Parents of 14-month-olds often worry about keeping their little ones busy with the right activities. At this age, toddlers learn new skills every day, but finding suitable play ideas can be tough.
Most moms and dads want activities that help their child grow without needing fancy toys or tons of prep time. The good news is that simple play can teach toddlers everything they need to know!
This list of activities for 14 month old will help parents boost their toddler’s growth in all key areas, from motor skills to language. Each activity uses items most homes already have.
Ready to turn everyday moments into learning chances? Let’s look at fun ways to help your little one thrive.
Why Activities Matter for Your 14-Month-Old’s Development
The time around 14 months marks a big step in your child’s growth path. Kids this age learn by doing and playing.
Each day brings new chances for them to test their skills and make sense of the world around them. With the right play ideas, parents can help build lasting brain connections.
These basic play times also help form close bonds between you and your child.
- First steps and balance: Most 14-month-olds can walk with minimal assistance or independently. They love to push, pull, and climb on things.
- Copy-cat actions: They watch what you do and try to copy it – from talking on a phone to brushing hair.
- Figuring things out: They start to solve basic problems, like how to get a toy that’s out of reach.
- Word sounds: Their babbles sound more like real words. Many can say 2-3 words with meaning.
- Hand skills: They can pick up small items, point at things they want, and may try to use spoons.
- Social growth: They show likes and dislikes more clearly and might play simple games like peek-a-boo.
Playtime Ideas and Activities for 14 Month Old
Now let’s look at some fun and simple activities for 14 month olds. These activities use everyday items and fit easily into your daily routine while supporting key growth areas for your busy toddler.
1. Scarf Pull Box
Stuff the fabric into the tissue box and encourage your toddler to pull it out. You can name the colors, textures, or count as they pull. There are some materials you will need, like an empty tissue box, scarves, or fabric scraps.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
2. Bubble Wrap Stomp
Lay a large piece of bubble wrap on the floor and tape it down. Let your toddler walk, crawl, or stomp on it to hear the popping sounds. You’ll need bubble wrap and masking tape.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Mess Level: Low
3. Muffin Tin Sorting
Provide a muffin tin and an assortment of small toys or pom-poms. Help your child place items into each cup. You’ll need a muffin tin, soft balls or safe small toys.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
4. Water Painting
Give your toddler a bowl of water and a paintbrush to ‘paint’ on cardboard or the sidewalk. It’s a simple way to introduce creativity while keeping things mess-free. A fun, sensory activity that encourages focus and coordination.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
5. Ball Drop Game
Cut holes in a box and let your toddler drop balls into the correct slots. This helps improve hand-eye coordination and introduces early problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
6. Tunnel Crawl
Set up a play tunnel or create one with cushions and blankets for crawling fun. It’s great for developing gross motor skills, balance, and spatial awareness while encouraging physical activity.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
7. Toy Parade
Line up soft toys and march around with music, naming each one. This playful activity introduces rhythm and helps with language development as you identify toys together.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
8. Treasure Basket
Fill a basket with safe household items of different textures for exploration. Your toddler can touch, feel, and explore while building sensory awareness and learning about different materials.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
9. Sticky Note Wall
Stick colorful notes on a wall and let your toddler peel them off. This simple yet engaging activity improves fine motor skills and introduces the concept of cause and effect.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
10. Sponge Transfer
Let your child soak sponges in one bowl and transfer water to another. This activity strengthens hand muscles, encourages concentration, and provides a satisfying sensory experience.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Medium
11. Rolling Toys Race
Roll various toys down a ramp and observe which one travels the fastest. It’s a fun way to introduce basic physics concepts and boost your toddler’s understanding of cause and effect.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
12. Dance Freeze
Play music and have your toddler dance until the music stops, then freeze in place. This activity promotes rhythm, listening skills, and gross motor development while being tons of fun.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
13. Cup Stack Knockdown
Stack plastic cups and let your toddler knock them down. It’s a simple way to build coordination, precision, and hand-eye coordination, all while having a blast.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
14. Shape Hunt
Hide shapes around the room and help your toddler find and match them. This activity boosts shape recognition and cognitive skills, while making learning fun and interactive.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
15. Mirror Play
Place a child-safe mirror on the floor and let your toddler explore their reflection. This activity helps with self-awareness and emotional development as they find their image.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
16. Pom-Pom Push
Cut holes in a container lid and let your toddler push pom-poms through. This activity promotes fine motor skills, especially finger strength and dexterity.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
17. Kitchen Band
Use pots, pans, and wooden spoons to create fun rhythms together. It’s a musical activity that fosters auditory awareness, rhythm, and early motor coordination.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
18. Bubble Popping
Blow bubbles in the air and let your toddler chase and pop them. This encourages physical movement, hand-eye coordination, and provides endless entertainment for both of you.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
19. Foam Block Building
Stack foam blocks and encourage your toddler to knock them over. This activity promotes spatial awareness, balance, and learning about cause and effect.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
20. Animal Walks
Mimic animal movements together, like crawling like a bear or hopping like a bunny. It’s an exciting way to work on motor skills, balance, and imaginative play.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
21. Laundry Basket Ride
Place your toddler in a laundry basket and gently pull it across a soft, flat surface. This simple activity encourages giggles while helping to build balance and body awareness.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
22. Sock Toss
Roll up soft socks and let your child toss them into a basket. This game helps develop aim, gross motor coordination, and hand-eye coordination in a playful way.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
23. Color Sorting Cups
Use colored cups and help your toddler sort matching colored balls into each. This activity introduces early color recognition and sorting skills in a hands-on, engaging manner.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
24. Tunnel Ball Roll
Create a tunnel using boxes or cushions and roll balls through for your toddler to chase. It’s a fantastic activity to build crawling, coordination, and physical awareness.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
25. Finger Painting with Yogurt
Add food coloring to yogurt and let your toddler paint safely on paper. This is a safe and creative sensory play activity that encourages fine motor skills and artistic expression.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Mess Level: Medium
26. Cardboard Box Maze
Set up a crawlable maze using large cardboard boxes for hide-and-seek fun. It’s a great way to foster problem-solving, exploration, and confidence in movement.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Mess Level: Low
27. Ice Cube Sensory Bin
Place colorful ice cubes in a shallow bin for your child to touch and move around. This activity stimulates tactile senses and introduces your toddler to temperature variations.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Medium
28. Feather Chase
Blow lightweight feathers in the air and let your toddler chase and catch them. This promotes focus, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills as they track and catch the floating feathers.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
29. Wipe Clean Drawing
Let your toddler draw on laminated paper with washable markers and wipe it clean. This reusable activity helps your child practice drawing, writing, and creativity with minimal mess.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Medium
30. Texture Walk
Lay different materials like towels, bubble wrap, and foil for your toddler to walk on. This sensory walk enhances tactile awareness and curiosity while promoting balance and coordination.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
31. Sensory Bottle Experience
Fill plastic bottles with glitter, water, or beads and seal them for safe shaking fun. This provides visual and auditory stimulation, helping to develop focus and exploration skills.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
32. Play-Dough Press
Offer safe play-dough and encourage your toddler to press it with their hands or tools. This activity builds finger strength, creativity, and fine motor skills in a tactile, hands-on way.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Medium
33. Foil Crinkle Play
Provide a sheet of aluminum foil and let your toddler crinkle and explore the sound. This activity is a great auditory and tactile exploration that strengthens sensory development.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
34. Laundry Helper
Have your toddler pass you clothes or help push socks into a basket during folding. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce sorting skills, teamwork, and responsibility.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
35. Rolling Pin Art
Wrap paper around a rolling pin, apply paint, and roll to create prints together. This simple art project fosters creativity, motor coordination, and introduces printmaking in a fun way.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Mess Level: Medium
36. Hat Parade
Try on a variety of hats and look in the mirror together to make silly faces. This is a playful activity that promotes self-awareness, imagination, and social-emotional skills.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
37. Snack Sorting
Sort snacks like cereal, fruit bits, or crackers into muffin tray compartments. This activity boosts early math skills, concentration, and fine motor coordination in a fun, practical way.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
38. Colorful Tape Pull
Stick strips of colored masking tape on a wall or table edge and let your toddler peel them off. This boosts pincer grasp, visual focus, and strengthens finger dexterity.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
39. Basketball Toss
Use a soft ball and laundry basket to play a toddler-sized basketball game. This promotes hand-eye coordination, aim, and gross motor development in a fun and simple game.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
40. Puzzle Time
Use chunky puzzles and help your toddler match shapes and animals to their slots. This activity enhances problem-solving, shape recognition, and fine motor coordination.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Mess Level: Low
41. Crinkle Paper Crawl
Lay crinkly wrapping paper or tissue paper on the floor and let your toddler crawl across it. The fun sound and texture provide auditory stimulation and promote crawling skills.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
42. Light and Shadow Play
Use a flashlight in a dark room to cast shadows and help your child move objects around. This activity introduces basic light concepts while boosting curiosity and visual development.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Mess Level: Low
43. Bean Bag Balance
Gently place a bean bag on your toddler’s head and take a few steps together. This builds balance, concentration, and coordination in a fun, low-pressure activity.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Mess Level: Low
Safety Tips for Playtime
Safety comes first when playing with your 14-month-old. Small kids move fast and put almost everything in their mouths.
Parents need to monitor their children closely during play to prevent bumps, falls, and other risks. A few key safety steps can make playtime fun without worry.
- Always watch closely: Stay within arm’s reach during active play and water activities.
- Check for small parts: Items smaller than a ping pong ball can cause choking. Scan play areas for coins, batteries, and tiny toy pieces.
- Secure the space: Block stairs with gates, cover outlets, and pad sharp table corners.
- Test toy strength: Make sure toys don’t break into small bits when chewed or dropped.
- Keep floors clear: Remove trip hazards like cords, rugs that slip, and clutter.
- Store safely: Put away art supplies, cleaning products, and tools after use.
Final Thoughts
Playtime is much more than just fun for your 14-month-old; it helps build the skills they’ll need for years to come.
Each small game, song, or activity helps them learn about their world while supporting brain and body development.
The best part? You don’t need fancy toys or special training to support their growth. Simple activities for 14 month old like stacking blocks, reading books, or splashing in water, can have a big impact.
Try adding one or two new activities for 14 month old each week from this list. Watch how your little one responds and adjust based on what they enjoy.
The key is making play a regular, joyful part of your day together.
What other activities does your 14-month-old enjoy? Share your own play ideas in the comments below or tell us which of these trending
activities your little one loved most!
