A practical guide to the developmental milestones your toddler is working toward between their first and second birthday — and activities that support each one.
Week to Week Team
Editorial · January 15, 2026
The period from 12 to 24 months is one of the most dramatic stretches of development in your child's life. Your baby is becoming a toddler — walking, talking, forming opinions, and making connections about how the world works.
Every child develops at their own pace. The milestones below are guideposts, not deadlines. If you have concerns, talk to your pediatrician.
Between 12 and 24 months, most toddlers will:
Try this: Set up a simple obstacle course with couch cushions on the floor. Toddlers love climbing over soft barriers, and it builds balance and coordination.
Watch for these fine motor milestones:
Try this: Color sorting with cups and pom-poms is a perfect fine motor activity for this age range.
Language explodes during this period:
Try this: Baby sign language bridges the gap between understanding and speaking. Even a few signs (more, all done, milk) reduce frustration dramatically.
Your toddler is developing a sense of self:
Behind the scenes, your toddler's brain is making incredible connections:
Every child develops differently, but consider raising concerns if your child:
Early intervention makes a significant difference. Trust your instincts — you know your child best.
The best activities for 12–24 month olds are open-ended, sensory-rich, and short. Toddlers learn through repetition and exploration, so don't worry if they want to do the same thing over and over again. That's learning in action.
Browse our full activity library for age-appropriate ideas, or check out the related activities linked below.
Try these activities from our library
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