Activities for a 15-month-old: Fostering baby’s development

From walking and talking to problem-solving and socializing, your 15-month-old toddler is a far cry from the infant they were just one short year ago. As their burgeoning personality starts to shine through even more, engage their senses and foster their development with age-appropriate activities that are fun for both of you (read: low lift!)—and keep those little hands busy. Read on for our best ideas for 15-month-old activities. 

Related: 15-month-old baby milestones

Sensory activities for 15-month-olds

1. Break out the blocks

Let your little one explore the world of building blocks, allowing them to stack and knock down towers and sculptures. This fun construction/destruction play boosts their fine motor skills and spatial awareness while also demonstrating cause and effect. 

2. Scribble sessions

Chunky crayons can be a godsend during this stage—easy enough for a tot to grip, nontoxic in case they decide to chew on the ends, and (somewhat) washable. Set up some butcher paper on the floor or tape a few sheets of printer paper to your kitchen table to give them a wide canvas for coloring. Remember, don’t force them to pick a hand to color with—most kids are still ambidextrous at this age.

3. Color sorting 

Scrounge around for a set of colorful objects such as blocks, toys and safe kitchen tools (like potholders and spatulas) and encourage your child to sort them by color, fostering their cognitive skills and color recognition abilities.

Related: 15-month-old health & growth guide

Developmental activities for 15-month-olds

1. Catch and release

Encourage your child’s gross motor skills by rolling soft balls of different sizes. Show them how to roll the balls back and forth with you, or set up a mini bowling alley using empty plastic bottles or cardboard paper towel rolls as pins. You can also show them how to gently toss a ball into a laundry basket. Score!

2. Shape sorting

Introduce a shape sorting toy with large, colorful shapes. Guide your child in identifying and matching the shapes to their corresponding holes, helping them develop their cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination.

3. Play library

Set up a few stacks of kids’ books, make up a construction paper library card, and pretend to scan or “check out” library books at home with your kiddo. Now’s the time many toddlers start to get into pretend play, and setting up these imaginary scenarios can be so fun.

Related: Babies as young as 15 months learn determination from watching you

Things to do with a 15-month-old

Week 1: Play pretend

Can you find a few dress-up options in your closet for imaginative play? A silk scarf for a pirate, a statement necklace for a crown, a cape for a superhero. Imaginative play helps foster your child’s creativity and social skills, and it also helps them grasp bigger world experiences and bring stories to life. 

Week 2: Set up a playdate

Though your kiddos may just end up playing side-by-side in what’s known as parallel play,  rather than playing together, setting a playdate gives your tot an opportunity to sharpen their social skills and observe their peers in action.  

Related: 50 sensory activities for 1-year-olds to help them learn by playing

Week 3: Filling up the basket

Your kiddo loves to fill up and empty containers—and with a laundry basket, they can place objects in and out to their heart’s content. Let them collect a few of their fave lovies and tote them around the house. 

Week 4: Catch me if you can

It sounds almost too simple, but your tot always just wants you to chase them. Run around the house, the yard, the nearest park in a cute game of chase, and wait for the giggles to roll in—from both of you. 

Our favorite products for 15-month-olds

Melissa & Doug

1. Jumbo Knob Puzzles

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$29.99

With their chunky wooden knobs and matching pictures underneath each piece, these animal-themed puzzles from Melissa & Doug present just the right amount of challenge.

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Lovevery

2. The Block Set

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$90

The Lovevery Block Set is an entire system of 70 wood pieces, all designed to work together to create 20 stage-based challenges and activities, all in one beautiful wooden box. Build towers and bridges or work hand-eye coordination by lacing blocks with the wooden dowels and string. Four solid wooden people expand their imaginative horizons as they craft houses and buildings. Bonus: The included wooden box is not only ideal for neat and tidy storage, but also converts into a play car!

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Corolle

3. Bébé Calin

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$39.99

Watching your little one model the love and snuggles you bestow upon them is perhaps the most heart-melting thing ever. And it’s an important part of their development as well! The realistic baby dolls from the classic French company Corolle are a top choice for their quality materials and 12 inch size which is perfect for 1-year-olds.

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A version of this story was originally published on May 28, 2023. It has been updated.