Congratulations, you have a 14-month-old! This is an exciting time as your toddler is becoming more independent and their personality is really starting to shine through. At this age, your little one is constantly learning and exploring the world around them, and it’s important to provide them with plenty of opportunities to grow and develop.
When it comes to 14 month old activities, it’s all about finding fun and engaging ways to support your toddler’s development. This might include activities that help improve their fine motor skills, such as stacking blocks or playing with playdough. Or, you might focus on activities that promote language development, such as reading books or singing songs together.
The key is to keep things fun and interactive, while also providing plenty of opportunities for your toddler to learn and grow. With that in mind, let’s explore some exciting and engaging 14 month old activities that you and your little one can enjoy together!
Exploring with Sensory Play: A World of Textures and Colors
Sensory play is a fantastic way to engage your 14 month old in learning and exploration. This type of play allows your toddler to use their senses to investigate and interact with the world around them. Here are some fun and engaging sensory play activities that you and your 14 month old can enjoy together:
- Play with textured balls: Textured balls, such as ones with bumps or ridges, are a great way to introduce your toddler to different sensations. Roll the balls back and forth to each other and encourage your little one to explore the different textures with their hands.
- Experiment with colored rice or pasta: Colored rice or pasta is a simple and fun sensory material that your toddler will love. Spread it out on a tray or in a shallow bin and let your little one explore the colors and textures with their hands. You can also add in measuring cups and spoons for an added element of fun and learning.
- Make a sensory bin: A sensory bin is a container filled with a variety of sensory materials, such as sand, water, beans, or rice. You can add in small toys, such as cars or animals, for your toddler to play with. Sensory bins are a great way to encourage exploration and imaginative play.
- Create a sensory bottle: A sensory bottle is a clear plastic bottle filled with a variety of sensory materials, such as glitter, water beads, or small toys. Your toddler will love shaking the bottle and watching the materials move around inside.
Remember to always supervise your toddler during sensory play and to never leave them unattended with small objects, as they may pose a choking hazard. Sensory play is a wonderful way to support your 14 month old’s development and help them learn about the world around them.
Building and Creating: The Joy of Constructing and Destructing
At 14 months old, toddlers are naturally curious about how things work and fit together. Providing opportunities for building and creating can help support their cognitive development and fine motor skills. Here are some fun and engaging activities that allow your toddler to construct and destruct:
- Build with blocks: Blocks are a classic toy for a reason – they provide endless opportunities for building and creativity. Look for blocks that are large and easy for your toddler to grip. You can start by building a simple tower together and encouraging your little one to knock it down.
- Create with playdough: Playdough is a versatile and fun material that your toddler can use to create all sorts of shapes and objects. Look for playdough that is non-toxic and easy to clean up. You can provide your toddler with simple tools, such as a rolling pin or cookie cutters, to help them create.
- Experiment with stacking cups: Stacking cups are a great way to support your toddler’s hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Look for cups that are lightweight and easy for your little one to stack. You can encourage your toddler to stack the cups in different orders and to knock them down when they’re done.
- Play with sensory bags: Sensory bags are a safe and mess-free way to provide your toddler with sensory exploration. Fill a plastic bag with a variety of sensory materials, such as hair gel, water beads, or glitter. Seal the bag tightly and let your toddler squish and explore the materials inside.
Remember to always supervise your toddler during these activities and to provide plenty of positive feedback and encouragement. Building and creating is a wonderful way to support your 14 month old’s development and help them learn about the world around them.
Storytime and Language Development: Reading, Singing, and Talking
One of the most important 14 month old activities that you can do with your toddler is to engage in language development activities. This includes reading, singing, and talking with your little one. These activities not only help to support your toddler’s language development, but they also provide a wonderful opportunity for bonding and connection.
- Reading: Reading to your 14 month old is a great way to support their language development and introduce them to new words and concepts. Look for books that have bright colors, interesting pictures, and simple stories. You can also point to the pictures and name the objects as you read, to help your little one make connections between the words and the images.
- Singing: Singing is another great way to support your toddler’s language development. Look for songs that have simple, repetitive lyrics and a catchy tune. You can also make up your own songs, using your toddler’s favorite toys or objects as inspiration. Singing helps to introduce your little one to new words and rhythms, and it can also be a lot of fun!
- Talking: Talking to your 14 month old is one of the most important things you can do to support their language development. Look for opportunities to talk to your little one throughout the day, such as during meals, diaper changes, and car rides. You can also narrate your actions as you go about your day, such as “I’m putting the dishes away” or “I’m getting your coat”. This helps to introduce your little one to new words and phrases, and it also helps to build their vocabulary.
Remember to always speak slowly and clearly to your 14 month old, and to give them plenty of time to respond. It’s also important to provide positive feedback and encouragement when your little one tries to communicate with you. Language development is an ongoing process, and every little bit helps!
4. Outdoor Adventures: Fresh Air and Physical Play
At 14 months old, toddlers are full of energy and curiosity, making outdoor adventures a great way to support their physical development and sense of exploration. Here are some fun and engaging outdoor activities that you and your little one can enjoy together:
- Nature walks: Taking your toddler on a nature walk is a great way to introduce them to the sights, sounds, and textures of the natural world. Look for a local park or trail that is stroller-friendly, and bring along a bag to collect interesting leaves, rocks, or other objects that your little one might find.
- Water play: Water play is a fun and refreshing way to engage your toddler’s senses and support their physical development. Look for a local splash pad or wading pool, or simply set up a sprinkler or kiddie pool in your backyard. Provide your little one with cups, buckets, and other water toys to encourage pouring, splashing, and exploring.
- Sand play: Sand play is a classic outdoor activity that provides endless opportunities for creativity and exploration. Look for a local sandbox or beach, or simply set up a sand table in your backyard. Provide your little one with simple tools, such as shovels and buckets, to help them dig, scoop, and build.
- Bubble play: Bubbles are a fun and magical way to engage your toddler’s senses and support their physical development. Look for a bubble solution that is non-toxic and safe for young children, and provide your little one with bubble wands or a bubble machine. Encourage your toddler to chase, pop, and blow bubbles to their heart’s content.
Remember to always supervise your toddler during outdoor play and to provide plenty of positive feedback and encouragement. Outdoor adventures are a wonderful way to support your 14 month old’s development and help them learn about the world around them.
Arts and Crafts: Making and Decorating
At 14 months old, toddlers are beginning to develop their fine motor skills and are naturally curious about the world around them. Arts and crafts activities are a great way to support their development and encourage their creativity. Here are some fun and engaging arts and crafts activities that you and your little one can enjoy together:
- Finger painting: Finger painting is a classic arts and crafts activity that is perfect for 14 month olds. Look for non-toxic, washable paint and provide your little one with a large piece of paper. Encourage your toddler to explore the paint with their fingers and make marks on the paper. This is a great way to support your little one’s fine motor skills and creativity.
- Paper plate masks: Making paper plate masks is a fun and engaging activity that your toddler is sure to love. Provide your little one with a paper plate, some non-toxic paint, and some stickers or other decorations. Encourage your toddler to paint the paper plate and then add stickers or other decorations to create a unique mask. This is a great way to support your little one’s creativity and fine motor skills.
- Pasta necklaces: Making pasta necklaces is a fun and simple arts and crafts activity that your toddler can enjoy. Provide your little one with some uncooked pasta, some string or yarn, and some non-toxic paint. Encourage your toddler to paint the pasta and then string it onto the string or yarn to create a necklace. This is a great way to support your little one’s fine motor skills and creativity.
- Handprint art: Handprint art is a fun and meaningful way to capture your toddler’s growth and development. Provide your little one with some non-toxic paint and a piece of paper. Encourage your toddler to place their hand in the paint and then press it onto the paper to create a handprint. You can then add details, such as a face or clothes, to create a fun and unique piece of art.
Remember to always supervise your toddler during arts and crafts activities and to provide plenty of positive feedback and encouragement. Arts and crafts are a wonderful way to support your 14 month old’s development and help them learn about the world around them.
6. Establishing Routines and Making Connections: Calm and Secure Activities for Bedtime and Mealtime.
At 14 months old, toddlers thrive on routine and predictability. Establishing consistent routines for bedtime and mealtime can help your little one feel secure and calm, and can also support their overall development. Here are some fun and engaging activities that you can do with your 14 month old to support their routines and connections:
- Bedtime stories: Reading a bedtime story is a wonderful way to help your 14 month old wind down and prepare for sleep. Look for books that have calming themes and soothing illustrations. You can also incorporate a special bedtime routine, such as singing a lullaby or saying a special goodnight phrase, to help your little one feel secure and loved.
- Mealtime songs: Singing a mealtime song can help your 14 month old get excited about eating and can also support their language development. Look for songs that have simple, repetitive lyrics and a catchy tune. You can also make up your own songs, using your toddler’s favorite foods as inspiration. Singing helps to introduce your little one to new words and rhythms, and it can also be a lot of fun!
- Family meals: Eating meals as a family is a great way to support your 14 month old’s social and emotional development. Look for opportunities to eat meals together, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You can use this time to talk, sing, and connect with your little one, and to model healthy eating habits.
- Calm-down activities: Calm-down activities, such as deep breathing or sensory play, can help your 14 month old regulate their emotions and prepare for sleep. Look for activities that are calming and soothing, such as playing with textured balls or listening to soft music. You can also incorporate a special calm-down routine, such as a gentle massage or a warm bath, to help your little one feel relaxed and secure.
Remember to always be patient and understanding with your 14 month old during routines and transitions. It’s normal for toddlers to have difficulty adjusting to new routines, and it can take time for them to feel comfortable and secure. By providing plenty of positive feedback and encouragement, you can help your little one feel confident and supported as they navigate their world.
In conclusion, there are many fun and engaging 14 month old activities that you and your toddler can enjoy together. From sensory play and building to storytime and outdoor adventures, these activities provide plenty of opportunities for your little one to learn, grow, and explore. By establishing consistent routines and making connections with your toddler, you can help them feel secure and loved as they navigate this exciting stage of development. So get creative, have fun, and enjoy this special time with your 14 month old!
