Between 18 and 24 months, toddlers transform from wobbly walkers into mini explorers who want to touch, taste, and try everything—often all at once.
They’re learning new words daily, becoming more independent, and discovering the joy (and frustration) of doing things their way. And yes… this age can come with big emotions and dramatic tantrums!
This guide will help you navigate this thrilling stage with:
✅ Developmental milestones (what’s typical—and what’s not)
✅ Over 100 engaging activities categorized by skill type
✅ Tantrum-taming play ideas
✅ Printable resources to make daily routines smoother
Key Developmental Milestones (18-24 Months)
Wondering if your child is on track? Here’s a quick comparison chart for this age range:
Remember: Every toddler develops on their own timeline. Delays aren’t always cause for worry—but trust your gut and check with your pediatrician if something feels off.
Section 1: Language-Boosting Activities
Toddlers’ language explodes during this stage. The more they hear and practice, the faster they learn.
Here’s how to turn everyday moments into speech-building fun:
1. Conversation Starters:
- “What’s That?” Walks: Narrate your surroundings while out and about. E.g. “Look! A big, yellow bus!”
- Fill-in-the-Blank Songs: Sing favorites and pause for your toddler to finish the word (e.g. “Twinkle twinkle little ___”).
- Photo Albums: Look at family photos and name people and objects.
I highly recommend reading this detailed guide of early Conversation Starters 12-18 months.
Also, you may need to check these 25 Popular English nursery rhymes lyrics with pictures to help you with the Fill-in-the-Blank Songs.
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2. Book Play:
- Animal Sound Matching: Pair animal books with toy animals for matching sounds and names.
- Lift-the-Flap DIY: Hide small photos or stickers under sticky notes in a board book for a surprise reveal.
- Story Reenactment: Act out simple storylines with dolls or plush toys.
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3. Pretend Phone Calls:
Give your toddler an old phone and “call Grandma.” Encourage babbling or short phrases.
Section 2: Fine Motor Skills
Toddlers are fine-tuning finger control for eating, scribbling, and eventually self-dressing.
Try these activities for tiny hands:
1. Advanced Grasping:
- Pom Pom Whisk: Stuff pom poms into a wire whisk for your toddler to pull out.
- O-Cereal Threading: String Cheerios onto pipe cleaners or uncooked spaghetti stuck upright in playdough.
- Sticker Play: Peel and stick labels onto paper. Great for finger strength and precision.
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2. First Art Projects:
- Ice Cube Painting: Freeze water mixed with food coloring in icecube trays. Add craft stick handles for easy grip. Let your toddler swirl color onto paper.
- Window Stickers: Wet foam shapes stick to glass—perfect for creating scenes or practicing letters.
- Finger Painting with Pudding or Yogurt: Taste-safe fun if your child still explores everything with their mouth.
I highly recommend reading this detailed guide of Sensory Play for Toddlers: 25+ Fun & Easy Activities to Boost Development.
Section 3: Gross Motor Play
Toddlers have energy to burn! Gross motor play helps them practice balance, strength, and coordination.
1. Indoor Obstacle Courses:
- Cushion Mountain: Arrange sofa cushions to climb over or crawl under.
- Bubble Wrap Road: Tape bubble wrap to the floor for satisfying crunches underfoot.
- Tunnel Fun: Crawl through cardboard boxes or pop-up tunnels.
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2. Outdoor Adventures:
- Kickball Practice: Use lightweight balls they can easily connect with their feet.
- Water Play: Offer cups, spoons, and funnels for scooping and pouring in a shallow tub or kiddie pool.
- Nature Treasure Hunt: Search for leaves, pinecones, or rocks to collect in a bucket.
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3. Dance Parties:
Play upbeat music and encourage your toddler to jump, spin, and sway. It’s excellent cardio for parents, too!
Section 4: Cognitive & Problem-Solving Play
Between 18-24 months, toddlers are tiny scientists. They’re starting to solve problems, remember routines, and understand cause and effect.
1. Early STEM:
- Sink-or-Float Experiments: Test kitchen objects in water and talk about what happens.
- Shape Sorting: Cut shapes from colorful paper and have your toddler match them to similar objects.
- Simple Puzzles: Choose wooden puzzles with big knobs.
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2. Pretend Play:
- Toy Kitchen: Add real (safe) kitchen tools for realistic play.
- Doll Care: Let toddlers feed, diaper, and tuck dolls into bed.
- Mini Cleaners: Toddlers love copying chores. Offer a damp rag, small broom, or dustpan.
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3. Cause & Effect Toys:
Toys that pop up, spin, or light up when buttons are pressed are fascinating at this age.
Section 5: Sensory Exploration
Sensory play calms toddlers, fosters creativity, and builds fine motor skills. And yes—it can be taste-safe!
1. Taste-Safe Options:
- Rainbow Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti, toss with a tiny bit of oil and food coloring, then rinse. Let toddlers squish, sort, and explore.
- Edible Finger Paint: Mix yogurt with natural food coloring. Perfect for high-chair art time.
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2. Texture Play:
- “Magic” Sensory Bags: Fill a ziplock bag with hair gel, sequins, and buttons. Seal tightly and tape to a table for safe squishing.
- Frozen Flowers: Freeze small flowers into ice cubes and watch them melt. Toddlers love rescuing blooms from ice.
- Dry Rice or Oats Bin: Fill a small bin with dry oats or rice. Add spoons, small cups, or toy animals.
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3. Scented Exploration:
Let your toddler smell herbs like rosemary or basil. Safe and fascinating!
Section 6: Tantrum-Taming Play
Meltdowns are normal at this age, but certain activities can help toddlers manage big feelings.
1. Emotional Regulation:
- Feeling Faces Mirror: Make exaggerated happy, sad, angry faces together in a mirror to practice labeling emotions.
- Calm-Down Bottles: Combine warm water, glitter, and a few drops of clear glue in a bottle. Shake and watch the glitter settle together while taking deep breaths.
- Emotion card: help your toddler understand emotions by using these free printable emotion cards for toddlers.
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2. Transition Tricks:
- Toy Timer: Use an hourglass timer to show when it’s time to clean up.
- Goodbye Songs: Sing a “bye-bye toys” song to signal the end of an activity.
The Ultimate Guide to Toddler Tantrums (12-18 Months): Playful Strategies to Prevent & Manage Meltdowns
SECTION 7: Daily Routine Symbol: A Day in the Life of a Toddler (With Helpful Links!)
Toddlers thrive on routine. It helps them feel safe, reduces tantrums, and gives you a roadmap for your day. But that doesn’t mean your schedule has to be rigid—it can be flexible and fun!
Morning: Calm Starts & Cozy Moments:
Start your day gently with some snuggle time and books. This is a perfect moment to build language skills and connect before the chaos begins.
Check out our list of the 20 Best Books for a 1-Year-Old Baby—many of them are still perfect for older toddlers who love familiar favorites.
If the weather’s nice, why not get outside together? Gardening is a wonderful way for toddlers to explore nature and burn off energy:
Try simple tips from our Easy Guide for Gardening with Kids. It’s surprisingly fun (and messy)!
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Late Morning: Independent Play & Sensory Fun
Once your toddler has burned off some early energy, it’s a great time to encourage independent play.
If you’re not sure how to help your child play solo, read our tips in How to Encourage Independent Play in Toddlers.
Or switch things up with a sensory activity to engage curious little hands and minds:
We’ve rounded up 25+ Fun and Easy Sensory Play Activities for Toddlers that are taste-safe and simple to set up.
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Lunchtime: Keep It Simple (and Yummy)
Toddlers can be picky, but lunch doesn’t have to be a struggle.
Need inspiration? Try these 50 Easy Toddler Lunch Ideas for quick meals they’ll actually eat.
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Afternoon: Emotional Learning & Gentle Discipline
The afternoon can be prime time for big feelings. Help your toddler learn to identify and express emotions:
Print our Free Printable Emotion Flashcards for Kids for a fun way to explore feelings.
Dive deeper into nurturing your child’s feelings with our guide on How to Raise an Emotionally Intelligent Child.
And if tricky behavior pops up:
Our 15 Gentle Discipline Techniques Every Parent Should Know can help keep things calm and respectful.
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Evening: Family Connection & Laughter
The end of the day is perfect for winding down—and sharing a few laughs.
For a mood boost, don’t miss our 23 Hilarious Things Only Moms of Toddlers Can Really Understand. You’ll feel instantly less alone!
Remember: No day with a toddler goes perfectly—but a flexible routine can help you both feel happier and more connected. And the best part? Every activity is an opportunity to build skills, create memories, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
Final Thoughts:
The 18-24 month stage is a whirlwind—but it’s also a window into your toddler’s blossoming personality, interests, and skills. With simple, playful activities, you’ll not only survive this stage but help your child thrive.
Have a favorite toddler activity? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working in your home!
You may missed these posts:
- Newborn activities 0-3 months: 10 soothing and stimulating play ideas for your baby
- The ultimate guide for baby activities 3-6 Months: 50+ development-boosting play ideas
- Baby activities 6-9 months: 100+ expert-approved play ideas for sitting, crawling & first words
- Baby Activities 9-12 Months: 125+ Play Ideas for Walking, Talking & Problem-Solving
- Toddler Activities 12-18 Months: 150+ Play Ideas for Walking, Talking & Exploring
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