Reading Activities for 1 Year Olds

Looking for engaging reading activities designed specifically for 1 year olds? At this age (12-24 months), children are developing walking and balance and simple cause and effect, making it the perfect time to introduce reading activities that match their abilities.

Reading Activities Ideas for 1 Year Olds

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

Reading Bingo

Create a bingo card of book genres or topics to read. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Library Scavenger Hunt

Visit the library and search for books matching fun clues. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Audiobook Adventures

Listen to audiobooks together while drawing what you hear. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Letter Hunt

Find and identify letters in books, signs, and around the house. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Word Building

Use letter tiles or magnets to spell new vocabulary words. For 1 year olds, keep the complexity very simple with large areas and expect about 5-10 minutes of focused engagement.

Rhyming Word Games

Take turns coming up with words that rhyme during reading time. 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.