Let's play! 1 week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Finger Puppet Parade
You may have noticed that your newborn's vision is a bit limited; she
seems unaware of things that are far away, but bring something right
into her line of vision (between 8 and 15 inches from her face is ideal)
and suddenly she's all eyes. This is a survival skill; babies come into
the world equipped to find food, and this is the distance between her
face and yours when you're feeding her! Explore your baby's
developing visual skills with a simple game of finger puppets.
Skills developed: visual, interactivity
What you'll need: a set of simple finger puppets - you can make your
own out of construction paper and felt-tip pens.
Lie your baby on her back or put her in a reclining bouncy seat. Using
a set of finger puppets, either shop-bought or homemade (see
instructions below), put a finger puppet on the pointer finger of each
hand. Bring your fingers slowly into your baby's line of sight and wait
until she focuses on the faces. Then, speaking slowly, introduce each
puppet to her. Something simple like "Hello, I'm Clover the cow" will
do. As each puppet speaks, bend your finger forward so the puppet
bows to your baby. Wait a moment, as if your baby were answering, then continue conducting a one-sided
conversation between her and each puppet. Finally, have the puppets form a parade, bobbing up and down, out of
your baby's sight.
To make paper finger puppets: Use stiff paper, such as coloured construction paper. Cut out small rectangles and
make simple cylinders the size of your fingertips, taping, gluing, or stapling the paper together. Draw faces with felt
pen, keeping the features fairly plain: babies react most directly and dramatically to simple, graphic faces.
Facing Off
Nature has primed babies to focus on faces from the moment they're born, and there's nothing as riveting to a baby
as an expressive set of eyes, nose, and mouth. In fact, studies have shown that babies recognise and remember
faces better than adults do. (They'll focus longer on a standardised representation of a human face than on any other
shape, which is why so many baby toys have simple faces on them.)
Skills developed: visual recognition
What you'll need: a hand mirror and your face
Make a game of your baby's fascination with faces by putting on a few of your own. Sit down next to him when he's
propped in a car seat, bouncy seat, or stroller or lying on his back on the floor. If he's in a buggy or seat, position
yourself at eye level; if he's on the floor, bend over or lie down next to him so that you're at least somewhat face to
face.
Start by slowing changing your expression, going from a smile to a surprised look to sticking your tongue out. Then
move through the expressions again with a pause in between each one, and wait to see if your baby tries to mimic
you. Use a hand mirror to show him his own expression, describing it as you do: "Oh, don't you look surprised! Look
what a happy baby!" Or make one of your own faces in the mirror, tilting it so he can see both you and the mirror
image.
Let's play! 2 weeks
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
What a sensation
There's a reason newborns reach out and grab for things: They want
to be active participants in their world. It's not enough for you to show
her things — your baby wants to experience everything up close and
personal, and she does that through all five senses, particularly the
sense of touch. Encourage her curiosity and tactile talents with this
soothing touch-fest.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination, touch sensitivity
What you'll need: a variety of soft-textured items, such as a silk
scarf, a clean feather duster or boa, a piece of satin or velvet, and
something furry like a stuffed animal.
Collect an assortment of soft, touchable household objects. With your
baby lying on her back on a blanket or on the changing table, take off
her shirt, and give her tummy a sampling of the different textures. One
at a time, brush each item ever so gently across her skin, describing
the sensation as you go. "Feel the silky scarf? It's very slippery. Feel
the lamb? It's fuzzy, isn't it?" If she tries to grab the items, go ahead
and let her hold them, or (if you're sure they're clean and don't pose a
choking risk) even put them in her mouth.
Gentle Rubdown
It's never too soon to give a baby his first brush with the healing power of human contact. Your baby was born with a
fully developed sense of touch, and it's one of the primary ways he experiences the outside world.
Skills developed: sensory stimulation
What you'll need: some nice-smelling massage oil such as sweet almond oil, or plain vegetable oil Let your baby
roll around naked on a layer of cloth nappies or a bath towel (if it's cool in the room, leave his T-shirt on). Warm a tiny
squirt of oil in your hands by rubbing it between your palms, then very gently rub it into his skin, starting with his soft
little feet. Rotate each toe, then use your thumbs to press the soles. Work your way up the legs, squeezing his calves
and thighs gently as if you were molding clay. (The first few times it's probably best just to do his feet and legs until he
gets used to the sensation.) For the chest and tummy, gently place both hands flat against the centre of your baby's
body, then spread them to the sides, as if flattening the pages of a book. With your hands still flat, use your fingertips
to stroke outward in small circles. Keep rubbing for as long as he
seems to be enjoying it; stop as soon as he starts to get restless.
Let's play! 3 weeks
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Happy talk
It will be quite a while before she says her first word, but that doesn't
mean your baby isn't starting to get the hang of language. All those
funny sounds she makes, from gurgles to coos, are early attempts to
communicate. And the more responsive you are, the more encouraged she'll be to carry her end of the
"conversation".
Skills developed: readiness for speech
What you'll need: nothing but an imaginative selection of sounds
Make your baby's natural attempts at call-and-response into a game. Start by helping her figure out all the fun sounds
she can make with her mouth. Wait for her to make one of her characteristic baby noises, such as "goo," a raspberry,
or a tongue-click, then imitate it back to her. You might also try making a series of rhythmic tongue clicks, and see if
she responds to the different beats. Then show her some of the things you can do: Make an exaggerated smacking
kiss, pop your finger out of the side of your mouth, or make a b-b-b noise by blowing air out of your mouth while
wiggling your finger on your lips. Wait to see if your baby tries to make a similar type of sound back to you - she might
surprise you!
Dinosaur dance
Babies are born with a fully developed sense of touch. Here's a fun way to stimulate his sensitive skin while
demonstrating cause and effect.
Skills developed: touch, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: no equipment necessary
Did you ever play that game of making your hand into a dinosaur by lifting your middle finger to resemble a head and
"walking" the other four fingers along? Next time your baby is lying down for a nappy change with his shirt up and
tummy exposed, put your "hand-o-saur" where he can see it (on his chest or by his side, depending on his position)
and walk the creature lightly over his skin, swaying its "head" from side to side and tickling him with its "feet." Then
say, "Here comes a dinosaur, walking from your toes to your nose," and start the hand dinosaur walking slowly up
your baby's leg to his tummy. Continue from there, building in lots of anticipation.
Let's play! 4 weeks
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Tube talk
Long before your baby can communicate much himself, he's
developing an ear for speech. Every time you talk to him, you're
nurturing his urge for words. A perfect chat time is when he's up on
the changing table - not only is he a captive audience, but your
face is close to his level. A game of "telephone" using a cardboard
tube will keep him intrigued and provide a calm point of focus as well.
Skills developed: hearing
What you'll need: a cardboard tube from a roll of kitchen towel or
toilet paper.
Bring along the cardboard tube to his next nappy change. Announce,
"I'm going to tell you a secret," then put it next to one of your baby's
ears and whisper something short and simple. "I love you" is always a
good start. Move the tube over to your baby's other ear and add
another "secret". Just discovering that he can hear independently out
of each ear will keep him entranced through a number of nappy
changes.
Common scents
Newborns are notorious for their keenly sensitive noses: research has shown that babies can recognise the scent
of their own mother's breast milk within the first week of life. To test out your baby's acute sense of smell, try setting
up a homemade scent session.
Skills developed: olfactory
What you'll need: jars of cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla; perfumes or sachets; a ripe banana; a slice of orange or
lemon.
Sit down with your baby in your lap (use a baby blanket to snuggle him if he's a wriggler) and jars of the various
fragrant ingredients on a table or stool in front of you. Pass each item under his nose, watching his face to see his
expression. He may open his eyes wide, seem startled, or even smile. In the case of the citrus (a smell babies
generally don't like), he may frown or turn away. Try this activity every few weeks as your baby gets older and see
how his reactions change.
Let's play! 5 weeks
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Flower power
With each passing day, your baby is becoming more aware of the
world around her, and with awareness comes curiosity. One way she
tunes herself into her surroundings is through her nose - that sharp
sense of smell babies are born with. An afternoon among the flowers
is a lovely way to nurture her nosy nature.
Skills developed: olfactory
What you'll need: some blossoming flowers.
For your baby's aromatherapy adventure, take her to a location – your
back garden, a garden centre, a florist - where you can find fragrant
flowers such as lavender, daffodils, freesias or roses. Hold her up with
her face close to a fresh, newly opened bloom and watch her
expression of astonished pleasure as she catches the sweet smell. Be
careful, though: not only do roses have sharp thorns, but some plants,
such as lily of the valley, foxgloves, and rhododendrons, contain
toxins that could make your baby sick if she ate them. So if she has
reached the grabbing stage, hold her hands gently to prevent any
touch- or taste-tests.
Copy cat
From her very first weeks in the world, your baby is learning to recognise and imitate people. Make it a two-way
interaction with this simple mirror game.
Skills developed: visual, social, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a full-length or large mirror.
Stand in front of a full-length or other large mirror, holding your baby in front of you facing forward. (If you don't have a
big enough mirror at home, a department-store mirror or reflective shop window will work.) Make simple movements
such as raising your arm, tilting your head, or touching your nose, all the while talking and pointing out to your baby
what you are doing. When he makes a movement, such as wiggling an arm or kicking a leg, make the same one
yourself so he sees both of your actions in the mirror and realises that you are copying him. The older your baby, the
more playful this pastime becomes, until you are teasing each other with actions to mimic.
Let's play! 6 weeks
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Super saver
They may seem like recycling fodder to you, but the supermarket
leaflets that come tucked inside the newspaper are great fun for
babies, who love to look at pictures of food. And identifying familiar
foods is a great way for your baby to begin associating words with
objects.
Skills developed: visual, verbal
What you'll need: supermarket inserts from the local paper.
Sit with your baby in your lap and look through the pages, pointing out
and naming the fruits, vegetables, and other foods pictured. Even
though she can't respond yet, tell her which ones you like. Later, when
she's napping, cut out a stack of pictures and paste them onto a big
piece of poster-board or cardboard for her to look at. Or slide them
into a photo album or glue them onto construction paper pages to
make her very own scrapbook.
Easy sledging
Crawling may be months away, but playing movement games can help get your little one ready for forward motion.
Have you ever had fun sliding down a grassy hillside on a sheet of cardboard? You can use a section cut from a
cardboard box to give your newborn the same sense of freedom of movement.
Skills developed: motor
What you'll need: a rectangular piece of thick cardboard (from a sturdy box, maybe), approximately the size of your
baby.
This activity works best on a carpet or rug, but can be enjoyed (more carefully) on a lino, laminate or wood floor. Lay
the cardboard down on the rug or floor and position your baby’s tummy down on top of it, with his arms out in front of
him or to the sides. Gently slide the cardboard forward and back, to give him the sensation of crawling forward.
Eventually your baby will begin using his arms to propel himself forward, helping him develop the coordination he'll
need once he's ready to crawl.
Let's play! 7 weeks
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Pedal pushing
Babies love to kick, and there's a reason: they're getting
those little legs ready for walking. Prime your toddler-to-be
(and liven up nappy changes) with an impromptu horizontal
"spinning class".
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
When your baby is lying on her back on a changing table
or pad, hold her legs and give them a little workout. The
classic move is the bicycle: hold her ankles and "pedal" her
legs around in circles. Or teach her the cancan: raise her
knees up and give each leg a high-kick. And no need to
neglect the arms: move them out to the sides, then raise
them up above her head. (This could be thought of as "the
frog".) Finally, don't forget the disco fun of "Y-M-C-A" -
babies seem to love the exuberance of the arms-in-the-air "Y".
Cajun two-step
She'll be banging on pots and pans before you know it, but you can help tune up your baby's sense of rhythm in the
meantime. And there's nothing that cheers up a grumpy baby (try this at the 5pm witching hour!) like throwing some
shapes with Mum or Dad to the strains of good music with a thumping beat.
Skills developed: sense of rhythm
What you'll need: some great dancing music with a strong beat, such as salsa or reggae.
Many parents swear by the therapeutic effect of salsa music's syncopated rhythms on colicky babies. Lay your
baby on her stomach across your arm, putting light pressure on her tummy with your hand (sometimes known as the
"football hold"). Place your other hand on her back to hold her securely, and sashay away. Or if she prefers being
upright, hold her in a seated position facing forward, with one hand under her bottom and the other on her tummy. If
Latin dancing isn't to your little one's taste, try something else: reggae, pop or perhaps some lively dangdut!
Let's play! 2-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Swat team
Between two and four months, babies are perfecting their
swatting technique, and there's no more irresistible target
than an unfamiliar object suspended overhead. Reaching
for something — and actually making contact — helps your
baby gain confidence and coordination.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: some string, a screw-in cup hook, and
some simple, light objects such as plastic measuring
spoons or a rattle
Optional: a piece of tinfoil, a ball of wool, a coat hanger
Put a hook in the ceiling above your baby's cot or over the
centre of your own bed, and use strong string such as
fishing line or dental floss to dangle a rattle, a ball of wool,
or a set of plastic measuring spoons just within swiping
range: touchable but far enough away that he can't grab hold of it and yank it down. Vary the objects every few
minutes to keep your little one's interest. You can even make it into a mobile by attaching a coat hanger to the string,
then securely looping several different dangly objects around the crossbar (bend the hook of the hanger into a closed
circle so it can't fall off).
Variation: Try a fresh-air version of the same game. Push your baby's pram under an accommodating bush or tree
and attach a string to a strong branch so it dangles just within swatting range.
Go Fish
Following bright and colourful objects is becoming a favourite pastime now that your baby has a well-developed
ability to focus. And nothing is more mesmerising than the iridescent hues of fish in non-stop motion. It doesn't matter
if you don't keep fish yourself. You could pop into your local pet shop for a break when you are out shopping. Or if
you have a friend you has a fish tank, why not pay them a visit?
Skills developed: visual
What you'll need: access to a fish tank or aquarium
Hold your baby right up to the fish tank, so the fish are at her eye level. Follow the different coloured fish with your
finger as they swim back and forth, helping her track them with her eyes. Describe the fish to her, highlighting their
differences: "Can you see the big gold one? Watch that one going around in circles. How about the tiny rainbow-
coloured ones? Don't they swim fast!" Choose one easily identifiable fish, perhaps the biggest or brightest, and help
your baby track it around the tank. Explore her budding sense of "object permanence" (the concept that something
still exists even when it disappears from view), noting when a fish is out of sight and then pointing out when it
reappears. Even more fun than peekaboo.
Let's play! 2-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Sound judgements
Babies are born with a well-developed instinct to "startle" in response
to loud noises. As time goes on, this instinct turns into a love of
surprising noises, especially crunching, squeaking or rattling sounds.
And hearing a sound and then seeing what made it helps your baby
understand other types of connections.
Skills developed: hearing, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: things from around the house that make sound
when crumpled up, such as waxed paper or cellophane; a toy that
squeaks or produces some kind of noise.
Gather lots of items that make a noise, such as a piece of crinkly
wrapping paper, a squeezy toy, or a waxed-paper bag. Sit or lie next
to your baby and demonstrate each sound, varying the order so it's
always surprising for him. Then put the noisemakers in his hand and
help him make the sounds himself. Repeat this activity over the
coming months, watching to see if he looks at his hands or seems to
realise he's making the sounds.
Ups and downs
Your baby probably won't learn to sit up for a few more months, but as her back and neck grow stronger, she's
ready to practice. (As you may have noticed, she's also eager to see the world from a more upright angle.)
Skills developed: gross motor coordination
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
Lie your baby on her back, propped up slightly on a pillow. Sit facing her and grasp her hands firmly. Gently pull her
to a sitting position, letting her head follow her shoulders, and enjoy her expression as she sees the world from this
new angle. Gently lower her and repeat as long as she's having fun. As your baby gets used to this game, keep her
sitting up a little longer and sing a chorus of "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" or "Row, Row, Row Your Boat,"
alternately pulling each of her arms in a gentle rowing motion before lowering her back down onto the pillow.
Let's play! 2-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Up, up and away
As your baby gains control over his body, he loves games that involve
"flying" through the air. Guide him through new manoeuvres (and give
yourself a workout) with this dynamic ground-crew exercise.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
Start by sitting up with your knees bent, positioning your baby with his
tummy against your shins. Then, holding him steady, lie back on the
floor, simultaneously raising your legs slightly into the air. Your shins,
with your baby lying comfortably on them, should be parallel to the
floor. If you can spare the breath, say, "Aeroplane up, up, and away"
as your little one rises into the air. Depending on your level of fitness,
you can zoom him around by moving your legs forward and back and
side to side before bringing him in for a soft landing.
Flash(light) dance
Have you ever seen your baby turn her gaze towards a patch of sunlight on the wall? Cater to her captivation with
light and dark by playing a soothing bedtime game.
Skills developed: visual, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a torch with a relatively strong beam.
Think how hypnotising it would be to watch a searchlight sweep through the night sky. You can achieve this same
effect with a torch in a darkened room. When it's time for lights out, hold your baby or sit with her on your lap (this
works well in a rocking chair). Shine the torch beam slowly over the walls and ceiling, encouraging your little one to
follow the moving light with her eyes. Many babies find this very relaxing; you can even create a soothing sound and
light show by playing quiet music at the same time or by telling a story about travelling among the stars.
Let's play! 2-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Leaf peeping
Your baby's ability to focus is fully developed, and he is endlessly
curious about the world and excited by seeing new things. You're
probably spending lots of time out and about by now, looking for new
sights to show him.
Skills developed: visual
What you'll need: a few brightly coloured leaves; some string, elastic,
tape, or a rubber band.
The next time you take your baby out for a walk, collect a few brightly
coloured leaves to show him. (If it's not autumn, choose leaves in
unusual shapes and colours.) Use a short piece of string or elastic
(the stretchy cord left over from airport luggage tags is perfect) to
attach the leaves to the carrying handle of your baby's car seat. Or
tape them to the hood of his pushchair. They make wonderful natural
mobiles, as even the slightest breath of wind sends them turning and
twirling above his little head.
If your baby has learned to grab, though, make sure the leaves are not within his reach.
Roll-over plan
At almost three months old, your baby is really working on gaining control over the way she moves. This simple
indoor or outdoor exercise will help get her ready to roll.
Skills developed: gross motor coordination
What you'll need: a fairly large blanket.
On a warm day, take your baby to the park or into your garden and spread a blanket on a patch of grass or soft
ground (or simply do this in your home). Take off as many layers of clothing as the weather permits, as babies seem
to feel freer to move around when they find themselves in the nude. Lay your baby on her stomach or back, and let
her roll herself over, with a little gentle support on your part if necessary. Then roll her over again yourself, so she's
back in the same position. Continue in one direction until she reaches the edge of the blanket - to give her a sense of
getting somewhere - then lift her back to the middle again. Keep doing this as long as your baby enjoys it. Babies
delight in new perspectives, so if she seems to savour a certain position (lying on her back and looking up at the
drifting clouds, for example), lie down next to her and watch together.
Let's play! 3-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Pop song
Your baby is just beginning to learn that certain words sound like their
meaning. Here's a singing game that plays on this idea, whilst catering
to babies' love of surprises.
Skills developed: verbal, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
Sing the classic nursery song, "Pop! Goes the Weasel", but highlight
the element of surprise with sound effects and actions. Start out softly
and slowly: "A half a pound of tupenny rice, a half a pound of treacle,
mix it up and make it nice... ", (then raise your voice to finish): "Pop!
Goes the weasel." Try it again, clapping your hands on the word
"pop". Now sing it once more, this time slapping your hand lightly on
the floor or a nearby padded surface such as a bed or chair. Grab a
cuddly toy if you like, and make it jump up into the air on the word
"pop". This song can work wonders as a distraction during nappy
changes and is also great for keeping your baby awake on short car
rides when you don't want him to nap just yet.
Bend over butterfly
At three months, babies are starting to become fascinated with animals and insects. So pretending to be a butterfly
together is a great way to capture her interest.
Skills developed: verbal, motor
What you'll need: no equipment needed.
Sit cross-legged on the floor or ground with your baby sitting in your lap facing forward (away from you). Bend from
the waist with your arms stretched forward, making a roof over your baby with your body, so you become a "cocoon"
enveloping her. Encourage her to bend over with you. Speaking softly and slowly, say, "OK caterpillar, you're waking
up now." Gradually lift your arms over your head as you say, "You're coming out of your cocoon now, you're
becoming a butterfly." Then sit up and gently stretch your baby's arms up, too. Move your arms out to the sides and
flap them, saying, "Now you're spreading your wings - you're a butterfly!" As you play this game over and over, your
baby will learn to flap her arms to "be a butterfly" too.
Variation: once your baby starts walking, she can crawl into your lap as the caterpillar ready to make a cocoon,
then stand up and "fly" out of your lap when she's a butterfly, continuing to wave her arms as she moves around the
room.
Let's play! 3-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Different drums
It's quite a thrill (for her, at least!) when your baby reaches the
clattering and banging age. Seeing that one thump of her fist can
make a satisfying whomp is a powerful affirmation that actions can get
results. Make it a fun and noisy time by giving her a range of high and
low notes to aim for.
Skills developed: hearing, sense of rhythm, sense of cause and
effect
What you'll need: empty ice-cream tubs or other containers with
flexible cardboard or plastic lids; cling film.
Make a few drums with different sounds so your baby can hear the
difference between deeper and shallower tones. Turn any can or
round-shaped container into a drum by stretching several layers of
strong plastic wrap or a piece of thick paper over the top and taping it
down. Or, even easier, use containers that already have drummable
lids, such as lunchboxes, chocolate tins or cornflour/custard/cocoa
canisters. Tape the different drums together with duct- or parcel-tape
to make a drum set. Sit on the ground with your baby propped up between your legs. Place the drums in front of your
baby. Demonstrate how to tap the drums with your palms, fingers, and the heel of your hand. You might even try a
little human beat-box to demonstrate different rhythms as you play.
Variation: if your baby can grasp with her hands, try making homemade drumsticks too. Chopsticks are ideal, but
wrapped pencils will do just fine. Use some cotton or tissue paper and wad it around the ends of the sticks, then wrap
it up in masking tape. Show your baby how to tap the drumsticks on both the tops and sides of the drums. Pretty soon
you'll have your own rhythm section going.
Kicking back
As your baby becomes more mobile, kicking is one of his favourite ways to exercise his restless limbs. And kicking in
water - and feeling the water splash - is a wonderfully wet lesson in cause and effect.
Skills developed: gross motor, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a bath.
Fill the bath or a small baby bath with four to six inches (10-15cm) of water - no more. Lie your baby down in the
water on his back, resting your hand under his head to keep the water out of his ears and, even more importantly, his
face out of the water. Most babies love the stimulation of the water and start kicking their legs delightedly. The more
they kick, the higher the splashes. So as soon as he discovers that it's his legs that are causing all the splashing -
watch out!
Let's play! 3-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Rollercoaster
Now that he's strong enough to hold his head steady, your baby is
learning how to control and manipulate his upper body in preparation
for learning to sit, roll over, and - eventually - stand. This game
helps to develop full-body coordination and makes a great relaxation
routine when it's time to wind down before bed.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: a beach ball, exercise ball or cylindrical bolster
pillow.
If you're using a beach ball, blow it up most of the way, so it rolls but
still has a soft spot. Holding your baby securely with your hands on
either side of his rib cage, place him tummy-down on top of the ball or
pillow and roll him back and forth and from side to side. Note: a
cylindrical bolster pillow provides a gentle, soothing ride, but won't
allow the side-to-side action.
Look who's here!
Babies just getting the hang of cause and effect are delighted whenever something unexpected pops into view. The
surprise of seeing your face triggers the biggest giggles, but you can make it an even funnier surprise by using a
range of silly expressions.
Skills developed: sense of cause and effect, object permanence (the concept that out-of-sight objects still exist)
What you'll need: something to hide behind.
Sit your baby in her bouncy chair or car seat. Duck down where she can't see you then pop up with an exaggerated
smile or round-eyed "surprise face" and see if you get a giggle out of her. Repeat it with a variety of silly (and non-
scary!) expressions on your face each time you reappear, varying where your head pops up from - behind or either
side of the chair. This can go on until your facial muscles get tired. You can also play pop-up by poking your head out
from around doorways and corners in the house.
Let's play! 3-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Telephone talk
It's clear when a baby's verbal skills are developing: she's constantly
trying to communicate with you with an ever-growing repertoire of
sounds. Here's a playful way to help her keep working on that speech.
Skills developed: verbal
What you'll need: two play telephones, or real phones that are turned
off or disconnected.
Give your baby one telephone, holding the receiver up to her ear.
Then use your telephone to hold a one-sided conversation, using a
slow, exaggerated speaking style. Leave long pauses between your
questions and comments, and soon you'll notice her beginning to
make babbling and cooing responses. This is a great way for you to
help your baby practice the rhythms of conversation - sooner than you
might think, she'll join in with her own gurgling "opinions".
Shadow show
Welcome to the watching age, when babies are transfixed by moving patterns and shapes. You may notice your little
one staring at the TV now, whereas before he ignored it. Help him become an active audience with an on-the-wall
shape-making game.
Skills developed: visual
What you'll need: a torch.
Many cultures have created forms of theatre using shadows, and babies love both the mystery and surprise of a
seeing a shadow dancing. Sit on the floor with your baby in your lap or next to you. Position a torch or lamp so it
shines against a wall, then put your hands in between the beam and the wall so that the wall serves as a screen.
Start with simple activities like waving and holding up different numbers of fingers. Then use your hands to make
animal shapes, such as a dog or duck. Help your baby wave his hands to make simple shadows, and point out to him
how much smaller his hand-shadows are than yours. Finally, hold his hands in yours and help him form the different
shadow shapes, then have them say goodnight to him.
Let's play! 4-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Tummy bubbles
Your baby's hands seem to be all over the place now; he grabs
because it's so exciting for him to see something, reach for it, and
actually touch it. His hands are learning to do what his brain tells them
to do!
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination, knowledge of body
parts
What you'll need: a tube of bubbles for blowing.
Get your baby settled in a bouncy chair. Start by blowing a few
bubbles gently in his direction, letting him reach out to catch or pop
them (and taking care not to get the soapy bubble formula in his
eyes). After he gets used to the way bubbles behave, he may be
ready to play a body-parts game. Aim bubbles to land on his legs,
arms, hands, tummy, and so on. Name each body-part as you go:
"There's a bubble on your tummy!" "There's a bubble on your hand!"
When he is a little older, this game is fun to play in the bath. An odd
property of soap bubbles is that they attach themselves to wet skin
without bursting, giving your baby time to look at the bubble before popping it. It works even better if you can blow
large bubbles, which are particularly satisfying to pop.
Song of myself
Babies recognise oft-repeated words long before they're ready to say them, and familiar names are the friendliest
verbal cues of all.
Skills developed: cognitive, auditory, verbal
What you'll need: a rocking chair (optional).
Grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, pets, babysitters and friends - your baby will love to hear you name them all.
One of the most natural ways to do this is with a song like the old favourite, "He's Got The Whole World In His
Hands". The words are simple and repetitive: "He's got the whole world in his hands" repeats four times, and then the
verses go on to name general categories: "He's got the wind and the rain in his hands...", "He's got the tiny little baby
in his hands...", and so on, ending with four lines of "He's got everybody here in his hands". But instead, try naming
your baby's favourite people: "He's got [baby's name] and Daddy, in his hands ... ", "He's got Grandma and Grandad
in His hands ... ", and go on from there.
Let's play! 4-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Can you top this?
Here's a fun way to celebrate your little one's growing delight with
unexpected events.
Skills developed: visual, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a wide-ranging selection of odd items to put on
your head.
Pretend your house is a hat shop and round up a number of possible
toppers. Nothing makes a baby giggle like the sight of you wearing a
tea cosy on your head. A cardboard box, a plastic bowl, a pair of
shorts or leggings, or a wicker basket can also do the trick. As you put
each object on your head, make a perplexed face at your baby and
ask, "Do you like my hat?" You could even sit your baby in front of a
mirror and let her try on the silly millinery for size.
Rock 'n' row
In the next month or so, your baby may be ready to sit up unsupported for the first time. He'll love to practice for the
occasion by being propped up. A rollicking rowing routine strengthens his back muscles in preparation for being
seated.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
This singing game has you rowing in time to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". Sit on the floor with your legs spread in a
“V”, as if you were going to begin stretching exercises, and sit your baby facing you with a sturdy pillow or upright
cushion propped behind him for balance. Grasp his hands firmly and pull his arms gently so that he leans toward you
while you lean back slightly, then reverse so that you lean forward and he leans back. Sing the classic nursery rhyme
with a slow and emphatic rhythm, so that you are both moving forward and back in time to each key word - for
example, the rhythm of the last line should be "LIFE is BUT a DREAM." As your baby gets used to this game, you
can lean farther and farther forward and back, watching him giggle with anticipation.
Let's play! 4-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Shhh! Listen in
Your baby is learning to listen - or, as the experts say, “developing
receptive language” - just as fast as he's learning to communicate
himself. Treat him to a surprise eavesdrop by turning his baby monitor
into a listening device.
Skills developed: verbal, sense of object permanence (the concept
that something out of sight still exists)
What you'll need: a two-way baby monitor
Lie your baby in his cot or safely on the floor. Give him the listening
part of his baby monitor then leave the room and spend a minute or
two speaking gently into the talking part. Describe where you are in
the house, make remarks about the weather, your plans for the day,
or your baby himself. (This game works particularly well if you have a
friend around to join in the conversation.) When you reappear in the
room, your entrance with be met with pleased astonishment.
Aeroplane takeoff
Here's a game that gives you some fun together-time with your baby while teaching her about the sheer joy of
movement. You'll be helping her hone those developing motor skills as you "fly" her body through the air.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: no equipment necessary
Sit cross-legged with your baby in your lap facing away from you. With one hand holding her firmly and the other on
the floor just behind you to support your back, raise your legs, still crossed, with your baby resting on them. As your
baby goes up, say, "Aeroplane taking off, up, up and away!" and, as you lower her back down: "Aeroplane coming in
for a landing!" Encourage your baby to raise her arms out to the sides and make aeroplane wings. As she gets older,
you can raise and lower your legs a bit faster.
If you are feeling adventurous, you could try playing this game with you both sitting in a shallow bath. Using the same
movement, you can lift your baby just clear of the water, then create a gentle splash as you lower her back in,
announcing, "Rocket ship launching" and "Rocket ship splashdown!"
Let's play! 4-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Pass the hat
Your baby loves the unexpected because she's a constant studier of
life; when things change, she gets to figure them out all over again. A
game of “pass the hat” will send her into giggles of surprised delight.
Skills developed: sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a selection of different hats.
This game is great to play at a family gathering or when you have
friends around but your baby will also enjoy it if its just you and your
husband or older children putting on the show. Pass around a variety
of different-looking hats (you can improvise with objects from around
the house if you are short of proper headwear) and get everyone to try
one on. This alone will make your baby laugh, but that's just the
beginning. Encourage everyone to stand in a line in front of your baby
or in a circle around her, and, at the sound of some sort of signal (a
whistle, bell, or just someone shouting, "Change!"), get each person to
pass his or her hat to the next person in line. If your baby is not shy,
include her in the line-up: each hat goes on her head for a moment
before being passed along.
Mr Moon
As your baby becomes more attuned to the world around him, changes in weather and other natural phenomena
become an endless source of wonder. Check your calendar for the next full-moon phase and show him this special
spectacle when the time is right.
Skills developed: awareness of the natural world
What you'll need: a full or almost-full moon visible in daylight.
On a day when the full moon is visible before nightfall, point it out to your baby and show him the man in the moon.
Point to the sun as well, then sing this little song (you can make up your own melody), acting it out as you go along.
"Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon, you're out too soon, the sun is still in the sky. Go back to your bed and cover up your head,
and wait until the day goes by." Point to the moon when you mention it, cover your face with your hands or a towel at
the words, "cover up your head," then mimic going to sleep on folded hands at the end. Make this a regular ritual and
when he's older, your child won't be able to see the sun and moon together in the sky without thinking of you and
hearing this ditty in his head.
Let's play! 5-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
My photo album
Recognising familiar faces (including your own) is an enormous treat
for your baby as he learns to identify people by name and association.
Skills developed: pattern recognition, fine motor
What you'll need: a small photo album - the type where the photos
slide into clear plastic pockets.
Buy a small photo album and fill it with pictures of your baby and the
people in his life. In addition to relatives and family friends (the most
typical photo subjects), try to include pictures of babysitters or
caregivers, neighbours, and other babies and children you know.
Give the album to your baby and tell him it's his very own. Sit with him
and show him the photos, letting him communicate his feelings to you.
He'll react to the familiar ones with excitement and point out any faces
he doesn't recognise with a questioning expression. Then put the
album on his bookshelf or in his toy box, where he can flip through it
on his own. It'll quickly become a favourite - and a parents’ lifesaver
on plane trips and long car rides.
Game, set and match
You've probably noticed that your baby loves to watch anything that involves people and movement, so sports are
naturally fascinating. It's a challenge for her to follow the constant changes; now the ball's here - ooh, nope, now it's
over there …
Skills developed: visual
What you'll need: a local football pitch, netball or tennis court complete with players.
If your local sports centre or park has a football pitch, netball or tennis court, find out when they are most frequently
used then take your baby along for a little spectator sport. Sit her on your lap or park her buggy somewhere where
she will have a good, unobstructed view of the game. Whether it's the colourful shirts of the players or the regular
thwunk of the ball hitting the court, your baby will be intrigued. Do watch out for stray balls though and be ready to
spring into action if necessary.
Let's play! 5-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Where's my teddy?
Once your baby gets her head around what experts call "object
permanence" (knowing that just because she can't see something
anymore doesn't mean it's not there), you can have fun playing a
simple hiding game.
Skills developed: sense of object permanence
What you'll need: a teddy or other favourite toy; boxes and bags of
different sizes.
Take a favourite teddy and put it inside a small bag (make sure it is
NOT a plastic bag), then inside a box. Put the box into a larger box or
bag, and so on, until the teddy is encased in at least five layers. Set
the box-within-a-box-within-a-bag in front of your baby and ask,
"Where's your teddy?" While she's watching, open the first box or bag,
take out the next, and ask, "Is your teddy in here?" as you open that
one. Keep going until you open the last one in front of your baby,
exclaiming, "Here's your teddy!" Then let her make a grab for it.
Note: if there are friends or family members around, have everyone
take turns opening each subsequent layer, with each person asking your baby if her teddy is in their box or bag.
Treasure hunt
The impulse to group things together starts at an early age, and your baby probably already has a few toys or trinkets
that he likes to take along on trips. Cultivate that collector's instinct by going on a nature-"hunting" walk - a particularly
enjoyable pursuit on a warm evening after dinner.
Skills developed: fine motor coordination
What you'll need: a large bag or basket.
Weather permitting, put your baby in his pushchair with a large tote bag or basket attached to the handle. Take a
walk in the park, pointing out anything interesting you see - an interesting leaf, perhaps, or a strange-shaped twig.
Pick it up and put it in your baby's basket. Pretty soon he'll start using his pointing skills to show you what he wants to
add to his collection. (Of course, stay away from small round objects that could pose a choking hazard or any
plants that could be poisonous.) When you get home, glue the finds onto paper to make a collage and hang it on the
wall.
Let's play! 5-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week
Recording star
The first time a baby hears his own voice is a moment to remember.
He may not even realise it's his for a while, and watching him work it
out is a lot of fun. This activity is a winner anytime, but it's easiest in
the quiet hour before bed.
Skills developed: hearing, verbal
What you'll need: a tape recorder and a tape.
If you have an old-fashioned tape recorder, that will work perfectly. If
yours is a high-tech household, you can also do this using an iPod
and recording attachment, or a computer with a recording mike. Set
up the tape recorder near your baby and then encourage him to start
babbling. Show him a picture book, tickle his feet or push a toy car
(you'll want to choose something that allows you to be quiet, because
it's most fun if the tape doesn't have much sound other than his
voice). Once you have a good sample of your baby's vocal range (and
this may take more than one sitting), play it back for him. To his
quizzical expression, reply, "Yes, that's you!" and play the key
moments over and over until the revelation hits. Save the tape or mp3, as it will be a great memento for the future.
Really big buttons
Babies love small, shiny objects. So picking up colourful trinkets is a great way to satisfy your baby’s magpie instinct
(and fine-tune her physical coordination at the same time). Although small buttons pose a choking hazard and
should be kept away from your baby, fabric shops sell extra-large buttons (buy the biggest you can find - a minimum
of two inches or 5cm across) that make safe and satisfying playthings.
Skills developed: fine motor and hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: at least eight very large (a minimum of two inches in diameter) buttons; a small cloth bag or
pouch.
Choose eight buttons in matching pairs of two, preferably with a widely varying selection of colours and textures. Put
them in a small cloth bag, pouch or paper bag, and let your baby take them out and put them back in, Eeyore-like,
over and over again. Sit her in your lap and spread the buttons out in front of her, then help her match them up two by
two, or make a pattern of alternating colours. This bagful of buttons is perfect to keep in your handbag to pull out
when you're away from home and your baby is getting bored.
Let's play! 5-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Riding lessons
Babies love surprises, and being surprised (and then learning to
predict what might happen) is one way your baby learns that actions
have consequences.
Skills developed: sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: no equipment necessary
Sit on a chair or sofa with your knees together and legs bent at a right
angle. Sit your baby on your knees facing you with her legs to either
side. Place your hands on your baby's waist to steady her and bounce
her gently on your knees, saying, "This is the way the lady rides, tri-
tree-tree-tree, tri-tree-tree-tree, this is the way the lady rides, tri-tree
tri-tree tri-TREE." On the final "tree", part your legs so your baby dips
down between them, taking care, of course, that she doesn't fall all the
way to the floor.
As your baby gets older, the second and third verses can have
increasingly dramatic bouncing rhythms and falls but for now you can
stick to a more gentle pace as you say: "This is the way the gentleman rides, gallop-a-trot, gallop-a-trot, this is the
way the gentleman rides, gallop-a-gallop-a-TROT". And then (the final verse): "This is the way the farmer rides,
hobbledy-hoy, hobbledy-hoy, this is the way the farmer rides, hobbledy-hobbledy-HOY." Here, sway your knees from
side to side, rocking your baby as if she were a farmer being carried on a donkey, and on the final "HOY", swoop your
baby sideways off your knees and into your arms for a cuddle.
Tickle a funnybone
Games involving body parts are even more fun now that your baby can move his arms and legs whenever he wants.
With this one, you can help him associate an arm, leg, or belly-button with a name.
Skills developed: verbal, fine motor
What you'll need: a sponge or plastic body puff such as those that come with shower gel.
With your baby seated in a bath seat or in the bath itself (with you supporting him), saturate the sponge with water,
then approach your baby with the sponge submerged under the water. Say, "I'm going to tickle your toes," and tickle
them lightly with the sponge, pulling it out of reach if he makes a grab for it. Approach from different directions,
saying, "I'm going to tickle your knees, I'm going to tickle your back, I'm going to tickle your bottom," each time pulling
the puff away through the water when he tries to grab it. Then let him hold the sponge, and show him how to tickle
himself with it, provided he doesn't just want to chew on it (not such a good idea when it's been in the bathwater). Or,
put your hand down into the water and let him try tickling your fingers.
Let's play! 6-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Spoon landings
Until your baby learns to feed himself, it's one of the great challenges
of parenthood to get food into his mouth. These spoon manoeuvres
can help.
Skills developed: being spoon-fed
What you'll need: a baby spoon.
Now that your baby is ready for solids, it's time to work on the endless
spoon-feeding variations that can keep your baby open-mouthed in
astonishment long enough for you to feed him. While he may soon get
bored of the old "aeroplane coming in for a landing" trick, there are
lots of alternatives you could try. For surprise value, try saying,
"Rocket, landing on the moon". Hold the spoon down below the table
or his high-chair tray, then bring it up quickly but carefully (as close to
vertical as you can without spilling the contents) and gently place it in
your baby's mouth just as you say "moon". Or use a horizontal move
to bring the spoon into your baby's field of vision as you say, "Here
comes the racing speedboat". Or maybe try using an up-and-down
bobbing motion to introduce a "whale swimming in the ocean". Some babies are particularly partial to choo-choo
trains (a "chug-a-chug-a-whoo-whoo" sound as you bob the spoon along) and leaping dolphins (a dramatic arcing
move sure to make a "splash").
Clap, clap your hands
There comes a miraculous moment, maybe around the six-month mark, when your baby discovers she can
spontaneously bring her hands together to touch each other. But even before she masters this skill, clapping games
give her a thrill. What's more, they provide a chance to interact with you face-to-face and to try to mimic your actions.
Skills developed: two-hand coordination
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
Patty-cake is an old favourite for babies, but this version is a little more challenging. Sit your baby on the floor, then
sit down cross-legged facing her. If she can’t sit securely yet, prop a pillow behind her. Then sing this song (any tune
will do), acting out the commands as you come to them:
Clap, clap, clap your hands
Clap your tiny hands
Clap, clap, clap your hands
Clap your tiny hands
Additional verses:
Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet … (and so on).
Pat, pat, pat your head ... (and so on).
Rub, rub, rub your tummy ... (and so on).
Help your baby make the movements herself, even if it means holding her ankles and gently stomping her feet for
her. You can continue to make up sillier and sillier verses (wiggle your eyebrows; stick out your tongue) as long as
she continues to giggle.
Let's play! 6-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Jack-in-the-can
When a baby is getting the hang of object permanence (the idea that
something still exists even when it can't be seen), any game where
things appear and disappear is a hit. While real jack-in-the-boxes can
still be too startling or scary at this age, you can make a baby-
friendlier one yourself using simple materials from around the house.
Skills developed: understanding of object permanence
What you'll need: a coffee can, yogurt pot, or large paper cup; a
chopstick, pencil, or ruler; a small colourful toy (a finger puppet works
best); some tape or glue.
Punch a hole in the bottom of the container. Insert a chopstick, pencil,
or ruler (even a stick from your garden will do) through the hole, then
glue or tape to the tip a small cuddly toy, plastic figure, or, even better,
a finger puppet (just slip it over the end of the stick and secure it with
a bit of tape). Now you have a hand-operated pop-up toy. Pull the
stick down so the toy or puppet is hidden inside the can or cup, then
push it up suddenly when you want the jack-in-the-can to greet your
baby.
Watch what happens
As babies become more observant and attuned to the notion of cause and effect, they become fascinated with light
switches, TV remotes, and other things that seem like powerful agents of change. Cater to that fascination by
showing your baby how certain actions bring certain results.
Skills developed: sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
Start with simple changes: open and close a cupboard door or drawer, then flick a light switch on and off (besides
on/off, this demonstrates light versus dark). Then branch out into more active scenarios: roll a ball across the floor to
your baby or put a cuddly toy at the edge of the table, then push it off onto the chair. If you're feeling really
adventurous, help her turn the tap on and off - as long as it's the cold one, of course.
Let's play! 6-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Chef teddy
Dinnertime can be a good time for your baby to learn that actions
have results. This game is particularly useful when your baby seems
bored or tired at meals and resists eating.
Skills developed: sense of cause and effect, a good appetite
What you'll need: a teddy bear or doll with flexible arms, a baby
spoon.
If it seems that being fed by you just isn't enough of a thrill to help the
food go down, enlist some help from a favourite doll, teddy bear, or
other cuddly toy. Bring the toy to the table and explain that a special
friend is going to be serving dinner tonight. Holding the spoon in the
toy's paw or hand, get the “dinner guest” to feed your baby her food.
Teddy's coaxing is almost guaranteed to get the result you want. You
can also sit the doll or animal next to your baby, tie a bib around its
neck, and announce that you are going to "feed" your baby and her
guest in turns. If she's already learned to hold a spoon well herself, let
her spoon-feed her friend. (Be prepared to wash its face afterwards,
though.)
Bubble bottle
You know how hypnotic it is to watch a lava lamp? Well here's a toy that will have the same impact with your baby,
and you can make it yourself for pennies. It's sure to become a favourite, both in the bath and around the house.
Skills developed: dexterity, familiarity with colours
What you'll need: a clear plastic bottle (or several) with a tightly fitting screw-on lid; food colouring; washing-up
liquid.
Fill a large, clear plastic bottle, such as a fizzy drink or water bottle, one-third full of water. Add a few drops of
washing-up liquid and a few drops of food colouring. Close the bottle tightly and give it to your baby; show him how to
shake it up and make eye-catching coloured bubbles. Make several bubble bottles using different shades of food
colouring and use them to introduce your baby to the various colours. Show him how to roll the bottles across the
floor.
Let's play! 6-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Hide 'n' eat
All kinds of hide-and-seek games are fun for your baby at this age, as
he continues to be thrilled with the discovery that something hidden
from him is still there after all. This variation on peek-a-boo livens up
meal times with the thrill of the chase.
Skills developed: fine motor, understanding of object permanence
What you'll need: a clean tea towel; finger foods; some small opaque
cups or containers.
Show your baby a snack (anything that's not too wet or mushy), then
cover it with tea towel or napkin. Let him lift the veil and discover that
his treat is still there, even though he couldn't see it just a moment
ago.
You can also add a little bit of magician’s sparkle. Put two small
pieces of food in front of your baby, then cover them with opaque cups
or other containers. Add at least one extra container - with nothing
underneath it. Swirl the cups around so he can't tell which ones are
hiding food, then let him lift off the cups and find his treats.
A great fall
Nothing is as much fun as a game with a surprise ending. Combine that with rhythmic speech, which is easy for
babies to follow, and you've got a winning combination.
Skills developed: gross motor, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
On a rug indoors or outside on soft grass, lie on your back with your knees raised. Seat your baby on your tummy
facing you, leaning back against your knees. Steadying her with your hands, sway from side to side. Start reciting the
well-known nursery rhyme, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great ...". On the word "fall", tip
your knees and roll to the side so that your baby slides off sideways onto the ground (use your hands to make sure
it's a soft landing). Finish saying the rest of the rhyme curled up on the floor with your baby, ending with a quick tickle
when you get to the phrase "together again". Then help her back onto your tummy again for another go. You can add
a further element of surprise by varying the point in the nursery rhyme when the fall occurs, so she doesn't see it
coming.
Let's play! 7-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Story boards
When your baby’s unimpressed by the usual nighty-night
routine, try introducing your very own hand-animated bedtime story.
Skills developed: verbal, hearing
What you'll need: a felt board, available from educational toy shops
and catalogues; sheets of coloured felt and scissors, or ready-cut felt
shapes.
You can use traditional shop-bought felt shapes, which usually come
in themed sets (farm animals, numbers, faces, and so on) or make
your own by cutting them out with scissors. A good place to start is
with a "cut-out doll" made from felt in the same gender as your child,
with a simple wardrobe or some props that let you make it day or
night, winter or summer. Then you can add a dog, cat, or rabbit, a
simple house and car, and other elements to spin a tale that reflects
your baby's life or surroundings.
Sit facing your baby with the felt board propped on your knees so it is
clearly visible. Tell your story - any story, really; don't feel you have to
be a master narrator - illustrating the major points with the felt shapes. You might start, "Once upon a time there was
a little boy (lay out the felt figure) who lived in a tiny house (lay out the house)." When your baby is older, it's fun - and
very revealing - to have him tell you a felt-board bedtime story.
Roller derby
Whether or not your baby is ready to crawl, she's working on the motor skills she'll eventually use to become mobile.
At this stage she's probably spending lots of time pushing herself up off the floor, or rocking backwards and forwards
on her hands and knees. This game will help her get rolling.
Skills developed: crawling
What you'll need: two empty two-litre drinks bottles – make sure they’re the sturdy type; strong tape; some small,
brightly coloured plastic toys such as dinosaurs and balls
Optional: a couple of jingle bells.
Use a knife or scissors to cut off the tops of both bottles, about a third of the way down. Put four or five small toys
inside one container (an assortment of shapes, sizes, and colours looks most interesting, and a jingle bell or two adds
a bit of pizzazz), then wedge one container over the other, overlapping the edges an inch or two and forming a closed
cylinder. (Since the bottles are the same size, you may need to pinch one slightly to get it to fit inside the other.) Use
strong tape such as packing tape or duct tape to seal it closed, taking care to completely cover any edges, and you
have a fun roller. Now put the cylinder on the floor and show your baby how to push it along. It's a great way to
encourage crawling as she tries to follow the whirling toys across the floor.
Note: keep an eye on your baby while she plays with this toy to make sure she doesn't manage to get it open,
especially if you are using balls or jingle bells small enough to present a choking hazard.
Let's play! 7-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
The aim game
Why is it so hard to keep a baby's attention focused on food for long
enough to get him to eat? Think about how tricky it is for him to even
get a spoonful of food near his mouth, and it's easy to see why he
loses interest and sends it all over the floor. But give him some new
and unusual tools, and meals become fun occasions for practising his
technique.
Skills developed: fine motor, hand-eye coordination, eating with
utensils
What you'll need: any utensils you have handy that are safe for your
baby to eat with, including wooden spoons, measuring spoons, rubber
spatulas, and so on.
Your utensil drawer is full of things that look like toys to your baby.
Show him how to use them for eating, and lunch or dinner becomes
an exciting new game. Give them to him one at a time, miming eating
for him, or feed him yourself with each one before he has a go. He
may spill food all over himself with the spatula or flip it onto the walls
with the wooden spoon, but he probably does that with his normal spoon anyway!
Floating blocks
Once your baby is sitting securely in the bath, she's ready for some seriously silly water play. A set of foam blocks
lets her indulge her love of stacking and manipulating things.
Skills developed: fine motor
What you'll need: a set of sponges or bath blocks made from dense plastic foam; a sharp knife.
To make your own bath blocks: stiffen the sponges by wetting them and letting them dry, then use a sharp knife to cut
them into a variety of interesting shapes and sizes. Make sure you cut at least one larger flat shape to use as a base
for the others.
Show your baby how to press the blocks against the sides of the bath, squeeze the water out of them, push them
down to the bottom of the tub and let them pop back up again, and stack them on top of each other. Sponge blocks
are soft enough to safely throw against the wall or into the water for a resounding splash. Encourage her to try
stacking smaller blocks on larger ones while they're floating on the water - an interesting challenge.
Note: if she's still at the stage where she's chewing on everything in sight, watch carefully to stop her from biting off
pieces of foam.
Let's play! 7-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
My little Thumbkin
Fingers are fascinating to your baby because he's discovering how
much they can do. In the children's singing game "Where Is
Thumbkin?", the individual digits of each hand really come to life.
Skills developed: fine motor, hearing
What you'll need: a non-permanent pen.
Use a pen to draw a small face on the pad of each of your fingers and
both thumbs. Start by making fists and holding them both out in front
of your baby, clenched tight so no fingers show. To the tune of "Frre
Jacques", sing:
"Where is Thumbkin, where is Thumbkin?"
"Here I am, here I am" (bring out one thumb, then the other),
"How are you today, sir?" (make one thumb bow),
"Very well, I thank you" (the other thumb returns the bow),
"Run away, run away" (put one hand, then the other, behind your
back).
The song repeats with each finger called by name: Pointer, Tallman, Ringman, and Pinky. Then, for the grand finale,
sing, "Where's the whole family?" waving all five fingers together on "Here we are". Encourage your baby to wave
back.
Shower power
Splish-splashing in the bath lets a baby explore the thrill of making something happen - and because water is such
fun to manipulate, he's flexing those fine motor skills too. Here's a game where he actually gets to make it "rain".
Skills developed: fine motor, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a small empty plastic food container with a lid (a margarine tub, for example, or one that held
cottage cheese).
Using a knife, fork or scissors, punch small holes in the container's lid. When your baby is in the bath, fill the
container with water and snap the lid on, and show him how to turn it upside down and sprinkle water into the tub. A
water toy like this has endless potential: he can help a doll or rubber duck take a "shower"; he can take a shower
himself like Mum and Dad; or he can make it "rain" over the water - and you can point out how the droplets make
ripples on the surface.
Let's play! 7-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Hide and peek
This simple tablecloth game is great fun and very reassuring for
babies just beginning to understand that out of sight doesn't mean out
of mind.
Skills developed: understanding of object permanence
What you'll need: a table with space for crawling underneath; a
long tablecloth, sheet or blanket; a cuddly toy.
Throw a large blanket, sheet or tablecloth over a table so that it
reaches all the way to the floor. Show your baby how she can crawl
underneath the table (you may need to get down there first yourself
and coax her along if she's timid). Then demonstrate how, when
you're outside the tablecloth and she's underneath, you can't see her.
Ask, "Where's my baby?" When she crawls out or peeks out from
under the cloth, say, "There's my baby!" Next, bring her outside with
you, then hide a doll or cuddly toy underneath and ask about it:
"Where's your teddy?" Let your baby crawl underneath to find her lost
friend, and when she does, exclaim, "There's your teddy!"
Buzzy balloons
What better lesson in cause and effect than to blow up a balloon and let it go? Add water and it becomes a power
shower. (Save this variation for a sunny day in the garden.)
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a sturdy balloon.
Blow up a balloon but don't tie it. Give it to your baby and show him how to let it fly - then watch it zoom around the
room. If you are playing outside, adding a little water before you blow up the balloon makes this game even more fun.
Warning: a deflated balloon presents a serious choking hazard, so don't let your baby put the balloon in his mouth,
and never let him play with it unsupervised.
Let's play! 8-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Kick start
Getting ready to crawl, stand or walk is a big challenge - all sorts of
new muscles need to develop in those little legs. This kicking game
develops gross-motor coordination skills.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: a medium-sized plastic ball.
Kneeling or sitting on the floor, hold your baby in front of you (and
facing away from you) with one arm around his chest and the other
hand supporting his bottom so his legs stick out in front of you both.
Place a ball directly in front of him and help his feet kick the ball; then
move forwards so he can propel the ball across the floor, like a mini
football star. Cheer encouragingly every time his foot makes contact
with the ball, and point out how far he's "kicked" it. This makes a great
game when you get your baby together with a playmate: the parents
can position the players to face each other and kick the ball
backwards and forwards.
Where's that noise?
Squeaky toys are such favourites because babies love to be surprised by unexpected sounds. Add the fun of peek-a-
boo and you have an audiovisual guessing game.
Skills developed: understanding of object permanence, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: several noise-making toys; a tea towel or small blanket.
Show your baby a squeaky toy, give it a good noisy squeeze, then cover it with a tea towel and let him uncover it.
Then cover it again and try making it squeak while it's still invisible. Next use a toy that rattles, then one that makes a
crunching noise or other unusual sound (you can make your own with a ball of waxed paper). For the final act, throw
a cloth over a radio, then push the button (through the blanket) to make it play. If nothing else provokes a big
reaction, this certainly will!
Let's play! 8-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Peek-a-boo picture
There's no limit to the versions of peek-a-boo your baby will enjoy.
This one builds on your baby's fascination with facial expressions.
Skills developed: understanding of object permanence, fine motor
What you'll need: paper or cardboard; pens; scraps of cloth;
scissors; glue.
You know those children’s books where you lift up a flap to see the
characters’ faces? Taking these as inspiration, make your own peek-
a-boo pictures, using different characters and facial expressions. On
several sturdy pieces of construction paper or cardboard, draw simple
sketches of people, each with a happy, sad, or grumpy expression. If
you'd rather not draw, cut out pictures from a magazine instead. Then
cut rectangular pieces of cloth a little taller than each figure. Use glue
to attach the cloth just above each picture, creating a flap that lifts up.
When the glue is dry, show your baby how to raise the flaps. Make up
a story about the person underneath, and end it with your baby
"finding" the face.
Variations: cut squares of cloth big enough to cover the faces, but
leave the bodies uncovered. Or draw only faces, rather than full figures.
Today's greatest hits
As your baby starts taking more interest in the world, one natural way to develop her memory and concentration is to
review her own most memorable moments. This also provides a comforting way to bring the day to a close.
Skills developed: cognitive, hearing
What you'll need: a beanbag, comfy chair, or other good cuddling spot.
Start by asking questions and answering them for your baby. "What did we do this morning? We went to playgroup,
didn't we?" Add a few details: "We saw a big dog at the park too!" Then talk about what you might do tomorrow,
suggesting some of her favourite activities. Finally, tie it all together with a little song called "What shall we do when
we all go out?", which lends itself well to personalisation. It works well sung to the tune of "Here we go round the
mulberry bush" or you could make up your own melody. The lyrics are very simple and repetitive:
What shall we do when we all go out, all go out, all go out,
What shall we do when we all go out, when we all go out to play?
The verses then go on to name various activities, such as "Swing on the swings when we all go out" and "Slide down
the slide when we all go out." But try making up lyrics that reflect what your baby is actually going to do, whether it's
"Ride in the pushchair" or "Have a nice bath". Then follow with verses that include special people: "Visit Uncle John"
or "Play with [friend’s name]." Your baby will fall asleep thinking happily of all her loved ones.
Let's play! 8-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Rattle and roll
There's nothing like a rattle to excite budding young percussionists -
although babies tend to tire of these toys faster than we'd like. Shake
things up by making your baby his own maracas to create new and
different sounds.
Skills developed: fine motor, sense of rhythm
What you'll need: small containers such as mini lunch tubs with
tightly fitting lids or one-pint plastic milk bottle; fillers such as dried
rice, macaroni, or beans; strong packing or duct tape.
Tupperware containers make perfect shakers for small hands, and
empty milk containers work well too. Fill each rattle with different fillers
for a variety of tones. Then put on some snappy music, sit your baby
down with his new rhythm section, and get ready to rattle and roll!
Note: prevent any choking hazard by taping all rattles tightly closed
and keeping a close eye on your baby while he plays. And if your
baby is the type to get it open no matter what, use bigger fillers such
as ping-pong balls.
Tug-a-lug
You may have noticed how your baby absolutely will not let go of something when you try to take it away. It's as if
she's instinctively protecting her territory, and in a way, she is. (She's finally learned to hold on to things, and she's
going to hold on tight.) Go along with her new doggedness by starting a game of tug-of-war.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: a tea towel or other small piece of cloth.
Let your baby grab hold of a tea towel or other soft, strong object. Then grab the other end of it and pull gently,
testing her strength. This game is not only fun but it also builds upper body strength. Think of it as your baby's first
weight-lifting routine.
Let's play! 8-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Highchair art
Mealtimes are getting very messy these days as (more and more, it
seems) your baby insists on playing with her food. After all, what
better way to enjoy all the new things she can do with her fingers than
spreading her lunch around? Instead of getting frustrated, try
incorporating foodstuffs into a fun "art class".
Skills developed: familiarity with colours, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: gooey foods; a highchair with a rimmed tray.
Make some brightly coloured "paints" from puréed vegetables and let
your baby get creative with them on her highchair tray. As your baby
uses her hands to mix and swirl the various goos, tell her the names
of the colours and show her how they combine to form secondary
shades. (Of course, don't expect her to repeat or remember the
names of the colours at this age!)
Nappy all-change
Around the eight-month mark, babies may "rebel" a bit against nappy changes. It could be that your little one has just
recognised (and decided to let you know) this isn't his favourite part of the day - or maybe he’s just sick of staring at
the same old chunk of ceiling every time. A change of scenery might make him a lot more obliging.
Skills developed: hearing, exploration
What you'll need: a moveable changing pad or cloth.
Try changing your baby in a different place each time, turning the search for a fun new spot into an adventure. Start
by remarking, "Oh, you're wet, where shall we go to change you?" Then carry your baby - along with the basic
supplies - around the house or garden in search of an untried location. The best bets will offer some new sight or
sensation to distract him: for example, the unexpected breeze on his bare bottom out on the patio might keep him
calm for the requisite few moments.
Let's play! 9-month-mld, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Inside the box
Now that she's got the motor skills to explore new territory, your baby
is ready for some basic spatial concepts. A large cardboard box can
introduce her to "inside" and "outside" - and also provides the perfect
secret hideout.
Skills developed: gross motor, spatial relations
What you'll need: a sturdy cardboard box big enough for your baby
to crawl in and out of.
Put a soft blanket and some toys and books in the box with your baby
and let her explore her own little space. Babies who are mobile can
climb in and out of a box with eight-inch (20cm) sides. A taller-sided
box provides more privacy, but watch carefully or she might tip it over.
Cut windows out of a tall crate and you've created a "playhouse",
where your baby can play peek-a-boo with you and get her first
delicious taste of "no parents allowed".
Safety note: never leave your baby unattended in the box, as it could
tip over.
Another option: use a large appliance box turned on its side, and let your baby crawl in and out at her leisure.
Where did it go?
Your baby still delights in the surprise of finding something that was previously hidden, and his increasing fine
motor skills allow for all sorts of new hunting and finding games.
Skills developed: fine motor, understanding of object permanence
What you'll need: a sandpit; a few small colourful objects.
At the park, the beach, or in a garden sandpit, show your baby a brightly coloured object (a rubber ball, a plastic
dinosaur - anything that will stand out reasonably well). With your baby watching you, bury it under a small mound of
sand. With a perplexed look on your face, say, "Now where did that ball go?" Then put your baby's hand on the
mound of sand and help him brush the sand away until the object is uncovered. Once he gets the hang of the search,
he'll do the digging without help. Gradually, you can move on to hiding the item when he's not watching.
Let's play! 9-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Flour power
You've probably already noticed that whatever you do, your baby
wants to do the same thing. Make a game of this mimicry by giving
him a chance to "cook" - he'll enjoy playing grown-up and delight in
the new textures you're introducing.
Skills developed: fine motor
What you'll need: newspaper; a flour sifter or measuring cup; some
flour.
Spread some newspaper on the floor, then put a little pile of flour on it
and let your baby mix his own "cake". Together, use measuring
spoons or a cup to scoop up the flour and dump it out again - he'll
have fun copying your moves. Pour a little on his hands or feet so he
can explore the sensation of the flour on his skin. Things will get a bit
messy, yes, but the scene will make for some classic photo
opportunities.
Safety note: don't leave your baby alone when he's playing with flour.
It could interfere with his breathing if he were to inhale a big cloud or get a handful in his mouth.
Squirt the tummy
Reading books about body parts is fun, but why not play a game that teaches your baby to identify her own?
Skills developed: familiarity with body parts
What you'll need: a simple, gentle water pistol or other squirt toy.
With your baby seated in a warm bath - either in a swivelling bath seat, on a foam bath pad, or just in the bath
watched closely by you - get out a water pistol and fill it with warm bathwater. (For safety's sake, bring it with you to
the bath; never leave a baby unattended to retrieve a toy.) Let your baby see the water pistol and watch you fill it so
there won't be too much surprise. Ask your baby, "Where's your tummy?" and then point to it with your finger and say,
"There's your tummy!" Finally, squirt your baby's tummy gently, saying "I'm squirting your tummy!" Repeat for arms,
legs, back, shoulders, and other body parts (never squirt your baby near the face, though - aim below the neck).
If your baby likes the surprise element here, drop the question-and-answer part and simply squirt each body part,
saying, "I'm squirting your legs!", "I'm squirting your elbow!" and so on, varying the order so your giggly target never
knows which body part will be next.
Let's play! 9-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Choo-choo training
Best when your baby has lots of energy and is raring to go, this
activity is fun for new crawlers.
Skills developed: crawling, gross motor
What you'll need: no equipment necessary.
Stand with your legs a little wider apart than your shoulders. Tell your
baby she's the train and you're the tunnel, then encourage her to
crawl through your legs. Add a few "chug-a-chug-a-chugs" and train-
whistle sound-effects as she passes through. After she's done this a
few times, suggest that now the train needs to go through the tunnel
quickly, before it collapses. As she passes through, squeeze your legs
together gently and pretend to catch her (giving her a head start, of
course), or lower your body (bending your knees) as if you're about to
sit on her.
Sticky situation
When your baby has mastered the knack of picking up and manipulating toys, she's ready for the surprise silliness of
this captivating challenge.
Skills developed: fine motor, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: a piece of contact paper; tape; a few small toys.
Take a piece of sticky contact paper, the kind you use for lining drawers and shelves, and place it, sticky side up, on
your kitchen floor. Then tape it down securely along all four edges. (You can put some newspaper down first for extra
protection.) Gather an assortment of small toys and arrange them on the paper, pushing down on them to make sure
they're firmly adhering. Then show your baby the toys and encourage her to pick them up - or try to. You'll both get a
good laugh as your baby figures out how to get them un-stuck. Once all the toys are rescued, help her step barefoot
onto the contact paper. She's likely to be fascinated with the sensation of the sticky surface pulling at her soles as
you help her lift each foot and put it down again. Of course, if she doesn't like the sticky feeling, don't force the issue.
Let's play! 9-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Classified information
Around the age of nine months, babies get the urge to categorise
things. But playing with plastic shape sorters has its limits. This
homemade version makes a fun alternative.
Skills developed: sorting, fine motor
What you'll need: a muffin tin or cake tray with different
compartments; groups of seashells or other objects.
Collect a few large groups of related small objects such as seashells,
rubber balls, or even large hair clips. Show your baby how to put an
object into each cup of a muffin tin. Then, after you've helped him fill
the tin and dump it out a few times, sort the same types of objects into
their own cups. This is a game you can continue to play for years,
making it more sophisticated in terms of sorting and matching,
grouping items, for example, by colour and shape.
Safety note: don't use any objects that are small enough for your baby
to swallow.
Campfire tales
Story hour is extra special now that your baby seems to treasure particular picture books. Make it even more fun by
turning it into a "camp-out". (It's a good way to get in some quiet cuddling time on a cold winter night or a long
midsummer evening when darkness doesn't come early enough.)
Skills developed: verbal, pre-reading
What you'll need: a large sheet or blanket; two or three chairs; a torch; books.
Position two kitchen chairs near a third piece of furniture, such as a table or sofa, or use three chairs, and stretch a
large sheet or blanket over them to make a tent. (A cotton sheet is coolest on a hot night; a woolly blanket cosiest on
a cold one.) Use sturdy objects like shoes or books to anchor the edges. Settle in together with some books and a
favourite bedtime toy, and savour the joys of reading by flashlight.
Let's play! 10-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Two-handed clacking
There comes a point when nothing amuses a baby as much as trying
to bring his hands together. He looks from one hand to the other,
moves each one, and then suddenly they're touching and he's ready
for clapping.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: two wooden sticks, such as long cylindrical blocks,
drumsticks, or kitchen spoons.
Give your baby a wooden stick or spoon to hold in each hand and
show him how to clack them together. At first he'll miss as often as he
hits, but soon he'll get a rhythm going, and the satisfaction of each
noisy contact will keep him happy through many a nappy change.
Pile it on
There's a reason your little one loves blocks, stacking cups and simple
building toys: she loves to see how things fit together. So why not
build on that enthusiasm by letting her arrange the “dinner” at the table?
Skills developed: fine motor, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: a variety of vegetables (carrots, broccoli, potatoes, green beans), cooked thoroughly until very soft
and cut into finger-sized lengths.
Settle your baby into her highchair, booster chair, or other comfortable place where she's used to eating. (She'll need
a flat tabletop to work on, so a bouncy-seat won't work.) Sitting across from her, pile the vegetables in front of her,
separating them by type - carrots in one pile, green beans in another, and so on. Make piles for yourself, layering
your own tower so your baby can see what you're doing. Begin by selecting the largest vegetable sticks and laying
them lengthwise in a square to serve as the foundation. Choose another type (a contrasting colour helps too) and lay
them in a square on top of the first layer, overlapping the ends. Build upwards, layer by layer, to make a colourful
striped tower. Of course, both of you can eat as you go - in fact, that's the idea!
Let's play! 10-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
The book of me
We all like to talk over our day's experiences as we get ready to turn
in for the night, and your baby is no exception. The only problem is, he
can't tell you much yet. One way to get him to "share" is to put
together a scrapbook of things that help illustrate his day's
adventures, then look at it together each night.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: cardboard, paper, plastic bags or plastic wrap;
photographs; a ring-binder or string for binding.
Start with some photos of your baby and the people he sees every
day, such as siblings, babysitters and friends. A photo of his
favourite cuddly toy might also be a hit. You can add a leaf you found
together on a walk, a flower from the garden, or a "drawing" that your
baby made that day. Paste the photos and other mementos on pieces
of stiff paper or cardboard, then cover them with plastic wrap or see-
through plastic bags and tape the plastic down. You can tie the book
together with string or wool, but it will be sturdiest if you insert the
pages into a ring-binder. Store it in a safe place: today it's a useful
bedtime tool, but tomorrow it could be a treasured keepsake.
Cruise control
Babies will walk when they're good and ready - this is one skill you can't rush. But as your baby gets closer to taking
her first steps, it's fun to sneak preview the joys of getting around.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination, walking
What you'll need: kitchen-table chairs.
Line up a row of chairs against a wall (preferably in a carpeted room). Help your baby stand up and hold on to a chair
at one end of the row, then show her how to use the chairs to move herself slowly along from one to another. If she
needs extra incentive, take a favourite toy and place it on the farthest chair, and when she reaches the toy, help her
get it, then clap and give her a big hug. Put another toy at the opposite end and send her back in the other direction.
You can keep it up as long as she's having fun and still steady on her feet.
Let's play! 10-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Supper sorting
By now you've faced the fact that your baby is going to play with her
food just as she plays with blocks, reels, and anything else she can
pile up and scatter. Serve her "Japanese style", with foods in little
containers, and at least she'll learn to sort shapes, practice picking
up and dropping things, and sharpen up lots of other new skills.
Skills developed: fine motor, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: several small bowls and Tupperware-style
containers with lids; finger foods.
Fill small bowls with a colourful assortment of your baby's favourite
finger foods - like small chunks of soft fruits or well-cooked veggies,
cereal, little cuts of chicken or fish, and cubes of cheese or hard-
boiled egg. Give her some empty containers as well, and encourage
her to mix and match, transferring the foods from one bowl to the next.
If she has enough dexterity to open and close lids, provide some small
plastic containers and let her open them herself - a great way to make
a meal last long enough for a grown-up conversation.
Bubble surprise
The surprise of "now you see it, now you don't" is especially fun with sparkling soap bubbles. Your baby will love the
excitement of discovery, and you'll be pleased that he stays in the bath long enough to get clean!
Skills developed: understanding of object permanence, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: soap bubbles.
Get your baby safely settled in a bath seat or in the tub. (If he's not enclosed in a seat, be sure to make clear that
a rule of this game is that he can't stand up in the water.) Duck down so he can't see you, then blow clouds of
bubbles, letting them cascade down on him. Pause for occasional intervals, then blow some more. Each surprise
soapy shower will elicit fits of giggles - somehow, not being able to see you but knowing you're there producing the
bubbles is endlessly funny to babies.
Safety note: no matter how much fun you're having, never take your eyes off your baby for more than a second or two
while he's in the bath.
Let's play! 10-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Flying seesaw
An almost-11-month-old is bound to be enthralled by this dynamic
exercise.
Skills developed: sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: a cardboard tube stuffed with newspaper for
stiffening; a short square board or large rectangular children's book; a
small cuddly toy; a child's hammer or mallet.
Lay the tube on a flat surface - preferably a smooth floor. Balance the
board or book on the cylinder like a seesaw, with one end down and
the other angling upwards. Set the cuddly toy on the lower end of the
book. Announce, "Let's watch Bunny go for a ride," and have your
child hit the high end of the book with the hammer. (If you don't have a
hammer or mallet, have your baby use his fist.) Then watch your
baby's face as the animal goes flying. Warning: he'll want to repeat
this over and over, so for your sanity’s sake you may want to add a
challenge, such as measuring how far away it lands.
Variation: put a cuddly toy at both ends of the board or book to make
a seesaw, then show your child how to balance it.
Pour it on
Pouring activities are a great way to explore concepts like "full" and "empty", and help your little one develop her
sense of dexterity.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination, spatial relations
What you'll need: a large plastic tub; some plastic cups, bowls, and other containers.
Because it's messy, try this activity outside, or in the kitchen or bathroom with a bath mat or towel on the floor. Fill the
plastic tub about halfway with water, and set out the various pouring implements next to it. When your baby is
walking, you can set up this activity on a low bench or chair; until then, sit her next to the bucket.
Show her how to scoop water out of the bucket and pour it back in. When she has grasped the technique, show her
how to transfer water into a larger cup or bowl using a smaller one as a tool. Funnels and measuring cups with spouts
also make for great water play.
Safety note: do not leave your baby unattended, even for a moment, while she is playing with water.
Let's play! 11-month-old, first week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Food faces
This game teaches your baby to construct a pattern (in this case a
face) - and is also a great way to hone the fine motor skills needed for
eating. It works best if your baby is either in a highchair, seated on
your lap, or in a booster seat at the "big table".
Skills developed: pattern recognition, fine motor
What you'll need: a meal that includes several small, easily
manipulated items such as peas, cubed cooked carrots, sweetcorn,
cherry tomatoes cut in half, coarsely grated cheese, meat cut into
small bits, noodles or spaghetti.
Set out the different parts of your baby's meal in small, non-breakable
bowls: cooked peas in one bowl, cubed meat in another, and so on.
Place a large, relatively flat plate (not a compartmentalised toddler
plate) in front of your baby, and help her make a face out of her
dinner. You'll need to be the art director here, but your baby can take
handfuls of food and place them (more or less) where you say: "Put
the cheese here for the hair ... let's use a tomato for the nose." (Tip:
cooked carrot cubes are great for eyes, and spaghetti and other noodles make very convincing hair.) Guide her
hands if necessary, and then do the final arranging yourself. When the face is done, you're ready to eat. Hopefully,
though, your baby's been snacking the whole way through.
Safety note: round objects pose a choking risk, so definitely cut those cherry tomatoes and grapes in half, and
cook meat and peas and other vegetables until very soft.
My little trampoline
It's no secret that kids love to jump on beds. Actually, babies do too, and it's a perfect way for little ones to build
lower-body strength and learn to control their wobbly legs.
Skills developed: standing, walking
What you'll need: a bed with a springy mattress.
Stand your baby upright in the middle of your bed, carefully supporting him with your hands holding both sides. Help
him bounce up and down, lifting him off the bed, then landing him in a standing position. If your baby is already
walking, you may be able to just hold his hands, once he gets used to the springy motion of the bed.
Another fun game: sit your baby on the bed with his legs out in front of him and gently bounce the bed with your
hands.
Safety note: never leave a baby unattended on a bed.
Let's play! 11-month-old, second week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Tube tunnel
The pincer grasp - being able to hold a small object between the
thumb and forefinger - is one of the fine-motor milestones, and once
your baby can do it, he'll want to do it all the time. This activity is
perfect for babies who have learned to manipulate with their fingers.
Skills developed: fine motor, sense of cause and effect
What you'll need: one or more long cardboard tubes, such as those
inside wrapping paper or kitchen roll; small balls, like bouncy balls.
Sit on the floor with your baby, and show him how to hold the tube at
an angle to the floor. Take a ball and show him as you put it in the top
of the tube. Tell him to watch the bottom to see it roll out; he'll smile
excitedly when it does. You can also rest the bottom of the tube on a
large block or stack of books so it's easier to see the balls rolling out.
Let your baby put the ball into the tube himself, and show him how to
tilt the tube more or less to make the ball roll faster or slower.
Once he gets the hang of rolling the ball down the slide, you can play
games such as marking where each ball finishes and seeing which
ball rolls the longest distance. You can make the tube steeper and show your baby how the ball rolls faster and
farther. Or you can keep the angle of the tube the same and try different types of balls, to see which ones roll the
farthest.
Variation: cut a tube in half lengthwise to make a trough so your baby can see the ball as it's sliding down. Tape
several of these troughs together in a zigzag pattern (cutting angled corners and taping them together with strong
tape such as duct tape) to make a more dramatic ball course.
Crack the nut
Yes, it's silly, but this game is a great way to help your baby build upper body strength. And it's great for family
bonding. It will get you laughing as loudly as your baby.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: two adults.
Sit on the floor back-to-back with your partner or another adult and challenge your baby to prise you apart. (If she's
walking, she can do this standing up, but if she's crawling, doing it on hands and knees works well too.) To convey
the concept to your baby, begin by sitting back-to-back with her and having the second adult squeeze in between the
two of you. When it's your baby's turn, she'll have great fun trying to push and pull these huge, unwieldy adults. When
she manages to make some room between you (you might have to help just a little), encourage her to insert herself in
the middle, then lean back toward each other and pretend to gently "squish" her.
Let's play! 11-month-old, third week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Mini me
Your baby's love of copying you can add a cheery dimension to nappy
changes - a fun first lesson in what it feels like to care for someone
else.
Skills developed: fine motor, nurturing
What you'll need: a doll with easily removable clothes.
Buy or make a doll with simple, removable clothes (preferably
including a nappy) so your baby can change her dolly while you
change her. (Of course, this will be easier for her when she's older,
but even at this age she can remove a simple Velcro-ed nappy and
possibly a shirt or dress, and what she can't get off you can take off
for her.) Give her a square of toilet paper to wipe her doll's bottom
while she's being cleaned up, and finally, your baby and her dolly can
get dressed together and head back to play.
Water "colouring"
The next time you need to get some work done outside, try this simple
activity. It will keep an older baby engrossed for a surprising amount of time - developing all the fine motor skills of
painting (without the mess).
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: some inexpensive paintbrushes; a small plastic container of water.
Outdoors, fill a small plastic container with water and give your baby several real paintbrushes (either bristle or foam
is fine). Set him up so he's sitting in front of a wall or low piece of outdoor furniture, such as a step stool or bench,
then show him how to "paint" it with water. Never mind if the water is going everywhere but on the piece to be
painted; your baby will feel very proud that he's helping you get such an important job done.
Let's play! 11-month-old, fourth week
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
Climb every cushion
Even as your baby learns to walk, she'll set her sights on climbing.
You'll spend lots of extra minutes getting up your front steps and into
the house because she'll want to scale the stairs all by herself - not
once, not twice, but until you call off the ascent.
Skills developed: gross motor
What you'll need: lots of pillows and cushions.
Pile up a high stack of pillows for a safe, fun climbing activity. Use the
largest, most stable pillows, such as sofa cushions and bed pillows,
on the bottom, then add chair cushions, scatter cushions, and so on.
Holding your baby steady, help her climb up the mountain of pillows
and stand triumphantly on top. If you have a lot of rectangular pillows,
you can use them to create more of a stair-step structure, but you'll
need to hold your baby's hand to make sure she doesn't step off the
top tier into thin air.
Safety note: never leave a baby alone with her pillow mountain; this
activity should be supervised constantly. And move any furniture with
sharp corners, so there's nothing for her to bang against if she falls.
Indoor beach baby
No time to get to the seaside? Not to worry: here's a way your baby can do all the sifting, measuring, pouring and
fantasising that comes with sandpit play.
Skills developed: fine motor, imagination
What you'll need: a dish or other large, relatively shallow container; sand; newspaper; some sand toys or cooking
utensils.
Spread newspaper on the kitchen floor, then fill a casserole dish or other shallow container with sand and place it on
top. Offer some small sand toys or kitchen utensils to play with. Mini strainers and sifters are great fun, as are
measuring cups and spoons.
Let's play! 12-month-old
Two fun games to play with your baby this week.
String-along
Small round objects are extra enticing now that your baby is mastering
the "pincer grasp". Seize the chance to hone those fine motor skills
while also (hopefully) getting her to sit still for a little more breakfast
than usual.
Skills developed: fine motor, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: sturdy string, plastic cord or a shoelace; any O-
shaped cereal.
On a highchair tray or non-breakable plate, spread a thin layer of any
kind of O-shaped cereal that has reasonably large holes. Cut a 20-
inch (around 50cm) piece of string or plastic cord (sold in craft shops),
or use a thin shoelace with plastic-coated ends. Tie a knot in one end,
or tie the cord around a cereal-O, to prevent the others from slipping
off. Show your baby how to thread the cord through the cereal, then
sit back and read the newspaper for a few minutes of uninterrupted
peace.
Variation: as a special, occasional treat for an older child, this activity
is a real thrill if the stringing is done with shoestring liquorice. Once
she's finished, she can devour the entire necklace.
Package play
We all like getting presents, but for babies, the unwrapping's the thing. There's both the thrill of discovery and the fun
of making his fingers do what he wants. In this game, it doesn't seem to matter that the "present" is actually a bath toy
he's been playing with for months - it's the element of surprise that counts.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination, understanding of object permanence
What you'll need: a flannel or two; some small plastic bath toys.
With your baby seated in the bath, distract him for a moment and use a wet flannel to "wrap" a small bath toy, such
as a rubber duck or plastic dinosaur. Present him with the "package", saying, "I'm giving you a present." He'll unfold
the flannel, squeal with delight, and immediately want to do it again. If you have two flannels handy, you can start
wrapping the next present while he's busy unwrapping the first one. As he gets older and his dexterity increases, he'll
delight in wrapping such presents for you to open, a wonderful way to encourage his natural sense of generosity.
Let's play! 13-month-old
Who’s hiding there?
Try this fun adaptation of hide and seek. Your toddler will love discovering you hidden under a sheet and it will help
her understand that just because she can’t see something, it doesn’t mean it is not there.
Skills developed: object permanence
What you’ll need: sheets or a big towel which you can hide under
This game is best played in a clear space where your toddler can concentrate on you. Cover yourself up with a sheet.
Say, "Where's Mummy gone?" and wait while your little one crawls or walks around you. Encourage her by sliding a
hand out from under the sheet and giving her a wave. When she has found your head you can pop up: "Here I am!"
You can also swap roles: try covering her with a sheet then gently discover an arm or a leg before finally revealing
her head.
Reading together
Looking at colourful board books is a great way to enjoy some quiet time together. And there is no better way to help
your little one to love books and stories later on.
Skills developed: talking, reading
What you'll need: a favourite book or two
Make reading more interactive by asking your toddler to point to things she can see in the picture: "Where is the big
dog?" or "Can you point to the yellow ball?". Take your time and let your toddler turn the pages when he is ready.
Let's play! 14-month-old
Stacking towers
Building towers with your little one will not only help his motor control but also start to lay down the foundations of
maths.
Skills developed: motor control, sorting, cause and effect, language
What you’ll need: building blocks of any shape; design or colour
Start with a pile of building blocks and gradually build your toddler a tower. He may want to help or he might prefer to
wait until you're finished then take great delight in knocking the whole thing down. Talk your toddler through the
process either by counting the bricks as you build them up or naming their colours. Tell him if you are going to build a
big tower or a small tower. Watching the tower you have just built come tumbling down will encourage his sense of
cause and effect.
Mirror me
Toddlers are great mimics, especially when it comes to pulling faces. And while you are having fun, she will be
developing her co-ordination and dexterity.
Skills developed: imagination, motor skills, social skills
What you'll need: just yourselves
Sit down facing your toddler. Start with simple actions like poking out your tongue, waving, reaching up high or
covering your face. Encourage your toddler to copy you. Now it's her turn. She will be fascinated to see you copy her
every move.
Let's play! 15-month-old
Abstract artist
Your little one might be ready to start putting crayon to paper. Her scribbles may be illegible but this is the first
building block of learning to write, so help her out when she gets frustrated and shower her first attempts with praise.
Skills developed: fine motor control, early writing skills
What you'll need: paper; masking tape; crayons
Start off by taping some big sheets of thick paper onto a table (so you don't end up with crayon all over your table)
and let your little one loose to doodle to her heart's content. Start her off with just a few primary colours so as not to
overwhelm her with choice. Name each colour as she picks up the crayon. Invest in washable crayons if you can
because her scribbling interest may spread to the walls. And don't forget to display her work when she has finished. It
will show her how much you value her efforts.
Junk orchestra
You don't need any fancy equipment to make an orchestra of your own. You can experiment with all sorts of everyday
objects from around the home to make music with. It's easy, very noisy and great fun!
Skills developed: imagination, gross motor control
What you'll need: cardboard tubes from toilet paper or kitchen towels; saucepans and lids; wooden spoons
Take your "instruments" and lay them out on the floor. Show your little one how to blow the trumpet (cardboard tube)
and bang the drums (saucepans for drums and wooden spoons for the sticks). And if your neighbours won't complain,
try clashing together cymbals in the shape of pan lids. It might not be Beethoven's Fifth but it is a lot of fun.
Let's play! 16-month-old
Sorting games
At about this time your little one will start being able to differentiate between colours, shapes and sizes. Sorting
objects into piles and groups will help him practise this skill. As his memory is still growing these repetitive tasks will
delight him each time.
Skills developed: motor control, sorting and building skills
What you'll need: household objects in different shapes and sizes
Start your little one off by suggesting you sort all the big objects into a pile. Now how about all the round objects?
Keep going using different shapes or colours as your theme. A good variant of this to ask your toddler to help you sort
your shopping: all the tins go in one pile and all the boxes in another.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
A nursery staple, this game has delighted children for years and is a great way to teach body parts.
Skills developed: learning body parts, singing
What you'll need: your singing voice
You can sing this song and do the actions either sitting down or standing up. Start slowly, then as your little one gets
the hang of it, you can begin to speed up. Remember to put both hands on the part of your body you are singing
about. Here are the words:
"Heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes."
Let's play! 17-month-old
Developing prints
Your toddler's love of art is probably well underway by now. It will be a while before she can manipulate a brush
easily but she can do some great printing with her hands. As well as being fun these pictures make great mementos
and can be made into homemade cards for grandparents.
Skills developed: motor control, sensory skills
What you'll need: kids' paint; a plate or paint tray; paper
Lay down some newspaper to protect your table and the floor. Fill a paint tray (or any flat shallow tray) with your
choice of poster paint, and help your little one put the palm of her hand in the tray then gently press it onto the paper.
You can also try it with her feet but have some water ready in a basin or the bath to wash the paint off as soon as
you've finished. You don't want her to wander off around the house leaving a trail of footprints in her wake.
Bubble pop
There is something so magical about bubbles - we never seem to grow out of them. This game is a simple way to
entertain children of all ages.
Skills developed: hand-eye coordination; motor skills
What you'll need: a bottle of bubbles
If you don't mind little splashes of soapy water in your house you can play this game indoors. Otherwise, take your
bottle of bubbles out into the garden or take them with you to the park. All you need to do is blow bubbles then show
your little one how to pop them. Create some big bubbles by blowing slowly, or lots of little ones by blowing quickly. If
you wet your hands, you can sometimes get a bubble to rest on your fingers - a trick that's bound to amaze your
toddler.
Let's play! 18-month-old
Dance the afternoon away
You may have already discovered your toddler's love of music. Help him to his feet and hold his hands while he busts
some moves on the dancefloor.
Skills developed: walking and coordination
What you'll need: music
Your little dancer will probably need some help on his feet so take his hands or he may find it easier to hold onto a
sofa for stability. Try different styles of music and see which he likes best. When he gets tired you can sweep him off
his feet and whoosh him around the room ballroom-style.
Funny hats
You don't need to be a whiz at origami to make paper hats. Your toddler will be fascinated by the way your creations
change the way she looks.
Skills developed: imagination
What you'll need: newspaper or any other large pieces of paper; sticky tape
The simplest way to make a hat is to roll up some paper into a cone to create a perfect wizard's hat. For something
slightly more sophisticated, take a piece of newspaper (tabloid size works best). Fold it in half. Put it in front of you
with the folded side at the top. Now fold the top two (folded) corners into the middle. You will have a piece of paper
with a triangle at the top and two flaps at the bottom. Fold the top flap up to the bottom of the triangle then up again.
Finally, turn the hat over and do the same on the other side. Make hats for you and your toddler then have fun trying
them on in front of a mirror.
Let's play! 19-month-old
Playing ball
Your toddler's coordination may be developed enough for her to stand on her own two feet and kick a ball.
Skills developed: coordination
What you'll need: a beach ball
A normal football will probably be too hard for your little one to kick, but a big colourful beach ball is lighter, gentler
and easier on her feet. Try rolling the ball to your toddler and see if she can kick it back to you (you're in goal!). Don't
forget to praise her along the way.
Gloop
Although messy, the gloop has such a curious texture it will fascinate your toddler...and probably you too!
Skills developed: moulding and squishing, talking
What you'll need: a big bowl (preferably plastic); cornflour; water; food colouring (optional); an apron or clothes you
don't mind getting messy; some newspaper to protect the floor if you are playing inside
This game is best played outdoors but if you are inside, put down plenty of newspaper to protect the floor. Either way,
make sure your toddler is covered up or wearing clothes you don't mind her getting messy. Get a big plastic bowl or
basin and put a mug or two of cornflour in the bottom. Gradually add water, little by little, until you have a gloopy
mixture. Your little one can stir as you go. Add a few drops of food colouring if you are using it and stir again. Now roll
up your toddler's sleeves and let her plunge her hands into the bowl. Pick up some of the gloop and squeeze it. As
you apply pressure, it feels like a solid. Now relax your hand and the gloop will run back into the bowl as a liquid. Talk
to your toddler about what she can feel as she squishes and squashes the gloop.
Let's play! 20-month-old
Mummy (or Daddy)'s helper
Even the most boring chores will fascinate your toddler. He will watch what you are doing carefully and will probably
be very keen to "help". Nurture his desire to play his part in the household by letting him join in.
Skills developed: imagination, a sense of his place in the world
What you'll need: duster; small or lightweight broom
Find your little one a safe area to "dust". An empty coffee table is ideal; the shelf containing your most precious
ornaments is not. Give him a duster and show him how to wipe the table clean. (Don't use any spray or polish which
could contain irritants and other harmful chemicals.) Once the table is clean he could dust something else – a chair, a
door or maybe some of his toys. Once he has had enough of that he can move onto some sweeping. He will probably
be very happy pottering about sweeping the kitchen floor leaving you free to get on with something else.
Which hand?
Your toddler is old enough now to remember an object that is no longer there. Test this out with this simple guessing
game.
Skills developed: understanding concepts
What you'll need: a small object such as a small plastic animal that will fit in the palm of your hand
Hide a small object in the palm of your hand. Hide your hands behind your back (swapping the object if necessary).
Now bring both hands back out in front of you. Ask your toddler to guess which hand the object is in. Open the hand
she chooses slowly to build the tension. Occasionally you can play a trick and quietly place the toy behind you so that
it isn't in either hand. This will amaze her the first few times you do it but very quickly she will work out where the toy
is and race around you to find it. Give her a turn at hiding the toy but don't expect her little hands to conceal it.
Remember to express delight or dismay each time you get it right or wrong.
Let's play! 21-month-old
Teddy hide and seek
Introduce your toddler to the classic children's game of hide and seek by enlisting the help of one of her toys.
Skills developed: object permanence, motor control
What you'll need: a favourite teddy or other soft animal
When your toddler isn't looking, hide the teddy. Choose very easy hiding places while your little one is getting the
hang of the game. Now see if she can find the teddy. Gradually increase the difficulty of the hiding places and don't
forget to make a huge fuss of her each time the teddy is found.
Posting
Posting and delivering letters is a great toddler game.
Skills developed: imagination, co-ordination
What you'll need: a big box; scissors; paper; crayons
Create a post box by taking an upturned cardboard box and cutting a slot in it. Now it's time to make the letters. Ask
your toddler who he wants to send a letter to: maybe Daddy or a sibling or some of his favourite toys? He can "write"
or draw pictures on the letters in crayon then you can "address" them, either with the name or a picture of who they
are for. Your toddler can post each letter as it is finished. Once you have written and posted all the letters it's time to
deliver them. Open up the box and let your toddler take out the letters. Help him to deliver them to each person or
toy. Making the toys jump up and down with delight when they get a letter will really make your toddler feel that he
has done a good job.
Let's play! 22-month-old
Your little chef
Could your toddler be the next Jamie Oliver? Encourage his budding culinary skills by letting him experiment in an
imaginary kitchen.
Skills developed: imagination, imitation, fine and gross motor control,
You will need: several saucepans and lids; a selection of wooden spoons
Sit on the floor with your toddler with the saucepans and spoons in front of you. Pretend to add things to the pots
making sure your toddler gives them all a good mix each time. Add big handfuls of some of the imaginary ingredients
and just a sprinkle of others. Now it's time to taste. Act out too hot/cold/sour (your toddler will probably find this very
funny so encourage him to join in). Keep adding more imaginary ingredients until it tastes just right.
Robot-parent
Become a robot and entertain your toddler at the same time! You're a machine that performs a different action each
time you press a different part of your body. She'll think it's hilarious - and at the same time, she'll be learning all
about cause and effect.
Skills developed: motor skills, cause and effect, imagination
What you'll need: yourself
To get into robot mode, first walk around the room for a few moments making jerky machine-like movements with
your arms, legs and head. Explain that you've become a robot. Bend down to your toddler's height and give her a
demonstration of some of your "controls". Use your index finger to press your nose. At the same time, stick out your
tongue. Then twist your right ear, and move your tongue to the right. Twist your left ear, and move it to the left. Point
both index fingers towards your ears and open your eyes really wide. Repeat the actions and your toddler will soon
be trying out some of your "controls" to see if the robot will work for her. Make up as many other movements as you
can think of, but remember to do the same action each time to create the same result!
Let's play! 23-month-old
Ramp rolling
Rolling cars, balls, even empty toilet rolls down a ramp creates endless fun for your toddler. And while she is having
fun, she will also be learning about Newton's law of gravity!
Skills developed: gross motor control, spatial awareness, understanding of shapes
What you'll need: anything long and firm enough to make a ramp such as an upside down tray, a plank of wood or
even a large hardback book; toys and other objects that will roll
Set up the ramp, propping the high end on the edge of a sofa or a pile of books. Now see what you can find to roll
down it. Toy cars, bouncy balls, oranges or the inside of toilet rolls. A fun variation is to use a long cardboard tube
(like the ones you get in a roll of wrapping paper) to change your ramp into a tunnel.
Hungry Teddy
A good way for your toddler to learn spoon control is to let him practice on a favourite teddy or other toy animal. Once
he's practiced holding and moving the spoon to get (imaginary) food to Teddy's mouth, he'll be able to use one by
himself at mealtimes much more easily.
Skills developed: motor skills, imagination, independence
What you'll need: bowl; spoon; a teddy or other favourite soft toy or doll
Sit Teddy down in a chair, buggy or high chair - anywhere it's easy for your toddler to reach from a seated position.
Give him a bowl and spoon that he really uses at mealtimes and tell him that Teddy is hungry, and needs his tea.
Pretend there's something soft and easily spilt - like yogurt or soup - in the bowl. Encourage him to talk to Teddy
while he's using the spoon, and if you need to, make comments like "Whoops, mind you don't give Teddy too much at
once", or "I can see Teddy's enjoying this!" Make sure Teddy finishes the whole bowl.
Let's play! 24-month-old
Desert island
This game is a great way to develop your little one's sense of imagination. You can pretend that your living room is
the sea and that he has to get to the other side of the room without getting his feet wet!
Skills developed: balance, spatial awareness, imagination
What you'll need: cushions
Scatter some cushions around the floor as stepping stones. Show your toddler how to hop and jump his way across
the living room. Point out ships, whales and mermaids on the way. Oh yes...and watch out for those sharks!
Bead necklace
There's nothing quite as absorbing as creative play, and even tiny hands can make a necklace out of chunky pasta
tubes or cut-up drinking straws. It's a wonderful rainy day activity, and your toddler will get a real sense of
achievement from having created something from start to finish. It's also a good way of encouraging concentration.
Skills developed: motor skills, sorting and stringing, painting play, concentration
What you'll need: string; penne (or other tube) pasta and/or plastic drinking straws; kids' paint; two or three empty
plastic pots; spoon; kitchen roll, newspaper; scissors
Lay some newspaper on the table, then put sheets of kitchen paper over it. Squeeze some paint of each colour
you've chosen into a different plastic cup. Put some pasta into each cup, stir it around, then remove it with the spoon
and lay on the kitchen paper to dry. If you're using straws, cut up two or three into short lengths. Once the pasta is
dry, cut a piece of string long enough to make an adult's necklace, with enough extra to tie at the back. Hold the
string at one end - so the pasta tubes can't fall off - while your toddler threads the beads. (Tip: wrapping a piece of
sticky tape around the end of the string will prevent it from fraying and make it easier to thread). Tie the ends of the
string together to make a beautiful, colourful necklace.
Let's play! 25-month-old
Model citizen
A much loved favourite, play dough is a staple in any toddler's play routine. If you're feeling adventurous, why not
make some dough yourself?
Skills developed: motor control, imagination
What you need: play dough (either shop bought or made with the recipe below); rolling pin and plastic cookie cutters
Let your little one explore her senses by squishing the dough to her heart's content. Help your toddler to roll out the
dough and cut shapes in it using the cookie cutters.
If you want to try making your own play dough, here's the recipe:
2 cups plain flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of Tartar
2 tablespoons cooking oil
A few drops of food colouring
Put all the ingredients into a non-stick pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring all the time until it forms a ball. Allow
the dough to cool before giving it to your toddler to play with. Kneading the dough will make it smoother. (It will keep
for several weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.)
Shadow tag
A simple, fun game to play outside with your toddler on a sunny day. It will help him learn about the world, and it can
be as active as you like.
Skills developed: running and jumping, spatial awareness, understanding nature
What you'll need: a bright, sunny day; somewhere outside - a garden, playground or park
The idea of the game is to try to "tag" the other player by stepping on their shadow. First, help your toddler find his
shadow. Change directions and move around so he can see what effect it has on his shadow. Then try chasing the
shadow or pretend your shadow is chasing you. Your toddler will probably find it very funny if you tell your shadow to
stop following you and get cross when it doesn't. To play tag, you are "it" and have to try to step on your toddler's
shadow. Then it's his turn to step on yours.
Let's play! 26-month-old
Animal chase
Toddlers love to be chased, especially if they know they are going to get a big hug when they are caught. It is also a
great way to build your little one's stamina, and yours too!
Skills developed: stamina, running
What you will need: absolutely nothing
Decide which animals you are each going to be. Choosing very different animals if fun. How about a roaring lion and
scurrying mouse? Or a bouncing rabbit and a clucking hen? Or even a tickling octopus and a whizzing fish. Make
sure you remember to give your toddler a big hug, kiss and a bit of a tickle when you catch him.
Sock puppets
Help your toddler make an old sock into a new friend. It's an activity that encourages creative and imaginative play as
well as concentration.
Skills developed: fine motor skills, talking, social skills
What you'll need: two clean, light-coloured socks - one for each of you to make into a puppet; felt pens
Put a sock on one of your hands, and help your toddler to do the same. Show him how to move his thumb and fingers
so that the end of the sock puppet works like a mouth. Decide on names and characters for the sock puppets. They
could be people or animals (snakes are always a good choice). Use the felt pens to draw on eyes, nose and mouth.
Let the two of them have a conversation, or have your sock puppet ask your toddler's puppet some questions. They
might even want to sing a song together.
Let's play! 27-month-old
Food art
If your toddler's passion for art is blooming, think about adding new textures into his painting. Using dried pasta of any
variety or shaped cereals, your little one can use his imagination to create his masterpiece.
Skills developed: imagination, fine motor control
What you will need: paint; paper; PVA or craft glue; pasta shapes, cereals etc
Lay down some newspaper to protect the work surfaces. Put glue on the paper to create a design. Now your toddler
can stick on the pasta or cereal pieces. Once the picture is dry your toddler can start painting. The result? Some
rather wonderful 3-D art.
Walk the plank
You can play this game indoors our outdoors, using a "plank" made from paper - or a real plank, if you have one.
Skills developed: balancing
What you'll need: a piece of paper that's around 15 centimetres (6 inches) wide and up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) long,
or several pieces stuck together with sticky tape. Or, if you have one, a plank or flat piece of wood around that length
Lay the plank/paper on a rug indoors, or on the grass outside. Show your toddler how to walk across it, holding his
arms out to the sides for balance. When he reaches the end, show him how to jump off, bending his knees for the
landing. If you're using a solid plank of wood, you can raise it off the ground a little by putting a telephone directory at
each end. Try holding hands while you both walk across sideways. Pretend you're pirates and walk the plank
barefoot, ready to jump into shark-infested waters!
Let's play! 28-month-old
Colour day
Make one day of the week a colour day. It will help your little one with colour recognition and sorting, and it's great
fun.
Skills developed: colour recognition, sorting
What you will need: everything in your chosen colour
The idea of this game is to choose a colour, then base your day around it. For example, if you decide to have a red
day you could wear red clothes, have strawberry jam on your toast, do a red painting, pick some red flowers, spot red
cars, eat pizza for dinner. If your toddler enjoys it, why not try it with other colours, such as yellow or green.
Box train
Your toddler will love helping make this mini-train from cardboard boxes which she can pull around the house.
Anyone for a ride?
Skills developed: motor skills, pushing and pulling, understanding of shapes
What you'll need: three or more cardboard boxes of different shapes and sizes; string; scissors and/or a skewer for
making holes in the boxes
Cut one side off each box (or use a box without a lid) to create the carriages. Make a hole on one side of the first and
last boxes, and holes on opposite sides of the other boxes. Pass a length of string of about 15cm (6 in) through the
first box, link it to the second one, and tie a knot. Do the same with the other boxes, until you reach the last
"carriage". Ask your toddler to find toys or teddies to put in the train before pushing it around the house. Take some of
the toys out to help her see what happens when the load is lighter. What happens if you step into one of the
carriages? Talk about whether the train is too heavy, too light, or just right.
Let's play! 29-month-old
Day tripper
You don't need to leave the house to have a great day out. With a little imagination you and your toddler can travel far
and wide…from the comfort of your own bed.
Skills developed: imagination, language
What you will need: pillows and cushions can help build your "car"; a paper or plastic plate is useful as a steering
wheel.
Turn your bed into a car with the help of some cushions and pillows. Ask your toddler if she would like to drive (if she
does, give her the paper plate to use as a steering wheel) and where she would like to go. Favourite day trips include
the zoo, the jungle, the seaside, the farm or even a safari. Now off you go. Your toddler will probably want to supply
the brmming noise of the car so it will be down to you to provide the running commentary of where you are going and
what you can see. Is that a monkey in the tree or could there be a snake in the grass?
Follow the trail
Create a trail for your toddler to follow, using an unravelled roll of toilet paper. Upstairs, downstairs, inside or
outside… To make it even more fun leave some "treasure" at the end of the trail.
Skills developed: discovery, independence
What you'll need: one roll of toilet paper
Try not to let your toddler see you as you walk around the house, gradually letting the toilet paper unravel behind you.
You can make the trail longer by making it go round the edges of a room, or make it interesting by doubling back on
itself at times. When you've decided where the trail ends, tear off the paper and weigh it down with a book or heavy
object. You can leave a small surprise - like a box of raisins, stickers or a favourite toy - as "treasure" at the end of
the trail. Show your toddler how to follow the trail as closely as possible, picking it up as he goes.
Let's play! 30-month-old
Map of me
Chart your little one's growth and progress by creating a life-size map of him and then get him to colour it in.
Skills developed: motor control, imagination
What you will need: pen or pencil; paints or crayons; a roll of paper (wallpaper lining paper is ideal though several
smaller pieces of paper stuck together will work fine)
Roll out a large piece of paper and get your little one to lay down on it. Take a pen or pencil and draw round him. Now
encourage him to colour it in, naming the different body parts as he goes. It's fun to cut the picture out and put it on
the wall with it's feet at floor level. Then do the same thing again next month and see how much he has grown.
Bathtime rescue
Ahoy there! Most toddlers love bathtime and this game will make it even more exciting.
Skills developed: motor skills, hand-eye coordination
What you'll need: an empty and clean plastic tub (a margarine tub or Tupperware container is ideal); small plastic
animals that can go in the bath
The plastic tub is a boat and your toddler will need to rescue the animals that are stranded in the water! When it's
time for your toddler's bath, give her some animals to drop in the water. Then, once she's in, let her rescue them by
lifting them safely into the boat. Try resting an animal on your toddler's legs for a daring cliff-top rescue. Show your
toddler what happens as the boat gets heavier with animals. And what happens if you pour some water into the boat?
Oh no, time for another rescue!
Let's play! 31-month-old
Secret den
Your little one's imagination is really taking off now and she is beginning to become more interested in playing with
other children her own age. This game is great if she has a friend or older sibling to play with but her teddies or other
soft toys can also make a good gang.
Skills developed: imagination, social skills
What you will need: a sturdy table; some sheets; blankets or large towels
Make your toddler a den by draping the sheets or blankets over the sides of the table. (Test the table for stability
before you begin. If it wobbles or rocks, build the den somewhere else). Once the den is built your toddler can invite
her friend, or her toys, in to play. To make the game even more fun, why not make the gang a picnic lunch to eat in
the den?
Picture "I spy"
When your toddler begins to learn his letters, you will be able to play the traditional game, "I spy with my little eye
something beginning with...". But for now, this picture version is a great way to keep your toddler entertained when
you're out and about.
Skills developed: observational skills, understanding concepts
You will need: a piece of paper or card on which you have drawn pictures of things you are likely to see on your
journey; stickers or a crayon (optional)
This game is great for all journeys, whether by car, train or buggy. Before you set off on your journey, show your
toddler the paper with the pictures on it. (Animals, post boxes, petrol stations and particular types of vehicles all work
well.) Talk to him about what the pictures are and help him with any he is not sure of. Once you are on your journey,
he can call out whenever he sees something that is on his card. If you are using stickers or a crayon he can use
these to mark the pictures he has found. Once he has found everything on his card he's won!
Let's play! 32-month-old
Ball games
It is really hard for toddlers to learn to share. Throwing and catching a ball will not only develop your little one's hand
eye co-ordination but it will lay down the groundwork for sharing.
Skills developed: throwing and catching, sharing
What you will need: a lightweight ball
Playing a simple game of catch between two or three people will show your child that sometimes you have to give to
receive. Start very close together as you gently throw the ball for your toddler to catch. (Get ready to leap into action
as he flings it back). As he gets better at catching you could try throwing from further away. If he is struggling to catch
the ball, try playing this game with a balloon - it will move much slower! Remember to shower him with praise whether
he catches the ball or not.
Junk modelling
Once your little one develops a love of junk modelling you will never look at empty cereal boxes and yoghurt pots in
the same way again.
Skills developed: motor skills, understanding shapes
What you'll need: a collection of empty packaging, for example cereal boxes, egg boxes, yoghurt pots etc; PVA glue
and brush; masking tape; stickers and other decorations.
Cover your table with newspaper. Lay out your junk. Tell your toddler that these are her materials and she can make
anything she likes from them. She may say that she wants to make something specific but she is more likely to just
start building then decide what it is when she's finished. She will probably need help sticking the boxes together but
let her take the lead as to what goes where. When she is happy with her creation it's time to decorate. Painting
packaging isn't always easy, particularly if it is shiny, but sticking on stickers, scraps of fabric or pictures cut from
magazines works brilliantly.
Let's play! 33-month-old
Feely bag
This is a good way of helping your toddler to expand her observational skills and vocabulary.
Skills developed: language, curiosity
What you will need: a lightweight cotton bag or a cardboard box; an assortment of objects to hide in it
Find a dark coloured fabric bag about the size of A5 paper. If you are using a box, cut a hole in the side that is just big
enough for your toddler to slide her arm into. Put a small object like an orange inside and ask your toddler to put her
hand in the bag or box and try and work out what is inside, describing what it feels like while she goes. Repeat with
other objects!
Washing up
It may be a chore for you but your toddler will love to have a go at washing up. Make sure you protect the floor first as
most of the water in the sink will probably end up there.
Skills developed: socialisation (this is the first step to doing the washing up for real, after all), motor skills
What you'll need: a plastic washing up bowl (or you could use the kitchen sink); washing up liquid; warm water;
plastic or other unbreakable pots; a washing up cloth, sponge or brush; some paper or old towel for the floor.
Lay the newspapers or old towel on the floor and stack the dishes and pots to be washed by the kitchen sink. Stand
your toddler on a chair in front of the sink. (Stay close to make sure he doesn't fall.) Fill the sink, or a washing up
bowl, with warm water and let your toddler add a squeeze of washing up liquid. Show him how you can splash the
water to make bubbles. Now it's time for the washing up. Let him add the dishes himself. If he has a choice of tools
for washing up he'll enjoy himself even more. Explain that once he has washed something he should put it on the
drainer to dry. Now there's just the drying up and putting away and he's done. Great job! In the summer, it's fun (and
less messy) to let him do the washing up outside.
Let's play! 34-month-old
Singing up the stairs
Your toddler's love of the stairs can be used to teach all sorts of new skills such as counting and opposites (up and
down). This singing game teaches about musical pitch.
Skills developed: co-ordination, hearing
What you'll need: a staircase
Start at the bottom stair. As you stand on it with your toddler, sing the very lowest note you can. Now move up a step
together and raise your voice by a single note. Keep going until you reach the top of the staircase. (If it is a long
staircase you may be emitting a high pitched squeal by this time). Then turn around and come down the staircase,
starting at your highest note and working your way down as you move down the stairs. You can make up your own
lyrics for this game if you are feeling creative, but your toddler will be perfectly happy with just "La la la".
Cheese biscuits
Cooking real biscuits will help your child to learn about how food is made. It will also give her a huge sense of pride
that she has made something you can all enjoy.
Skills developed: motor skills, the first steps in understanding where food comes from and how it is made.
You will need: 225g / 8oz self-raising flour; 110g / 3oz soft butter or margarine; 110g / 4oz of grated cheddar; 1 egg
plus 1 yolk; aprons or old clothes that you don't mind getting messy; cookie cutters; greased baking tray.
Firstly, accept that things are going to get messy so cover up with aprons or put on old clothes. Show your toddler
how you measure the flour, butter and cheese. Let her tip each ingredient into the bowl. Once they are all in let your
toddler help you mix them together. (You can also do this in a food processor which makes the job much easier.)
Wrap the dough in cling film and put in the fridge for half an hour. Once the dough has chilled, turn the oven on to 180
degrees C / 350 degrees F / gas mark 4. Sprinkle some flour onto a clean surface and let your toddler help you roll
out the dough (you will probably have to start her off). Cut out the biscuits together and place on the baking tray.
Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Yummy!
Let's play! 35-month-old
Scrap box
Take your little one for a walk around your garden, the beach or a local park collecting interesting things he sees.
Skills developed: curiosity
What you need: a box
Encourage your toddler's interest in his surroundings by searching for interesting things to collect. Point out pretty
stones or unusual leaves. He can collect some of these treasures in his box and take them home for sorting. If the
objects are small enough you could paste them into a scrap book when you get home.
Simon says
This is great fun and an excellent game for learning body parts.
Skills developed: observational, motor skills, understanding words and concepts
You will need: just yourselves
Begin by calling out simple commands like "Simon says, put your hands on your head," and demonstrating the
command yourself. As long as you say "Simon says," your toddler has to obey you. Carry on with other commands,
such as "Simon says stand on one leg," "Simon says clap your hands". Do some funny ones, too, like "Simon says
stick your tongue out". Then try to catch your toddler out by saying "Touch your toes," omitting "Simon says". Without
the magic words your toddler mustn't follow the command!
Let's play! 36-month-old
Fruit faces
Making fruit faces is a great way to encourage your toddler to enjoy eating healthy fruit.
Skills developed: motor skills
What you'll need: a plate; pieces of fruit cut into slices - any combination or apple, pear, kiwi, banana will work well,
or try some grapes, blueberries or segments of orange or tangerine.
Show your toddler how to make a face using the pieces of fruit. Experiment to see what works best. You could make
big green eyes with the kiwi, use orange for a smiley mouth, grapes for teeth and apple for eyebrows or ears. When
he is happy with the face that he has made you can pretend to be shocked as he eats it up, one feature at a time.
Listening to nature
Toddlers won't often sit still but this game can keep them interested for longer than you'd think. And you get the
chance for a quick breather too!
Skills developed: observational, hearing
What you'll need: a blanket big enough for you both to lie on
Go out into the garden or your local park or even into the countryside. Lie down on the blanket with your toddler.
Close your eyes and listen carefully. Ask you toddler to tell you what she can hear? Listen out for noises far and near.
When she's had enough of listening, why not take the opportunity to gaze up at the clouds. Can she spot any shapes
in them?