Games to play with an older baby
Play is a hugely important part
of every child’s development because it encourages natural creativity, fuels
their imagination and helps them to practice all sorts of skills needed for
when they’re older.
It’s not enough to put your baby down in front of the TV –
what he really needs is you down on the floor or ground with him, doing
puzzles, blowing bubbles and chalking on the driveway.
Obviously you can’t play with
your child all the time, but if you have chores to do, try to incorporate play
along with them. For example, if you’re making dinner, give your baby a pan
and a wooden spoon so he can help you by making a pretend dinner.
Games to play with four to six-month-old babies
- Most babies love bubbles!
- Shine a flashlight at the
ceiling and create a light show.
- Your baby will love any game
that ends with a tickle, particularly ‘round and round the garden’ and ‘this
little piggy’.
- Scoop him up and play flying
rockets.
- Balls, activity centers, bath
toys and press-button toys that make noises will all be fascinating for your
baby.
- You can start reading to your
baby as soon as possible.
- Playing peek-a-boo has the
bonus of helping him understand that things don’t disappear ust because he
can’t see them.
- Singing games like ‘old
Macdonald’.
Games to play with seven to
nine-month-old babies
- Banging a drum, cookpot or
upturned bucket.
- Building bricks or stacking
cups.
- Baby books with flaps or
pop-up pictures, or with touch-and-feel features.
- Toys that make noises or have
lights that falsh on and off.
- Obstacle courses made from
pillows and blankets.
- ‘Where’s mommy?” (Hiding under
the baby blanket!).
- Dropping games and saying
‘whoops’ and ‘uh-oh’.
- All-singing games like ‘the
wheels on the bus’ and ‘five little ducks’.
Games to play with 10 to 12-month-old babies
- Stacking games.
- Hide-and-seek with toys and
with your baby.
- Going through photographs of
your baby’s family and naming everyone.
- Kitchen music (pots and pans
and wooden spoons).
- Obstacle courses.
- Ball games, especially rolling
a ball to your baby so he can roll it back.
- Baby swings.
- Finger painting.
- Finger puppets.
- Action rhymes such as ‘head,
shoulders, knees and toes’.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 03/07/2007
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