Activities for Babies

Wheelbarrow FunTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials None Directions You can help your baby gain upper body strength by gently lifting the legs while she is in the tummy position, encouraging her to move forward with the hands, if interested. This shou...

Change ItTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Cupboard with safe items that can be removed Directions To engender curiosity and safe exploration, make it a habit to put heavy breakable items in overhead cabinets and safe objects in the lower ones and e...

Stumped on ideas for how to play with your baby? These fun and easy activities help stimulate your infant's development — and bring on some adorable smiles and giggles. And remember, much of your baby's learning in her first year will happen na...

Tummy TimeTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials None Directions Playing from the tummy position allows for a different view of the world. Although it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs as a precaution against SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndr...

Pile Them HighTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Flat empty boxes from shoes, cereal, etc. Directions Deciding where to place things makes this activity fun and is an early lesson in balancing. Show your baby how to stack the boxes and then hand the...

On a RollTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Small baby blanket Directions Babies learn to roll over on their own and don't need to be taught, but you can help to strengthen the muscles involved by laying your baby on her side and providing support fr...

Playing with Your Baby Your baby will love it if you take some time to play games with her in your lap. You don't need to do much. She will find these simple exercises endlessly entertaining: Pull her up to sitting Pull her up to standing Hold h...

When it comes to screen time and kids, it isn't all bad news. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers guidelines on how to make screen time healthy and educational.

Floating CatchTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Variety of lightweight scarves of different colors and patterns Directions As you sit on the floor together, throw a scarf into the air and catch it in your arms as it floats back down.Throw another sc...

Blow a KissTime 5 minutes Materials None Directions You can teach your baby to give a gift of love as you blow a kiss to her and encourage copying blowing a kiss by spreading open your arms and saying, "Blow me a kiss." Extensions Help your bab...

Beanbag TossTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Large laundry basketPlastic sandwich bags or old socksPackage of dry beans Directions Physical games encourage decision making about when and how to move the body. Tossing objects at a target can give y...

Tummy TimeTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials None Directions Playing from the tummy position allows for a different view of the world. Although it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs as a precaution against SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndr...

Calm DownTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials None Directions To get your child to listen to you, get down on their eye level and speak slowly while making eye contact. Keep what you have to say simple and short. Extensions The next time you are shop...

That Makes ThreeTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials 3 medium-sized items such as a washrag, yarn ball, small cup, or set of keys Directions Hand control is still developing, but with this activity you throw in decision making as well. Sit on the floo...

Pointing PowerTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials None Directions Everything has a name, and it is fun to hear the words. Teach your baby to point at objects so you can say what they are. It will quickly become a game to your baby. Extensions Revers...

Pile Them HighTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Flat empty boxes from shoes, cereal, etc. Directions Deciding where to place things makes this activity fun and is an early lesson in balancing. Show your baby how to stack the boxes and then hand the...

Are you worried about your kids being online? Fact Monster is a KidSafe-certified site for your kids to get homework help, play games and watch educational videos. Check it out...and give Same Game a try yourself!

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String AlongTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Hand-sized objectsA piece of thick yarn 2 to 3 feet long Directions Something as simple as grabbing for a toy helps to teach your baby how to control the environment. Tie the object or toy to one end o...