Fun Things to Do with a One Year Old

Can you believe your baby is a year old already? Some moments went by way too slow (those months of colic and constant crying) but others went by extremely fast! (First smile, first time sitting up, first time standing, first time crawling)

Now that your baby is one, he or she is like a little person. There is so much more you can do with them!

Show your baby how to build a tower with blocks. She probably won't be ready to build her own yet; so don't be surprised when her delight comes from knocking yours down!

This is a great age to let your baby play with sand. She will actually be more interested in playing with it rather than eating it! If you show her the sand at a younger age, make sure to have a binky close by. Your baby will love the beach at this age. She will really enjoy the feeling of the sand in her toes. Bring pails and shovels to the beach, but you might also want to grab something from your kitchen. No, not in case you get hungry! A soup strainer will make playing with sand lots of fun for a baby!

Go outside together on a sunny day. Show your baby her shadow on the sidewalk. She will probably look at it in wonder and amazement. Is your toddler a little scientist? She will spend hours trying to figure out this one!

Take her to the play area at the mall. They have lots of tunnels which she will love crawling through. It also gives her an opportunity to be around other children.

How about fingerpainting? Put your baby in the highchair with a bib for this activity. If you're concerned she will lick the paint off her fingers, pudding is a good alternative! Give her a piece of blank paper to paint on or just let her paint in her highchair.

Have a jam session! Grab a pot from the kitchen, put it on the floor, and turn it upside down. Your baby has a drum!

Do you have a local salad bar you love to eat at? Take the baby! Most babies are eating lots of finger foods by this age. She will have fun trying all the different foods. Here is a tip: Since babies are also very independent at this age and like to feed themselves, make sure you bring a disposable place mat! Both mommy and baby will be happy. Mommy dosen't have to worry about nasty little germs and baby gets to feed herself!