Games and Activities from Birth to 12 Months

Birth - 3 Months

There isn't alot u can do with a baby so young as far as games go but there are other things you can do;

Now is the perfect time to read stories to your little one, they love sounds as they are use to listening to you all day in your belly. You can also sing to your baby or play music and dance gently (like a slow waltz) while holding your baby.

Babys this age will study your face so when they are gazing into your eyes play "funny faces" and do things like move your eyes and poke your toungue out, and watch as their little minds become intrigued with what you are doing.

You can also shake a rattle or similar noisy toy softly in front of your baby and as they get older they will try to reach for it, this is great for their hand eye skills.

At around the 2 1/2 month mark try puttin your baby on his/her's belly and place a toy with in view, this will encourage your baby to lift his / her head and look at the toy. This is great to build strong necks.

3 Months - 6 Months

Nows when things get a little more fun and the games you can play are endless, of course you can still play the games you played before, reading and singing and dancing with your baby are the best games to play!

Peek a Boo is a favourite, most babies love this game.

Pass the toy is a great way to get your baby to grab hold of things, get a toy they love and pass it back and forth from bub to you.

Put your bub in front of the mirror and let them play with facial expressions, have ur cam ready as there are bound to be some "kodak moments"

You can introdouse lots of toys now too, some good ones are, soft books, teething toys, noisy toys like a small plastic drum or a shaker, teddys, plastic large blocks, the list is endless.

Play mats or play gyms are great for this age group to, it gives the freedom to hit and kick whatever toys is hanging over them and they get a sence of self ability.

The jolly jumper is another great activity for bub and it builds strong little legs too.

6 Months - 9 Months

Now depending on the individual some babies might be ready to play with a push-along walker-type toy. I had one of those wooden walkers that also had blocks in them and the kids loved it.

Continue to read, sing and talk with your baby, now they will be clicking their toungues and making all sorts of noises so it becomes more interactive and fun. Teach them about their bodys now too, like touch ur nose and say nose and get them to copy, this provides hours of fun.

If u have a hair chair you can play games while bub is in the high chair, give baby a small ball to roll around on the tray or even cooked peas and watch them try to pick them up. You can also do water play in the high chair, give them a plastic bowl with a little water to splash water with.

shape sorters are good toys for bubs around 8 months they will love putting the shapes in with your help they will be amazed to see the shape disapear inside the ball.

Stacking toys and blocks or cups and unbreakable containers will provided hours of fun. They will also enjoy hitting things like plastic containers with a plastic or wooden spoon.

Bath toys will be more fun and easier to play with now, I had a bath chair for my kids and this alowed them to sit up freely and reach for toys.

They will love anything that moves, makes a noise, is squeezable or scrunchy. You can also play wiht roll along toys like cars and trucks just make sure they are safe for bub to play with and have no sharp edges.

My fav toy for this age group is the classic toy telephone that has wheeles and a windie dialer...

This is the fun fun part of the fiorst year, you can do endless amounts of activities with you soon to be toddler. here are a few.

Finger painting / drawing / chalk drawing on the concrete

Building blocks / big piece puzzles

Singing and dancing games like hokey pokey and ring ring a rosy

Reading and they may even want to watch Dora or Wiggles...

Blowing bubbles or blowing bubbles in the bath water with straws

Learning to walk and when they can walk games like kick ball and chasy and hide and seek

let bub try to brush their hair or brush your hair if your game

pots and pans make great drums for this age group as they will be more into your things rather then their own toys

baby swings and slides and trips to the park.

I know there are heaps more so if you have any ideas add them in the comments.

This advice is my advice that i wrote under a different username which the minti-database copied and posted after i left.

written by angela parker