Crafts for 1 Year Olds

Finding the right crafts for 1 year olds means matching the activity to their developmental stage. At 12-24 months, kids are working on walking and balance, simple cause and effect, and crafts can support all of these areas.

Crafts Ideas for 1 Year Olds

Here are our top picks, adapted for the very simple with large areas level appropriate for this age group:

Nature Collage

Collect leaves, twigs, and flowers to create a nature artwork. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Origami Animals

Fold paper into simple animal shapes following step-by-step guides. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Cardboard Box Creations

Transform boxes into castles, cars, rockets, or dollhouses. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Handprint Art

Use hand and fingerprints to create animals, trees, and flowers. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Friendship Bracelets

Weave colorful yarn or beads into bracelets for friends. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Paper Plate Animals

Transform paper plates into lions, fish, owls, and more. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Tips for Parents of 1 Year Olds

• Praise effort over results to build confidence and a growth mindset.
• Rotate activities regularly to prevent boredom and stimulate new skills.
• Take photos of finished work to create a portfolio of their progress.
• Make it social by doing the activity alongside your child.
• Keep sessions to about 5-10 minutes to match their natural attention span.

How to Get Started

1. Choose an activity from the ideas above that matches your child’s interests.
2. Gather materials listed in the activity description.
3. Set up a workspace that’s comfortable and easy to clean.
4. Guide your child through the activity, offering help when needed.
5. Display or save their work to encourage pride in their accomplishments.