unforgettable and magical experience that combines active play and visual delight. It’s an opportunity for your child to explore their jumping skills while being immersed in a glowing wonderland.

Climb on Playground Structures

Climbing on playground structures can be an exciting and engaging activity for 18-month-old toddlers. As they continue to develop their gross motor skills and coordination, exploring playground structures can provide valuable opportunities for growth and exploration.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that adult supervision and safety precautions are crucial during this stage of their development.

Key points to consider

Choose age-appropriate structures: Look for playground structures that are designed for younger children and are suitable for their size, strength, and abilities. These structures often have lower platforms, shorter slides, and handrails or bars that are within reach for toddlers.

Ensure a safe environment: Before letting your toddler climb on the playground structures, ensure that the playground is well-maintained and free from any potential hazards. Check for loose or broken parts, sharp edges, and any potential tripping hazards.

Supervise closely: Keep a close eye on your toddler as they explore and climb on the structures. Be within arm’s reach to provide support and assistance if needed. Encourage them to use handrails or other designated supports to maintain balance and stability.

Encourage safe climbing techniques: Teach your toddler how to climb safely by showing them where to place their hands and feet and guiding them through each step. Emphasize the importance of taking one step at a time and being aware of their surroundings.

Foster independence: Allow your toddler to explore and climb independently, but always be ready to provide assistance when necessary. Encourage them to problem-solve and figure out their own way to navigate the structure, while still ensuring their safety.

Celebrate accomplishments: Praise and celebrate your toddler’s achievements as they successfully climb and explore the playground structures. This positive reinforcement will boost their confidence and encourage further exploration and development of their climbing skills.

If you want to you can even buy your own climbing toys for indoor and outdoor fun, like:

Climbing Dome for Toddlers

This innovative toy offers not just one, but two exciting ways to play.

Rocking mode provides a fantastic opportunity for your child to develop balance and body control while flipping it over transforms it into a climbing and jumping adventure.

Foam Climbing Blocks

With these blocks, little ones can climb, crawl, and slide, engaging in active play while having a blast. The blocks also serve as a valuable learning tool.

Toddler Slide with Climbing Steps

The 5-in-1 Toddler Playground is a fantastic addition to any play area. With its multiple activity areas including stairs, slides, storage spaces, a basketball area, and a play telescope, this playground provides endless opportunities for children to improve their physical coordination and develop essential motor skills.

Rocking Climbing Toy

This versatile climbing toy offers endless play possibilities. It can be a climbing arch, tunnel, cradle, or swing, providing hours of active fun and relaxation.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more climbing toys available in the market. It’s important to choose toys that are age-appropriate, sturdy, and safe for your child to use.

Furthermore, if you’re interested in exploring a wide range of outdoor toys suitable for 1-year-olds and beyond , we have a comprehensive article that covers various options.

It provides detailed information on different outdoor toys, including climbing toys, ride-on toys, sand and water play, and much more. You can refer to our article for in-depth guidance on selecting the best outdoor toys for your toddler’s developmental needs and interests.

Outdoor playtime with climbing toys not only promotes physical development but also stimulates imagination, social skills, and cognitive abilities. 

Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so it’s important to be patient and supportive as your toddler explores their abilities on the playground structures. With appropriate supervision, a safe environment, and encouragement, climbing on playground structures can be a fun and beneficial experience for your 18-month-old toddler.

Art & Craft Activities Toddler will Love

Slide painting with splash balls.

Looking for a fun and easy way to add some color to your world? This activity is great for kids of all ages and is a fun way to create a masterpiece while spending time outdoors.

• Splash balls
• Roll of paper
• Tape and scissors
• Food coloring or other paint
• Small bowls

Roll down the paper and secure it to the slide. Use food coloring or paint for a vibrant palette. Dip splash balls in paint and release them down the slide. Create patterns and designs.

Supervise toddlers closely and ensure safety. Adjust slide height if needed.

Let the painted paper dry and admire your masterpiece. This activity promotes creativity and motor skills.

Doodle with Chalk or Paint with Water on Sidewalks

Doodling with chalk (or painting with water for a safer option) is a simple and enjoyable activity that toddlers can engage in to unleash their creativity and develop their fine motor skills. 

• Sidewalk chalk in various colors
• Paintbrushes

Find a safe outdoor area with smooth pavement for chalk doodling. Give your toddler a selection of sidewalk chalk in different colors. Encourage them to hold the chalk and explore its texture and colors. Demonstrate how to make marks on the ground by doodling simple shapes or lines.

Engage with your toddler during the activity by asking open-ended questions about their drawings. Encourage them to describe what they’re creating or tell a story about their artwork. This helps stimulate their creativity and language development.

Once your toddler has finished doodling, celebrate their artistic accomplishments! Take a moment to admire their artwork together and let them know how proud you are of their creative efforts.

Doodling with chalk provides a wonderful opportunity for toddlers to express themselves artistically, develop their fine motor skills, and engage in sensory exploration. Encourage them to enjoy the process of creating colorful masterpieces while fostering their imagination and creativity.

Egg Carton Art – Low Prep Activity for Your 18 Month Old Tot

Indulge in a low-prep activity that every mom will appreciate. The best part? You probably already have the materials (household items) you need right at home! Gather an egg carton and some water paint, and get ready to embark on a creative journey with your child.

• Non toxic paint
• Palette – optional

Settle down with a well-deserved cuppa, and let your child’s imagination run wild as they give a new look to the old egg carton.

Provide them with a palette of water paint and brushes, allowing them to explore various colors and unleash their creativity. They can paint each compartment of the egg carton using different hues, creating a vibrant and personalized masterpiece.

An added bonus? By repurposing and giving a fresh makeover to the egg carton, you’re also practicing recycling and being mindful of the environment. It’s a win-win situation, nurturing creativity and promoting sustainability.

Cotton Ball Ice Cream Activity

Get ready for a delightful and refreshing activity that brings the joy of ice cream to life: the Cotton Ball Ice Cream Activity! This activity requires minimal preparation and is perfect for a sunny day.

• Cotton balls 

Cut triangles from cardboard for the ice cream cones. Place the cotton balls on top. Pour water into the bowls and add a few drops of food coloring in each bowl. 

Invite your children to color the ice cream cotton balls by transferring the colors with droppers. 

Enjoy the sensory and creative fun of making delicious-looking ice cream cones.

Printing with Sponge Slices

Explore the world of art and creativity with the exciting activity of Printing with Sponge Slices . Using simple materials like sponges and paint, your child can create unique and colorful prints. It’s a hands-on experience that combines art, sensory play, and imagination. Get ready to dive into the world of printing and watch as your child’s creativity comes to life on paper!

Handprint Art (Fireworks, Celebration)

Introduce your toddler to the world of art and creativity with the exciting activity of Handprint Paintings. Watch their eyes light up as they create vibrant and personalized artwork using their own little hands.

This activity not only allows your toddler to express their creativity but also promotes sensory exploration and fine motor skills. It’s a wonderful way for them to engage with different textures, colors, and shapes while having loads of fun.

This time we were making handprint fireworks ! Let their imagination soar as they bring their handprint to life, creating lasting memories and masterpieces.

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Discovery Play with Littles

2:01 pm ·

15 Powerful Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

I looked over to her table and she’s crying. Again. While everyone else is happily working away, she sat there, unable to move, just crying. 

Not asking for help.

Not trying to solve her problem.

Just crying.

I took a deep breath before heading over. We’ve already been at this for several months…isn’t it about time the problem-solving has kicked in yet?

One glance and I could tell what her problem was. She didn’t have her pencil.

Know how I knew?

It laid on the floor beside her. In plain sight.

As a kindergarten teacher, I don’t jump right in and solve problems for kids. It’s good for them to try to solve the problem themselves. This is something she struggled with. 

I reminded myself of the need for patience and empathy as I walked up to her. “What’s wrong, Amanda?” 

“I…can’t…find…my…pencil….” she sputtered out between sobs. 

“Ok, that’s a problem we can solve. What have you tried?” 

“I don’t know.” 

After a long time trying to first, calm her down, and second, come up with some strategies she could try, she finally found her pencil. At that point, everyone else had finished the project. 

What is Problem Solving?

Problem-solving is the process of finding a solution to your problem . This can be quite tricky for some young children, especially those with little experience in finding more than one way to solve a problem.

Why is Problem Solving Important? 

Problem-solving skills are used throughout childhood into adulthood. As adults, we solve problems on a daily basis. Some problems we solve without thinking much- I wanted to make tacos for dinner but forgot to buy the ground beef. What are we going to have for dinner now?

Other problems are significantly more complicated. 

Problems for kiddos can be problems with friendships, the inability to find something that’s needed, or even what to do when things don’t go your way. 

Kids who lack problem-solving skills struggle to maintain friendships or even begin to attempt to solve their own problems. 

Children who lack problem-solving skills are at a higher risk for depression as well.

What Are Problem-Solving Skills?

Problem-solving skills are:

• Breaking Down a Problem into Smaller Parts
• Communication
• Decision-making
• Logical Reasoning
• Perseverance

That’s a big list to teach toddlers and preschoolers. Where do you begin?

The Problem-Solving Steps

Sometimes kids are so overwhelmed with frustration that it affects their ability to solve problems.

Kids feel safe in routines, and routines help them learn and grow. After a few times of repeating this routine, you’ll find your kiddo starts to do this on their own. 

It’s important not to skip straight to solving the problem , because your kiddo needs to be in a calm state of mind to solve the problem, and also they need to know their feelings are valid. 

• The first thing to do when your kiddo is struggling with problem-solving is to validate their emotions.

In doing this, they will feel more understood and learn that their emotions are okay. There are no bad feelings, and we must learn how to manage our emotions. 

This might sound something like “Oh, I can see you are really frustrated that the block won’t fit on there right. Let’s take some deep breaths to help us calm down before we think about what to do next.”

• Next, work through your calm-down process . This may be taking some deep breaths together, hugging a stuffie, or giving your kiddo some quiet time to calm down their heart and mind.
• Identify the problem . This sounds like something you may have already done (before the meltdown) but it’s important to be very clear on the problem you’re solving. Have the child tell you their problem out loud.
• Move on to solution-finding . When your kiddo is ready, talk about what the problem is and three possible solutions. When possible, let your kiddo do all of the talking. This allows him to practice his problem-solving skills. It’s important to remind him that the first thing he tries may not work, and that’s ok. There’s always another way to solve the problem. If he’s prepared for this, solutions that don’t work won’t be such a frustrating experience. 
• After you’ve done that, test your solutions one by one. See what works. If you haven’t found a solution yet, go back and think of different ways you might be able to solve your problem and try again.

Are you tired of hearing “It’s TOO HARD!” followed by a meltdown?

Using this one simple phrase you’ll get in this powerful lesson, you’ll not only be able to help your kiddo not give up but you’ll:

>Activate their superpower of perseverance so that they can turn around a meltdown and keep trying

>Inspire them to use perseverance …even when it’s hard

>Teach them to recognize the warning signs of giving up , and how to turn it around by taking control of their choices.

Grab your powerful FREE video lesson to teach your kiddo one of the most powerful keys to perseverance.

Powerful Activities that Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Toddlers & Preschoolers

These activities below may look simple, but don’t let that deter you from trying them. A lot happens in little developing brains and these powerful activities help toddlers and preschoolers make connections and develop {many} essential skills-more than just problem-solving.

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Puzzles are fun and a great way to encourage cognitive development in children. They are great for spacial reasoning and strengthening problem-solving skills. They also develop memory skills, critical thinking, and the ability to plan and execute the plan. Toddlers will enjoy the simple puzzles, and preschoolers will do great with floor puzzles with larger puzzle pieces.

Doing Simple Chores

Doing simple chores is a great way to teach children problem-solving skills, and it strengthens responsibility and perseverance as well. 

During the toddler years , you may start with just picking up their toys, or helping you put their dirty clothes in the hamper. 

Preschoolers can take their dirty dishes to the sink (or load them in the dishwasher), collect the trash, dust, wipe baseboards, and do their own personal care items like making their bed, taking care of their dirty clothes, and putting clean clothes away.

Stacking Rings

When watching a toddler play with stacking rings it doesn’t look like much is happening, but playing with these toys is full of ways to encourage development. It helps with visual and spacial perception and planning ahead, but it also with balance control, crossing the midline, creative play, and gross motor skills. Not to mention it’s a great opportunity to practice problem-solving. 

Playing Hide-and-Seek

Hide and seek has many surprising benefits for kids. Playing hide and seek is like a treasure hunt that helps develop gross motor skills and encourages physical development, as well as problem-solving skills. It also helps young children develop visual tracking, working memory, and social-emotional skills.

Imaginative Play

Imaginative play (also called role-play) builds important skills. Through pretending to be in different situations, kids develop social skills, emotional skills, better communication, and problem-solving skills. Imaginative play is a great idea for young toddlers all the way to older children.

Free Play 

Many young children don’t have {enough} time for free play. Free play is important for healthy brain development , not only developing imagination, cooperation, physical skills, and independence but also providing a great opportunity to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

Playing with Wooden Blocks

Building blocks are a fun way for children to develop creative thinking, imagination, problem-solving, fine motor skills, and if working with others, cooperation, communication, and friendship.

Playing Memory

Memory games improve attention, focus, visual recognition, and concentration. It helps children recognize details and of course, strengthens problem-solving skills. 

Ask Questions

When I see my son struggling with something, my first instinct is to give him choices or at least lead him in the right direction. The better thing to do is to ask very open-ended questions that lead his process, not his thoughts.

Questions like “What’s one way to solve your problem?” are much more effective in teaching problem-solving skills than “Well, where did you last see your stuffy?” 

Read Books and Social Stories

Reading books is one of my favorite ways to teach any skill. It’s extremely effective at teaching, and it’s also an amazing bonding time with kids.

When we read stories, our brain reacts as if we’re living in the story. This is why reading books about skills such as problem-solving is so effective. 

Kids of all ages learn from the people they love . (Yes, even those older kids who you don’t think are paying attention.) Often as adults, we’re too busy going through our daily routine to think about talking about the way we solved the problem at work that day.

Talking about how you use skills such as problem-solving, perseverance, and integrity is a great way to set an example, and an expectation that this is how we do things, and it will provide encouragement for your kiddo to do the same.

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a great group activity that can strengthen your child’s logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

When Your Kiddo is Ready, Add These Activities

Preschoolers would benefit from all of the fun activities on the list above and when they’re ready, feel free to add in the following activities.   

Mazes are great for problem-solving and perseverance, but your kiddo will need to have decent fine motor skills to do these activities. Mazes are one of our favorite activities. We love to take our activity book of mazes in the car with us for road trips. 

Board Games  

Board games are a good way to strengthen problem-solving, teamwork, planning skills, patience, sportsmanship, and communication skills. They also strengthen family relationships by providing some intentional time of connection .

Any board game can also be turned into an academic game with just a deck of cards for whatever skill you’re working on. If you’re working on the alphabet, put one letter on each card. Before each player’s turn, they draw a letter card and say the letter’s name. (You may accidentally forget the name of a letter every now and then to see if your kiddo is really paying attention!) 

Allow Opportunities for Hands-On Investigations

Kids are tactile. They love to touch and explore things with their hands. This is a good activity for toddlers also, as long as they are out of the putting everything in their mouth stage. Hands-on exploration is great for language development, sensory exploration, and problem-solving.

Allowing kids to investigate with their hands allows them to see how the world works up close. It also gives them time and space to try to make things work…and problem-solve when it doesn’t go as they think it should.

The Most Difficult Way (and Most Important Way) To Strengthen Problem-Solving Skills

Watching our kids struggle is hard ! We don’t want to see them having a hard time…and most of the time we don’t want to deal with the impending meltdown. Standing back and giving our kids time and space to work through even simple problems is hard to do. It’s also the most important way to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

As parents, we’re like frogs in boiling water. When our kids are infants, they need us to recognize their needs and solve them immediately. As they get older, they can point to what they want, but we still have a lot of interpreting and problem-solving to do on our own. If we aren’t careful, we stay in this stage and don’t teach our kiddos the steps to problem-solving for themselves. 

The next most difficult thing? Allowing natural consequences to happen. (As long as your child is safe of course.) If your child saves their money for a long time to buy a new toy, but walks down the toy aisle and picks up something you know they’ll be disappointed with, let it happen. It will teach a valuable lesson that will last for years to come.

Another Essential Part of Problem-Solving

Perseverance is a big part of problem-solving. We are rarely able to solve problems the first time, and it’s essential that kids can find more than one solution to a problem. Studies have found that perseverance is actually the biggest predictor of success, even more than aptitude or raw talent. 

An entire module is dedicated to perseverance in our course for kids, Super Kid Adventures . Your kiddo will get 25 teacher-led lessons on character traits (perseverance, empathy, friendship, responsibility, and wellness) and activities that take their learning further. 

Want a free preview? Grab a FREE Perseverance video lesson that teaches your kiddo one of the most important secrets that help them use perseverance.

Want More? 

If you like this, you’ll love: 

The Ultimate List of Books that Teach Perseverance

7 Simple Ways to Encourage Independence in Young Children

How to Help Your Child Develop Self-Help Skills

Your Turn 

What are your favorite ways to teach problem-solving skills?

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a mama of two boys, a former teacher, and the founder of Discovery Play with Littles. Her mission is to make raising kids with character simple and fun. Join us for our best learning through play ideas, character growth activities, and family connection ideas so you can watch your child thrive.

Reader Interactions

As a SLP trying to guide parents as I work with their child. I would like to know what toys to recommend to my parents as I assist in guiding their child’s development in cognition and expressive language.

Perseverance is the biggest predictor of success, even more than raw talent or aptitude.

Grab a FREE lesson to teach your kiddo one of the keys to perseverance...which is how we talk to our brains.

They'll learn what to say when they encounter something difficult, and why it's so important.

PLAY is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. -Mr. Rogers

An 18 month old toddler is constantly learning and changing; this stage is when your child is walking and using basic words. They love to explore, learn, and play together. Also, toddlers at this age show more independence and interest in pretend play.

All toddlers learn at a different pace, but here is a general list of what your 18 month old is learning at this age. Use this to help pick out things to do with 18 month olds!

• Shaking his head no in response to his needs.
• Expresses new emotions like frustration, guilt, shame, and possessiveness.
• Separation anxiety peaks around 18 months.
• Pointing at objects he wants.
• Pretend plays by feeding stuffed animals or baby dolls.
• Points to body parts when asked.
• Helps undressed himself.
• Pulls toys along while walking.
• Attempts to walk up the stairs.
• More words develop, usually one to two new words per week.

25 Activities for your 18 Month Old

1. play with shapes.

You don’t have to be fancy or plan elaborate things for your 18 month old to do. Sometimes, simple is all that’s needed, like playing some with shape sorting toys.

Make sure you have a Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube . It’s a classic toy that all kids love; it requires focus and attention. Over time, your child will master all of the shapes.

Another easy idea is to take stiff pieces of felt and cut out shapes. Then, have your child sort them. Make sure to store them to reuse later!

Grab my Colors & Shapes Toddler Busy Binder !

2. Sidewalk Shape Activity

This Sidewalk Chalk Shape Game is as simple as it gets and will keep your toddler or preschooler busy for a bit! All you need is some sidewalk chalk and pavement and you have a fun game for your little one! It’s like a life-size game board where your child can learn, explore, or practice their shapes and colors. 

Draw the shapes on your patio or driveway. Then, you call out the shape and color, and your toddler has to jump to it!

Related : Sidewalk Chalk Shape Learning Game

3. Sorting by Colors

Sorting by colors is always one of the top 18 month old activities. Colors are often one of the first things toddlers identify by name, and they love to use their new skills.

You’ll find a lot of ways to do this!

One of the easiest is by placing four sheets of construction paper – each a different color – on the table. Then, give your toddler some color sorting bears or these fun jumping frogs .

4. Sort Colors in Muffin Tins

Grab those muffin tins out of your cabinet and use them to sort colors. I like color bears for this, but you really can use any item. Toddlers love this activity, and since you can use change the items, it has endless potentials.

Related : Sorting Colors With Muffin Tins Activity

5. Play Colorama

I know the instructions for Colorama say that it’s best for kids 3 years old and up, but it has different levels of playing. The easiest level is do-able for a toddler. Parents split all the shapes between the players and everyone has to find the matching space for their shapes. It’s not competitive – you take turns.

There are a lot of ways to use this as your child gets older.

6. Practice Stacking

Toddlers love stacking. It’s a great time to introduce a new stacker to your toddler; we love the Melissa & Doug Rainbow Wooden Ring Stacker . It’s a little more advanced than simply blocks. By 18 to 24 months old, your toddler is ready for a bit more of a challenge.

If you don’t want to buy new toys, grab some different sized cans out of the pantry and use those. I swear my toddler stacked food cans out of my drawers for months before finding it uninteresting.

7. Learn Letters

18 months is a great time to introduce letters, but don’t expect your child to grasp them at this age. Rather, it’s a good time to introduce toys that use letters in play.

For example, all toddlers love foam bath letters . You can point out the letters and spell words, like their name, on the tub walls. It’s a no-pressure toy but encourages early learning.

Related : 14+ Simple Activities to Teach Toddlers the Alphabet

8. Fish for Letters

Use those letters for a simple activity – fishing for letters. Fill up a baby pool with some water and toss in foam letters. Let your child scoop them out, and once they start to recognize the letters, you can call one out and let your child find it.

Related : Fishing For Letters Toddler Outdoor Activity

9. Stick Letters to Window

Another activity with those little foam letters is to stick them to windows or glass doors. All you have to is put them into a bowl and spray some water on them. They stick well when wet.

Your toddler will find it fascinating that the letters stick to the window!

10. Pom-Pom Drop

This PomPom Tube Drop activity is very simple and only requires 3 items. Most of them you probably already have at home.

The pompom tube drop is a developmental activity that will help to improve fine motor skills (using the small muscles of the hands and fingers) and understanding cause-and-effect and problem-solving . 

Parents can add more learning to this activity by adding vocabulary, counting, and color recognition.

Related : Pom Pom Tube Drop: Toddler Developmental Activity

11. Match Animal Figures

I think this idea is so fun!

Grab the First 100 Animals book along with a set of farm animals – these are versatile and great to have on hand! Ask your toddler to look for a farm animal in the book and match them.

This book has a lot of animals, so you easily can use TOOB sets like their insect set and marine life set as well.

Grab my Farm Toddler & Preschool Packet !

12. Hang with Other Toddlers

Get your toddler out with other kids his age; it’s definitely one of the best things to do with 18 month olds.

Toddlers are social creatures, and they love to be with kids their age. At this age, their social skills are developing, and while they may not play together, they will parallel play at this age.

13. Climb on Playground Structures

Toddlers love to climb; it targets their tactile and gross motor skills needs. Climbing helps your toddlers learn to balance and learn body awareness. it also encourages hand and shoulder strength, trunk control, and builds core strength.

Plus, your little toddler loves to explore and climb. As your child climbs the same structure regularly, you’ll notice their confidence growing.

Local playgrounds offer plenty of climbing structures for kids, but if you don’t want to go to the playground all the time, get a climbing tower for your backyard. We love our climbing dome ; it gets so much use!

14. Take Daily Walks Together

If you can’t figure out new 18 month old activities, take daily walks together. Not only do walks target all senses, but your child will work on gross and fine motor skills, visual skills, and hand-eye coordination.

Taking walks around the block gives you opportunities for adventure with your toddler. You never know what you will see, and toddlers are naturally curious. Don’t rush your walks; spend time and let your child see what he wants to see.

Your child may shred up some leaves, break sticks, pick flowers, and lift up rocks. All of these are working on skills, and walking on different surfaces and inclines practices gross motor skills.

Related : Easter Bunny Hop Gross Motor Activity for Toddlers and Preschool with Free Printable

15. Read Books Together

Of course, reading books together with your child is always one of the best 18 month old activities. Reading helps your child grow his vocabulary by hearing brand new words. It’s one of the best things you can do for your child to encourage early literacy.

Related : 30 Books about Feelings for Preschoolers

16. Pull Toys Behind

Chances are your toddler is moving and walking all around your house now, so it’s the perfect time to introduce a pulling toy.

You’ll find all sorts of options, but a classic pick is the VTech Pull & Sing Puppy . As your toddler pulls the toy behind him, it sings and plays songs.

17. Enjoy Sensory Bottles

All kids, especially toddlers, love sensory bottles. The ideas and options are endless, and they’re affordable to make. Sensory bottles hold your child’s attention, and you can involve your toddler in the making of the bottle as well.

Related : How to Make Simple DIY Glitter Sensory Bottles

18. Play in Fake Snow

If you need fun winter 18 month old activities, make a sensory in that uses some fake snow. Instead of getting cold outside, you enjoy the winter and sensory play – two things your toddler understands.

Get creative; you can hide all sorts of things in the fake snow!

Related : Winter Sensory Bin with Fake Snow: A Winter Activity

19. Play in a Blanket Fort

One of the easiest 18 month old activities is to make a blanket fort with chairs and blankets. I bet you did this as a kid, and it’s just as exciting for your kids as it was for you.

Grab some of your kitchen chairs, toss some blankets over them, put pillows underneath, and have fun. Your toddler will love crawling in and out of the covered fort.

20. Splash in the Bath Tub

Need a rainy day activity? Put your toddler in the bath tub for some play time.

All you really need is some cups, spoons, and other items for your child to use in the water. They can splash and have fun until they’re over this activity.

Just remember to stay in the room for safety purposes.

21. Toy Water Scoop

Simply fill your plastic storage container or bowl with water and throw some plastic toys in. Add in some scoopable items like serving spoons, stacking cups, or small shovels to give them something to scoop with.

I often use food pouch lids for this. They’re something we typically toss, but they work for this activity and color sorting.

Related : Toy Water Scoop Sensory Bin

22. Have Sensory Fun with Play-Doh

Toddlers love play dough; it helps with fine motor development while strengthening their hands.

When your give your toddler play dough for the first time, you might notice him squeezing and pulling it apart. With plenty of open-ended play opportunities, you will notice your child trying other things, such as:

• Hiding objects in the play dough

You can always make your own play dough, but if you aren’t interested in DIY, grab some packs of Play-Doh to keep at home. It’s always one of the best rainy day activities for 18 month olds.

Related : How to Fix Dry Play Doh: 5 Ways to Rehydrate Play Doh

23. Finger Paint and Make a Mess

Bring out your toddler’s artistic side and finger paint.

Listen, I know – dealing with messes is the last thing you want to do, but it’s worth it. Not only is finger painting a form of sensory play, but kids need a chance to work on those artistic skills in a free environment. Making crafts doesn’t develop artistic skills in the same way.

All you need is some simple washable finger-paints and mixed media paper. Using thicker paper helps prevent the paint from leaking through.

24. Finger Paint WITHOUT The Mess

Sometimes, making a mess just doesn’t fit into your plans for the day. That’s okay!

This no-mess finger paint activity idea came when trying to give my toddlers a fun experience right after a bath. I realized that I didn’t want them to get all messy once again so I came up with this activity.

You put the paint on a plate inside of a plastic bag – or just put the paint in the bags! – and finger paint. I suggest making sure you duct tape the ends closed to ensure no explosions happen.

Related : No-Mess Finger Paint Activity

25. Doodle with Chalk

I can’t lie; I love chalk. It’s pretty much a no-mess art supply since chalk brushes off easily.

Drawing with chalk is fun for all ages; it feels different than crayons and disappears with water or wiping away. A chalkboard easel provides plenty of fun for your toddler and gives your child the opportunity to doodle, scribe, and draw lines.

I love the Melissa & Doug Standing Art Easel . One side is a chalkboard, and the other side is a dry erase board. It also holds paper for drawing and has space for paint cups.

It’s not too hard to find enjoyable 18 month old activities. Pay attention to what your child enjoys the most when selecting the things to do that day together!

Related posts:

ADAM & Mila

The Ultimate List of Creative Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers

We will explore problem solving skills, milestones and creative problem solving examples for kids that you will have fun trying with your little one.

Let’s Define Problem Solving

It’s simple. Problem solving is a skill set used by your baby that incorporates his or her ability to perceive, think, and gain understanding about his or her world; including remembering and decision-making. All of these problem solving skills are also known as cognitive skills .

Purposeful Problem Solving

Problem solving is a skill that begins early in your baby’s life. But there is a difference between simple problem solving and purposeful problem solving. Let’s explain.

Purposeful problem solving involves an intended action to achieve a desired result. Your child will use a specific problem solving approach to achieve this. They may include:

• Manipulating objects
• Learning about different properties of objects
• Learning how to get things done in the easiest way

Overcoming Obstacles

Overcoming obstacles is a necessity in becoming good at problem solving . There are times when you will be convinced that your child is a genius with the clever ways he can overcome the obstacles that stand in his way!

Everyday Problems and Solutions

Make way for your little creative thinker! Overcoming obstacles in clever ways is what your little one does best. These clever ways are not always verbal (especially at a younger age), it is important to practice nonverbal problem solving activities. So, what will your baby’s creative problem solving abilities look like? Take a look at two examples of problem solving life skills activities:

Life Problem: Your child sees her bottle sticking out of the diaper bag that is slightly out of reach. Solution: Your child pulls at the strap of the diaper bag to pull it closer to her.

Life Problem: Your child sees his favorite toy on the other side of the laundry basket. Solution: He crawls around the laundry basket to get his toy.

Understanding Cognitive Development

Cognitive development is your child’s ability to communicate, think, and problem solve. As your child grows, his or her brain is growing as well. As your child’s cognitive skills become more developed, the more he or she will begin to explore their world and test things in his or her environment. Understanding your baby’s cognitive development is key to chosing the best activities to help your baby master his or her problem solving skills.

Resist Coming to the Rescue

One great tip for parents is to not be so quick to come to the aid of your child when he or she faces small everyday problems. By allowing your baby the time and space to figure things out for himself, you help him build confidence and grow his ability to problem solve.

Tips for Easy Creative Problem Solving Activities

We at ADAM & Mila wish to provide practical and easy to apply ideas for fun and educational activities. There is a variety of easy brain boosting activities to stimulate your baby’s brain, increase his or her critical thinking skills , and help your little one become a great problem solver. There are a lot of activities that you can do with your child.

Problem Solving Activities For Infants

• Sing to your baby
• Read to your baby every day

Problem Solving Activities For Toddlers

• Play peek-a-boo
• Play hide-and-seek with objects
• Play with puzzles, blocks, or drawing materials

Problem Solving Activities For Children Age 2-3

• Sort objects by color, size, and shape
• Help your child “write” his own book by writing his words while he or she draws the pictures
• Teach the words; on, under, behind, around by playing games like Simon Says
• Provide a “dress-up” box for your child for imaginative play

The Milestones of Developing Methodical Problem Solving Skills

Below we have collected all the milestones your child will go through month-by-month as he or she acquire these critical problem solving skills.

That Second Reach

Development Milestone emerges from age 5 to 7 months.

At about 5 months old, your child will begin to purposely reach for second objects while still holding on to the first one. For example, while holding one toy in his hands, he may use his other hand to reach for a second toy. He does not, however, have to necessarily pick it up.

Works for It

Development Milestone emerges from age 5 to 9 months.

Now, your baby’s movements start to demonstrate clear purpose, intention, and persistence while repeatedly reaching for objects. This is when your child will try and try again to get that ball he really wants that is out of his reach. He may reach, stretch, or even wiggle to get it.

Drops Object to Pick Up New Object

Development Milestone emerges from age 6 to 8 months.

At this age, if your little one is holding an object or toy in each of her hands, she may drop one of them to pick up a new object without even thinking about it. She isn’t yet purposefully trying to think of a way to hold all three, which is why she will drop one toy to get the new one.

Reaches for New Object While Holding Two

Development Milestone emerges from age 8 to 10 months.

Unlike the stage before, this time when your child is holding an object in each of his hands, he will attempt to pick up a third one without dropping the ones he is already holding. There is a thought process of how to hold the third item, whether it is by adjusting his grasp on the current two items, reaching with his mouth for the third item or coming up with another way.

Pulling It Closer

Now, when your child sees his favorite toy resting on a towel or sheet out of reach, he will simply purposely pull the towel or sheet with the toy on it closer to him. Observe this milestone on your child by simply placing a toy on a towel on the floor and see what your child does.

Development Milestone emerges from age 8 to 11 months.

Nothing is going to stop your little one from getting to the toy he wants! Not a box, laundry basket, or pillow. At this age, your baby will figure out a way to get that toy he wants, even if he has to push, reach above, or move around something to get it.

Getting in Motion to Grab an Object

Development Milestone emerges from age 9 to 12 months.

Now, your child is ready to crawl, creep, scoot, roll, climb, or walk to get to that toy she wants! You can test to see if your child has mastered this milestone by placing a toy that has multiple pieces like a stacking toy around the room. Place the base of the stacking toy by your child and the rings around the room and watch as your child problem solves to find the rings and bring them back to the base.

Pulling Toy Horizontally by a Handle or Strap

This stage shows your child’s understanding of how two objects are connected and how one can influence the movement of the other. So, you may see your child pull at a shoestring to get her shoe or the strap of a diaper bag to get her bottle or sippy cup.

Pulling Toy Vertically by a Handle or Strap

Development Milestone emerges from age 13 to 15 months.

Now that she has mastered pulling horizontally at a string or strap of an object to bring it closer to her, she will begin to pull at strings or straps that are hanging to pull an object up to her. For example, she may pull a string or plastic chain link of a toy dangling from her high chair.

Flips Over Container to Get to Small Objects

Development Milestone emerges from age 12 to 18 months.

When trying to get at a small object inside of a container, your baby will likely try to get at it by poking his finger in it or shaking it. However, after showing him how, your baby will flip over the container and begin to shake it until the desired object falls out.

Simple Problem Solving with Tools

Development Milestone emerges from age 17 to 24 months.

At this stage, your child will use an unrelated object to get the object she actually wants. For example, she may grab a nearby stick (or spatula) to get her favorite toy out from underneath the couch or she may invent other ways to solve her problem of getting her favorite toy out.

Turning Doorknobs

Development Milestone emerges from age 21 to 23 months.

Now, the fun begins (depending on your idea of fun) because your toddler has figured out that he or she can get to the other side of the door by simply turning the doorknob. This means you need to do another round of baby proofing. A door is no longer an obstacle.

These are some of the many milestones that your child is mastering as he or she is growing from infant to toddler. Your baby’s ability to problem solve is an important one. It can also be a lot of fun to help them along the way as that skill continues to develop. It is important to note that every baby learns at his or her own pace. So, don’t worry if your baby isn’t doing what your neighbor’s kid was doing at that age. Always speak to your pediatrician for serious concerns. Otherwise, try out some fun activities with your baby that we know will benefit both you and your child. Oh, and remember to have fun!

We hope that this article was helpful to you. We would love to know what you think! Please share our article with others who might benefit from it.

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April 3, 2019 at 6:27 pm

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15 Best Montessori Activities For 18 Month Old

Did you know that Montessori Activities for 18-month-old is essential to your toddler’s future development? According to the American Montessori Society, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. 

They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly—a skill set for the 21st century, Preparing them for preschool and time with peers is a daunting undertaking – but one which can be helped along with some smart activities at home. 

Montessori-based learning has been around for decades, widely recognized as hugely beneficial in providing an early foundation to help children reach their full potential. This post will explore four great methods that make use of things commonly found around the home so you can bring these iconic principles into play today!

Understanding the Montessori Approach for Toddlers

Discovering the Montessori approach for toddlers is like unlocking a secret superpower for parents and educators. This incredible method of early childhood education encourages independence, unleashes self-motivation, and sparks hands-on learning adventures. 

With Montessori-trained teachers as their guides, little ones explore a carefully prepared environment where curiosity knows no limits. 

Every corner of the classroom becomes a gateway to endless discovery, filled with materials that captivate their minds and nurture development. Montessori education also creates a vibrant sense of community, where children collaborate in a respectful and serene atmosphere. 

With the Montessori approach, toddlers become champions of their learning journey, unleashing their unique potential and laying the groundwork for a lifetime of triumph!

Understanding Your 18-Month-Old: Key Developmental Milestones

Seeing our children grow and discover new things is an exciting journey! Your observation about the age of around 18 months is spot on; it’s a time of massive exploration and learning. Here’s a fun, expanded breakdown of what they’re mastering during this phase:

1. The Power of the Pincer

Does your 18 month old grabs all things that they can see? Well, it’s a good sign!

At this age they are training to handle objects with grace and precision, building the foundation for countless tasks ahead.

Also, this period is time for the color sorting game, where each hue becomes a puzzle piece waiting to be placed. 

They might not say ‘red,’ ‘blue,’ or ‘green’ just yet, but that won’t stop us from turning them into color commentators.

As they point out the vibrant hues, their excitement will soar, and their language development will take flight. It’s a fun way to engage them in learning without pressure, where joy and curiosity drive their exploration.

2. Language: The Ultimate Power-Up

Get ready to set sail on the linguistic odyssey of your 18-month-old wonder! 

It’s a journey filled with word wonders, mini storytelling, and a dash of magic that’ll leave you in awe.

Imagine unlocking a secret language treasure chest, and there they are – words spilling out like shiny jewels! “Mama go,” they say, or “more swing” – aha, a mini storyteller in the making.

Also, this is the time to make the world their language playground. Remember to engage them with rich vocabulary, real-world names, and enchanting reading sessions. We’ll be their language explorers, guiding them through this vibrant linguistic jungle.

But it’s not just about talking; it’s about being their number one fans! When they chatter, lock eyes with them, and cheer them on like they’re the stars of their very own language show. They’ll feel like linguistic champions, empowered to conquer the world with words.

3. Gross Motor Movement: Little Adventurers on the Move

Tired of running after your toddler, do you feel it in your knees? 

As parents, we’re happy to see them run around, but it’s tiring, and that’s okay and it’s actually a part of them growing up.

Watch in awe as their tiny feet become steady, and they embark on thrilling adventures. Climbing up stairs, running like lightning, and conquering the ‘Maximum Effort Challenge’ with gusto.

What is the ‘Maximum Effort Challenge,’ you ask? 

It’s a special event where they proudly display their strength, showing off their mini muscles by lugging around the heaviest objects they can find. A heavy shopping bag? No problem! They’re your mini muscle superheroes, ready to rescue you with their power!

But it’s not just about showing off; it’s about building confidence, coordination, and physical prowess. With every climb, run, and heave, they’re conquering new frontiers in their gross motor skills.

4. Practical Life Activities: Tiny Heroes in Training

At 18 months, our tiny explorers can already be pros at ‘Operation Clean-Up.’ 

Armed with their cute little hands and endless curiosity, they’re determined to tackle any spill or mess they encounter. A spilled glass of water becomes a chance to showcase their superhero skills as they grab a cloth and wipe away the evidence of their mess.

As parents, we should praise them and cheerfully applaud their efforts.  And once they’re done tidying up, we join in their celebration, clapping and cheering, “Hooray for the cleanup champion!”

I know, It’s incredible to witness how these little kids are already embracing a sense of responsibility and independence at such a young age.

5. Social Development: Little Diplomats on Duty

The journey of our 18-month-old adventurers as they navigate the fascinating world of socialization and self-expression.

This is the time of “Parallel Play Pioneers,” where they’re discovering the joys of teamwork and camaraderie while still maintaining their independent explorer spirit.

Stage 1: Parallel Play Prowess

At this stage, our tiny champions are still mastering the art of “Parallel Play.” It’s like they’re part of a grand orchestra, each playing their instrument (toys) alongside others without yet creating a symphony together. But fear not. This is an essential step in their socialization journey.

Example : Picture your little kid sitting beside a fellow playmate, both engrossed in their toy castles. One builds tall towers while the other constructs imaginary moats. Though they don’t directly interact, they share occasional glances, acknowledging each other’s creative endeavors.

Stage 2: Surroundings Sleuth

As these young adventurers grow, they become keen “Surroundings Sleuths.” Their awareness of the world around them expands, and they start to observe the actions and reactions of those around them, including us, the trusted grown-up guides.

Example : Imagine your child detective observing a game of catch between two older siblings. With bright eyes and a curious smile, they try to mimic the throwing motion with a soft ball, ready to join in on the fun. Even though their throws might not reach the intended target yet, they’re excited to be part of the team.

Stage 3: Collaboration Crusaders

As your child gain confidence, they transform into “Collaboration Crusaders.” Armed with newfound social skills, they’re ready to team up and take on missions with their peers, understanding that shared adventures are even more exciting.

Example : Your child invites a playmate to join in building a fort together. They hand over bricks, exchange ideas with giggles and gestures, and create a magnificent structure that represents the power of collaboration. The shared laughter and accomplishment make their hearts soar!

Stage 4: Expression Explorers

Now comes the time to unleash their creativity as “Expression Explorers.” They’ve honed their communication skills, and nothing can stop them from expressing themselves through play and imagination.

Example : Watch your child takes on the role of a boisterous pirate, donning a cardboard hat and wielding a spoon as their mighty sword. With a hearty “Arrr!” and an infectious grin, they invite other playmates to join their swashbuckling crew, sparking imaginative adventures all around.

Through their developmental journey, these 18-month-old dynamos evolve into little ambassadors in the making. Their natural inclination to connect with others and explore their world sets the stage for future friendships and meaningful relationships. So, let’s cheer them on as they embrace the magic of socialization and self-expression, knowing that they are destined to conquer the realm of play and beyond!

6. Order and Organization: Mini Masterminds at Work

At 18 months, these tiny children are on a quest to conquer the realm of order and organization. Armed with their curious minds and infectious energy, they embark on a developmental journey that’s as fun as it is fascinating.

In the beginning, chaos might seem to reign supreme as they explore their surroundings with boundless enthusiasm. 

Toys are scattered, socks are mismatched, and everything seems like an exciting mystery waiting to be unraveled. But fear not, for our Mini Masterminds are quick learners, and they’re about to unlock the secrets of orderliness!

As they grow, they turn into little detectives, carefully observing how things fit together and where they belong. It’s like playing a fun puzzle-solving game!

They’re becoming the experts of arranging blocks by size or nesting cups inside each other, celebrating each successful arrangement with delighted claps and gleeful giggles.

7. The Art of Repetition: Perfecting their Skills

You might have heard the age-old saying, “Monkey see, Monkey do,” and it holds true in this marvelous adventure of parenthood.

As our tiny observers, children are ever-curious and eager to imitate the world around them. From the way we handle everyday tasks to our social interactions and language, they’re keen on mimicking our every move. That’s where our shining moment comes in!

As the lead performers in their developmental play, we have the incredible opportunity to be their role models. By showcasing the right skills and behaviors, we become the inspiration that fuels their learning. So, let’s put on a show they won’t forget! Whether it’s stacking blocks, demonstrating manners, or even trying new words, let’s do it with flair and enthusiasm.

Through the art of repetition, we provide the essential practice ground for their budding skills. While they observe us, they also lay the groundwork for their own talents. It’s like this magical loop of learning – the more they see, the more they do, and the more they do, the more they grow.

So, fellow parents, let’s embrace our role with a balance of fun and strictness. As we guide them through the journey of development, let’s make sure we’re hitting the right notes.

The Importance of Sensory Play in Montessori Activities

Sensory play is a vital aspect of Montessori activities, deeply rooted in the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. This approach to learning encourages children to learn through exploration, manipulation, and interaction with their environment, using all their senses. It underpins several facets of the Montessori method, which understands that a child learns best when their whole self, including their senses, is engaged.

Here are some reasons why sensory play is essential in Montessori activities:

Development of Sensorial Skills : Sensory play is designed to stimulate and develop a child’s senses. It’s a great way for children to explore and naturally use scientific processes while they play, investigate, and discover new sensory experiences.

Cognitive Growth : Sensory activities help in brain development by enhancing memory, attention, and concentration levels. When children use their senses, they are more likely to remember the activity, improving their cognitive growth.

Motor Skill Development : Activities like sorting, pouring, or manipulating materials improve children’s fine motor skills. This helps them build strength and coordination that is useful for future tasks, such as writing.

Language Acquisition : Sensory activities offer children a rich source of descriptive language, such as smooth, rough, soft, hard, cold, or hot, which children can associate with their personal experiences.

Problem-Solving Skills : Through sensory play, children learn to respond to their environment. For example, figuring out how to balance blocks to build a tower involves understanding weight, size, and balance.

Promoting Mindfulness and Calming Effects: Engaging in sensory play can also be a calming and soothing activity, which can help manage children’s anxiety or frustrations. In this way, children are able to engage fully in the task at hand since it cultivates a sense of mindfulness and concentration.

In a Montessori setting, you’ll find a wide range of materials designed to promote sensory play. These include sandpaper letters, color tablets, sound cylinders, and many other specially designed tools. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate an enriching and self-driven learning environment, empowering children to explore and uncover knowledge at their own rhythm and in ways that resonate with them. By integrating sensory play into Montessori activities, we ignite a passion for learning, ignite curiosity, and spark an immersive connection with the world. 

DIY Montessori Activities for 18 Month Old

Here are some of the best Montessori activities you can set up for your 18-month-old at home:

DIY Sensory Bins

Get ready to dive into a world of touch and wonder with our DIY Sensory Bins. Picture this: a magical container filled with fascinating materials like soft, squishy sand, slippery rice, twisty pasta, or even shimmering water! The best part? We’ve hidden small toys and everyday items in there for your little explorer to discover and unravel the mysteries of texture and shape!

Sensory play is a powerhouse for your child’s development. It boosts their sensory superpowers, levels up hand-eye coordination, and gives their brain a high five for cognitive growth. It’s not just fun, it’s FUNtastic.

How to Create the Magic: Find a large, shallow container and gather a variety of materials like sand, rice, pasta, or water. Throw in some tiny toys or household items for the ultimate treasure hunt. Now watch as your little one’s eyes light up with joy and curiosity as they explore the sensory wonderland you’ve created.

Sorting Game

Step right up to the Colorful Carnival of Sorting.

Get ready for a dazzling adventure where colors come alive, and your little one becomes the master sorter! Behold the magical colored pom poms and the enchanting bowls waiting to be filled with vibrant hues.

Sorting games are not only entertaining but also fantastic for your child’s cognitive development. By arranging the pom poms by color or size, they refine their problem-solving skills, enhance their visual discrimination, and nurture their understanding of patterns and categories.

How to Create the Carnival Magic: Gather an array of brightly colored pom poms and a collection of charming bowls. Let your child’s imagination run wild as they sort the pom poms into their designated color or size bowls. 

Witness the joy on their face as they conquer the sorting challenge with flair.

Matching Activity

Gather your little adventurer as we embark on a thrilling mission of connections and discoveries. Behold the enchanted cards, each adorned with delightful animals, fascinating shapes, or familiar objects – all waiting to find their mystical twins.

Matching activities are a magical way to boost your child’s memory and cognitive abilities. As they pair up the cards, they enhance their visual recognition, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Plus, the joy of finding matches builds their confidence and sense of accomplishment.

How to Begin the Quest: Print or draw two sets of enchanting images, making sure they’re captivating and easily recognizable. Laminate them to add a touch of magic and ensure they withstand the adventures to come. 

Clothespin Activity

Step right up to the grand arena where your little champ will master the art of opening and closing wooden clothespins with finesse. 

The thrilling task? To attach these clever clippers to the edge of a thin cardboard or a cloth with the grace of a gymnast.

The Clothespin Olympics is not just a thrilling game; it’s a powerful way to develop your child’s fine motor skills. By manipulating these tiny wooden wonders, they strengthen their hand muscles, improve hand-eye coordination, and enhance their dexterity – all essential skills for future writing and drawing adventures!

How to Begin: Gather some wooden clothespins and provide your child with a thin cardboard or cloth to perform their feats of finger gymnastics. Show them how to open and close the clothespins, and watch as they take on the challenge.

Stacking Blocks

Welcome to the Kingdom of Stacking Spectacles, where your little architect will embark on an extraordinary journey of balance and creativity.

Behold the magnificent wooden blocks and charming cups, waiting to be transformed into towering wonders. It all begins with big dreams and bigger blocks, and as they conquer each level, the challenge rises like a real life game.

Stacking blocks is not only super fun, but also an amazing way to boost your little one’s cognitive and motor skills! As they expertly place each block, they’ll develop a keen sense of space, problem-solving superpowers, and excellent hand-eye coordination. 

How to Start the Stacking: Begin the adventure with a collection of larger wooden blocks or cups. Encourage your little builder to create their first majestic tower. As they become tower masters, sprinkle in smaller items to keep the challenge soaring to new heights.

Playdough Exploration

Get ready for a super fun and moldable adventure in the vibrant realm of Playdough Playland! 

Who steals the spotlight? Playdough – a magical substance that’s ready to be shaped, stretched, and sculpted by your little artist.

Playdough exploration is not just about sensory delight; it’s a gateway to nurturing your child’s creativity and fine motor skills. As they knead, mold, and cut, they strengthen their hand muscles, improve hand-eye coordination, and unleash their artistic flair.

How to Create Playdough Playland: Prepare a batch of colorful playdough, each hue representing a world of possibilities. Offer cookie cutters, rolling pins, and other exciting tools to enhance their creative play. Watch as your little artist transforms simple balls of dough into awesome sculptures and creations.

In Playdough Playland, the magic is in your child’s hands. So, unleash the power of imagination, from playful pancakes to whimsical creatures, the only limit is their creativity.

Treasure Basket

Picture a wondrous basket brimming with a treasure trove of everyday items – each with its own unique texture, shape, and size. 

From the sturdy wooden spoons to the soft fabric scraps and shiny metal bowls, this treasure basket promises to ignite your child’s curiosity and sense of wonder.

The Treasure Basket is not just a collection of items; it’s a portal to endless learning and sensory development. As your child picks up, touches, and examines each treasure, they enhance their sensory perception, fine motor skills, and cognitive understanding of the world around them.

How to Set the Stage for Discovery: Prepare a captivating basket filled with a variety of items that are safe for exploration. You can include wooden spoons, fabric scraps, metal bowls, and any other intriguing objects you can find around the house. Place the basket in a cozy, inviting space and watch your little adventurer embark on a journey of delightful discoveries.

Pouring Practice

Have you ever experienced going to eat to a restaurant, the waiter gives you water with the pitcher, and suddenly your kid wants to pour all of the water in to your glasses? 

This is perfect for you!

Train them at pouring practice at home is more than just a fun activity; it’s a vital step in your child’s development. As they carefully pour water from one container to another, they strengthen their hand muscles, improve hand-eye coordination, and refine their pouring precision – essential skills for daily tasks and future independence.

How to Create the Water Pouring Station: Find small, child-sized pitchers and cups, and set them up at the Water Pouring Station. Fill a larger container with water and place it alongside the pitchers and cups. Show your little water wizard how to pour, and guide them.

Edible Finger Painting

Eating, who doesn’t love and need it?

With edible paints made from creamy yogurt and vibrant food coloring, the canvas becomes a scrumptious playground for their imagination.

Edible finger painting is not just a tasty treat; it’s a delightful way to nurture your child’s artistic expression and sensory development. As they dip their fingers into the creamy colors, they enhance their fine motor skills, stimulate their imagination, and explore the joy of creative self-expression.

How to Set the Stage for Finger-Painting Magic: Mix up a delightful palette of edible paints using plain yogurt and a selection of food coloring. Arrange the paints on a child-friendly palette or individual containers, and enjoy!

Nature Walk

Want to also teach your kid to be active? Walking is great!

Get ready to embark on a thrilling Nature Walk, where the air is fresh, the sun smiles down, and treasures of leaves, sticks, and stones are waiting to be discovered. Each find is a precious memento from Mother Nature’s treasure chest.

It’s more than just a stroll in the park. It’s a magical chance for your child to bond with the natural world, collecting leaves, sticks, and stones. They’ll explore their senses, sharpen observation skills, and discover the colorful, shapely wonders of the great outdoors. Nature’s classroom awaits!

How to Begin the Nature Expedition: Venture outside with your child and a basket or bag ready for collecting. Encourage them to explore their surroundings and gather natural treasures they find along the way. Once home, create a sorting station where your little nature explorer can group their finds by size, color, or type – a delightful display of nature’s splendor.

Homemade Musical Instruments

Is your kid the next musical artist? Making homemade musical instruments are one of the ways.

Make simple musical instruments from household items. For example, a sealed container filled with rice makes a great shaker.

This is not just a musical adventure; it’s a symphony of learning and creativity. As your child experiments with homemade instruments, they develop their sense of rhythm, improve hand-eye coordination, and ignite their passion for music and sound.

How to Create the Melodic Magic: Gather an assortment of household items that can double as musical instruments – from rice-filled shakers to rubber band guitars and oatmeal container drums. Let your child’s imagination lead the way as they craft their very own melody-making masterpieces.

Large-Piece Puzzles

Want to improve your kids solving skills? Puzzles are awesome for that!

This is not just a puzzle party; it’s a brain-boosting experience for your child. As they piece together each puzzle, they improve their problem-solving skills, boost their spatial reasoning, and enhance their visual perception – all while basking in the joy of their colorful accomplishments.

How to Create the Puzzle Wonderland: Pick simple puzzles with large, easy-to-handle pieces and captivating, brightly colored images. Lay out the puzzle pieces and see your little puzzler’s excitement soar as they embark on their puzzling game.

Mirror Play

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, 

Who’s the fairest of them all?

In the enchanted land of mirror play,

Your child’s curiosity will hold sway!

Mirror play is more than just seeing one’s reflection; it’s a powerful tool for your child’s development. As they interact with their reflection, they build self-recognition, enhance their social-emotional skills, and spark curiosity about their own amazing selves.\

How to Begin the Mirror Adventure: Put a safe, unbreakable mirror at your child’s eye level and see the magic unfold! Watch as they are drawn into the enchanting world of self-discovery. Encourage them to playfully interact with their reflection – from making funny faces to waving and smiling at themselves. The Mirror play is a delightful game full of surprises, where they’ll find joy in discovering themselves.

Is your kid the next Jordan or LeBron? 

Well, let’s find out with the thrilling game of Ball Roll for kids! 

Grab a large, bouncy ball, and get ready to ignite their athletic potential and have a ball-tastic time together. Rolling the ball back and forth with your little champ not only fosters bonding but also hones their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills – essential qualities for future sports stars.

Get ready for some heartwarming moments of teamwork and laughter as you both enjoy the Ball Roll adventure. Who knows, with every roll and catch, you might just be witnessing the rise of the next basketball legend.

Household Chores

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Clean!

Engaging your child in enjoyable household tasks can be a wonderful way to instill a sense of responsibility and foster a strong bond within the family. Simple chores like wiping the table after meals or sorting laundry can be turned into fun activities for them to be a part of the family crew.

When you involve your child in wiping the table, you can make it a playful game by using colorful and soft cloths. Encourage them to wipe away the crumbs and spills, showing them how they are contributing to keeping the dining area clean and tidy. Praising their efforts and teamwork will make them feel appreciated and motivated to continue helping out.

Sorting laundry can also be an enjoyable experience for your child. Teach them to categorize clothes based on colors or types (e.g., shirts, pants, socks). Make it exciting by turning it into a sorting challenge or playing some music while you work together. Let them know that their participation in this task is making a significant contribution to the family’s well-being.

As they help with these household chores, emphasize the sense of togetherness and shared purpose. Express gratitude for their assistance, letting them know that they are valued members of the family crew. This positive reinforcement will encourage a delightful feeling of belonging and a strong sense of responsibility in your child.

Don’t forget, the magic lies in captivating your child with activities that set their senses on fire and unleash those motor skills in heroic ways! Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce them to key concepts like sorting and matching. Be patient and remember to praise their efforts. Most importantly, make sure the activities are fun and enjoyable for them!

Transitioning to Montessori Activities for 18 24 Month Old

Transitioning your toddler into Montessori activities requires a gentle approach. By implementing activities that encourage independence, coordination, language development, and sensory exploration, you can facilitate your child’s growth and development while adhering to the Montessori philosophy. Here are some activities appropriate for 18-24-month-old toddlers:

Practical Life Activities : Toddlers love to mimic adult activities, so provide them with opportunities to engage in practical life skills. This can include using a small broom and dustpan, wiping a table with a damp cloth, using a child-safe knife to cut soft fruits, watering plants, or carrying items in a small basket.

Sensory Play : Sensory bins, using items like rice, pasta, or water beads, can be a great exploration activity. Add in various scoops, cups, and containers to enhance their fine motor skills.

Shape and Color Sorting: Sorting is a great cognitive development activity. You can use colored blocks, pom poms, or buttons and sort them by color or size into different containers.

Language Development: Introduce new vocabulary regularly through books, songs, and conversations. Using Montessori language baskets with objects and corresponding cards can help here.

Nature Exploration : Regularly spend time outdoors for physical activity and exploration. You can have a nature tray at home where your child can place their ‘discoveries’ from their nature walks.

Puzzles and Building Blocks: Simple puzzles and blocks can aid in the development of hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

Art and Craft: Provide age-appropriate art materials for self-expression and creativity. This could include large, toddler-friendly crayons, chunky paintbrushes, or even just water and a brush for ‘painting’ on construction paper or the sidewalk.

Music and Movement : Use instruments or play music and encourage your child to dance and move around.

How can I create DIY Montessori activities for my 18-month-old?

Montessori activities could be just what you need! While it may seem daunting to create activities that are aligned with Montessori principles, it’s actually much simpler than you might think. For example, you can create a DIY sensory bin for your little one by filling a container with different materials like dried beans or rice, and adding in small objects for your child to discover. Another idea is to create a matching game with household objects – simply collect pairs of similar items like spoons, socks, or pencils and have your child match them up.

How do Montessori activities change as my child grows from 18 to 24 months?

At this age, your little one is turning into a mini detective, ready to explore the world! Montessori activities unlock their inner Sherlock Holmes, stimulating language, cognitive, and social development. From sorting and pouring to shape sorting and jigsaw puzzles, they’ll be cracking the codes of learning. And let’s not forget the messy fun with finger painting and molding clay – sensory adventures that are always a hit!

What skills can my child develop through Montessori activities?

Montessori activities: the secret sauce for skillful little geniuses!  Kids gain independence, confidence, and self-motivation, all while having a blast with hands-on learning! Plus, they get to sharpen their fine motor skills, hand-to-eye coordination, and sensory awareness. And that’s not all – these activities even turn your child into a social superstar. Teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills? They’ve got it covered! 

How can I use Montessori activities to enhance my child’s language development?

For instance, using Montessori sandpaper letters can get your child acquainted with each letter’s shape and sound. Playing matching games with objects and their names can also help boost your child’s vocabulary.

Thanks for joining us on this blog post about Montessori activities for 18 month old toddlers. We’ve gone over some amazing activities that can help your little one learn valuable skills and have a lot of fun in the process! From Montessori furniture for their bedroom to puzzles, stacking blocks, musical instruments, play dough, and more – there’s something special for every toddler in the Montessori educational system. 

Discover the myriad of ways to ignite the joy of learning with these captivating activities.Now that you’ve aced the basics, dive into each endeavor to unleash your child’s full potential. Remember, every 18-month-old is unique, so explore their interests before taking the plunge. Best of luck on this exciting adventure with your little sidekick.

Now that you’ve aced the basics, dive into each endeavor to unleash your child’s full potential. Remember, every 18-month-old is unique, so explore their interests before taking the plunge. Best of luck on this exciting adventure with your kid!

© Montessori Toddler 2023.

Month 18: Top 10 Sensory Activities for 18 month old toddler

Home » Toddler » Toddler Activities » Month 18: Top 10 Sensory Activities for 18 month old toddler

· --> 7 min read

As an Occupational Therapist and a Mom I have put together top activities for your 18 month old toddler. These activities will focus on strengthening their cognitive (mind) and motor (movement) development.

Ladies and gentleman please prepare for landing at Playground Airport. Local time is play-time and the temperature is moderately pleasant for kids.

For your safety and comfort, I will remain seated with my seat belt fastened until captain mom turns off the fasten seat belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the playground and that it is safe to disembark the stroller.

“On behalf of mommy Airlines, I’d like to thank…”

Bam! I don’t think mom knows what hit her as I leap out of the stroller running like flash towards the playground structure; growing giganotosaurus in size the closer I get to it. My head bobbing, surfer blonde hair waving in all directions … adrenaline increasing (wow that’s a big word for me). As I approach the playground, it towers above me.

Within the playground structure, a stratoslidotron (a slide) shines at me; this is a structure known for accelerating superheroes down a guided path. Without hesitation I begin the 1.23 sec flash climb to the top.. wow… another 0.32 seconds and down I go.. woohoo…. That was fun!

As I look around I see fellow toddlers running around the playground with smiles ear to ear. A rush of serotonin pushes me to join the funtivities. Zoom! I’m running under structures, over the small mushrooms and … Hmmm… there is a large ladder in front of me. All the big kids climbed up so quickly. Hmmm… can I do it? Let’s try.

Up I go the first step… yikes slipped down. Lets try again! Up… up… I made it!!! When I turn around I see captain mom clapping and smiling. I started to clap away. Wait… where are the kids? They are all the way on the other side. OK… off I go! See you all next month.

Every day our toddlers are getting more confident. Just like Josh liking to push himself and test his limits. Having an environment where there are more skilled children allows him to get more motivated and try new things. A playground is a perfect location to have fun and learn new skills.

Here are my top 10 sensory activities for your 18 month old toddler.

As always, these activities have been tried and tested.

Activities for your 18 month old toddler

1. climbing the playground structures.

Little toddlers love to explore. Their confidence is increasing. A playground is a perfect location to help them explore and learn new skills.

Most local playgrounds provide many structures that your little one can climb.

2. Play dough fun

Play dough is lots of fun and has many benefits.

How to Play

When introducing play dough, give your little one time to explore how it feels. They may start squeezing and pulling it apart. After a few minutes start introducing new concepts. After a while you may provide an open-ended play opportunity to see what else they can come up with.

Let me get you started with the following ideas. Play dough can be:

• Pulled apart
• Squeezed into different directions
• You can hide objects in it. Start with larger objects such as toy coins, little animals etc. The first few times you may need to hide the objects for them.
• Once things are hidden in play dough your little one can start digging through it and pull them out.
• Poking is also fun. Start with them using their pointer finger to make holes in the play dough.
• Introduce play dough toys that can poke and manipulate play dough.

I also recommend singing songs to match a particular action you are trying to encourage them to do. Make up songs about rolling, poking or squeezing play dough as you play.

No–cook Play Dough Recipe:

Ingredients:.

• 2 cups plain flour
• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cups of boing water
• Food coloring

What to do:

• Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
• In another bowl add water and mix it with food coloring
• Add both mixtures together
• Stir until combined (it still might be sticky)
• Allow it to rest
• Take it out of the bowl and knead it until the stickiness is gone
• If after a few minutes of kneading it’s still sticky then keep adding small amounts of flour. Keep adding until you have reached perfect play dough consistency.

3. Rumble play

This can be a very regulating activity with many benefits. The main goal however is to have fun! As the name of the game suggests it’s rumble time. Find an open area so you and your toddler don’t bump into surrounding furniture.

Things you can do : cuddle them while falling backwards or sideways, lift them up, turn them around. Let them jump around on pillows or you (if you feel comfortable with that).

Occupational Therapy Tip:

If you notice that your toddler is getting over excited. Stop and take a break. Once your toddler has calmed down you can play again.

4. Feather blowing

Skills developed.

By doing activities that involve the mouth, your toddler gets to work on their oral motor skills. Oral motor activities have benefits related to speech, feeding and regulation.

By blowing feathers your toddler practices how to coordinate their lips, cheeks and jaw with airflow. Their muscle tone gets strengthened. They build awareness of their mouth, tongue, lips and jaw. Overall this is a great activity that strengthens your toddler’s muscles and builds coordination.

I started with feathers, as they are the easiest to blow. You want your child to feel some success to increase their motivation to play. Seeing a feather move is very exciting. Knowing that you are the one that made it move is even more so.

You can start by demonstrating it. Blow on your child’s hands or face so they know how it feels. Then, blow the feather. I recommend placing the feather on your hand and keeping it close to your toddlers mouth. This will ensure that even a small amount of air will move the feather. As they get more comfortable with it you can move it further away. You can also place it on a table and have them blow the feather off.

5. Doodle fun with chalk

Drawing with chalk is lots of fun. It feels different then crayons and it disappears when wet.  The primary goal is to have fun with it! It’s not about drawing perfect lines.  It is about learning the cause and effect and scribbling. You can encourage them to draw horizontal and vertical lines but it’s ok if they won’t do it yet.

OT (Occupational Therapist) Tips

– Try drawing on different surfaces (wood, cement, paper, chalk board). – Drawing on a vertical surface is very beneficial. Working on a vertical surface strengthens muscles in the shoulders and in the wrist. Those are important for many fine motor skills such as writing and cutting. – Have fun drawing but also show them what happens when you put water on it. Encourage your toddler to clean the surface using large hand movements. Movements that go up and down, side to side and around in a circle. – Using chalk, water, large hand movments as well as drawing on multiple surfaces provides a mulitsensory learning environment. Using mulitple senses allows more cognitive connections and associations to be made with this concept. Meaning they will remember and retain information more easily. Practicing these movements will make it easier for your toddler to later draw lines and circles.

6. Spice it up

Equipment:  Empty spice container, cut up pipe cleaners

Your toddler will be strengthening their hands while opening and closing the container.  This activity can be graded up or down depending on your toddler.

Option 1. Open and close the container while putting the pipe cleaners in and out.

Option 2. Open and close the lid while putting the pipe cleaners through the small holes (see picture above).

7. Dancing Caterpillar

This caterpillar has been one of my favorite toys for many years now. It is a toy that can grow with your child for many years.

At this age you can throw away the instructions with the game for another year or so. Instead try my idea.

Equipment:  Just the dancing caterpillar and blueberries

On each of the caterpillar arms place one blueberry. (Note: You can use other foods/snacks that your child prefers).

Then get the caterpillar dancing and have your toddler collect the blueberries and eat them. If your toddler struggles to take them off while the caterpillar is moving try it stationary first.

8. Messy play: Pool of flowers

Equipment:  Large container of water, flower petals and cups, spoons, ladles or whatever your toddler decides he wants to play with in the water bath.

This can be a very open ended activity. Follow your child’s lead and present some guidance if they feel stuck. Some ideas include: pouring water from one container to the next, fishing out individual petals, searching for hidden objects, sticking the petals on the wall or your nose!

9. Walk about

Taking your toddler for a walk around the block can put you on a path for some adventures. You never know what you may encounter. Just remember not to rush your toddler.

Your toddler can practice many fine motor skills by shredding leaves, breaking sticks apart or picking little flowers from the ground.

Their shoulders and hands can strengthen as they lift heavy rocks to find what creatures are hiding underneath it.

Your toddler can practice their gross motor skills as they walk on different surfaces and different inclines.

They also stimulate their visual and auditory senses by simply being and observing the surrounding environment.

10. Dance party

It’s time to let your hair down and get goofy with your toddler. You probably spend a lot of your time teaching your toddler about boundaries but with this activity it’s time to make room for some fun.

Put on your or your toddler’s favorite music and dance! Dance on the floor, the couch and maybe get your toddler flying in the air. Anything goes. Just make sure to laugh and have fun!

There you have it. My top 10 Sensory Activities for your 18 month old toddler. These are bound to spark up other ideas. Let me know what activities you have tried in the comments section below.

Remember: Each baby develops at their own pace. If your child is not ready or not interested in this month’s activities, just try them again in a few weeks.

Disclaimer: The activities in this blog are intended for sensory play. They are not a replacement for treatment of children with Sensory Processing Disorder, are not medical advice and should not be used in place of the care of a medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. These activities should be facilitated and supervised by an adult. All activities are to be performed at your own risk and in no event shall Sensory Lifestyle   be liable for any damages.

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Encouraging Healthy Development - Healthy Development Ideas - 18 Months

Incredible growth occurs during the first three years of a child’s life. There are many things you can do to support and nurture healthy development during this time. Below, we’ve listed some specific activities to help an 18-month-old develop and grow. 

Moving - Physical or Motor Development

• Child-proof your home: lock up household cleaning , laundry, lawn care and car care products; use safety gates; and lock doors to outside and basement.
• Provide safe areas for your toddler to walk and move around.
• Provide toys your toddler can push or pull safely.
• Provide balls for your toddler to kick, roll and throw.
• Encourage your toddler to drink from a cup and use a spoon, no matter how messy.
• Blow bubbles and let your toddler pop them.

Talking - Communication and Language Development

• Hold your toddler on your lap, read to him/her and talk about the pictures in the book using simple words.
• Repeat the words your toddler says; say the words clearly and correctly.
• Ask your toddler simple questions.
• Talk about what you and your toddler are doing together, using simple phrases to describe what you are doing.
• Sing songs and repeat rhymes together.

Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

• Provide a safe, loving environment; be consistent and predictable.
• Set limits that are firm, fair and consistent.
• Describe your toddler’s emotions – “You are mad when we have to leave the park.”
• Give your toddler lots of hugs and kisses, and give praise for good behavior.
• Encourage your toddler’s wanted behaviors rather than punishing unwanted behaviors. Give four times more encouragement than correction.
• Encourage your toddler to have empathy – for example, to hug or pat another child who is sad.

Thinking - Cognitive Development

• Encourage pretend play with dolls, toy phones or stuffed animals.
• Have your toddler play with books, balls, puzzles and toys that teach cause and effect, and problem solving.
• Give your toddler crayons and paper, and let him/her draw freely.
• Hide things under pillows or blankets and have your toddler find them.
• Play games naming objects in pictures and body parts.
• Ask your toddler to tell you what he/she sees while you are riding in the car; sing songs and say rhymes.
• Sing songs with actions like “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus”; teach your toddler the actions.
• Turn everyday routines into fun learning moments, such as what toys sink and float at bath time.

If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow , don't hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school district to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

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25 Activities for an 18 Month Old [Simple & Super Fun!]

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Toddler’s attention spans are notoriously short, which you’ve probably realized if you’ve ever tried to entertain your 18 month old for an hour, let alone a whole day or week. At this age, your tot is likely exploring their environment at a fast pace. They are also probably getting into everything possible in the process. Keep them entertained, engaged and learning with these 25 fun toddler activities that are perfect for an 18-month-old.

25 Fun Activities for an 18 Month Old

Sensory Play Activities

Both energy and emotions tend to be high with toddlers, so sensory play activities are great! They bring a bit of calm to your 18-month-old’s day. The options are nearly endless when it comes to sensory experiences, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Taste-Safe Sensory Doughs ”“ Use non-toxic dough and child-safe cookie cutters to encourage your child to smash, squish and roll the dough, as well as creating fun shapes.
• Rice/Chickpea Bin ”“ Fill a plastic bin with rice or chickpeas and encourage free-play. Let your child use his hands in the bin, but also provide spoons and scoops to aid in his exploration.
• Chasing Bubbles ”“ If the weather permits, take your 18-month-old outside and blow bubbles for him to chase, grab and stomp on. These bubble machines make it so fun because you can jump around and play, too!

• Shaving Cream Play ”“ This one can get a little messy and is best done right before bath time! Spray shaving cream onto a table or tray. Then let your child use their fingers to spread, smear and “paint” in it.
• Pom-Pom Sticky Wall ”“ Use painter’s tape to secure a contact paper to the wall ”“ the sticky side facing out. Provide your kiddo with colorful pom-poms and let them create a masterpiece.

Creative Play Activities

Creative and imaginative play helps toddlers develop physical, intellectual and social skills ”“ and it’s fun! Unleash your 18 month old’s creativity with these activities:

• Painting with Nature ”“ Head outside and grab a few sticks, rocks, leaves or flowers for a special painting project. Encourage your child to use these things, instead of a paintbrush, to create his next masterpiece.
• Marble Art ”“ If painting is a favorite activity, grab an empty show box and squirt multiple paint colors inside. Next, have your toddler drop marbles into the box and roll them around to create fun marble art. I like these bigger marbles , as they are less likely to end up in your kiddo’s mouth. 
• Mess-Free Painting ”“ To enjoy paint while keeping the mess at bay, squirt paint into a plastic bag and tape each side to a table or window using easy-to-remove painter’s tape. Your child can finger paint mess-free by manipulating the paint inside the plastic.

• Velcro Blocks ”“ At 18 months, your toddler likely loves trying to stack blocks. However, it’s normal for him to be frustrated at his limited stacking skills at this age. Add Velcro to wooden blocks for extra tacking power ”“ plus, he’ll love pulling the blocks apart, too.
• Sticker Mural ”“ Combining both sensory and creative play, stickers are a toddler favorite. Affix a large piece of butcher paper to the wall and let your toddler create a sticker mural!
• Stacking Games ”“ Sometimes, it’s the most mundane material that entertains 18-month-olds the most. Give your toddler a dozen paper cups or LEGOS and let him stack and play.

Nature Play Activities for 18 Month Olds

Sometimes, store-bought toys and games just won’t do. When your 18-month-old needs a change of pace, let Mother Nature entertain him with activities like these:

• Dissecting Flowers ”“ For a toddler with busy fingers and a curious mind, there’s nothing more fun than pulling petals and leaves from different types of flowers.
• Nature Soup ”“ Give your kiddo a bucket of water and let him fill it with “soup ingredients” like rocks, plants, dirt, and grass. Don’t forget a big spoon for stirring!
• Mud Play ”“ Did you know that playing in the dirt is known to boost a child’s immune system? It’s true! No need to wait for rain either; you can use a water table or empty sandbox to mix up your own mud. Trust me, you will have hours of messy fun.
• Nature Sticky Bracelet ”“ Make a bracelet for your child using tape, making sure to keep the sticky side facing away from his skin. Let him collect all the cool things he can find in your yard or the park and attach them to his bracelet.
• Nature Walk ”“ Fresh air is good for both the body and mind. Consider a nature walk where you collect all the interesting things your 18-month-old finds. You can make a collage with them later, or use them in a future batch of Nature Soup.

Water Play Activities

Perhaps one of the most popular sensory activities for 18-month-olds, water play deserves its own category simply because there are so many options. Consider activities like:

• Washing Toys ”“ You probably need to clean them anyway. Why not set your toddler up at the sink and make a bubble bath for him to clean all his toys?
• Washing Fruit ”“ Let your kiddo help prep for snack time by washing apples. All you need is a bucket of water and a clean toothbrush for scrubbing.
• Scooping and Pouring ”“ This is as simple as it gets, but it can occupy an 18-month-old while also helping to build fine motor skills. Provide a container full of water, an empty container and a scoop and encourage him to scoop and pour all the water into the empty bucket.
• Lego Bath ”“ Add new interest to bath time by adding a Lego Duplo set (linked set is for 2+, so keep a close eye and take out small pieces!) or similar waterproof toy to the water.

Kitchen Play Activities for 18 Month Olds

One of the most difficult things for parents can be to entertain a toddler while trying to cook a meal. Get your kiddo involved in a project in the kitchen so you can keep an eye on him while meal-prepping ”“ it’s a win-win! Here are a few activities to try:

• Banana Peeling ”“ For this activity, cut a banana into thin slices with the peel still on. Then, let your toddler peel each piece individually ”“ and eat it, of course!
• Toddler Cooking ”“ If you have any stale cereal or expired spices in your cupboards, let your 18-month-old get creative and combine it all in a mixing bowl. Add water and let him stir and “cook” just like you.
• Cookie Sheet Magnet Play ”“ Grab a set of toddler-safe magnets, like these cute wooden animals , and a metal cookie sheet. Simply let your little one arrange and rearrange the magnets on the sheet!
• Muffin Tin Sorting Game ”“ Mix up various snacks (like goldfish crackers and Cheerios) in a bowl, and ask your toddler to sort each snack-type into a different section of a muffin tin.
• Yogurt Painting ”“ Add a bit of food coloring to a few small containers of yogurt and let your little one “paint” his plate with his finger or a spoon.

While it does require some creativity and ingenuity to keep an 18-month-old busy and engaged, the above activities provide necessary outlets for his fast-growing brain and his busy toddler body.

 You May Also Like:

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Child Development: Milestones for 16-18 Months

While every child is unique and special, most children demonstrate specific skills or tasks by a certain age. These “developmental milestones” cover everything from physical growth, cognitive and language development, to social and motor development. Smiling for the first time, looking at your face, waving “bye-bye,” crawling, and taking the first step are all considered developmental milestones.

Why are developmental milestones important?

Developmental milestones are important markers to help you track your child’s developmental health. These milestones are used by parents, pediatricians, and many other care providers to ensure that your child is developing as expected, and can help identify and address delayed development to facilitate early interventions.

"Milestones are categorized around five major areas: physical growth, cognitive development, emotional and social development, language development, and sensory and motor development," explains Cari Whitlock, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist at Healthy Young Minds. "Milestones help you understand how your child learns and grows, and delays in any of these areas can result in mild to severe struggles at home and school. Proper assessment can lead to services that help your child reach their full potential."

How to track a 16-18 month old’s developmental milestones

Many pediatricians work from standardized forms to assess and track your child’s developmental milestones. As a parent, it’s important to keep track of the skills your child exhibits as they grow, since you are most familiar and involved in their day-to-day care. There are multiple tracking apps out there, including the Milestone Tracker App from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Child Development Milestones: 16-18 Months

What are the cognitive milestones for a 16-18 month old?

At this age, your toddler is very curious and loves to explore new things, experiment, and play. This is how they develop imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Your toddler will play with toys in a meaningful way (for example, feeding a doll or pushing a toy car) and engage in pretend play (like pretending to eat with a toy spoon). You may notice that your child copies you doing household activities, like folding clothes or setting the table.

What are the physical milestones for a 16-18 month old?

At this age, your toddler starts to walk without holding on and may try to run or walk up and down stairs with support from you or sturdy objects. Children will also climb on and off a chair without help. Around 16-18 months, your child will feel much more confident with scribbling, drinking from a cup, using a spoon, and turning pages in a book.

What are the speech and language milestones for a 16-18 month old?

Around 16-18 months, your child might say a few words and you will hear more and more real words, like the names of objects and labeling actions, as they babble. Your child begins to follow simple commands without gestures, like ‘open the door’ or ‘give the cup to papa.’ They will also begin to understand their own name.

What are the social and emotional milestones for a 16-18 month old?

At this age, your toddler has developed strong emotional attachments to the people they love. You may notice your child moving away from you to play but look to make sure you are close by. They may also exhibit separation anxiety, which is typical at this age of development. Your child will participate in more daily routines with ease, like putting out their hands for you to wash them, looking at a few pages in a book with you, and helping you dress them.

What if my child is not meeting milestones?

No one knows your child better than you. Always trust your gut. If your child is not meeting age-appropriate milestones, talk to your pediatrician.

Learn more about when you should worry about missing developmental milestones .

More Child Development Milestones

13-15 months, 2 years old, explore hym, our offerings, autism, adhd, occupational, speech & language.

All About Young Children: Information for Families on Children's Early Development

Information on Children Ages

8 months to 18 months, what would you like to find out about.

• How are children learning about feelings and relationships? SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• How are children learning language? LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT & LITERACY
• How are children learning about numbers? NUMBER SENSE
• How are children becoming skillful at moving their bodies? PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
• What skills help children learn? APPROACHES TO LEARNING

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

8 months to 18 months, how are children learning about feelings and relationships.

• Play the video to see examples of how children are learning about feelings and relationships for ages 8 months to 18 months followed by a group discussion by parents.
• Download a PDF version of this print resource.

How children think about and manage

• themselves,
• their feelings and behavior, and
• their relationships

is what we call social-emotional development .

The development of these skills is as important in children’s success in school as are other skills, such as language and literacy and mathematics.

During the first five years of age, children are learning how to

• manage their own behavior,
• recognize, express and manage their feelings,
• notice and respond in caring ways to the feelings of others,
• interact with friends,
• be a member of a group, and
• develop close relationships with adults, including parents, other family members, and teachers.

Children learn these social-emotional skills in close relationships with adults through back-and-forth communication, shared experiences and nurturing guidance. Play is also central to helping children learn these skills. Through play, children practice their social skills, explore feelings, try on new behaviors and get feedback from others. Play allows children to learn more about themselves and others and develop their communication and interaction skills.

Social-Emotional Development

Introduction.

What is my child learning about himself and his feelings?

• At 18 months, your child recognizes his name and can more reliably let you know what he needs using gestures, sounds and some language.
• He can communicate hunger and sleepiness.
• He can let you know if he wants to play, go outside, or do something himself.
• He is excited about trying out his own ideas and may be starting to resist doing what you tell him to do, but you are still very important to him.
• He wants to share his ideas with you, to be comforted by you, and to know where you are.
• Because he can remember things so well, he also has a lot of feelings. If you take something away from him that he was playing with, he might cry for a long time, even though you offer him other interesting things to play with, because he still remembers that he was enjoying something else.
• He is also beginning to see himself as separate from you, and so spends some of his time resisting your ideas. As soon as he learns to say “no,” he has a lot of uses for it. “No, I won’t get dressed.” “No, I won’t brush my teeth.” “No, I won’t be gentle with the cat.” While challenging for the parent, this flexing of his independence is helping him figure out that he is not the same as you—instead, he is a different and separate person from you.
• He experiences many feelings at this age. He can be very excited, very sad, very frustrated, very loving, very happy, and may also begin to be fearful.

What is she learning about other people and relationships?

• Your 18-month-old is very interested in people—both adults and children. She likes to be with familiar adults and takes a while to warm up to new people. She is often interested in other children and may show you by walking right up and playing alongside them, taking their toy or watching them from a distance. All of these demonstrate an interest in her peers, but she still has very beginning skills in actually playing with friends. Waiting for her turn is hard because she doesn’t really understand how time works, so she worries that she won’t ever have a turn.
• While she is interested in the feelings expressed by others, and sometimes concerned to see someone crying, she still doesn’t understand other people’s feelings.  She often believes that people around her feel the same way she does, so she may be surprised when she hits someone and they start crying.

Tips to support your children learning about themselves as people, learning about their feelings and learning about other people

Learning about self as a person.

• He might help with dressing and undressing himself, feed himself, pour his own water from a little pitcher to his cup, help to wash the vegetables, put his toys in the basket or sweep the floor with a small brush.
• It might take some more time for him to do these things himself, but spending this kind of time with him lets him know that you think he is capable.
• It is helpful to divide these tasks into easier steps for him, for example, holding his pants while he steps in, or helping him find the hole in the shirt before he tries to put it on.
• When he says “no,” or won’t do what you want him to, remember that he is practicing being his own person.
• “I’m going to stop you from pulling the cat’s tail.” (limit)
• “It seems like you are interested in the cat and her soft and long tail.” (stating his good idea)
• “When you pull her tail, it hurts and she meows and runs away.” (giving him information)
• “If you want to play with the kitty, you can touch her softly on her back or wiggle the string for her to chase.” (offering choices and another way to express his idea)
• “Can you be gentle with the cat or shall I help you move to the other room and find something else to do?” (follow-through/offering two possibilities to keep the cat safe)

Learning about own feelings

• “I see you crying. It looks like you are feeling sad.”
• “It can be frustrating when you try to stack the blocks and they fall down.”
• “I can see how excited you are to go to the park.”
• “You fell down. I wonder if you are hurt and a little scared.”
• “When you say good-bye to your mama, sometimes you feel sad.”
• “You look so happy when you are playing with your brother.”
• “If you are mad you can tell your friend, ‘I’m mad.’”
• “If you are mad and want to hit something, you can hit this cushion.”
• “Lola just said good-bye to her daddy. She looks sad. Maybe she is missing her daddy.”
• You can use books about feelings or photos showing feelings to name and talk about children’s feelings.
• Have a mirror at your child’s level. She might be interested in looking at her face when she is having a certain feeling, or practicing making different feeling expressions.
• When your child is fearful, stay close and offer comfort. Sometimes your child doesn’t want to be taken away from the scary situation, but wants you to be there to help. If she is afraid of the neighbor’s friendly dog, you can squat down next to her, hold her and talk about the dog. Often, your presence and some information and safe interaction will help her feel less afraid. If she wants to move away, take your cues from her. Sometimes taking a photo of the scary thing and letting your child hold and talk about the photo will help her with her fear.
• Let her know that all her feelings are healthy and that you will listen to or acknowledge her feelings. Acknowledging your child’s feelings allows her to trust you with her feelings and not feel like she has to hide them from you.

Learning about other people

• Take time in new situations to help your child adjust to new people. If a family friend will be watching him when you go out, invite her over the day before or a couple of hours before you go out to visit and play with him. The more familiar he is with the new person, the more comfortable he will be with you leaving.
• Visit a few times and stay with him so that he can check in with you while he is exploring the new setting.
• Get to know the new caregiver yourself, so you are confident in leaving your child with them.
• Practice leaving your child for shorter periods at first, so that he learns that you will come back.
• Remember that while he may be excited about other children, he doesn’t always know how to play with them, and there may be conflict over toys or hesitance to join the play.
• Supervise him closely at this age when he is playing with other children. He may need help expressing his ideas and feelings and listening to the ideas of others.
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LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT & LITERACY

How are children learning language.

• Play the video to see how examples of how children are learning language for ages 8 months to 18 months followed by a group discussion by parents.
• https://allaboutyoungchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/LL-8-18.mp3 Play this audio file to hear a narration of the examples of child behavior from this video.

Children are born ready to communicate and to learn language. Listening to the language of their families, children soon start to distinguish familiar sounds and to build a vocabulary of words they understand, even before they can speak. Children’s ability to understand language is called “receptive language.”

At first, young babies communicate through making sounds, e.g., crying, and through making gestures. As they approach toddlerhood, they begin to use a few familiar words and, by 4 and 5 years old, they have large vocabularies and follow the rules of grammar when they communicate using language. Children’s ability to use language to communicate their thoughts, ideas, and feelings is called “expressive language.”

As children are learning about spoken language, they are also learning about written language–through books, signs, and notes. Before learning to read words, children learn that print represents words and before writing, they learn to make marks and draw pictures. By the time they turn 5 they understand that letters make words and that words can make stories that they will learn to read. Many 5 year olds can also read and write their own name.

Language Development & Literacy

How does my child learn language?

• In the second year of life, children understand a lot of words and they are developing the ability to speak more and more of those words
• Often, when children are just learning to speak, only their family members can understand them. Their ability to pronounce words clearly is still developing and they are still learning the rules of communication, so they may have their own ways of saying certain words or phrases, for example, “googie” for “doggie,” “me frow it” for “I’m throwing it.”
• Families naturally support their children’s language development, by responding to them in conversation using the correct form (for example, when the child says “googie,” the parent responds, “That is a big doggie!”). Interestingly, it doesn’t help children learn language when adults tell them that their words are wrong or ask them to repeat it until they get it right. Children are naturally motivated to copy your language and will learn the correct form over time from regular conversations with you.
• At this age children often use one word to refer to several similar things. For instance, they might call cats, dogs, goats and sheep “kitties.” They recognize that they are all the same because they have fur and four legs, but they haven’t yet learned that the animals have different names.
• Child: Doggie?
• Parent: There was a doggie at the park yesterday.
• Child: Go park mama?
• Parent: We can go to the park later if you want. We need to get dressed first. Do you think the dog will still be there?
• Many of the things that you already do with your child help him or her learn to speak. Family members naturally talk about what is happening right now with children. This helps children to associate words with the things and experiences they are having.

Bilingual Language Development

How do children in bilingual or non-English-speaking families learn language?

• Young children are very skilled at learning language and have the ability to learn two or more languages even before they begin school.
• Families who speak a language other than English at home can use their home language as their primary language with children. Learning their home language helps children feel connected to their family and culture. They can learn English at the same time if the family is bilingual or they can learn English when they begin childcare or school.
• Families support language learning by talking, reading and singing to their children in their home language. In this way children learn many language skills that will help them when they begin learning English.
• Check with your local library for books in your home language.
• Children who have this opportunity to become bilingual at an early age will benefit from the use of both languages throughout their lives.

Receptive Language

What is my child understanding?

“Receptive language” refers to all the words that children hear and understand, even before they can speak the words themselves. Children understand more words than they can speak.

• Listening to what you say to them helps them learn words. When you say something and wait, they begin to understand how communication works.
• Children listen to words that are spoken directly to them as well as to conversations that are happening around them.
• They also pay attention to the tone of language and at this age begin to understand the meaning of tone as well as words. For instance, they can notice when your tone is excited, loving, frustrated, or scared and will eventually learn how to use tone in their own conversations.
• Young toddlers can understand simple requests, especially when the adult uses a gesture as well. For example, the adult holds out his hand and says “Give me your shoe, please.”
• Many of the things that you already do with your child help him or her learn to speak. Family members naturally talk about what is happening right now, what happened in the past and things that will happen soon with children. This helps children to associate words with the things and experiences they are having.

Expressive Language

Communication: Talking and reading

“Expressive language” includes all the sounds and words that a child makes.

• Young toddlers use beginning words, crying, sounds, and gestures to communicate their feelings, needs and ideas.
• Gestures include things like waving, pointing, reaching, and pushing.
• Young toddlers may mix sounds and words together when beginning to talk.
• When young toddlers start saying words, sometimes they just say a part of the word, like the beginning or the end of it, or they might make sounds that sound like the rhythm of the word.
• They often use one word to express a whole idea. For example, “up” means “pick me up”; “uh-oh” means something spilled or dropped or broke; “mama” may mean “Where is my mama?”
• Young toddlers repeat some of the words that we say to them, especially the last word that was said.
• Even when children don’t say it right when they first start talking, they keep practicing until their words sound like yours.
• Young toddlers are interested in books. They enjoy spending time with you looking at and reading a book. They watch you when you read, follow the pictures with their eyes, point to pictures, turn the pages and name some of the things in the book.

Here are some tips to support your child’s language development and interest in reading:

• “I’m going get your coat so we can go outside.”
• “Here is your shirt. Do you want me to help you put it on?”
• “I’m going to make you a quesadilla for lunch.”
• “You just looked up at the sky. Did you hear that plane?”
• “I see the rock you found. It is so smooth.”
• “You’ve been digging in the sand for a long time. That’s a big hole.”
• “You ran down the grassy hill so fast!”
• “You filled up your dump truck with sand. Where will you take it?”
• “You carried your backpack all the way from the car to the apartment!”
• “I’m looking for my shoes.”
• “I’m putting your food on the table. Can you push your chair over?”
• “I’m checking to see if you need a diaper change.”
• “I’ll help you look for your favorite shirt—the one with long sleeves, a hood and a pocket for both your hands in front.”
• “Here are your pinto beans. I mashed them and refried them so they would be delicious for you.”
• “Soon it will be time to brush your teeth, put on your jammies, read a story and go to bed.”
• “Let’s get our shovel and watering can so we can go out and work in the garden.”
• “After we finish getting dressed, we can read a book.”
• “We were singing and clapping in the car today.”
• “You and your friend drew chalk pictures on the sidewalk today.”
• “We said good-bye to mama. She went to work.”
• Having books all around for your child will let her include them in different parts of her day.
• Using small board books with young children allows them to participate in turning the pages more easily, but they are also starting to enjoy longer stories in paperback books, as well.
• Read slowly so that your child will have a chance to listen to your words, examine the pictures and help turn the pages.
• Often young children like to read the same books over and over.
• This early experience with books can start a lifetime love of reading for our children.
• You can glue photos on paper, write words for your story, and staple, tie or tape the pages together.
• Stories don’t have to be long. They can just be a few pages. “James likes to ride his scooter. He rides over to the kitty and gives her a pat. When he is done riding on the scooter, he goes inside for lunch.”
• “I see stars in the sky. Do you see the stars?”
• “I see lots of fish. What do you see?” (When your child points, you can name what they noticed.)
• “Here is a photo of your abuelita and your tia.”

NUMBER SENSE

How are children learning about numbers.

• Play the video to see examples of how children are learning about numbers for ages 8 months to 18 months followed by a group discussion by parents.
• https://allaboutyoungchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/NS-8-18.mp3 Play this audio file to hear a narration of the examples of child behavior from this video.

Young children explore and begin to practice the skills needed for mathematics long before they enter elementary school. During the first years of life, children learn to count, recognize shapes and patterns, compare sizes and amounts, and recognize similarities and differences. Children develop these skills through their self-initiated exploration and play with materials and through simple interactions with adults. Everyday interactions such as adults counting fingers and toes, offering two pieces of banana, and arranging blue and white socks in different piles contribute to children’s growing math skills. Children begin to communicate about amounts of things by using words such as “more” and “bigger.”

As they grow older they learn to count a few numbers. They also build their understanding of quantity through activities such as putting plates and cups on a table. They become aware of how adults use counting in everyday life and learn about how to use numbers by imitating adults. Throughout the early years, most children are naturally interested in numbers. Fun activities that involve numbers strengthen children’s natural interest and encourage them to learn more about math concepts.

Number Sense

What are young toddlers learning about numbers?

Young children begin to practice the skills needed for arithmetic and math long before they enter elementary school. Most of these skills are developed through their self-initiated play with materials and through simple interactions with adults.

• Young children are introduced to counting skills through everyday interactions such as parents offering them “three pieces of banana—1-2-3,” or suggesting that “we read these two books.”
• Children between 8 and 18 months develop more ideas about the number of things. When your baby wants you to give her more bread, she will reach for it, say “mo,” or use sign language to communicate that she wants more.
• If you offer her more food when she is full, she might shake her head “no.” When she is done eating she might say or sign “all done.” This shows that she is beginning to understand the concepts of “enough” and “more.”
• Young toddlers are experimenting with small numbers of things. They know that they can usually only carry one thing in each hand, so they have a lot of practice understanding the number “two,” even before they can say “two.”
• When playing with sand, she might put a little sand in one container and a lot of sand in another and describe the one with more sand as “bigger,” showing that she is beginning to think about size and comparison.
• She might line up two or three cars in a row.

Tips for families to help children in understanding numbers:

Many of the things that families do naturally with children help them to develop their math and number skills. There are many opportunities in our everyday lives where adults are counting things and children are practicing numbers in their play. Here are some suggestions of things families can do:

• You can ask your toddler to put his shoes away. “Here is one shoe and here is the other one—two shoes. Can you carry them to the closet? Now you have two shoes.” There are many opportunities like this where you can use simple numbers as you talk to your young toddler
• You can point to your nose and ask your toddler to show you his nose. “Here is my nose and here is your nose.” This begins to introduce the concept of one-to-one correspondence. “One person/one nose. Each person has a nose.”
• When you point to ears, eyes and feet, you can count them. “I have two eyes—one, two—and you have two eyes—one, two!” Young toddlers also begin to enjoy counting fingers and toes. Young children are fascinated with their bodies. Counting fingers, toes or hands gives them a chance to learn about numbers
• When we offer children food, we naturally talk about quantity. “You ate all of your chicken. Are you full or do you want more chicken?”
• When he tucks a baby doll under each arm, you can say, “You have two babies.”
• When your toddler points to the airplane in the sky, you can explain, “Wow, you noticed the airplane. It is high in the sky. Now we can’t hear it anymore. It is gone.”
• There are many chances to talk about the relationship of things (high, low, far, close) as well as the size of things in your baby’s environment. Everyday interactions that focus on children’s interests help them learn new information.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

How are children becoming skillful at moving their bodies.

• Play the video to see examples of how children are becoming skillful at moving their bodies for ages 8 months to 18 months followed by a group discussion by parents.
• https://allaboutyoungchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PD-8-18.mp3 Play this audio file to hear a narration of the examples of child behavior from this video.
• Physical development and physical activity play an important role in health throughout a child’s life span. In particular, being physically active protects against heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It also contributes to mental health, happiness and psychological well-being.
• Physical movement skills are a basis for other types of learning and allow opportunities for children to engage with others, to explore, to learn, and to play.
• Physical activity prepares children for activities in later life, including fitness activities, organized sports, and recreation.
• Infants, toddlers and preschool children are developmentally ready and very motivated to learn new movement skills. The preschool period is an opportune time for young children to learn fundamental movement skills. If children do not learn those skills during the preschool period, they may have difficulty learning them later, and their ability to participate in physical activities may be affected for the long term.
• During the preschool years, children develop important movement skills. Those skills build on the physical development that happened for children in infancy and toddlerhood.
• We now know how much children learn through physical activity outdoors in the natural world. It is important for adults to help children have opportunities for this kind of play, as many children spend a majority of their time in front of a television or computer screen instead of engaged in physical activity.
• The more experience children have with physical activities, the more confidence they develop and the more willing they are to try new things and develop new skills. Children who spend a lot of time in front of the television or the computer may be less willing to try new physical challenges and may miss the chance to develop important physical skills.
• Research highlights the benefits of experiencing nature for children and shows that children prefer spending time in natural settings. Further, we also know that access to green, outdoor spaces improves children’s thinking skills and their well-being and relationships.

Physical Development

Physical development for infants and toddlers includes learning skills such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking, and running. Through these abilities, children are able to see and interact with their surroundings in different ways. Children’s physical development is related to their growth in all other areas. When a child pulls up to a standing position she can see the top of the table, and new opportunities for exploration of the magazines and cups on the table open up. When an infant begins to push a stroller, she learns about new ideas like motion. When she pushes the stroller over to another friend, who puts a baby in the stroller, she expands her social skills, as well.

Around 18 months, toddlers are able to walk, and many are running, as well. They are interested in climbing, throwing, carrying things around, pushing and pulling things, dumping things out of containers and exploring how everything works. Their muscles are developing, and they are able to carry heavier things. They have learned a lot about how their bodies move and have developed some coordination. They are able to do many things without falling and when they do fall, they are good at catching themselves and falling in ways that don’t seriously hurt them.

In the months leading up to 18 months, you may see toddlers:

• Crawl on hands and knees
• Crawl/climb up or down a few stairs.
• Pull to a stand and walk around the edges of furniture, holding on.
• Sit down from a standing position.
• Walk unassisted.
• Squat and stand up without holding on to something.
• Throw a ball or other object.
• Walk up or down stairs, holding on to a hand or railing (one step at a time).

Some of the things you might see an 18-month-old do include:

• Climbing onto the couch.
• Standing on one foot.
• Walking sideways.
• Pushing a stroller or small shopping cart.

Tips for families to support young toddler physical development:

• Young toddlers are often newly mobile and eager to be on the move. They need supervision, as they are encountering many new things as they move around. In a safe environment supervised by you, young toddlers will keep trying to learn more complex physical skills.
• As children are becoming mobile, it is useful for them to have low, safe things to pull up on and walk around. Couches and couch cushions placed on the floor can be an interesting obstacle course where they can walk from one thing to the next, holding on.
• When they begin walking, it is important to make sure their area is free from sharp edges, since they fall as much as they walk.
• Beginning walkers love to push things, including boxes, small strollers and carts.
• Beginning walkers may still use crawling to get from one place to another.
• Children at 18 months also love to climb and learn how to go up before they learn how to come down. If you have stairs, you may want to gate them off above the second step so that your toddler can practice climbing without going too high.
• You can also use mattresses, cushions and low platforms for children to practice their climbing up and down.
• When children are learning how to go up and down low platforms, they will sometimes bump their faces as they come down. Through observation, you may see that they will soon go back to the same place to try it again and after a few tries will change their approach so they don’t bump their heads again.
• Young toddlers enjoy trying out their new skills outside, as well as inside. Even very short walks outside give children a chance to try out new surfaces for walking, watch the birds, and encounter what the community has to offer.
• Children at this age also enjoy throwing. You can provide a variety of soft balls that they can throw and can even make small, soft balls out of socks or yarn.
• Children also enjoy carrying things, such as small baskets or purses with handles that they can use to fill and carry—recycled water bottles, or other things they find. They love dumping as much as they love filling, so they may turn the container over as soon as they get it filled. Young toddlers are fascinated with how things move and change. Objects that they can move, re-organize, and put in different places give them important opportunities to learn.

APPROACHES TO LEARNING

What skills help children learn.

• Play the video to see examples of how children are learning to pay attention to people and things for ages 8 months to 18 months followed by a group discussion by parents.
• https://allaboutyoungchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/AL-8-18-AM.mp3 Play this audio file to hear a narration of the examples of child behavior from this video.

• Play the video to see examples of how children are learning to solve problems for ages 8 months to 18 months followed by a group discussion by parents.
• https://allaboutyoungchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/AL-8-18-PS.mp3 Play this audio file to hear a narration of the examples of child behavior from this video.

Young children develop many skills that help them learn and solve problems. These skills include the ability to pay attention, even when there are distractions, to observe, to ask questions, to gather information and to explore different ways to solve problems. These skills are called approaches to learning.

Young children learn to use math concepts such as number, shape, and size when solving problems. They use all of their senses to gather information, notice differences and similarities, and often make comparisons. They carefully observe people and things and form hypotheses and make predictions based on their observations. They also do simple experiments and evaluate the outcomes of their experiments.

Young children are naturally curious. Adults can encourage children’s curiosity and initiative by asking children open-ended questions, being responsive to their questions, and providing a wide variety of materials for them to explore. Such support strengthens children’s growing confidence as learners and willingness to keep trying to solve challenging problems.

Approaches to Learning

What skills do infants and toddlers use to solve problems?

One important problem-solving skill that infants and toddlers develop is the ability to pay attention to things they find interesting, even when there are distractions. For example, young infants can make eye contact with their family members even while there is music playing. Older toddlers can continue to stack a few blocks even when someone nearby is folding the laundry. This ability to concentrate on something helps them observe, gather information, build on their learning experiences and find solutions to problems.

• Toddlers rely on familiar routines around them to help them organize their thoughts and behavior and focus their attention.
• They like predictability and may expect favorite songs to be sung the same way every time (and be upset if someone changes the words).
• Toddlers may insist on following the same bedtime routine every night.

In the months leading up to 18 months:

• Young toddlers can usually pay attention to the adult’s voice even if there are other sounds in the room.
• They can play with one toy or activity for a while.

Tips for families in helping children focus their attention:

• Try to provide consistency for your toddler. Even if you have a busy and changing schedule, you may be able to help her with a nap after lunch most days or read to her almost every evening at bedtime. Consistency helps your child to develop internal rhythms and to learn how to predict what is going to happen next.
• You can also describe what is going to happen next, to help your toddler get ready for the next activity.
• Organize her toys in simple ways, for example, a basket for her cars, another one for her blocks and another for her stuffed animals. Organizing things helps your child to learn that things fit into categories and to know where to find and put away toys.
• Read her books and sing familiar songs over and over. While she likes new songs and books, she also loves to revisit the familiar ones.

Copyright 2013-2024, California Department of Education

1. Burn Off Energy

2. potty training basics, 4. discipline, 5. swimming skills, 6. educational playthings, 7. learning colours, 8. counting from 1 to 10, 9. socialisation and communication, 10. language development, 11. blowing a runny nose.

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11 Important Skills You Need To Teach Your 18-Month Old Toddler

Toddlerhood is fun. I know most people say it’s one of the toughest phases and while that’s true, it’s also the stage where you’re starting to see your little one’s personality.

And that I think, is what makes it beautiful and challenging. When considering what to teach 18-month old child, there are many things you can do.

By this time, they have already acquired various skills and reached plenty of developmental milestones. The thing is, you don’t have to worry if you’re teaching them too much or just enough.

The following includes some of the basic and most important stuff you have to cover:

Toddlers always seem like they have enough energy to run around for days . Instead of always following them around or prohibiting from doing things out of curiosity, why not help them burn it off instead?

Teach them to channel their energy by doing fun physical activities. If the weather’s good, you can go outside and let them run around and play.

If it’s snowing or raining, you can put on some good music and dance away – they make up the most insane dance moves, by the way!

Sometimes, I also like to put cushions or rearrange the sofa in the living room so I wouldn’t have to worry if he’s still moving around.

While it may still be a bit too early to start with potty training , you can start teaching them the basics, so they don’t get overwhelmed with the information. You can buy a potty then make them sit on it even if they’re fully clothed.

It will make them excited to learn and try something new. They should not be stressed out.

Instead, they should look forward to it. You can also teach them the concept of toilets like showing them how to flush and the need to wash hands after each use.

So when the time comes that they’re ready, it will be more fun and less stressful because they already practised.

The value of sharing is another important thing to teach them . It’s not a concept that’s easy to understand so like most things; they have to learn by example.

What I like to do is give my little boy extra pieces of fruits or any food then ask him if he could give some to his daddy.

It worked for us because each time he starts to eat, and he notices others in the room don’t have any (like his grandparents or me), he would share it with us.

I also taught him the phrase, “One for me and one for you” which he likes to repeat each time he gives something to someone.

​ Now is also a good time for them to understand discipline . At this age, my boy would bite or hit my husband and me if his screen time is over.

It is a toddler’s show of rebellion because of their newfound autonomy. After telling him not to do that because it hurts me, I show him the bite mark.

Still, there’s always that possibility that they will repeat the act. If you get frustrated at their rebelliousness, distract them.

Like when time’s up at the playhouse, and he still doesn’t want to leave, I distract him by pointing at the ice cream stall in the food court.

If you’re hesitant about your ability to teach your toddler how to swim , you might be interested in enrolling them in swim school for some lessons. This is in connection with number 1 .

Aside from the fact that this is a great exercise and something that can benefit them in the long run, it’s also an excellent way to burn energy. At 18 months, they can already start learning how to swim for short distances without help.

To prepare for this, you can first assist them to get used to the water, but this is no problem if they find bathing fun.​

To further improve their physical, mental and social development , you can purchase best toys which are both fun and educational . There are numerous age-appropriate toys to choose from and with varying degrees of difficulty too which can be challenging for them.

Whether it’s a building set or board books, just make sure you don’t pick something that’s way too easy or advanced for them. Otherwise, it will leave them feeling bored or frustrated.

Keep in mind, though; you can help them but not all the time. There are times when you need to let them figure out things on their own since it can help with their problem-solving skills.​

You should visit this article to help you choose the best toys for 18-month old toddler, right now.

It’s also high time to introduce them to colours . Although there are toddlers who learn about them earlier, don’t worry if they still don’t know how to identify red from blue.

You’re still introducing this to them and like in everything else, do not rush it and as much as you can, make the whole learning process fun and enjoyable. You can find charts or flash cards for them.

Or there are wooden toys which are interactive such as those which they need to pair the ball to the corresponding hole or socket (yellow for yellow or blue for blue).

Right now, you should also visit this article about other milestone in the development of children as when do kids learn letters

Before they turn two years old, they should also know how to count . And yes, you need to help them.

You can pique their interest in the principles of counting by putting ten bright objects in front of them - like balls or blocks. Then teach them the sequence by slowly saying the numbers 1 to 10.

I’ve always said my stand on letting kids watch TV or videos. In this particular case, screen time is okay and may even be beneficial.

Even if I taught my boy how to count, what reinforced it was the helpful, educational videos which we found on YouTube.

One important skill you also need to teach your toddl er is socialisation . It will allow them to connect with other people and make friends.

Your role here is crucial considering you’re their first ‘friend’ and ‘playmate.’ You can enrol them in daycare or let them spend an hour in a playhouse and see how they communicate with kids their age.

One thing’s for sure here, do not overwhelm them. The best method which I found efficient is scheduling a playdate with a kid that’s close to their age – it could be at your home or theirs. This way they slowly learn how to socialise.

Help them develop their language . The first rule is to talk to them like how you normally do to adults.

Avoid baby talk because it doesn’t benefit them especially in the long run. Also, don’t forget to read to them – choose books which have beautiful drawings or illustrations and rhymes.

Dr Seuss’ stories are ideal for this. It doesn’t just have to be at bedtime.

When they’ve been playing for hours, you can go for a downtime and read beside them. Also, don’t be afraid to communicate with them.

Ask them questions like “How was your day?” or “What did we eat for lunch?”

Knowing how to blow their nose is essential for toddlers , the earlier you teach them, the better.

I know there are nasal aspirators, but it doesn’t always do the job because it doesn’t feel comfortable for them, ergo, they won’t let it anywhere near their nose, and you don’t want to force it. They could get a runny nose now and then so this skill is important.

First , you can demonstrate.

Second , you can ask them to mimic blowing candles but with the mouth closed.

Once they feel the relief after getting the mucus out, it will be easier for them.

I hope you learned something from this list. I’d like to emphasise, however, to take your time.

Just because it’s written here doesn’t necessarily mean your toddler HAS to do it. Again, don’t rush them.

They will eventually learn on their own. The important thing is to avoid losing your patience (you’re going to need plenty of them!) and make it a positive experience for them.

Do you have anything to add to the list? Share it with me.

This article gets content advice from RepairDaily ​

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Hi. My name is Nancy. I am a nurse by profession and a writer by passion and ever since I became a mother, I’ve become very active in sharing useful and important information about basically anything under the sun and a full-time mother to a 21-month old boy. Read more about me here .

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18 Month Old Behavior Discipline: Practical Tips and Strategies

18-month-old behavior discipline navigates the unique crossroads of toddlerhood. As your little one embarks on the journey of self-expression, it often comes with challenges that leave parents perplexed and at wit’s end.

Drawing from expertise in early childhood development and behavioral strategies, I’ve crafted insights that resonate with this dynamic age.

Key Takeaways on Discipline for 18 month old

Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, redirection, and time-outs, and teaching social skills can help prevent specific challenges.

Understanding Your 18-Month-Old’s Behavior

At this age, toddlers are developing their independence and testing boundaries. They may become frustrated when they can’t do something or get what they want. It’s important to set age-appropriate expectations and boundaries to avoid tantrums and misbehavior.

Methods For 18 month old Discipline

Disciplining an 18-month-old child involves setting rules and limits that will help them know what is expected of them. This will help the child to understand what behaviors are acceptable and what is not. Setting rules and limits can be challenging, but it is an essential part of teaching your child how to behave appropriately.

It is crucial to define acceptable behavior for your child. This means that you need to set clear boundaries for your child and let them know what behaviors are acceptable and what is not.

Give Your 18 Month Old Momentary Breaks (Time-out)

Timeouts are an effective way to discipline an 18-month-old child. Timeouts involve removing the child from the situation and placing them in a designated area for a short period, usually one minute per year of age.

Give Your 18 Month Old Engagement Periods (Time-in)

A newer discipline strategy, ‘time-ins,’ involves staying with the toddler during their moment of upset. Instead of sending them away to manage their feelings, you are there to model good behavior, provide comfort, and help them navigate their emotions.

Teach Your 18 Month Old Consequence of Actions (Take away a toy or privilege)

When parents are consistent and use positive reinforcement, they can help their child to develop good behavior habits that will last a lifetime.

Teach Your 18 Month Old Incentive Method (Rewards)

Positive reinforcement can help to reinforce good behavior and encourage your child to continue exhibiting it.

Diversion Tactic (Distraction)

This will help to redirect their attention and calm them down.

Selective Ignoring (Ignore the behavior)

Maintain consistency (enforcing non-negotiable rules).

Finally, being consistent and firm with rules is a vital discipline technique. If something is non-negotiable, like not touching hot coffee, you must be consistent in enforcing the rule. In the long run, it can help your toddler understand boundaries and the importance of adhering to them.

Dealing with Specific Challenges & 18 Month Old Tantrums

Handling tantrums.

Tantrums are a common challenge that parents face while disciplining their toddlers. Toddlers may throw tantrums when they are hungry, tired, or frustrated. When a toddler throws a tantrum, it’s essential to remain calm and not give in to their demands.

Managing Hitting and Aggression

Parents can also teach their toddlers alternative ways to express their emotions, such as using words or taking deep breaths. It’s essential to praise the toddler when they use appropriate behavior and not give attention to negative behavior.

Addressing Whining

Understanding and responding to your child’s needs.

At this age, children are curious and energetic, and their needs can change quickly. Here are some tips to help you understand and respond to your child’s needs:

Pay Attention to Hunger Signals

Show love and empathy, keep attention span in mind.

Toddlers have short attention spans and can get bored quickly. Keep activities short and engaging, and switch things up frequently. This can help keep your child entertained and reduce the likelihood of misbehavior.

Respond to Your Baby’s Cues

How to deal with 18 month tantrums.

1. Understand the Causes:

4. Post-Tantrum Approaches:

5. What to Avoid:

6. Look for Patterns: If tantrums are frequent, try to identify patterns or triggers. Is it always before naptime? When they’re hungry? Knowing the triggers can help you anticipate and address the underlying issue.

Teaching Your 18 month Old Child Social Skills

Children learn from you and one of the most importnat things to do is to teach themsocial skills, which will help them interact positively with others (both other children but also other adults). Here are some tips that can help:

Encourage Choices

Teach respect, develop problem-solving skills.

As your child grows, they will encounter more complex social situations. Teaching them problem-solving skills can help them navigate these situations in a positive way. Encourage your child to think about solutions to problems, and help them come up with strategies to resolve conflicts.

Making Amends

Faqs on how to discipline 18 month old, do you discipline an 18 month old, how do i deal with my 18 month old not listening.

An 18-month-old not listening is quite normal due to their developmental stage. At this age, they’re beginning to assert their independence, which may appear as defiance. To deal with this, make your instructions simple, clear, and consistent. Engage them by making eye contact when giving instructions and provide positive reinforcement when they follow them.

Why is my 18 month old misbehaving?

How do i deal with my 18 month old defiant, how do you discipline an 18 month old.

Disciplining an 18-month-old revolves around setting simple boundaries, using distraction techniques, and providing positive reinforcement for good behavior. Instead of harsh punishments, employ methods like momentary breaks, engagement periods, the consequence of actions, rewards, and selective ignoring.

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Activities for Toddlers (18 months-4 years)

Last updated August 27th, 2024 .

Article by:

Cara Dumaplin

RN, BSN, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Just so you know, I do review everything I recommend. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission. Learn more about affiliate links

Need some inspiration for activities for toddlers? Let’s walk through things to do with toddlers (18 months - 4 years), ideas for indoor and outdoor activities, sensory play, gross motor activities, and more. 

For little ones 0-18 months, check out these Baby Activities .

Did you know how your toddler spends awake time plays a role in their sleep? It’s true! Just like adults, toddlers sleep better when they move their bodies and use their brains during awake time. Of course, awake time isn’t the only important factor in your little one’s sleep.

Want 5 daytime tips for better night and naps?

A note about development and choosing activities for toddlers: # anchor

If you have a toddler, you’re probably noticing some big developmental strides. Toddlers typically have a big burst of language and show interest in pretend play. They’re improving their gross motor skills, like running and climbing. They’re also expressing an increased desire for independence.

These months (and years) tend to be full of your toddler experimenting with cause and effect and testing boundaries. They’re learning about their ability to impact the world around them and that their actions can cause reactions. You may even notice some changes in your toddler’s sleep .

Expert Tip: When it comes to toddler sleep, it’s vital that we consider your child’s emotional, mental, and physical development. I’d love to share more about filling your toddler’s tanks and the importance of looking at your little one as a complex, whole human.

Let me share activities for toddlers by age:

Activities for your 18-24 month old: # anchor

Activities for an 18 month old # anchor.

Invite your toddler to help you with everyday tasks. They love imitation! This could look like wiping the table, filling a water bottle, or feeding a pet.

Build an obstacle course using soft objects, like pillows or cushions. Add in some soft balls to entice your little one to try rolling, throwing, and chasing.

Read board books together. Books with rhyming and repetition are great for this age. Ask your toddler to point to familiar pictures in the book (“Where is the doggy?”) to help build language skills.

Promote fine motor skills by playing with large letter or animal magnets on the fridge. Don’t have any? Taping pom poms or other small toys on the fridge works too! (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any small objects.)

Here are ideas for the best toys for 18 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 19 month old # anchor

Explore a local playground or library! Check with your local library or community center to see if they offer free activities for toddlers. 

Set up a shallow storage bin with some water, add some small floating objects (like ping pong balls or small plastic blocks) and let your toddler scoop out the objects with measuring cups. (Safety Tip: Be sure to keep a close eye on your toddler with any water-related activity.)

Encourage pretend play using a stuffed animal. Let your toddler pretend to feed their doll with a play spoon and bowl, change their diaper, or wipe a pretend stuffy nose. This helps develop imagination, social skills, and creativity! 

Grab a paintbrush and a cup of water and let your toddler paint the driveway!

Practice stacking blocks and see how many your toddler can do on their own.

Here are ideas for the best toys for 19 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 20 month old # anchor

Play with plastic toys and water! You can use a shallow storage bin, a water table, or even the bathtub to give plastic toys a bath with a scrub brush or wash cloth. Think plastic baby dolls, dinosaur toys, or plastic trucks. (Safety Tip: Be sure to keep a close eye on your toddler with any water-related activity.)  

Try a sorting activity. Grab a few colors of construction paper and toys around the house that match those colors. Let your toddler sort the toys by color (They might need your help.). (There are also some great non-DIY options available. I linked them below.)

Go outside! Grab some sidewalk chalk and watch your little artist explore. Draw some shapes and name them for your toddler. 

Practice starting to kick a ball. (This usually works better with a larger ball at this age.)

Bake something together. Let your toddler pour in some ingredients and mix them up! 

Hand over the crayons and a blank piece of paper and let your toddler create a masterpiece. 

Here are ideas for the best toys for 20 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 21 month old # anchor

Make a simple memory game. Print or draw 4 pictures of familiar objects or animals. Turn them face down and ask your toddler to find them. Example: “Where’s the dog?” When your toddler flips over the correct picture, leave it facing up, and repeat for the remaining pictures. 

Play in water! Make some different shapes out of sponges (or buy some premade sponges). Have your toddler squeeze water out of the sponges, while becoming more familiar with shapes at the same time. You can also use the sponges for sponge painting! (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any water-related activity.)

Try a color matching activity. Color some craft sticks (or buy already colored sticks) and have your toddler match them to the same colored construction paper, a container of the same color (like a cup or bowl), or objects around the house that match the color. 

Practice making animal sounds! Bonus: add in animal pictures or figurines for more fun.

Here are ideas for the best toys for 21 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 22 month old # anchor

Take turns by doing a stacking activity together. Use “my turn” and “your turn” to help your toddler practice this concept. 

Help your toddler identify body parts by placing a gift bow on different body parts, like head, belly, and feet. Once they seem to get the hang of this, you can practice following directions by having them put the bow on their own body parts (“Put the bow on your head”).

Play “Hide and Seek” around the house. Hide a familiar object, like a stuffed animal, and then find it together. You can help your toddler’s vocabulary by using descriptive words like “under," "on," and "in” to describe where the object is hidden. 

Get creative with toilet paper rolls. Make tunnels for toy cars, slides for pom poms, and binoculars to play “I Spy.” 

Offer large wooden beads (think BIG so that they aren’t a choking hazard) and have your toddler string them on a shoestring. 

Encourage your toddler to use items in different ways. Model using a block as a toy phone or a play bowl as a hat. 

Here are ideas for the best toys for 22 month olds to use in your activities.

Activities for a 23 month old # anchor

Play search and find as you read. “Do you see the car on this page?” “Which animal is on the rug?” This can help with language development. 

Promote fine motor skills with a threading activity by having your toddler pull pipe cleaners from the holes of a colander. Once they get the hang of pulling, give them a chance to put them through the holes on their own (You’ll probably need to guide them to start.). 

Build with blocks- make towers to knock over or play with!

Try to keep a balloon in the air by taking turns batting it around. You can also try kicking for gross motor skill development. 

Allow your toddler to be in control of turning the pages when you read a book.

Hold your child’s hands and practice “jumping” off the lowest stair or a curb. That small jump down with your support helps your child learn to jump on their own on the floor.

Here are ideas for the best toys for 23 month olds to use in your activities.

These are suggestions for activities for toddlers 18-24 months. Keep in mind, every toddler develops at their own pace. You can try these activities before, throughout, and after these months. Your toddler will continue to learn and explore their world with the same activities even at different ages.

If you need help setting up your toddler’s day, I have sample schedules for you.

Activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds: # anchor

Activities for 2 year olds # anchor.

Encourage motor skill development by building with toys like Duplo blocks, foam blocks, or suction cup builders.

Read your favorite books together. Encourage language development by asking your toddler to point to different objects “Can you find the cow’s baby?” “Which ball is red?” “Which monkey has a banana?”

Build a fort! Set up some chairs and throw a big blanket over them. Read together in the fort, use a flashlight, or bring some toys in! 

Promote your toddler’s independent play along with problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination with puzzles. 

Grab a small spray bottle and fill it with water. Let your 2 year old help “wash” the windows, wipe down a table, or spray plants outside. 

Use a toy dollhouse made for toddlers to let your child play out familiar stories about their day. They will love reenacting bedtime, a parent leaving for work, etc. with small figurines.

Try a play kitchen to let your toddler serve and cook food. 

Toddlers love to use stamps to create artwork. Find washable stamp pads, give them stamps that fit well in their hands, and let them create their best work!

Here are ideas for the best toys for 2 year olds to use in your activities.

Activities for 3 year olds # anchor

Try a scavenger hunt around the house or in the yard. Make a list of 5-7 familiar objects (use images instead of words for even more independence) and then send your toddler to go find them. 

Have a picnic (real or pretend) together in the yard or at a park. If it’s rainy outside, you can also have a carpet picnic!

Engage in imaginary play. Maybe this looks like play “cooking” using measuring cups and bowls from your kitchen, playing “farm” with farm animal figurines, or playing “doctor” with a toy doctor set. 

Promote creativity through art. You can use crayons or paint sticks with paper. A great mess-free option is a magnetic doodle board.

Use painters’ tape to create a road on the floor. Let your 3 year old drive their cars all around. Add blocks or other structures to make a whole city!

Use a pretend tool set to let your toddler build and “fix” things around the house.

Try out magnetic dress up dolls as a fun way to let your toddler create new scenes and characters.

Have your toddler lay down on a large sheet of paper and trace their body. Let them color in clothes, facial features, hair, etc.. 

Grab a plastic baby doll and an empty plastic tub (or use the sink) and let your 3 year old give the baby a bath. (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any water-related activity.)

Here are ideas for the best toys for 3 year olds to use in your activities.

Activities for 4 year olds # anchor

Have a “freeze” dance party! Play music for 10-15 seconds, then stop the music, and shout “Freeze!” Demonstrate this for your toddler until they get the hang of it and join you. 

Work on fine motor skills and your child’s creativity with arts and crafts. Think chalk on the driveway, letting your child decorate with stickers, or making patterns with beads on pipe cleaners.  

Play “I Spy” together to develop your toddler’s observational skills. This can be a great game when you’re in the waiting room, when you’re exploring the park, or even when you’re reading a book.

Give your toddler a chance to use their imagination by creating a pretend restaurant. Boxes from the pantry, toy food, or even drawings of food can all be part of the fun. (There are some good already-made kid versions available as well. I linked them for you below.)

Find toys with small figurines to let your 4 year old play out social scenes or create their own stories.

Bake and decorate cookies together. 4 year olds love to help in the kitchen!

Make a dress up bin with old Halloween costumes, random hats, scarves, aprons, or other accessories. 4 year olds love to dress up in character. 

Here are ideas for the best toys for 4 year olds to use in your activities.

Need help with toddler nap schedules or setting up your 2, 3, or 4 year old’s day? I have a blog on nap schedules for you.

What are sensory activities for toddlers? # anchor

Sensory activities are those that engage our senses: sight, touch, taste, sound, or smell. These activities play a vital role in development. Your child’s motor, language, social, and emotional skills all grow through sensory play. These activities can also be calming and promote self-regulation. 

Here are some ideas for sensory activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds: 

Splash around at a water table or in the bath. Use measuring cups and funnels and watch how the water moves. Bring a few small toys and have your toddler guess which ones will sink and which will float. (Safety Tip: Please be sure to closely supervise your little one with any water-related activity.)

Dig for buried treasure. Fill a shallow bin with oats or rice and hide small objects like pom poms or puzzle pieces to let your little one explore with their hands or scoops.

Play with play dough. Let your toddler create whatever they can imagine. If needed, provide some prompting to get started. Try a small rolling pin or craft sticks for extra fun. 

Try finger painting. This kind of creative sensory activity helps your toddler use their senses and decision-making skills. 

Make music together. Let your toddler use their imagination with wooden spoons, bowls, and pots. 

Here are ideas for sensory toys for toddlers .

What are gross motor activities for toddlers? # anchor

Gross motor skills typically use whole body movements and involve large muscles like the arms, legs, and torso. 

Whole body movement and gross motor activities are so important because:

They can lead to increased coordination and development of other skills like fine motor and language. 

They allow your toddler to better understand and control their body. 

They help fill your toddler’s tired tank™ .

Here are some ideas: 

Practice climbing. Take a few trips up and down the stairs- add in counting or singing for extra entertainment. Allow your little one to explore at the park. Or try out a climbing triangle. 

Practice balancing. Place a long strip of painter’s tape along the floor and have your little one try to stay on the line as they walk. Try out a balance bike (Don’t forget a helmet!). Balance stepping stones can be a fun addition to an obstacle course at home. 

Practice jumping. Place a few strips of painter’s tape on the floor and have your little one jump to each piece (only a few inches apart for a 2 year old and 1-2 feet apart for 3 and 4 year olds). Try jumping in and out of hoops laid on the floor. Pretend to be frogs or bunnies and hop around the room. 

Here are ideas for gross motor toys for toddlers .

Fine motor activities for toddlers # anchor

Fine motor skills involve movements using the small muscles in our body like hands, lips, tongue, and eyes. When little ones do fine motor activities, they are improving their hand-eye coordination, preparing their mouth for improved speech, and developing the skills that will allow them to grasp a pencil and write in the future.

Here are some fine motor activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds:

Play with play dough. You can use store bought or make your own at home. Squeezing and interacting with play dough helps to strengthen those tiny hand muscles.

Have fun with art. Holding pencils, crayons, markers, or a paintbrush are all ways that your toddler can build those fine motor skills. Let art be a process, instead of worrying about a “perfect” craft or finished product.

Try out stickers. Pulling stickers off a sticker sheet and place them on paper (or even on an arm or hand) is a perfect game to practice fine motor skills.

Make eating fun! Try adding foods with different textures to your toddler’s plate, foods that need utensils, and finger foods. Experimenting with using these tools, their hands, and coordinating bringing food to their mouth are all part of developing fine motor skills.

Cut with plastic scissors or safety scissors. Practice cutting paper, cooked noodles, or play dough. If your toddler isn’t quite ready for cutting, using their fingers to tear paper is a great first step.

Dress up your stuffed animal. Use doll clothes or even newborn clothes and let your toddler practice putting clothes onto a doll, buttoning buttons, zipping a zipper, and pulling on socks. 

Here are ideas for fine motor toys for toddlers .

What are indoor activities for toddlers? # anchor

Looking for ideas for indoor rainy day activities for your toddler? Even if the weather is keeping you from getting outside, play and movement are building blocks to sleep success. Many of the activity ideas above can be done inside, but here are some more indoor activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds:

Play Hide and Seek in different ways. 

Take turns hiding a stuffed animal and then finding it together. 

Take turns hiding from each other. Start with small increments your toddler’s first few times playing. Count until 10 to hide and come out from hiding if they’re having a hard time finding you after 30-60 seconds. Increase the time as your toddler gets the hang of the game. 

Add in a matching game. Use different colored sticky notes or draw different shapes on sticky notes and then hide them around the house. Have your little one find them and then sort them in matching categories. 

Hide plastic eggs around the house (It’s an Easter egg hunt year round!).

Create an obstacle course. Use pillows to walk across, painter’s tape to jump to, soft balls to toss into bowls, and a tent made from chairs and a blanket to crawl under. Add in whatever activities your little one enjoys. Bonus: this is also a great way to build gross motor skills!

Build together. Use blocks to make a tower. Cushions and chairs to build a fort. Cups to stack. A house made of boxes. Encourage them to use their imagination to guide this activity. 

Sing songs that help your little one identify body parts, like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” “The Hokey Pokey,” or “Tooty Ta.” Movement songs like these are both sensory and gross motor activities!

Here are ideas for indoor toys for toddlers .

What are outdoor activities for toddlers? # anchor

If you’re able, try to get outside with your little one! Exposure to light during the day helps with sleep pressure , which is key to falling asleep and staying asleep. Many of the above activities for toddlers can be done outside, but here are some more outdoor activities for 2, 3, and 4 year olds: 

Catch bubbles! Use a bubble machine or blow bubbles. Running and jumping to catch them also helps with gross motor skills. 

Go on a nature or neighborhood walk. Think of things you want to find together: Can we find a red bird, a blue bird, and a yellow bird? Can we find a red car, black car, and a white car? 

Create a nature collection in a bucket or a brown paper bag. Can we find 5 leaves? 3 rocks? 1 stick? Then let your little one use their imagination for how they want to play with their collection. Tip: Before starting this activity, be sure to let your toddler know that this collection will stay outside (unless you’re okay with it coming inside). 

Engage in sensory play with sand. Play in a sandbox or put some sensory sand in a shallow bin and let your little one explore. Use shovels or other utensils to move sand around or bury some small toys. 

Find outdoor things to paint with like a pinecone, stick, or leaf and see what you can make.

Do you have a slide in your backyard? Let your little one pile leaves (or snow) at the bottom to slide into.

Are you in an area with acorns or other small objects? Use a wrapping paper tube as a chute to drop them from one space to another, like down the stairs or from the seat of a bench to the ground. 

Play follow the leader and let your toddler lead. Crawl, climb, and play following them around.

Head to the park! Parks can be a great space to practice gross motor skills, meet friends, and use up some of that toddler energy.

Here are ideas for the best outdoor toys for toddlers .

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Activities For 18 Month Olds: Tips & Ideas

When a baby becomes a toddler, the life of the parents can get a bit more challenging. Children at 18 months of age are usually starting to walk by themselves without assistance from the parents.

This means that they become much more energetic than before and they require the performance of entertaining activities which will keep them occupied while at the same time having fun, regardless of whether these activities are performed indoors or outdoors.

At 18 months of age, children are able to walk on their own and they require the development of different skills.

Parents can help their 18 month olds to engage in fun activities while at the same time focusing on improving their creativity, balance as well as problem-solving skills. Good activities for toddlers can be hand printing, walking in a straight line and solving puzzles.

Main Points

• At 18 months of age, toddlers are able to walk on their own without assistance.
• The development of skills for 18 month olds can be easily done through fun activities.
• The creativity of your 18 month old can be boosted by using color such as playing with handprints.
• 18 month olds require balance improvement which can be achieved by walking in a straight line.
• Solving puzzles helps in developing the 18 month olds’ short-term memory as well as problem-solving skills.

Table of Contents

Boosting Your 18 Month Olds’ Creativity with the Art of Handprint

Among some of the most creative activities that can be done with 18 month olds is hand printing because it is easy for your toddler to understand how it is done. Before you do this activity with your 18 month old, make sure you are using colors that are not toxic for your child.

It is often recommended that instead of using real paint, to ensure the safety of your toddler you can use food coloring. Children at 18 months of age tend to eat everything they find and they put their fingers in their mouth so you always have to pay close attention.

This activity is proven to be very fun for 18 month olds because they can play with different colors and designs.

Besides that, they are fascinated when they see their hand print on a piece of paper. Because of this, it is even more interesting for the 18 month olds if their parents are also participating in the activity.

Experimenting with different colors as well as creating pieces of art by using their hands, boosts the creativity of 18 month olds because they are able to see and touch what they have accomplished with their own hands.

Also Read : List of Baby Swings for Small Spaces.

Improving the Balance of Your 18 Month Old

Even though children at 18 months of age are usually known to walk by themselves, they still require improvement of their balance and stability in order to be able to walk on their own in a safe manner.

For this reason, you can draw a straight line on the floor and try to follow it together with your 18 month old. In this way, you can be close to your toddler and spend time together while also practicing straight walking.

After some time of practicing straight walking has passed, you can lead the way to show your 18 month old how it should be done and let them follow you. If they still need additional support, make sure you are always close to them in order to prevent falling.

The muscles of 18 month olds are not easily controlled and the improvement of balance requires practice. Walking in a straight line is a great activity for your 18 month old to practice as well as for you to determine how stable your toddler really is.

Developing a Sense of Memory and Problem-Solving Skills

Recognizing shapes and designs usually starts at 18 months of age for children. At this age, they become more competent to memorize pictures in their head and many people believe that 18 month olds have the ability to successfully complete puzzles.

The problem-solving skills of your toddler should be developed from an early age in order to improve their short-term memory.

By solving puzzles, the brain of an 18 month old is able to develop in a proper way and their way of thinking can significantly improve.

By 18 months of age, the recognition of shapes is very common among children which is why they are able to complete simple puzzles.

If your 18 month old needs help with solving the puzzle, you as a parent can demonstrate how it should be done and let your toddler figure it out on their own.

It is not recommended for parents to expect that their 18 month old will solve a puzzle very quickly and with no struggle at all.

Children of this age are able to think on their own, memorize shapes as well as connecting shapes, but the development of different skills comes gradually as they grow older.

Also Read: Are Trampolines Safe for a 24 Month Old .

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you do with an 18 month old indoors?

There are numerous different activities that your 18 month old can do indoors, from simply playing with their toys, to drawing, painting as well as solving puzzles. The implementation of these activities allows the parents to always keep a close eye on their 18 month old.

How do I keep my 18 month old busy?

18 month olds are very energetic and they always want to play. In order to be able to finish the chores around your house and find some time for yourself as a parent, you can keep your 18 month old occupied by solving puzzles or playing with their toys.

How much activity does an 18 month old need?

Because of their constant willingness to play, 18 month olds need two to three hours of activity every day. Regardless of whether these activities are performed indoors or outdoors, your 18 month old requires moving around.

Also Read: Will Water Wipes Expire?

Final Words

Besides using simple words, toddlers at 18 months of age also have the ability to perform activities of different kinds such as walking, solving simple problems as well as recognizing different shapes.

The development process of children does not improve over night so it is important to be patient with your 18 month old. These stages of development are very interesting because parents are able to witness their little ones growing up and functioning on their own.

I am a stay-at-home mom of a wonderful son. I write on this blog as a hobby to help fellow mothers in their parental journey 🙂

All content and media on RaisingSmallSouls is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. The information on this website is not meant to take the place of expert medical assistance, advice, or consultations. You should speak with a medical expert if you have any worries or inquiries while pregnant.

17 Valuable Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers

Posted on February 24, 2023

Problem solving activities for toddlers don’t need to be overly complicated.

I would sit there watching my toddler as he was playing with his toys during his playtime . He would be trying to fit a block into one of those circular toys with the shapes cut out.

He was trying to put a square into a circle cutout.  After a couple of attempts, he clearly couldn’t get it to work and he absolutely lost his cool.

There is yelling and screaming and the toy was eventually thrown some distance across the room. This was not a one-off event.

My second child didn’t seem to have such a lot of trouble with these kinds of situations but my third child is very much the same as her older brother.

Problem-solving skills come easier to some people than they do two others.

However problem-solving skills are an important asset to have no matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in.

Life can be complicated and challenging and we often come across situations that we’re not comfortable in and we’re not sure how to handle.

But is it really that important to start working on problem-solving skills when our kids are still just toddlers?

Why are Problem-Solving Activities for Toddlers Important?

Layers. Let’s think about problem-solving skills in layers.

You may feel as though it’s not very important for your toddler to be working on problem-solving skills but that is the furthest thing from the truth.

The toddler years build-up to the childhood years build-up to teenage years and the teenage years built up to adulthood.

Each stage contains its own unique set of problem-solving that needs to happen and problem-solving skills are a crucial part of toddler cognitive development.

The problem-solving skills that a toddler must learn are not going to be the same as what a teenager is going to need to learn.

However, the skills that a toddler learns are going to directly impact the skills that a teenager is going to be able to learn and how easily they’re able to learn them.

What your toddler learns now is going to make their problem-solving so much easier when they are a teenager.

To put it frankly you want to allow your toddler to be learning problem-solving skills now in order to make their future that much easier. 

Important Skills that Problem-Solving Offers

Let’s just take a moment to really consider everything that your child will gain from having some problem-solving skills. Problem-solving is great but it isn’t the only thing that your child is going to gain.

They will gain the ability to be more creative, have more flexibility, patience, and lateral thinking. 

Your toddler will gain skills such as resilience, level-headedness, and persistence. These may be basic skills, to begin with, but over time they will grow and get stronger and hugely benefit them in the long run.

Your child’s ability to increase their critical thinking skills and work out their own problems is made much easier if they’re given the opportunity to practice these skills as young children.

A List of Problem-Solving Games and Activities for Toddlers

As parents, we can sometimes overthink how our children are going to learn specific skills. An important thing to remember is that a child’s work is play. Play is a child’s work. Children need very little to learn important skills.

However, you can definitely help set up certain scenarios where your toddler can practice the art of problem-solving.

Because children learn through play I am listing a lot of games and activities for toddlers that are meant for building up problem-solving skills. 

I have also included at least one general life activity that takes place in the home. Children do learn through play but there are also just daily activities that are going to help hone their problem-solving skills. Sometimes we just need them to be pointed out.

We often just need some new ways suggested to us when we’re at a dead end for what the best way and most fun way is to teach these kinds of cognitive skills.

This seems like a really obvious answer but it is sometimes the simplest things that make the most difference.

There are there is an abundance of puzzles out there that are perfect for toddlers to home their problem-solving skills with.

My one piece of advice would be to make sure that it is age appropriate. If you pick one that is too advanced you’re only going to end up with a very frustrated toddler. 

#2 Asking Open-Ended Questions (Imaginary Games)

This is something that can be a really fun activity to do with your toddler and there are different ways to do it. You could set up a storytime where they are going to be telling the story themselves. To help them with this you simply ask them open-ended questions. In my experience kids absolutely love this.

You can also make this in an imaginary game. We all know how much our children love for us to play with them and to play imaginary games specifically.

Let them run the narrative by asking them questions. Young toddlers very often come up with the most hilarious storylines.

#3 Scavenger Hunts

This is an activity that all of my children love even my kids who are well out of the toddler stage. For that reason, it can be a really great family activity to do together.

 Create your own scavenger hunts or find one on Pinterest or Google. Make it into a treasure hunt if you really want to up the excitement level. Your older children will love this too.

 Your toddler will have so much fun hunting for things around your house or your yard. It’s a great way of developing their problem-solving skills as they have to think about where certain things would be.

You could even have them create a scavenger hunt for their siblings are friends to do. This is one of those fun activities that can be rehashed many times over.

#4 Creative Play

Creative play isn’t necessarily a toddler activity that you have to set up because they naturally fall into it all on their own. However, it is important to acknowledge how wonderful creative play is for helping to develop problem-solving skills.

Have you ever had a child come to you and complain that their sibling or friend is not playing by the rules of the game that they themselves created?

This is a perfect example of how they are developing their problem-solving skills.

Children naturally create scenarios and situations that are promoted by their life experiences and the things that they see around them.

Creative play gives them the opportunity to role model the examples that they have been exposed to and to work out different scenarios. This is a vital skill for them to develop at a young age.

Most kids can come up with all sorts of games without any toys at all however if you do want to provide toys for the specific kind of play look under toys listed as role play or creative play.

Consider a toy kitchen dress-up clothes play money. All of these things can have open-ended uses for play and learning vital skills. 

When they practice this kind of creative free play with other children, they’re also practicing their language development and working on solving difficult situations. It’s a really good way to overhear what they really are learning.

#5 Creating Patterns

I homeschool my children and one of the things that they all really in have enjoyed doing is learning about patterns. However, this is not something that you have to wait to teach your child until they are school-aged.

Toddlers are more than capable of recognizing patterns around them.

You can get free printables or printables that are very affordable that are specifically made to use with toddlers.

You can get them to continue the pattern or create their own pattern using flashcards.

This is an excellent way of developing problem-solving skills using simple games and even small objects. Use chocolate chips and cheerios to create a pattern. It’ll be great for their fine motor skills and they’ll love the treat when you’re finished the game!

Now, this is obviously not a game or specific activity for toddlers however chores are a normal part of life. In our home, everyone does their bit to help the home run smoothly.

You can totally give your toddler some basic chores that they are responsible for. Simple things like taking a rag and dusting the baseboards. My toddlers have always loved to be helpful in this way. It’s a great way to teach them problem-solving skills. They will learn about the tools they need to use the job to complete the job and how to get the job done well.

As they get older their skills will also get better. 

#7 Stacking Blocks

Stacking blocks are a pretty staple part of many toddlers’ toy chests. It’s an open-ended imaginative toy that your toddler can learn great problem-solving skills from.

The simple act of having to balance blocks on top of one another without them falling over is a skill in and of itself. These were a favorite toy in our home when I had really little kids.

Using building materials such as wooden blocks helps them to problem solve and learn important concepts such as balance, spatial reasoning, and many other great skills.

Little minds can be seen working through the thought process of all the possible solutions for what they want to build.

This was a toy that I often had set aside for independent play (a great tool to have during the early years!).

#8 Magnatiles

Magatiles are another great toy option for open-ended imaginative play. Again your toddler will have to make sure that they understand how to get the tiles to fit together and create the shapes that they’re trying to achieve.

#9 Hide n Seek

Playing hide n’ seek honestly holds some of the fondest memories I have of my kids. There is just something about hearing their little giggles as they are trying their best to hide from me that just melts my heart. Ultimately I end up in fits of vehicles myself.

In all seriousness, your toddler can learn some great problem-solving skills by playing this game with you their siblings or friends.

#10 Grouping Activities

Another simple activity that teaches great problem-solving skills is having your toddler practice grouping specific items based on either their shape color or other identifying thing.

#11 Playing Playdough

Play-Doh is one of the cheapest and most accessible open-ended play items that you can give to your child. You can either just leave them to play with it or you can give them playdough mats where they can create specific shapes with their player.

This is a great activity for developing hand dexterity and also problem-solving skills amongst other things. 

#12 Reading Together

You might not consider reading together an activity that would develop problem-solving skills. However, as your child goes through the story with you and the character that you are reading about is struggling with specific issues your toddler is also going to be thinking about how those issues might be resolved.

A way to make this activity even better is to have a discussion with your toddler as you’re reading a story or after you’ve finished it. 

#13 Gardening

Gardening is a really wonderful activity for your toddler to be involved in.

Not only are they going to learn about plants how they grow and what they can produce for us but they can also learn some valuable problem-solving skills as they help alongside you in the garden. 

#14 Shape Insert Toys

Remember that toy that my son was really struggling with at the beginning of this article? Well despite his frustration it is actually a really fantastic toy for teaching toddlers problem-solving skills. 

#15 Games (Think, Fun, Roll)

There are different games that you can play with your toddler that can also help with problem-solving skills. One that we really love in our home is Think, Fun, Roll .

But there are also board games such as Candyland that toddlers really love and will teach them great skills. 

#16 Playing Memory

Some toddlers may find it a little frustrating playing the game memory . However, if you’re smart and modify it and make it a little easier then this can be a really really wonderful game for toddlers to build up their problem-solving skills.

They’ll learn the process of elimination. They also work on extending their concentration and obviously they’ll be working on their memory skills too.

#17 Daily Activities

Finally, I just want to address one of the most obvious things and that is daily activities. Your child will be doing things like getting dressed brushing their teeth picking up their clothes taking their plate to the kitchen and many other simple tasks like this every single day.

Do not fail to see the wonderful skillset that they will gain from doing these basic tasks.

Toddlers can learn great problem-solving skills simply by getting dressed in the morning.

We really don’t need to overcomplicate things.

Problem-solving is such a vital skill to have especially in adulthood but the things that we provide for our children now will make a big difference in the future.

It can take patience on our behalf and a lot of grace at times to give them the space to really practice their problem-solving skills.

It’s not fun having to listen to your toddler frustrated and whining as I try to learn something new and not step in to fix it for them.

However, you have to see how good is for them to learn these skills. There will be times when you will need to step in and help but a lot of the time it will be great for them to figure it out on their own.

I hope these toddler activity ideas give you a great jumping-off point for a way to teach a child really great problem-solving skills. 

Hi! I’m Christine – a homeschooling mom of three. I see homeschooling simply as another facet of parenting. Just as you teach your child to tie their shoes, you can also teach them how to read and do arithmetic. As a second-generation homeschooler, I know the endless benefits that homeschooling offers. I went on to complete a Bachelor of Nursing and have now chosen to stay at home with my children (while also running an online business).

I have a heart for mothers that feel as though they are just existing from day to day and are longing for more. You can find out more about me and my family over on my ‘ About Me ‘ page.

As well as the abundance of posts you’ll find on my blog, you can also find me over at iHomeschool Network and Today Parenting .