How to Nourish and Engage Your 12-18 Month Old Baby: Nutrition and Activity Tips

In Partnership with V&Me.

Babies between 12 and 18 months are rapidly growing and developing, both physically and mentally. They are likely taking their first steps, and should be physically active every day for at least 180 minutes (3 hours). They become more adept at using utensils to feed themselves and can engage in more complex play, such as stacking 2 or 3 blocks. They start to use language in a more recognisable way.

Read on for ideas of fun activities to promote growth and learning, as well as nutrition tips for this stage from our partner V&Me.

What are the best activities for 12-18 month old babies?

Arts and crafts classes can provide a fun and creative outlet for your baby. It allows them to express themselves and develop their cognitive and problem-solving skills. Arts and crafts materials also have different textures, colours, and smells that can help your baby develop their sensory skills and learn about the world around them. Find arts & crafts classes near you on Pebble.

As 12-18 month olds learn to communicate, understand emotions, and form relationships with others, playgroups and play classes continue to be a particularly helpful space to socialise with other children. And since they usually involve music, high energy activities, singing, dancing and overall lots of fun, they are a great outlet for all that toddler energy! Explore playgrounds and classes available near you on Pebble.

What should 12-18 month old babies eat?

When it comes to nutrition, it's important to remember that your baby can start to eat similar foods to you, but with a few caveats. Try to limit their salt intake to within 2g per day, which is the equivalent of a cheese and ham sandwich! Additionally, avoid adding sugar to their foods and drinks.

Keep offering them a variety of healthy foods, even if they go through a “neophobic” stage, where they hesitate to [try new foods. Don't give up, keep meal time pressure low, and make it fun! You can also use V&Me’s toddler service to make meal planning easier. Use PEBBLE10 for 10% off your first four orders with V&Me (code expires end of June 2023)!

By 12-18 months, your baby is gaining new skills and awareness of their environment. It's important to provide them with a nutritious diet and a stimulating environment to promote their growth and development. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Remember to always follow your health professional's advice, and enjoy this special time with your child!