11 Fun and Educational Indoor Activities for 1-Year-Olds

Having a 1 year old at home can be quite something! They are always moving around, eagerly exploring the house with their curiosity. Instead of just letting them move around the house aimlessly, we can keep them entertained and stimulated with the help of some fun indoor activities. Activities for 1 year olds? Really? Why can’t we just let them be?  In this blog post, we’ve carefully curated a list of 11 exciting and stimulating ideas that are not only entertaining but also educational.

These activities have been crafted in such a way that they will not only keep your child entertained but will also encourage the development of important skills such as language, fine motor coordination, and problem-solving abilities. From sensory play to building with blocks, there’s something for every 1 year old on this list. So, read on to embark on a journey of fun and learning together!

1. Sensory bin: All types of sensory play are great activities for 1 year olds.  The senses help them explore the world around them. Offer them different items and toys with different textures, colors and shapes to help them explore. Fill a bin or container with items such as rice, beans, or pasta for your child to explore with their hands. Add in different objects such as blocks, toys, or measuring cups for them to discover. This activity helps with sensory development and fine motor skills.
2. Water play: Little ones love water, splashing it around or just being in it. That’s what makes water-based activities for 1 year olds super fun. Water activities such as playing with a water table, sensory bin filled with water and different objects, pouring water from a pitcher or jug into cups, exploring water beads, having a bubble bath, playing with pool noodles, and squirt toys in the water, and playing with water balloons are some of the most fun activities for 1 year olds.
3. Stacking Cups: Activities for 1 year olds should be fun and educational like stacking cups. To do this activity, gather a set of plastic cups of various sizes and colors. Show your child how to stack the cups by placing one cup on top of the other. You can also encourage your child to match the cups by size or color. This activity is also great for promoting problem-solving skills.
4. Playing dress up: Who said games for 1 year old kids need too much planning? Well, one of the easiest and best indoor activities for 1 year olds is to play dress up. Let your child explore different articles of clothing, such as hats, scarves, and gloves. Show your child how to put on the clothes and encourage them to try on different outfits. This activity encourages creativity, self-expression, and imagination.
5. Building with blocks: Some games for 1 year old kids have been classics for time immemorial – like building blocks. Help your little one practice their problem-solving skills by introducing them to the world of building blocks. Start with simple stacking blocks and as your child becomes more confident, add more complex blocks. This fun activity also helps with hand-eye coordination.
6. Story time: Reading to 1 year olds is a great way to introduce them to the world of books and to promote language development. When reading to your child, choose books with simple illustrations and bold, colorful images. Board books and cloth books are great options as they are durable and can withstand the handling of small hands. As you read, point to the illustrations and name the objects or characters in the book. You will be amazed but 1 year olds have this amazing ability to make connections between pictures and words. What’s more? They pick up new words quickly. RReading to your child every day, even for just a few minutes, can be one of the best gifts you could give your child! You are, after all, laying a foundation for a lifelong love of reading.
7. Painting and Coloring: Introduce your little one to the world of colours and textures! Give your tiny tot a paintbrush and some paint and just watch the creative juices flow! You can also encourage them to use their fingers to make marks and explore the texture of the paint. Alternatively, you can give them crayons and paper to color.
8. Puzzles: Puzzles are a great way to help your one-year old learn problem-solving skills. Start with simple and age-appropriate puzzles, such as jigsaw puzzles with large and colorful pieces. As your one-year old gets better at puzzles, you can gradually increase the complexity of the puzzle.
9. Play with Play-Doh: This classic is still just as fun as ever, and it’s great for helping your one-year-old develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. If you do not like the options you see in a store, you can make your own playdough at home. Don’t look beyond your kitchen. You can make home-made playdough with some flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Add in different objects such as cookie cutters, rolling pins, and plastic utensils for your child to explore.
10. Hide and seek: Among interactive activities for 1 year olds, hide and seek can top the list that can help with their cognitive development, social skills, and sense of independence. To do this activity, you can start by hiding a toy or object behind a pillow or blanket and encouraging your child to find it. As the little tiny tot becomes familiar with the game, you can make it more exciting by hiding the objects in different places around the room. Don’t be surprised if they take on the challenge! These are typical games for 1 year old kids that can even be played in groups or teams.
11. Music Time: At this age, fun activities for your child might not be music, but they can still benefit from the experience of listening to music and participating in simple musical activities. You can start with simple songs and nursery rhymes, using actions and gestures to help your child understand the rhythm and melody. It’s also important to make music time interactive and engaging. You can ask your child questions about the music and the instruments, and let them explore the instruments in a safe and supervised way.

We get it! We have all been through this phase. We know that raising  a 1 year old is a challenge. It is tough to keep them occupied throughout the day. We know that the urge to teach them about the world around them and how it works is high. But they are just 1 year old and they will learn a lot  when they have no idea what’s going on around him or her! We hope that this blog will help you get started interacting with your one-year-old in a way that is both fun and engaging for both of you.If you want more suggestions and want to see more 1 year old activities do visit a EuroKids center near your home. Just by seeing the insides of the classroom you can get more ideas of several indoor fun educational activities you can do at home with your child.