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.