20 Quiz Games for Babies and Toddlers | Pointing and Copying Games for Ages 1 and 2
“What can we do while waiting to wash our hands?” “Riddles for older children seem too difficult for the babies and toddlers.” At times like these, try a quiz about finding familiar things or a game of copying movements.
With babies and toddlers, start by pointing to things in front of them or copying an educator, rather than using word-only riddles. Here are 20 questions to enjoy mainly with 1- and 2-year-olds. Ages are a guide. Adjust the activity to each child’s interests, understanding of language and how they are doing that day.
How to play with babies and toddlers
Age 0 (under 1 year)
Do not make it a guessing task. Use one large picture and a short sound or movement, and enjoy the baby’s responses together, such as looking, reaching out or making sounds.
Age 1
Start by looking at one picture and saying its name together. Once the child is familiar with this, offer a choice of two pictures that are easy to tell apart.
Age 2
Offer two choices and a short hint. Wait for the child to respond in their own way, whether by pointing, speaking or moving.
- Looking, reaching out, pointing and copying also count as ways of answering.
- Do not keep children waiting a long time for the right answer. It is fine for the educator to show the answer and move on.
- Do not go through all 20 questions in a row. Just 1–3 questions are enough to begin with.
- You can prepare pictures on large sheets of paper with clear outlines and colours.
- Do not give children food to eat for this activity; show photographs or drawings instead. Do not use small objects or items with detachable parts, and supervise children so they do not put the paper in their mouths.
5 animal questions
Question 1 | Which one says “meow”?
A cat and a dog. Which one says “meow”?
Answer:Cat
How to show it and what to say:Show large pictures of a cat and a dog. Once the child chooses, enjoy saying “Kitty says meow!” together.
Show hint
Look at the picture of the cat and slowly make a “meow” sound.
Question 2 | Which one says “woof woof”?
A dog and an elephant. Which one says “woof woof”?
Answer:Dog
How to show it and what to say:Show pictures of a dog and an elephant, and acknowledge the child’s response: “You found the doggy! Woof woof!”
Show hint
Move your hand towards the picture of the dog while making the sound.
Question 3 | Which one has a lo-o-ong nose?
An elephant and a rabbit. Which one has a lo-o-ong nose?
Answer:Elephant
How to show it and what to say:Show a whole-body picture of an elephant with its long trunk clearly visible, and a picture of a rabbit. Pretend your arm is a trunk.
Show hint
Slowly trace the elephant’s trunk with your finger.
Question 4 | Which one has lo-o-ong ears?
A rabbit and a turtle. Which one has lo-o-ong ears?
Answer:Rabbit
How to show it and what to say:Show pictures of a rabbit with upright ears and a turtle. Place both hands on top of your head.
Show hint
Point to the ears and say, “Two ears, sticking up!”
Question 5 | Which one has a hard shell on its back?
A turtle and a cat. Which one has a hard shell on its back?
Answer:Turtle
How to show it and what to say:Use pictures of a turtle with its shell visible and a cat. If the shell is unfamiliar to the child, first say, “This is its shell.”
Show hint
Trace around the turtle’s shell with your finger.
5 food questions
Question 6 | Which one is the banana?
A yellow banana and a red apple. Which one is the banana?
Answer:Banana
How to show it and what to say:Show pictures of a yellow banana and a red apple, and say, “You found it!”
Show hint
It is the long, yellow one.
Question 7 | Which one is the strawberry?
A red strawberry and a yellow banana. Which one is the strawberry?
Answer:Strawberry
How to show it and what to say:Place pictures of a red strawberry with leaves and a yellow banana side by side.
Show hint
Point to the picture of the red strawberry.
Question 8 | Which one is the carrot?
An orange carrot and a green cabbage. Which one is the carrot?
Answer:Carrot
How to show it and what to say:Use pictures of a carrot with its leaves and a cabbage.
Show hint
Use your finger to point out the carrot’s long, thin shape.
Question 9 | Which one is the onigiri?
A triangular onigiri (Japanese rice ball) and a slice of white sandwich bread. Which one is the onigiri?
Answer:Onigiri (Japanese rice ball)
How to show it and what to say:Show pictures of a triangular onigiri with nori seaweed and a slice of white sandwich bread. Pretend to shape the rice with your hands, saying “Squeeze, squeeze.”
Show hint
It is the one with the black nori seaweed.
Question 10 | Which one is the apple?
A red apple and a green cucumber. Which one is the apple?
Answer:Apple
How to show it and what to say:Use pictures of a red apple with a stem and a green cucumber.
Show hint
Trace the red, round outline with your finger.
5 questions about familiar things
Question 11 | Which one do you wear on your feet?
Which do you wear on your feet: shoes or a hat?
Answer:Shoes
How to show it and what to say:Place pictures of shoes and a hat side by side, and point to your own feet.
Show hint
Pretend to put on shoes.
Question 12 | Which one do you wear on your head?
Which do you wear on your head: a hat or shoes?
Answer:Hat
How to show it and what to say:Show the two pictures while placing your hand on your head.
Show hint
Move the picture of the hat close to your head.
Question 13 | Which one dries your hands after washing?
Which do you use to dry your hands after washing: a towel or a picture book?
Answer:Towel
How to show it and what to say:An adult holds up a large, clean towel and a picture book.
Show hint
Pretend to wrap your hands in the towel.
Question 14 | Which one has pages to turn?
Which one has pages to turn: a picture book or a ball?
Answer:Picture book
How to show it and what to say:Show a real picture book and a picture of a ball, adding “Flip, flip.”
Show hint
Turn just one page of the picture book.
Question 15 | Which one do you put up on a rainy day?
Pitter-patter, it’s raining. Which one do you put up: an umbrella or a cup?
Answer:Umbrella
How to show it and what to say:Show pictures of an umbrella and a cup. Do not open a real umbrella indoors.
Show hint
Pretend to hold up an umbrella.
5 colour, shape and copying questions
Question 16 | Which one is red?
A red circle and a blue circle. Which one is red?
Answer:Red circle
How to show it and what to say:Use cards showing red and blue circles of the same size.
Show hint
Show another red sample and ask, “Which is the same colour?”
Question 17 | Which shape is round?
A circle and a triangle. Which shape is round?
Answer:Circle
How to show it and what to say:Show a circle and a triangle of the same colour, and trace their outlines with your finger.
Show hint
Draw a large circle in the air.
Question 18 | Which bear is big?
A big bear and a small bear. Which one is big?
Answer:Big bear
How to show it and what to say:Use pictures with the same design and colour, with a clear difference in size.
Show hint
Frame the large picture with both hands.
Question 19 | Which movement is clapping?
Clap, clap! Which movement is clapping your hands?
Answer:Bringing both hands together to clap
How to show it and what to say:An adult demonstrates waving and clapping, one after the other. Just watching is also a valid way to take part.
Show hint
Clap quietly and slowly.
Question 20 | How do you wave bye-bye?
What movement do you make to say “bye-bye”?
Answer:Waving a hand
How to show it and what to say:Show clapping and waving, one after the other, bringing the game to a natural end. Do not force children to copy you.
Show hint
Wave your hand slowly.
If choosing is difficult, looking together is enough
If choosing seems difficult, go back to one picture and say its name together. Repeating the same question can be a good game, too. Enjoy looking and pointing together, rather than trying to get every answer right.