Home / Plans by age / Ages 1–2
Things to do with a 1- or 2-year-old
Toddlers copy everything you do, so most of these are about doing ordinary things together, slowly, with a few words added. Short and simple wins.
Good to know at this age
- CDC says toddlers this age imitate adults and older children, and suggests reading to them every day, playing matching games and letting them help. CDC, Positive Parenting Tips: Toddlers (1–2 years) Checked Oct 15, 2026
- CDC recommends 11 to 14 hours of sleep a day for ages 1 to 2, naps included. CDC, About Sleep Checked Oct 15, 2026
Quick: 30 minutes or less 16
- Toy cleanup race: picture bins, a song and a timer15 min · $0 · Ages 1–4 · Chores
- Toddler snack helper: wash, tear, stir, pour20 min · About $5 · Ages 2–4 · Cooking
- Picture-book point-and-name for toddlers15 min · $0 · Ages 1–3 · Reading
- Rainy-day hallway obstacle course30 min · $0 · Ages 2–6 · Indoor & Rainy Day
- Set up a calm-down corner30 min · $0 · Ages 2–7 · Discipline
- A week of “when-then”: calm limits that stick10 min a day · $0 · Ages 2–8 · Discipline
- The after-dinner family walk30 min · $0 · Ages Any · Dad Health
- Catch them being good: a week of specific praise10 min a day · $0 · Ages 2–10 · Discipline
- The transition timer: they press start, then we switch5 min · $0 · Ages 1–4 · Toddlers
- Two good choices, and the silliest-way game10 min · $0 · Ages 1–4 · Discipline
- Toddler pouring station with cups and funnels30 min · $0 · Ages 1–3 · Toddlers
- Remote-control Dad: pause, rewind, fast-forward15 min · $0 · Ages 2–6 · Toddlers
- A day home alone with a toddler, in blocks15 min to plan · $0 · Ages 1–3 · Toddlers
- They're having a hard time, not giving you one10 min · $0 · Ages 2–10 · Discipline
- Tummy time with Dad3–5 min, a few times a day · $0 · Ages 0–1 · New Dads & Babies
- Freeze dance with Dad's playlist20 min · $0 · Ages 2–8 · Indoor & Rainy Day
An hour or two 3
Co-parenting? The plans for two homes are on the co-parenting hub. Plans for you, not the kids (health, money, marriage), are under Topics. Other ages: Under 1 · 1–2 · 3–5 · 6–9 · 10–12 · 13+.