Updated November, 2023
Let’s start this list off right with our usual book suggestions. Always be sure to pick books you love at this age because you will read them over and over and over again.
Top Picks
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Goodnight Gorilla
- My Dad Loves Me
- Best Toddler Books
- 12 Board Books for Your Toddler
- Best Bedtime Books
Dramatic Play
It is likely that your child sees you clean up around the house throughout the day. As they become more mobile, they will inevitably get under foot more as well. Put their passion and excitement to work by offering them cleaning supplies that are their size to use. You will be amazed at how excited your child will be to push around a broom.
It’s time to engage your child’s developing imagination using puppets. You have to get into them, but puppets are a great way to teach children. You will be amazed at how much more your child will listen to a puppet than to an adult. They can be great for song props as well. My favorite are the animals for Old MacDonald.
Blocks
Some children are especially interested in cars at this age. If your child tends to put a lot of things in their mouth, go with a set that offers larger pieces. Cars are great for driving around the floor, sending down ramps, and cruising over a rug.
These blocks have so many names I had a hard time selecting this title, but I hope it is the most clear. Duplo blocks are large, easy to manipulate blocks that stay together when you stack them. Some come with little car sets or people as well. These are blocks you can keep and expand on over the years.
Art
Table Toys
Dumping and filling at this age is very important. So if your child seems to be dumping everything in your house out, give them something to dump out on purpose. Many children like to fill their basket with small treasures (animals, markers, even coins) and walk around with them. Then they can easily show off their goods to you.
Now is a great time to introduce a shape sorter. Think of it as your child’s first puzzle. If you get a box one where you store the pieces on the inside as well, it can also be satisfying to dump out for your child, extending the playtime duration.
A little bit of work from Montessori here, these stacking rods are great fun for your child to use. At this stage, don’t expect them to match colors or shapes correctly, but as they get older, you will start to see them develop the idea that red goes on red and blue goes on blue.
These are here to build your child’s dumping and pouring skills. This skill will help them with math concepts later in life, as well as things like baking and visual spatial awareness. Plus they are something you might use yourself, which makes them all the more interesting for your child.
Science
Large Motor
Pulling things after you is fun. We happen to have an electronic dog, but I know there are also wooden pull toys as well, which I personally prefer. This action encourages waking and also helps children learn cause and effect.
As your toddler masters walking, they are going to start climbing as a way to challenge their bodies. You can facilitate this by offering safe stuff for them to climb on, or crawl under and over.
What goes up, must come down. Stair and slide practice are a blast at this age. Keep your slide short and simple. Also be sure you keep appropriate fall material under it and stay close by while your child is using it.
FreedomInsidetheBox, thanks! And thanks for sharing your great posts every week!