Older Baby Activities

I've discovered that baby activities are most beneficial for older babies who can sit unattended and use their arms to manipulate objects. I've noticed that babies enjoy using everyday items. Identify which sets of objects you may have that can challenge older babies to enhance their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, which aid them in controlling their hands. 

Baby Flash Cards Baby Activities

Flashcards have gotten a bad rap, especially for little ones. I have a baby-led and relaxed approach to flashcards. I've found that those under 3 years old love them and ask for more. What you can't see on the photo above, is that the baby was holding up a card for me to read, which he was repeating for a while. 

Cloth Pull Plaything Baby Activities

Cloth hankies, play scarves, or play silks can be bunched up to be pulled out of an empty tissue box or wipe box. 

Empty Tissue Box Posting Baby Activities 

Reused tissue boxes create activities for little ones. I have offered a variety of baby activities based on what I have on hand. Many older babies (plus 1-year-olds) enjoy slotting washed medium jar lids through the opening and retrieving them again. Check small lids are not chocking hazards first.

Bunched-up small socks, blocks, or shape sorter pieces have also worked well with tissue boxes. If your baby would destroy a tissue box, it could be replaced by a plastic container. I found older babies love put things in and out of boxes and containers.

Curtain or Napkin Rings on Kitchen Roll Stand Baby Activities

A vertical stand for kitchen paper rolls is needed for this baby activity. Just check that the edges aren't sharp first. You could either use curtain rings (before hooks are drilled in) or/and chunky cloth napkin rings. Make sure they're not chocking hazards.

Encourage your older baby to stack the large rings onto the stand. I’ve found the first skill they can manage is taking them off. By enabling this, we are also modelling the action to putting them on. 

If you're wondering about the items in the Treasure Basket the photo, click the link.

On-the-Move Baby Activities 

These baby activities are for when they are exploring movement. I believe that the greedy baby industry tries to hinder babies' natural drive to move freely. Let's ensure babies receive the freedom they need to develop according to their natural timetable.

Stair Climbing: Baby Activities 

Older babies love climbing stairs. Now, I'm grateful for stair gates too. However, I try to teach independence whenever it’s safe. I've found that whether you like it or not, babies tend to find stairs they can climb. The real danger comes when they don't know how to safely climb down and try to go head first down a full flight of stairs.

This needs to be a closely supervised activity for babies who have mastered crawling or bum shuffling. If given the chance to try and are able, babies tend to figure out how to climb up stairs and just need spotting. 

I personally carefully, gently, and slowly move their legs one at a time, with their arms resting on the step above them, to show them how to climb down the stairs safely at first. Beware that the baby in the photo was a pro at stair climbing by this point.

Until they can do it themselves, I turn them around at the top of the stairs while saying a version of "on your tummy, feet first down the stairs (or off the sofa/bed)." I also make sure I go down the stairs first, with my hands hovering under them. This gentle safety training has saved a few toddlers on climbing equipment at the park when I couldn't reach them in time.

Puddle Play: Baby Activities

This is where all-in-one waterproof suits and waterproof booties are very helpful! I'm British and find that little ones thrive on playing outside every day, from when they start crawling. I love the Swedish proverb, "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing." I've noticed that babies are fascinated by playing in puddles! Ensuring they're dressed appropriately and closely supervising them is essential. 

Also, having a full change of clothes, along with an extra coat, is very helpful for afterwards because the cuffs on their ankles and wrists do tend to get wet. The pure joy and excitement they show during puddle play makes the hassle totally worth it. I believe it's sensory play at its best when it's raining. I'd recommend full waterproofs for you too, because an umbrella gets in the way. 

Cruising Furniture: Baby Activities 

Giving babies the opportunity and freedom to pull themselves up to their feet and hold onto sturdy furniture to walk along is much better preparation for walking than a sit-in walker. 

Cart Walker: Baby Activities 

I believe a classic small wooden cart is valuable for babies and then toddlers who love pushing toys around in it. One of the perks of this type of baby walker is that it's baby-led. Only they know when they are ready to learn to walk.

Having watched many babies fall with light walkers tipping or going too fast for them, at first I recommend slowing down the cart by putting a weight (that's far too heavy for your baby to lift) or a big, heavy book (that you wouldn't mind your baby touching) in it. Just make sure the cart can handle the weight. If your home is carpeted or the push walker is sturdy enough, this might not be needed.

After a while, they can keep up with the cart on their own; just be ready to catch your baby the first time without the weight. I found that they need turning around for a long time, even without the weight. 

Please keep in mind that it’s OK if your baby is not walking or talking until 18-months-old. 

Explore more Fun Infant Activities by clicking the link.