Ideas for indoor play and physical activities recommended for 1-year-olds
Around age one, children become much more physically active—walking, running, and greatly expanding their range of movement.
Their curiosity also blossoms, and you’ll see major developmental changes: they begin to speak, express themselves, and assert their opinions.
For teachers wondering, “What should we play today?” with these energetic one-year-olds, this is a must-read!
Here are some recommended play ideas for one-year-olds.
You’ll find plenty of options—from activities like eurhythmics and mat play that let kids move their bodies to the fullest even indoors, to imaginative role-play, sensory play that uses their fingertips, and simple crafts that spark excitement.
Find the perfect activities for your children and have fun together!
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Indoor play and physical activity ideas recommended for 1-year-olds (1–10)
playing with a ball
Let’s play with palm-sized colored balls with one-year-olds.
You can try color-sorting by sticking each ball onto a spot of the same color, or play “basketball” by tossing balls into a cardboard box—there are many ways to play depending on your ideas.
It’s best to interact while respecting the child’s feelings of “I want to try” and “I want to do it this way.” If possible, secure enough space so children can move between their favorite activity corners.
Even indoors, let’s get plenty of movement and have fun playing.
Abuku-tatta
How about playing the traditional game “Abuku Tatta” with one-year-olds? At this age, they start watching the teacher and imitating movements.
It’s fun for teachers to play flexibly while incorporating the children’s reactions.
Seeing them express themselves freely with their tiny hands and feet is heartwarming for adults, too.
“Abuku Tatta” is said to have up to three parts, and the lyrics and ways to play can vary in small ways.
It could be fun to look up different versions and adapt the game to suit your group.
Enjoy playing lots together!
Eurhythmics
Eurhythmics play is perfect for one-year-olds who are becoming more active.
Try walking to the music or moving around on all fours.
When doing eurhythmics, make sure you have plenty of space and that teachers keep an eye out so children don’t bump into each other.
You can also incorporate pretend play for extra fun, such as frog jumps to the song “Kaeru no Uta.” Share ideas among the teachers so the children can fully enjoy the joy of music.
Indoor play and exercise activity ideas recommended for 1-year-olds (11–20)
hand play
When working with one-year-olds, it’s great to actively include fingerplay activities.
Songs like “Open and Shut Them” and “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” have simple rhythms and melodies, making them easy for children to imitate.
You’ll be soothed by the adorable sight of children expressing themselves with their little hands moving energetically.
Create an environment that helps them focus on the fingerplay—have them sit along the wall, for example.
As you introduce many fingerplay songs, the children may find a favorite tune.
Playing musical instruments
Playing with instruments is a perfect activity for developing children’s sense of pitch and rhythm.
For one-year-olds, easy-to-play instruments like tambourines, bells, and small xylophones are recommended.
Let them freely make sounds by hitting the instruments, and it’s also great to try playing along with some music.
When playing to a song, they could chime in during onomatopoeic parts of the lyrics or try adding dynamics—louder and softer sounds.
Music is all about enjoying sound, so have fun exploring instruments together!
Playing strawberry picking
For a strawberry-picking pretend play with one-year-olds, start by enjoying a strawberry craft together.
Crumple up red tissue paper and stuff it into a plastic bag.
As you work, describe and mimic the sounds and textures of the tissue paper for the children.
Once the bag is full, seal the opening and stick on black dot stickers to look like seeds.
Clip the finished strawberries around the room with clothespins and let the children enjoy “picking” them.
They’ll smile at the strawberries they picked themselves.
Have a wonderful time together.
Flour clay
Wheat-flour playdough made with food coloring and flour is safe even for one-year-olds.
Kneading and stretching the dough are perfect activities for developing fine motor skills.
Prepare playdough in various colors so children can enjoy different ways of playing.
Another highlight is that playdough colored with food coloring changes color when mixed, just like paint.
Children can naturally experience a sense of color and wonder.
Because it holds their attention, it’s great for rainy days or very sunny days.
Watching a one-year-old play freely will give you energy, too.