Games for 12 to 24 months

1. Play easy hide-and-seek games. Hide behind curtains or around doorways and call to your little one. They'll find you soon enough but be excitedly pleased with themselves. This can become a favourite game and soon they will want to hide too.
2. Fill a tub with suds and plastic dishes, add a brush and cloth, let loose a baby and pleasure is guaranteed. You will have some time to make a call, read an article or simply drink a cuppa in peace! Don't let junior out of sight though, as any water source can still be a drowning hazard at this stage.
3. Stroke the dog. Children have a special affinity to animals and if the family dog reciprocates this emotion, encourage a whiny child to respectfully stroke their pet. This will often be emotionally therapeutic but do keep an eye on things so that the dog does not become irritated.
4. Summer days simply beg for the baby pool to be put out. Make sure that you have applied sunscreen to your baby and that you avoid midday sun and don't forget the hat, but within these parameters you can ensure hours of unadulterated enjoyment for your baby. Never leave them alone of course! Add a few buckets and plastic containers and his face will say it all!
5. Mud pies are always a special treat. While you water the garden, allow your little one to bake a few mud pies. Simply hose him down afterwards or pour slightly warmed water over him if he dislikes cold water.

1. Take your toddler on walks of exploration. This should be at her pace and without a particular goal in sight, allowing her to investigate the feel and smell of the stones, shrubs, sticks and pods along the way.
2. Visit an animal farm. Ducks, peacocks, horses, donkeys and cows will impress your toddler no end, and they'll just love to feed the animals, too. Take a picnic along and remember to keep an eye on your little one.
3. Get your toddler to pair socks. While you fold the washing, give him a pile of socks of varying colours and encourage him to look for pairs. Praise him when he gets it right and help him when the going gets tough.
4. Hide a few things around the house and make a game of searching for them together. After watching you a few times, your toddler will cotton on quickly and greatly enjoy the search.
5. Sandpits are a firm favourite from this age already. Make sure that it’s kept covered when not in use and that the sand is cleaned or replaced regularly, but if you want to see your toddler's face light up, suggest some time in the pit!
6. Gift-making can also provide fun for this age group.
7. Sheets of firm paper, paper glue and a variety of garden items that you’ve helped your toddler to collect (different coloured and textured sand, fallen leaves, twigs and petals) can be assembled into the prettiest of pictures. Be patient with your messy toddler and let him take some initiative for maximum enjoyment on this one.

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