By: Hannah Wakefield, MD, MPH, FAAP
Physical activity is important for everyone, including toddlers. These early years are a key time for active discovery. Your little one is learning how their body works by walking, running, climbing or tossing and kicking balls. Every wiggle, jump and step helps build skills for a lifetime.
Active play: good for your toddler & good for you
One great thing you can do to help your toddler is to simply play together. Just 15 minutes per day of quality one-on-one time with your child helps them with their physical development and social skills. Play also helps them learn to regulate their emotions and cope with stress.
Bonus: Playing with your child can also help YOUR stress, and child-led play can help strengthen your bond with your child. It can help to set a timer and then set your phone aside so you can focus on being together.
Ready for ideas? Here are fun, easy ways to keep your toddler moving every day.
Active fun for any age
Child-led walks. If it is safe to do in your neighborhood, go for walks together and let your toddler lead the way. If they want to stop and look at bugs, roll in the grass, or splash in puddles, go for it! They are learning about the world around them, spending time outside, and practicing physical skills like walking, running, squatting and climbing. Just be sure to stay close in case they try to get into something they shouldn't!
Dance parties. Kids love music! Find some toddler-friendly music and dance together. You can copy each other's movements, make funny faces at each other, and get all the wiggles out together.
Bubble play. Kids of all ages love bubbles. At younger ages, you can blow bubbles for them and have them practice pointing at the bubbles. At older ages, they can chase the bubbles to pop them or try blowing their own.
Age-based physical activities
Here are some activities to try from the American Academy of Pediatrics book,
Retro Toddler: More than 100 Old-School Activities to Boost Development.
12-18 months
Your child's skills: Your child may be able to make a tower of 3 or 4 blocks, scribble on paper or find hidden objects, for example. They may also enjoy practicing skills like walking by themselves, or by holding onto furniture.
What you can do together:
Scavenger hunt. Hide a toy with one part sticking out and have your child look for it. Give hints if you need to. For extra fun, turn off the lights and have your toddler search for the toy with a flashlight. Each time they turn the flashlight on or off, say "on" or "off." This helps them learn what those words mean, and they can practice the fine motor skill of using the switch on the flashlight. When they find the hidden toy, give lots of praise and then hide it again in a different place.
Follow directions. Using the voice recorder app on your smart phone, record yourself giving directions like "wave your hands" or "dance with mommy/daddy." Then, play them for your child. If they're not sure what activity to do, show them and then do it together.
19-24 months
Your child's skills: Your child may be able to do things like throwing and kicking a ball, standing on tiptoes, squatting to pick up objects, practicing how to run and jump, and walking up and down stairs while holding your hand.
What you can do together:
Squatting fun. While your child is holding on to the couch, set some toys nearby so they must squat to pick them up and put them on the couch cushion. Or you can set toys along the floor, give your child a small basket and have them "shop" for the toys and bring them to you.
Climbing stairs. Place a toy up a few steps. Have your child either crawl up the steps to get it, or you can hold their hand as they walk up and down the stairs. As they go up, you can sing "up, up, up" and then sing "down, down, down" as they come down the stairs. When they reach the bottom step, encourage them to bend their knees and jump with two feet.
25-30 months
Your child's skills: You child likely can climb on furniture now (if they weren't before!) and climb up and down stairs holding the rail. They may also be able to open doors by turning the doorknob, string large beads on string or pull toys along behind them.
What you can do together:
Crabwalk races. Sit on the floor with your feet in front and your arms behind you. Use your arms to your bottom in the air and crabwalk. Show your child how to do this, too. Once they get the hang of it, try to race each other!
Jump skills. Tape a beach ball or Mylar balloon to a string and tape it to the ceiling just out of your toddler's reach. Have them jump up to try and touch it.
31-36 months
Your child's skills: Many kids this age enjoy pretend play, like like acting out little stories or using toys in creative ways. Fine motor skills are growing, too, as they learn to draw simple shapes like crosses or circles or even copying a square if you show them how. As building and movement skills develop, they may be able to stack 5 or more blocks, pedal a tricycle, climb stairs one foot after the other or even tackle small ladders.
- What you can do together:
The Floor is Lava. Find items of different sizes around the house that are safe to walk on, like stable couch cushions or books, and have them practice walking across the "stepping stones" without touching the floor.
Red Light, Green Light. Draw or cut out circles in green, yellow and red colors. Teach them about traffic lights: with green they walk/dance normally; with yellow they move very slowly, and with red they freeze.
Limit screen time
One of the best things to do to make sure your toddler stays active is to limit screen time. The AAP recommends no screen time at all other than video-chatting with relatives until they are 18 to 24 months old.
Between 18 and 24 months, if you decide to introduce some screen time, choose high-quality programming and watch with your child. Make a media use plan to help set healthy limits for everyone.
More Information
About Dr. Wakefield
 Hannah Wakefield, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and Assistant Professor in the division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Early Childhood and the Council on Community Pediatrics.
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