18 Easy Toddler Activities for 18-Month-Olds: Learn, Love & Entertain

Isn’t it funny, how the best toys are usually no “real” toys at all?

As parents, we’re always looking for ways to e̶n̶g̶a̶g̶e̶ keep our little ones busy.

Whether you’re inside on a rainy day or looking to entertain your toddler with household items, these Toddler Activities for 18-Month-Olds are sure to keep your child happy and learning. Best you won’t need a lot of stuff.

Here are 18 fun and easy activities that promote learning through play:

17 Super simple Toddler Activities for 18-Month-Olds

1. Wooden Spoon and Metal Stacking Bowls:

One of the simplest yet super engaging activities for 1-year-olds at 0 cost

You’ll need:

• a wooden spoon
• a set of metal stacking bowls

Let them explore the sounds by tapping the spoon on the bowls, or stacking and unstacking the bowls. This also works perfectly, when you visit family with no kids and you forgot your toys. (Happened to me today.)

This activity helps develop hand-eye coordination and auditory skills.

2. Jars with Lids (No Sharp Corners):

Another great one with stuff you probably have at home.

You’ll need:

• A few jars with safe, twistable lids (no sharp corners) Here is what works for us. marmalade and chocolate cream jars. And some face cream jars I cleaned. I also like to add pom poms or small animals. Make sure to watch your toddler if the stuff you put inside is small.

This activity helps your toddler develop fine motor skills as they work on twisting and opening the lids. It also introduces them to the concept of problem-solving as they figure out how to open the jars!

BONUS TIP: Put something interesting inside.

3. Hide and Seek (with Curtains):

You’ll need: Time

Hide and seek worked when we were kids and still does. Start by hiding behind curtains or a soft blanket, and call your child to find you.

At around 16 months, your toddler will start enjoying the search and will begin to play along really well. My son says coocoo. It’s adorable. It’s an exciting way to bond.

4. Cardboard Box DIY Toys:

Turn an empty cardboard box into a garage for your toddler’s toy cars or a fun ball drop box! My son totally loves my cardboard creations, even tho they aren’t that great. I’ve built a car ramp, garage, a ball drop box.

DIY toys like this are great for sparking your child’s imagination and creativity.

5. Pretend Play (Feeding and Cooking for Teddy Bear or Dog):

Pretend play is a super easy way to teach your toddler all kids of things. It’s also super simple to set up and really fun.

My son likes to pretend to feed or cook for his stuffed animals. This activity fosters creativity, social-emotional skills, and nurtures empathy.

6. Building Towers and Letting Them Break Them:

Another game my grandparents also played with us. Some things just never get old. Stack soft blocks or pillows into towers and watch your toddler enjoy knocking them down!

This simple activity is supposed to teach cause and effect, while also helping to strengthen their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

7. Dot Stickers:

Stickers are amazing. My toddler loves them so much. Sticker was one of his first words

This image is from my simple easter egg ornaments. They are so easy even your toddler can help.

Grab some dot stickers and let your toddler peel them off and stick them to paper or surfaces. A perfect activity to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination

8. Water Play:

Water play—my son has loved it since he was 12 months old! If it were up to him, he’d never leave the tub. Besides that, I also let him play with water sensory bins.

Set up a small water play station in a shallow tray. Let your toddler splash, pour, and experiment with the water. Water play is not only a fun and sensory-rich activity, but it also encourages exploration of different textures, temperatures, and the concept of cause and effect.

9. Tea Bag Sorting:

Do you have old tea bags sitting around that no one wants to drink? Use them for a fun sorting activity with your toddler! They smell great so it’s a sensory experience. My son loves doing this while I cook.

Let your child organize the tea bags. Give like two different snack boxes and your toddler will play with this forever .

10. Sensory Bags:

I wasn’t the biggest fan of sensory bags at first. I thought it’s one of those insta things. But I tried it anyways and my toddler actually likes to play with them.

Seal the bags really tightly, and let your toddler squish, poke, and explore the textures through the bag. Here are my posts on how you can DIY them:

Check out How to Create an Algae Sensory Bag for a squishy, green underwater adventure or try the DIY Ocean Sensory Bag.

11. Musical Instruments (DIY or Store-Bought):

My cousins son and my friends daughter both love instruments. So I thought I’d mention it here. Truth must be told, my son isn’t into music yet.

Let your toddler play simple instruments like tambourines, maracas, or homemade shakers (try filling an empty bottle with rice). This helps develop their auditory skills, rhythm, and motor skills as they shake and tap the instruments.

He does like to shake this sound sensory bottle thought.

12. Sensory Bottles:

Fill empty bottles with a variety of materials such as glitter, colored water, or beads, and let your toddler shake and observe the movement inside.

My toddler wants me to show him our sensory bottles every night before bed, they are a calming activity for 1-year-olds.

13. Finger Painting:

Let your toddler get their hands dirty with some finger paint! Use safe, washable paints and encourage them to create their own masterpiece. This activity is not only fun but also helps with creativity, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration.

You don’t want the mess? Here are mess-free painting ideas.

14. Nature Walks with Exploration:

Take your toddler on a nature walk and let them explore the outdoors. Collect leaves, sticks, or flowers, and let them feel the textures and colors of each item. Nature walks foster curiosity and offer plenty of sensory stimulation.

Here is a downloadable Scavenger Hunt Sheet.

15. Sensory Path (with Pillow or Carpet Obstacles):

Create a sensory path in your living room by laying out pillows, soft carpets, and plush toys for your toddler to walk or crawl over. It’s a great activity for developing coordination and balance.

16. Textured Balls:

Show your toddler to a variety of textured balls that they can explore with their hands and feet.

My toddler loves to throw them, play soccer or carry them in his mouth like a puppy. I also made this DIY ball drop box.

17. Play with Shadow Puppets:

Use a flashlight or lamp and a toilet paper roll and foil to create shadows on the wall or encourage your toddler to make shapes with their hands or toys. Playing with shadows can spark your toddler’s imagination while also teaching them about light and shadow.

I’ll soon do a post on DIY shadow play it’s really fun and I will give you free printable figures to use for this activity. Subscribe to stay up to date.

18. Baby Safe Musical Dance Party:

Put on some toddler music and let your toddler move to the beat. Whether they’re shaking, bouncing, or swaying, dancing is a fun way to enhance body awareness, coordination, and rhythm.

My son loves 5 Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.