Need new ideas to play with your baby this week? We got you!
We've crafted a series of playful developmental activities tailored for children from birth to 24 months. This week’s baby and toddler play activities are designed around physical milestones, from building strength in tummy time to working those small muscles in their hands! We love supporting you as you help your little one grow and learn.
0 to 3 Months: Football Hold
Physical Milestone: lifts and turns head
Activity: Embark on a cozy journey through your home with your little one nestled in the football hold position! Hold your baby tummy-down over your arm, with their head snug in the crook of your elbow. This comforting position is not only perfect for soothing babies with gas or tummy discomfort but also offers gentle support for them to practice neck and shoulder strengthening. It's a delightful way to provide a change of scenery while still ensuring your baby's comfort and development, all wrapped up in the warmth of your loving embrace!
3 to 6 Months: Airplane Ride
Physical Milestone: increased strength in tummy time
Activity: Get ready for a sky-high adventure with your little one in the "Baby Airplane" game! Lie on your back with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle, creating the perfect runway for takeoff. Place your baby tummy down on your knees and hold their hands securely. Then, lift your legs up and down slowly, sending your baby soaring through the clouds like a fearless aviator! This thrilling game not only strengthens your baby's neck and core muscles but also transforms tummy time into an exhilarating journey through the skies.
6 to 9 Months: Grasping Basket
Physical Milestone: grasps toys with one hand
Activity: Let's get playful with a "Grasping Basket" filled with fun toys! Gather a variety of easy-to-hold treasures like soft blocks, squishy rings, and toys of different textures and sizes. These goodies will tickle their tiny fingers and help them master the art of grabbing and holding on tight. For extra grasping excitement, include the Sensory Balls from the Little Adventurer Box! With their enticing textures, they're sure to spark curiosity and keep those little hands busy.
9 to 12 Months: Couch Crouch
Physical Milestone: begins cruising on furniture
Activity: Let's turn couch time into a playful workout with the "Couch Crouch" game! Set up a fun challenge by placing part of a toy on the couch and its pieces in a basket on the floor, like putting a ball drop box on the couch and the balls on the floor. Encourage your little one to cruise or stand holding onto the couch, crouching down to pick up the toy pieces and stand back up to play. It's a fantastic way to strengthen their glutes and legs for exciting future adventures in walking. Get ready to squat, grab, and play your way to strong and steady steps!
12 to 15 Months: Homemade Lift the Flap Book
Physical Milestone: turns pages of a book, uses pincher grasp
Activity: Grab your toddler's favorite board book and jazz it up with colorful Post-it notes stuck over different pictures in the book. Encourage your little one to explore each page, pulling off the sticky notes with their tiny fingers and revealing the surprises hidden beneath. Not only does this playful activity strengthen their pincher grasp and fine motor skills, but it also adds an element of surprise and excitement to storytime. Talk about the pictures they reveal as they explore!
15 to 18 Months: Toy Surprise
Physical Milestone: fine motor skills
Activity: Get ready to add a shiny twist to playtime with this delightful idea! Take some of your toddler's favorite toys and wrap them up snugly in shiny tin foil, like little treasures waiting to be discovered. Hand them over to your little explorer and watch their eyes light up with excitement as they unwrap each toy, eagerly revealing the hidden gems within. Not only is this a fun way to engage their curiosity and imagination, but it also helps develop their fine motor skills as they manipulate the foil to unveil their treasures.
18 to 24 Months: Opposites Obstacle course
Physical Milestone: navigates obstacles while walking
Activity: Get ready to turn playtime into an adventure with an Opposites obstacle course designed just for your little mover and shaker! Get creative and set up a thrilling circuit filled with exciting challenges. Picture this: stepping on and off squishy couch cushions, zooming through a play tunnel like a superhero, squeezing under a chair like a sneaky ninja, and conquering a box like a fearless explorer! Show your toddler how to tackle each obstacle, then burst into cheers and applause as you narrate their daring feats – "You're soaring OVER the box! Woo-hoo!" This action-packed activity isn't just about building gross motor skills; it's also a fantastic opportunity to sneak in some playful language practice.
These simple activities will help support your baby or toddler on the journey to moving. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so let your child's curiosity and interests guide these playful learning experiences. Enjoy these precious moments of discovery and connection, celebrating each small step and giggle along the way.
