Toddler Activity Cards Pack (18–36 Months)
Professional guidance + printable activity cards for play-based, responsive toddler practice
A practical, practitioner-friendly pack of play invitations and interaction prompts to strengthen language, independence, movement and problem-solving in toddler rooms.
(This pathway component will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)
What this document is
This resource is a Toddler Activity Cards Pack for children aged 18–36 months, designed to support high-quality, play-based and responsive practice.
It is not a programme, timetable, checklist, or set of “tasks” for children to complete. Instead, each card provides a play invitation with clear, developmentally appropriate guidance on:
how to set up an open-ended invitation
the adult role and interaction prompts
what to notice through observation
simple, optional extensions based on children’s cues
The pack is structured across key developmental areas (including communication, PSED, PD, early literacy and maths), and supports practitioners to enrich continuous provision while staying aligned with toddler pedagogy: repetition, schemas, relationships and in-the-moment learning.
It is intended to support professional judgement and reflective practice and does not replace statutory EYFS guidance or Development Matters.
Who this document is for
This pack is ideal for:
Toddler room practitioners (18–36 months) building confident, consistent practice
Key persons and SENCOs supporting inclusion through adaptable invitations
New staff, students and apprentices learning the adult role in toddler play
Childminders and small settings wanting quick, high-impact play ideas
EYFS leaders standardising responsive practice without over-planning
What this document helps you do
This resource helps practitioners to:
Offer purposeful play invitations without turning them into adult-led activities
Strengthen language development through modelling, repetition and responsive talk
Support toddlers’ schemas, interests and cues rather than directing outcomes
Build independence and confidence through self-help and real responsibilities
Notice development through observation, not assessment-style tasks
Support SEND and EAL through accessible setups and interaction strategies
Keep practice consistent across staff while remaining child-led and flexible
What’s included in this pack
This pack includes two key components:
1) A “How to Use These Cards” practitioner guidance section, covering:
choosing cards responsively (schemas, interests, what you notice)
setting up invitations without over-directing
joining play without leading it
keeping interactions short and natural
observing first, then responding (not “delivering” activities)
core principles for toddler learning (repetition, interaction, non-linear development)
2) A set of 20 printable activity cards, organised by developmental area and age band (18–24m, 24–30m, 30–36m), with each card including:
a clear learning intention (adult focus)
what you’ll need + simple setup guidance
the adult role (what to say/do, and what not to do)
what to look for (observation cues)
optional extensions to deepen engagement
Card sections include:
Communication & Language (e.g., Object Naming Basket, Two-Word Talk Walk, Story Play with Props)
PSED (e.g., Turn-Taking Towers, Feelings Mirror Play, Helping Hands Tasks)
Physical Development (e.g., Movement Circuit, Fine Motor Café, Scooping & Pouring Station)
Cognitive / Problem-Solving (e.g., Posting & Sorting, Treasure Tray Challenges, Cause & Effect Water Play)
Early Literacy (e.g., Repetition Rhyme Time, Vertical Mark-Making, Story Basket Exploration)
Early Maths (e.g., Snack Counting Routines, Loose Parts Number Play, Shape Hunt)
Sensory & Heuristic Play (e.g., Heuristic Basket Rotation)
How this fits within the wider Toddler framework
This Activity Cards Pack sits within the Adult-Focused Invitations & Activity Resources strand of our Toddler Pathway.
It complements:
In-the-moment planning and observation-led practice (cards support “what next?” decisions)
Continuous provision (cards enhance the environment rather than replacing it)
Schemas guidance (many invitations naturally support transporting, positioning, enclosing, rotation, trajectory)
Project and mini-project planners (cards can be used to deepen or extend interest without turning themes into “topics”)
Used well, these cards act as a consistent staff tool for responsive, language-rich toddler practice—keeping the focus where it belongs: relationships, observation, and the child’s lead.
This document is part of our EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership (Professional), which provides full access to age-specific curriculum frameworks, planning guidance, assessment tools and leadership support.
(This pathway component will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)
Recommended next read Selection
Or read our ‘Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement’
Additional Documents | Professional Membership Contents (Toddler 18-36 Months)
Navigate our Curriculum & Pedagogy guidance documents here.
Pedagogical identity:
Relationship-led, sensory-rich toddler practice grounded in schemas, play, and responsive adult interaction.
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👉 This section prevents over-planning and aligns practice.
Toddler Pedagogy Position Statement – How Toddlers Learn (18–36 Months) [Free Orienting Sample]
Toddler Curriculum Overview & Rationale[Free Orienting Sample]
Curriculum Intent in Toddler Rooms (What It Means — and What It Doesn’t)
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👉 Adult understanding, not child targets.
Progression across 6-month bands (18–24 | 24–30 | 30–36 months)
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👉 Observation is the driver of planning.
Communication & Language
PSED
Physical Development
Maths Seeds
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Behaviour & Emotional Regulation
Schema Observation & Analysis
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👉 The environment does the teaching.
Universal Continuous Provision
Continuous Provision Setup Guides | Toddler Room
Small World
Messy / Wet Play
Dry Sensory & Loose Parts
Construction
Role Play / Home Corner
Mark Making
Book Area / Reading Nook
Music & Sound
Outdoor
Continuous Provision Maps (18–36 Months)
C&L
PSED
PD
Maths Seeds
Literacy Seeds
UW
EAD
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👉 Movement, regulation and sensory experience.
Outdoor Continuous Provision Pack
Outdoor Zone-by-Zone Setup Guide (Gross Motor, Sensory/Nature, Creative/Mark Making, Small World Outside, Water/Mud)
Seasonal Adjustments Planner
Outdoor Risk–Benefit Assessment Template + examples
Nature-Based Learning & Schema Guide
Outdoor Mark Making & Literacy Opportunities Sheet
Outdoor Maths Seeds Sheet
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👉 Projects are optional contexts, not directives.
How Projects Work in Toddler Rooms (Guidance)
Project/Theme Planners:
12 × Main Project Planners (3–4 Weeks)
8 × Mini-Project Planners (1 Week)
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👉 Invitations, provocations and shared experiences.
Supports Child-led learning and responsive provision
Area of Learning Progression Maps & Adult Focus Sessions
(Organised by Age Band: 18–24 months | 24–30 months | 30–36 months)
Supports intentional teaching, vocabulary development and staff confidence
Understanding the World – Experience Progression Pack
Expressive Arts & Design – Creative Media & Expression Toolkit
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👉 Proportionate, meaningful assessment.
Report Template
Practitioner Guidance
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👉 Early identification, gentle support.
SEND Inclusion Strategy Pack (18–36 Months)
Practical SEND & inclusion strategies for toddlers aged 18–36 months
Six quick-reference strategy sheets covering communication, sensory needs, anxiety and behaviour
Aligned with the EYFS Framework and the Assess–Plan–Do–Review approach
Inclusive, diagnosis-free guidance ready to use in everyday practice
Ideal for observations, provision planning, team use and Ofsted evidence
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👉 Strong partnerships, realistic expectations.
Transition
Home–Setting Communication
Parent Information Pages
Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members
Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.
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Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5
↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)
↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template
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EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List
Childminder Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List
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↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.
Looking for a different age group pathway?
Select the pathway that best reflects your role or the age group you work with. You do not need to use everything. (Some practitioners may use more than one pathway.)
What is Professional Membership?
Find our more about our Professional guidance for confident, reflective EYFS practice (Birth–5)
Alternatively, learn more about and explore our printable provision resources.
Thousands of ready-to-use printables to support provision, organisation, routines and learning across EYFS.
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Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context. All resources, experiences and environment arrangements must be risk assessed by the setting and used in accordance with individual children’s developmental stages, needs and supervision requirements.
Safeguarding content does not replace a setting’s safeguarding and child protection policy or the statutory role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). All concerns must be managed in line with current statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.
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