13 - 18 Months
- Playdates: Arrange playdates with other children to encourage social and physical activity. This helps your toddler develop social skills and learn to interact with peers. Be Active with playdates. Find playdate ideas.
- Walking and Running: Provide plenty of space for your toddler to practice walking and running. This helps them develop their gross motor skills and coordination. Be Active by providing space for walking and running.
- Encouraging Play: Encourage your toddler to play and explore their environment. This supports their curiosity and cognitive development. Be Active by encouraging play. Play for all ages - Make Time 2 Play
- Shape Sorters: Use shape sorters to help your toddler develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. This also introduces them to basic shapes and colours. Be Active with shape sorters.
- Outdoor Play: Take your toddler outside to explore and play in different environments. This provides opportunities for physical activity and sensory experiences. Be Active with outdoor play. Out an about.
- Colour matching nature walks: Take little ones on a nature walk with a print out of a colour wheel in hand and some pegs. Encourage children to find flowers/leaves that match the colours on the wheel, it’s a great way to get moving whilst also learning about colours. Be Active with color matching in nature. Colour matching nature walk
- Family Centre Playgroups: Enquire your local family centre for information on free playgroup sessions, they are filled with great resources and sensory/craft sessions often take place. It’s a great way for children to develop social skills. Be Active by attending playgroups.
19 - 24 Months
- Pretend Play: Encourage pretend play that involves movement, like playing house or cooking. This supports their imagination and social skills. Be Active with pretend play.
- Outdoor Exploration: Take your toddler to the park or garden to explore nature and play with outdoor toys. This provides opportunities for physical activity and sensory experiences. Be Active with outdoor exploration. Out an about
- Sharing Activities: Encourage your toddler to share and take turns during physical activities. This helps them develop social skills and learn to cooperate with others. Be Active by sharing activities.
- Simple Puzzles: Introduce simple puzzles that require movement and coordination. This supports their problem-solving skills and fine motor development. Be Active with simple puzzles.
- Nature Walks: Go on nature walks and talk about the things you see and hear. This provides opportunities for physical activity and language development. Be Active with nature walks. Out an about
- Recycled materials: Use recycled materials for outdoor play. Tyres are great for a variety of activities, from obstacle courses to creating flower beds. Old saucepans, pans and utensils are great for mud kitchens or creating “potions”. Be Active with recycled materials.
- Beach walks: If you live close to the coast, visit a beach and collect some shells whilst on a walk. Talk to your little ones about what you see on your walk. Be Active with beach walks. Out an about
25 - 30 Months
- Interactive Playdates: Arrange playdates with other children to develop social skills and friendships. This helps your toddler learn to interact with peers and develop social skills. Be Active with interactive playdates.
- Building Blocks: Use building blocks to enhance fine motor skills and creativity. This supports their cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Be Active with building blocks.
- Helping with Chores: Involve your toddler in age-appropriate chores that require movement, like picking up toys or helping with laundry. This teaches them responsibility and supports their physical development. Be Active by helping with chores.
- Art and Craft: Provide crayons, paper, and non-toxic paint for your toddler to create art. This supports their creativity and fine motor skills. Be Active with art and craft activities. Explore art and craft ideas. Sensory Play In The Early Years | Early Years Resources
- Movement Games: Play games that involve movement, like Simon Says or follow the leader. This helps develop their gross motor skills and coordination.
- Use recycled and reused materials to encourage play (tyres, logs, loose parts, and planks of wood to create obstacle courses) Be Active with creative play. Play Wales
- Promote 180 minutes of physical activity a day as advised by Physical activity guidelines .This can include light activities such as rolling, standing to play, hopping, dancing and running. Be Active with a variety of physical activities. The best way to get this age group moving is through active play such as climbing frames, bikes, water play and activities using a ball.
31 - 36 Months
- Family Time: Spend quality time together as a family, playing games and doing activities. This supports their social and emotional development. Be Active with family time. Out an about
- Obstacle Courses: Set up simple obstacle courses to challenge your toddler’s physical skills. This helps develop their gross motor skills and coordination. Be Active with obstacle courses.
- Helping with Tasks: Involve your toddler in simple tasks that require movement, like setting the table. This teaches them responsibility and supports their physical development. Be Active by helping with tasks.
- Counting Games: Play counting games with everyday objects to introduce basic math concepts. This supports their cognitive development and numeracy skills. Be Active with counting games. Helping my Child to Count: Activities for Toddlers - Twinkl
- Dance and Singing Activities: Practice simple activities that involve movement, like singing and dancing. This helps develop their balance and flexibility. Be Active with dance and singing activities. CBeebies Watch & Sing - / CBeebies - BBC CBeebies Radio - CBeebies - BBC / Cywioci Dewch i Ddawnsio - Dance with us - Cyw
- Yoga. Search for yoga videos for toddlers on YouTube to help children develop strong, healthy bodies as well as aid in refining their motor skills during early development stages. Be Active with yoga.
- Leisure Centres. Take advantage of activities taking place at local leisure centres during school holidays such as soft play, bubbles swim and play sessions for children with special needs. Be Active with leisure centre activities.
- The Big Toddle: Take part in a charity walk such as The Big Toddle; a fun-filled, safari-themed sponsored walk designed for children under the age of 5. Be Active with The Big Toddle.
- Being Outdoors: Take every opportunity to be active outdoors: find out where your local park is, or try a new one [link here to Out and About]; introduce toddlers to trikes/balance bikes that can support coordination, strength, balance, and are a fun way of getting about