Play Ideas by Age

Published: September 3, 2026

13-18 Months: Walking, Stacking, and Pretending

At this age, toddlers walk more, enjoy stacking toys or opening and closing things, and often imitate adult actions. Based on CDC resources, the following play ideas may be helpful at this age.

Sensory Play

• Keep exploring toys with different sounds and textures.
• Water play or sand play, touching and feeling things with their hands, is often enjoyed now.

Physical/Gross Motor Play

• Kick or throw and catch a ball together.
• Let your toddler move freely in a safe space to practice walking and stairs.

Fine Motor & Exploration Play

• Use toys that call for problem-solving, like stacking blocks or opening and closing a box.
• Try pretend play with dolls, trucks, or a doctor’s kit — imitating coughing, sneezing, or animal sounds is also common at this age.

Language & Social Play

• Look at picture books together, talk about the pictures, and let your toddler turn pages or point to things.
• When your toddler says a single word like “baba,” expand it: “Yes, that’s your bottle.”
• Respond to gestures and applause, letting your toddler enjoy the attention they get.

Play Tips for This Age

Encouraging attempts at self-dressing or self-feeding with a spoon is considered helpful for building independence. 11-14 hours of sleep per 24 hours (including naps) and limited screen time are recommended.

When to Consider Talking with a Pediatrician

If your toddler isn’t walking by around 18 months, has no understandable words, or shows no interest in pretend play, checking in with a pediatric provider may be helpful. This information isn’t a diagnostic tool and doesn’t replace advice from a medical professional.