If you are looking for a one year old schedule, I am guessing you are experiencing one of the following:
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- Your baby just turned one, and you’re wondering, “What should we even be doing?”
- Naps are different these days
- Your schedule feels like it just is not working anymore
I dealt with all of the above.
Once our kids turn one, they enter toddlerhood, and your sweet baby is growing up! They’re not as itty bitty as they once were…but they also can’t completely entertain themselves just yet. Perhaps they are walking (or starting to), climbing, getting into just about everything, throwing tantrums left and right, and resisting rest.
So I am not going to give you just a simple 1 year old sleep schedule, but I am sharing the whole picture. What our days really look like.
A realistic one year old schedule at home that will help bring you some rhythm, balance, plus activities too. I am writing this as I am living life at home with my one year old son. So it is safe to say that we are in the trenches together, mama.
We don’t just need sleep tips– we need structure!
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What 1 Year Olds Need
Before even jumping into a schedule for your one year old, let’s highlight what most 1 year olds actually need. Here are some developmental needs at this stage:
- 11-14 hours of total sleep
- 1-2 naps
- 3 meals + 2 snacks
- Movement/exploration time
- A routine (I am not super strict, but my kids know what comes next in our day, and that helps us!)
Our Very Realistic One Year Old Schedule
Let me begin by saying that I am not perfect and I do not know everything. I am just a second time mama sharing the schedule that works for our family.
6:15 AM- Wake Up + Milk
Diaper change, morning snuggles, and milky.
I am pretty sure my son looks forward to his morning milk just as much as I look forward to my morning coffee.
6:45-7:15 Breakfast
I like to keep breakfast simple. At the start of each week, I plan 2-3 breakfast options that I rotate.
Brainstorm great protein, fat, and carb ideas to work into meal planning.
Some of our favorites include eggs, fruit, oatmeal, and toast.
7:15-9:15 Fresh Air + Snack
This is our best time of the day. My one year old is happy, playful, and usually compliant. Here are some of the activities we like to do in the morning together:
- Go for a walk around the neighborhood
- Walk to the playground
- Go to the pool
- Play with chalk in the driveway
- Pull out the sensory bins (or set up the water table in the backyard if it is a nice day)
- Have them “help” me with chores around the house (fold laundry, tend to their play kitchen while I deal with the mess in our actual kitchen)
Notice how simple these activities are. At this stage, we are not whipping out all the Pinterest crafts.
At some point, we usually pause for a quick snack break.
9:15-10:45 Morning Nap
If your baby is still on a 1 year old sleep schedule with two naps, this is a good time block for a nap.
We are one of the lucky ones still operating on a two-nap schedule, and I am not looking forward to the day he decides to drop to one nap.
11:00 Lunch
Finger foods are wonderful.
Some of our favorite quick and easy lunch options are:
- Chicken (Have you tried Good Ranchers chicken nuggets? They are on the expensive side, but they are made without seed oils, and they are insanely good)
- Soft veggies
- Cheese
- Oatmeal (We love a good oatmeal bake in the oven)
11:30-1:45 Independent Play
If you have not set up a toy rotation, do it now!
We only leave out 10-15 toys at a time, and it is amazing how entertained my kids are with their toy selection since starting this.
If you are in the midst of creating your one year old schedule at home, be really intentional when planning independent play time.
Here are some ideas to set out for independent play:
- A basket of balls
- Books
- Play food
- Stacking cups
Also Think About..
What time of day is best to run errands? Now could be a great time for a quick outing.
1:45-3:00 Afternoon Nap
This has been the golden nap time for my kids.
3:00 Snack Time
If your little one is anything like mine, you might want to have a snack ready to go before removing your little one from their crib.
Seriously. If I do not give him his snack fast enough, it’s a whole meltdown.
Favorite Snacks
We have been buying our snacks from thrive lately and have been loving all the healthy choices.
3:30-5:00 Survival Mode
You may also call this time frame the witching hour. We keep expectations super low at this point in the day. No matter what our routine is that day, this is always the crankiest time of day for my little dude.
Try:
- Playing in the backyard
- Tubby time (water never fails!)
- Snuggling on the couch together
- Playing music (maybe even dance if your little one is up for it)
- Let them assist you around the house (dinner prep, laundry, etc.)
You absolutely do not need structured activities during this time of day. Finding ways to connect and allowing your one year old to help you out is a great way to keep them busy and happy.
5:00-5:30 Dinner + Milk
We always try to sit down and eat together as a family. This is not always possible, but we do the best we can to make it happen.
He will usually eat what we are eating. Sometimes I need to make a few modifications, like leaving out the hot sauce, but the simpler the better.
6:00 Bedtime Routine
- Bath
- Lotion
- Pajamas
- Brush teeth
- Book
- Bed
I realize a 6:00 bedtime isn’t for everyone. We had my son sleep trained at 4 months and learned early on that he is a high sleep needs baby. So 6:00 works best for him.
1 Year Old Sleep Schedule
By now, I am sure you are familiar with sleep regressions. Your baby might all of a sudden be refusing naps, waking up earlier than usual, randomly waking up during the night, and just screaming because they miss you.
I am with you.
And if your baby dropped a nap and you are now operating on a one nap schedule, it is a tricky transition.
If your baby is ready to drop a nap, you might notice a short morning nap, a longer afternoon nap, or good ol’ crankiness.
What I have learned is that for every transition or change, there is always an adjustment period. It might take a minute, but consistency is key. It will get easier.
Activities for a One Year Old
Keep it simple, mama!
At one, your baby loves:
1. Putting Things In & Taking Them Out
- Cube with sensory shapes
- Tissue box filled with scarves
- Laundry basket filled with clothes
- A random box they can just put their toys in and take them out of
2. Water Fun
- Cup pouring at the sink, in the tub, or at the water table
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Fill a shallow bin with water and add bath or beach toys for some extra fun
3. Gross Motor Movement
- Climbing (couch, stairs, or even climbing toys). Supervised, of course!
- Lay pillows on the floor, and you have your very own one year old obstacle course
- Push walker or shopping cart
4. Helping
Appreciate that your kids want to help you for however long it lasts.
- Helping you fold clothes
- Wiping the table
- Throw dirty clothes into the laundry basket or washer
- Help you clean up toys
The Importance of Having a Schedule
Everyone always says how important it is for babies to have a routine, but I am a firm believer that mamas need routine just as much.
Here is what I have noticed by having a predictable schedule for my kids:
- I feel less reactive
- I can predict when a meltdown will happen and do better to avoid it
- Plan meals easier
- Honor nap times
- Feel less flustered
Structure creates calm for everyone.
And then we all feel happy.
When Things Feel Off
When things just don’t feel right, ask yourself:
- Are wake windows too long?
- How is nap transition actually going?
- Is my child showing signs of being overtired?
- Am I planning or expecting too many activities throughout the day?
As a former teacher, I used to think I needed to plan and fill my days with activities galore. I quickly learned that one year olds don’t need super busy days. They need predictable schedules, movement, and connection.
Final Encouragement
If your one year old schedule feels like a mess right now, you’re not failing.
As your child grows, you will have to reevaluate your schedule and make adjustments.
At this stage, your child is learning to become more independent and is enjoying practicing all their new tricks. They are still dependent on you.
Keep things simple and build your day around:
- Sleep
- Easy meals
- Outdoor time
- Independent play (keep it low pressure!)
- Predictable routines
At the end of the day, all you need is a flow that works for you and your family.
Other Posts You May Like:
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