Play Milestones
Birth to 6 months
Birth to 6 months
Birth to 6 months
* Exploratory play begins through senses (sight, sound, touch)
* Watches faces and follows objects with eyes
* Reacts to sounds and voices (e.g., cooing, smiling)
* Enjoys tummy time—builds motor strength for future movement
* Grasps objects placed in hand briefly (reflexive)
* Begins to smile & respond socially
* Prefers bright primary colors and simple designs
* Reaches & grabs toys voluntarily
* Explores objects by mouthing, shaking, banging, dropping, throwing
* Smiles, laughs, and enjoys social games (e.g., peek-a-boo)
* Begins to roll during play
* Enjoys toys with sounds, textures, or lights
* Shows interest in moving objects
* Likes to stack objects and put them in / out of containers
6 to 12 months
Birth to 6 months
Birth to 6 months
* Enjoys peekaboo and other simple games
* Shows excitement and anticipation during playtime, often initiates interactions
* Reaches for, grabs, and explores toys with hands and mouth
* Begins to imitate sounds and actions during play
* Transfers toys from one hand to the other
* Starts to bang, shake, or throw toys to learn cause and effect
* Shows interest in stacking rings, blocks or nesting cups
* Looks at and responds to others during playtime
* Shows preferences for certain toys or people
* Begins to engage in social games involving turn-taking (e.g., rolling a ball back and forth)
* Shows curiosity about new objects, often inspects toys closely
* Enjoys toys with different textures, sounds, and movements
12 to 18 months
Birth to 6 months
12 to 18 months
* Explores toys by pushing, pulling, stacking, and dumping
* Begins to use toys for their intended purpose (e.g., feeding a doll, rolling a car)
* Shows interest in cause and effect toys like buttons that make sounds or pop-ups
* Starts pretend play, such as pretending to talk on the phone or feed a doll
* Imitates everyday actions seen in adults (e.g., brushing hair, cooking)
* Uses objects symbolically (e.g., a block as a phone)
* Engages in simple turn-taking games, such as rolling a ball back and forth
* Shows interest in playing near or with other children (parallel play)
* Enjoys interactive play with caregivers, like reading books or singing songs
* Experiments with cause and effect during play
* Begins to solve simple problems, like finding hidden toys or figuring out how to open containers
* Explores different textures, shapes, and sizes in toys
18 to 24 months
18 to 24 months
12 to 18 months
* Engages in more detailed pretend play (e.g., feeding a doll, talking on a toy phone)
* Begins to combine actions and objects in play, like pushing a car and making “vroom” sounds
* Uses objects to represent other things during play (symbolic thinking)
* Stacks blocks or rings, often several at a time
* Begins to fit shapes into a sorter or puzzle pieces into a board
* Enjoys toys that involve cause and effect and problem-solving
* Plays alongside or with other children, showing parallel and emerging cooperative play
* Starts to take turns with encouragement
* Engages in simple group activities and enjoys interactive play with adults
* Shows curiosity by experimenting with new actions and ideas
2 to 3 years
18 to 24 months
2 to 3 years
* Engages in make-believe play, such as pretending to cook, dress up, or care for dolls
* Uses objects symbolically (e.g., a block as a phone or car)
* Begins to create simple stories or scenarios during play
* Builds towers with 4 or more blocks
* Completes simple puzzles with 3–4 pieces
* Enjoys sorting shapes and colors
* Plays more cooperatively with other children, sharing and taking turns with help
* Engages in simple group games and role-playing
* Begins to follow basic rules during play
* Demonstrates increasing attention span during play activities
3 to 4 years
18 to 24 months
2 to 3 years
* Engages in elaborate pretend play, often with stories and characters
* Uses objects symbolically in creative ways (e.g., a stick as a magic wand)
* Begins to role-play real-life situations like grocery shopping or going to the doctor
* Builds complex structures with blocks or Legos
* Completes simple puzzles with 5–10 pieces
* Enjoys drawing, painting, and crafting
* Plays cooperatively with peers, sharing ideas and roles
* Begins to understand and follow rules in group games
* Enjoys group activities like singing, dancing, or playing pretend together
* Solves more complex puzzles and challenges
* Uses play to experiment with problem-solving and cause-effect
* Shows improved attention span and focus during playtime
4 to 5 years
4 to 5 years
4 to 5 years
* Engages in complex role-playing and storytelling with friends
* Uses objects and toys symbolically in detailed imaginative scenarios
* Creates multi-step pretend play sequences (e.g., playing “school” or “restaurant”)
* Builds detailed structures with blocks, Legos, or other materials
* Completes puzzles with 10+ pieces
* Enjoys drawing, painting, cutting, and crafting with more precision
* Plays cooperatively in groups, sharing ideas and negotiating roles
* Understands and follows more complex game rules
* Enjoys team games, board games, and group activities
* Solves challenging puzzles and logic games
* Uses play to explore problem-solving and cause-effect relationships
* Demonstrates improved focus and persistence during activities
5 to 6 years
4 to 5 years
4 to 5 years
* Engages in elaborate role-playing with detailed stories and characters
* Uses imagination to create new games and scenarios
* Enjoys acting out real-life and fantasy roles with peers
* Builds complex structures with blocks, Legos, and other materials
* Completes puzzles with 20+ pieces
* Explores arts and crafts with increasing skill and creativity
* Participates in organized group games with rules (e.g., tag, board games)
* Shows better cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
* Enjoys team sports and collaborative play
* Demonstrates strategic thinking in games and problem-solving
* Plans and follows multi-step activities and projects
* Engages in rule-based games requiring attention and memory
6 + years
4 to 5 years
6 + years
* Engages in complex role-playing with elaborate storylines and characters
* Creates and invents new games, rules, and imaginative worlds
* Enjoys drama, acting, and creative storytelling
* Builds intricate and detailed models or projects using blocks, Legos, or craft materials
* Explores advanced arts and crafts, including painting, sculpting, and designing
* Enjoys technology-based play such as coding games or digital creativity apps
* Participates in organized sports and group activities with complex rules
* Demonstrates strong teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution skills
* Engages in collaborative projects and competitive games
* Shows strategic thinking and planning in games like chess or team sports
* Solves complex puzzles and brainteasers
* Engages in multi-step problem solving and goal-directed play