What Games to Play With a 13 Month Old?

The 13th month of a baby's life marks the initiation into the second year: the toddler age. While this year of a child's life may bring on a whole new set of challenges, it also is a time for fun, when a whole new world of playing and games opens up for the child. There are a number of games that you can play with a 13-month-old baby that are both developmentally beneficial and just plain fun.

  1. Imitation Games

    • Playing imitation games is developmentally beneficial to a 13-month-old. According Patricia T. Nelson, a Family and Child Development Specialist at the University of Delaware, thirteen-month-old babies like to copy adults. However, when adults copy babies, it shows them your responsiveness, demonstrates that what they do is important and helps build their self-confidence. Nelson suggests playing imitation games with a 13-month-old by copying his or her movements, play activities, body motions and even language. They also suggest playing this type of game in front of a mirror, which will allow the baby to see what he or she looks like while performing certain movements.

    Building Games

    • Playing building games is also beneficial to a 13-month-old, as these type of games help the child learn and understand how things can be combined, and how those combinations can make new things. Some building games that you can play include building towers with the blocks. She suggests sitting on the floor with the child and a pile of blocks. Make a tower first, so that the child can watch you, and then have him or her make another tower. Try building other things with the blocks so that the child can practice creating new things by building.

    Hiding Games

    • Hiding games are fun and exciting for a 13-month-old. Babycenter suggests taking advantage of what will become one of a 13-month-old's favorite activities by playing hide-and-go-seek. Allow the baby to hide, and then pretend that you don't see him, as the hiding place will be more than obvious. Incorporate chasing into this game, which is a thrilling activity for 13-month-old babies, who enjoy both chasing and being chased. An alternate version of hide-and-go-seek is to take the baby's favorite toy, hide it and then pop it out in front of him or her.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Toddler Activities With Playground Balls
      Your toddler is unlikely to be brilliant at throwing or catching just yet, but he can still enjoy playing with playground balls. You can set up games with these small balls that are tailored to his level of skill and allow him to practice and feel li
    • What Are Some Cute Scavenger Hunt Clues for Toddlers?
      Just because a toddler can’t read quite yet doesn’t mean that he should be excluded from participating in a scavenger hunt. Simply hand over a list of fun pictures to indicate what your little one should be looking for during this game al
    • Fun Places for Two-Year-Olds
      Two-year-old children are interested and easily amazed by the world around them. Their minds are ready to learn through exposure to a variety of enriching experiences. By taking your two-year-old on small trips around town you can easily provide lear