Have you been wondering what activities and crafts to engage your toddler, that is 12-18 months old? We have explained in this article different crafts and activities that will keep them excited and engaged for a long period of time.
Easy Crafts And Activities For 12-18 Months Old
1. Mess-Free Painting
This craft is easy to set up with items such as a large ziplock bag or poly pocket and non-toxic paints for little kids. An adult can guide the toddler to make this craft. The big, clear Ziplock back can be filled with diverse coloured paints and zipped. There should be enough space in the bag to enable the paints to move freely or the poly pocket can be glued to prevent the paint from spilling out. After that, the toddler can be placed on a comfortable chair or high chair and put the ziplock bag that has the paint on a tray and allow them to push and prod the mess-free paint in the bag. The toddler can use a brush, spoon or even their hands to do it. This is a tidy operation that is regarded as a sensory play activity.
2. Coloring by Numbers
Coloring By Numbers is an art coloring game to color both modern and classic artworks with numbers. Color by number pictures are great and fun for preschoolers. It allows them to identify numbers and color those numbers appropriately. It also helps kids to recognize colors and practice coloring skills effectively as well as having fun.
Image: https://coloringonly.com/category/color-by-number/
3. Stick Drop Activities
Stick drop activities need materials such as cardboard inner tube, bucket or basket, masking tape, colourful pick-up sticks/lolly sticks, coloured pencils/ pens. The first first step is to use the masking tape by taping it to the cardboard inner tube that can be placed on the wall. The cardboard must be placed on a vertical angle where the toddler can reach the top of the tube. The colorful sticks are gathered to easily fit into the tube. Then, the small bucket or basket can be placed directly under the tube. The toddler will drop the different coloured sticks through the tube into the basket or bucket. This activity is a creative way to build a toddler’s fine motor spirit, improve their eye-hand coordination.
4. Magnet Play Activities
This is also known as tray magnet play which uses a metal baking tray and magnets. An adult can look for some fridge magnets and magnetic clips around the house and certify that they won’t become a choking hazard for the toddler. You can also make use of colourful alphabet magnets. First, the baking tray is placed on the ground where the child can see. The toddler can lift up the magnets, push, pull, and arrange them on the tray. This activity helps them to build their fine motor skills because it is easy to do and not messy.
5. Water Painting Art
You must have a small container filled with water, a coloured sugar paper and cotton buds.
The coloured paper is placed on a waterproof surface. The small container is filled with water and a few cotton buds are put into the water. The cotton buds will get soaked up in the water. Then, the toddler will pick out the cotton bud from the coloured water and paint on the paper. The paper gets soaked with the color and changes to that same color.
6. Free to Explore Edible Paints
This is a messy activity but worth it. Making use of free to explore edible paints will really keep your toddler engaged, especially the 18-month-old. All you need is a blender, paints( Broccoli, strawberries and carrots) and a steamer or a saucepan.
This activity involves preparing and cooking the broccoli and carrots. The vegetables are blended to form the orange and green paints. The strawberries are blended to make the red paint. This activity helps to bring out your toddler’s creativity. A large sheet of paper can be used as their canvas to use the edible paints on.
7. Simple Drawing Activity
With so many unique and elaborate art projects and drawing ideas online, parents can feel overwhelmed, especially if they have children who are not born artists. Lately, they’ve felt compelled to put together simple drawing ideas to share with their children. When life feels especially hectic, it’s nice to calm down with some simple, meditative drawing ideas and activities like the ones we’re sharing with you today.
Image: DessinFacile.Fr
8. Little Kids’ Collage Activity
For this activity, use a piece of card/paper, double-sided tape,tissue paper, feathers, mini pom-poms and buttons.
The double-sided tape strips are placed across the sheet of card to make it sticky. The coloured tissue paper, buttons, feathers and pom-poms are placed on a tray. You can guide your toddler to be creative and make colorful art. The artwork can be in various shapes and textures.
9. Fruit Washing Station Activity
Well, your toddler will enjoy this activity that can be done indoor or outdoor. It requires a big bowl or bucket, fruit scrubber, spare toothbrush and fruits.
Fill the big bowl or bucket with water to form the Wash station. Guide your toddler to scrub the and wash the selected fruits. It is better to select fruits that won’t get damaged easily such as oranges, apples, lemons and other hard vegetables. This is a form of sensory play that enables toddlers to be familiar with fruits and vegetables colors, textures and smells. The brush can help them improve their hand coordination.
10. Using the Stairs
Well, it may sound weird that toddlers should be taught how to use the stairs. This is a health and safety measures activity. They can be taught to safely use the stairs in the home or anywhere it can be found. Help the toddler to climb up and down or walk up and down the stairs in order to build their confidence. You can hold their hands to guide them through the stairs. Consistent practice will help them to learn to use the stairs safely with anyone’s help .
11. Clean up Activities
It isn’t a crime to help toddlers clean up after eating their meals as many hate their hands and faces being cleaned by another person. This can be a fun activity after their meals as you guide them to clean their own face and hands using a clean cloth or towel. With practice, they will become perfect in doing it.
Also, you can guide them to sweep the house, sweep leaves off the driveway, clean the table and so on to strengthen their independence.
12. Making Presents With Tin Foil
This craft is very easy for toddlers. With small toys, a roll of tin foil, a basket, they can engage in this craft.
The small toys can be arranged together at a spot with your toddler. Then, you can proceed to teach them how to wrap each of you with a tin foil to make a present. All the wrapped presents are kept in a basket and the toddler can unwrap them to reveal the toys. By this, toddlers will know the sound and feel of the tin foil and presents. This will make them amused and surprised at what they uncover from the wrappings.
If you enjoyed reading this article, what are you waiting for? Use those ideas to create endless fun for your toddler. Enjoy!