At thirteen months, your toddler is gaining confidence on two feet and wants to touch everything in sight. Art activities channel that curiosity into colorful, creative exploration. Your 13-month-old can now grasp crayons with a fist grip, bang objects deliberately, and begin to understand that their movements leave marks. Set up on a play mat and let the creative mess begin.
6 Art Activities for Your 13-Month-Old
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Two-Color Finger Painting — Squeeze two colors of washable finger paint onto a play mat surface and guide your baby's hands through the paint. Watching colors blend when they swipe and smear teaches early cause-and-effect.
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Ball Rolling Art — Place a sheet of paper inside a shallow box, drop in paint-dipped balls, and let your toddler tilt the box to roll them around. The balls leave colorful tracks, and your 13-month-old practices wrist control.
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Crayon Rubbing Exploration — Tape textured items like leaves or coins under a thin sheet of paper on the mat, and hand your baby a peeled chunky crayon. When they scribble across the paper, hidden patterns appear like magic.
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Ice Cube Painting — Freeze washable paint mixed with water into ice cube trays with popsicle stick handles. Your toddler grips the stick and watches color melt onto paper as they drag the cube around on the mat.
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Tape Resist Peel Art — Stick painter's tape in stripes across paper, let your 13-month-old scribble all over it with chunky crayons, then peel the tape off together to reveal white lines. The peeling step is almost as exciting as the art itself.
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Oatmeal Texture Canvas — Spread a thin layer of cooked oatmeal on a tray placed on the play mat and let your baby draw lines, poke dots, and swirl patterns with their fingers. It is taste-safe and adds a thick, satisfying texture to explore.
Safety Note
Thirteen-month-olds still mouth materials regularly. Stick with non-toxic and taste-safe supplies, avoid small caps or lids, and ensure any paint used is specifically labeled washable and child-safe. Stay within arm's reach at all times.
Best Surface for Art Play
Messy art belongs on a surface that forgives spills. Poco Koko memory foam play mats are wipeable, cushioned, and large enough to contain even the most enthusiastic finger-painting sessions — protecting your floors and your baby's knees. Explore our play mat collection.
Related: 12-Month-Old Milestones
Written by the Poco Koko Team — parents, product designers, and child safety researchers dedicated to creating safer floors for families.