Looking for Fun Infant Activities? 

A baby's development varies significantly over the months. At first, simply watching you up close while talking or singing to them provides ample stimulation. Hanging safe toys for them to look at and then bat at is a nice start to their infant activities. 

As their wake window increases, their sight strengthens, and your baby can voluntarily move their limbs (as opposed to reflexes), they will begin to benefit from more baby activities. 

Safe and Simple DIY Baby Toys 

Did you know that babies put everything in their mouths to learn about them? The front of the tongue has double sensory receptors that help educate little ones about what they're exploring. 

Choking is a real risk for babies. Moreover, since the infant's immune system is still developing, there are many things that are too dirty for babies to mouth. This is why I create safe and clean infant activities where babies can discover things with all their senses. 

The baby industry wants us to believe that babies need loads of expensive toys and equipment. These safe DIY Baby Toys are so easy to make that you don't need any special skills or tools. Plus, they challenge babies at different stages of development. 

Let Them Explore Safe Household Objects 

Have you noticed that many baby toys are so bulky and heavy that babies find them hard to play with? I've found that many baby toys get ignored; instead, babies try their best to play with the things we use. I remember in daycare, in a room full of toys, the babies would regularly fight over wooden spoons from the treasure basket. 

A treasure basket is the most popular term for a heuristic play basket. Heuristic play enables little ones to discover, experiment, problem-solve, and evaluate through trial and error. Child psychologist Elinor Goldschmeid developed heuristic play for babies and toddlers over 40 years ago. 

A heuristic play basket is a perfect infant activity once your baby can sit up. It's handy that you can find safe household items you already have around. This can safely satisfy your baby's need to explore everyday items. 

Treasure baskets are traditionally filled with natural materials. The differences in weight, temperature, and texture can provide babies with a rich sensory experience. However, I have seen babies enjoying many heuristic play baskets that contain plastic items or wooden toys. 

Intrigued about what exactly makes up a treasure basket? Check out the Heuristic Play Basket page.

Baby Sensory Play Infant Activities

These infant activities are more baby play ideas that enable them to have safe and clean opportunities to explore things with their mouths. 

I think of babies as little scientists doing simple experiments with whatever they can explore. Baby sensory play is an important element in letting your baby discover and interact with their environment. Movement paired with multi-sensory input really helps to build your baby's brain. 

You may be tempted to keep that mess inside a ziplock bag taped to the floor or highchair tray. I was years ago, but I found that these infant activities were boring and didn't hold babies' attention at all. In comparison, direct contact with the materials allows for a larger range of opportunities and sensory input, which increases their learning and enjoyment.

In my opinion, baby sensory play is worth the mess. I often can clean up really quickly because I usually provide small amounts.

Check out my go-to safe Baby Sensory Play ideas, which have been very popular with the little ones I have cared for. I also included some tips on how to contain the mess and aid cleanup. 

Baby Play Ideas

These baby play ideas use toys that many families have, especially if they have other children. If this is your first child, you may want to invest in toys that will grow with your child (and possibly future children). 

Now, it is very important that you are careful to avoid choking hazards, as toys labeled 3+ or not for 0-3 often are. 

Be inspired by these Baby Play Ideas by clicking the link.

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, as I mentioned above. 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. 

There are also baby activities 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.

To discover what Older Baby Activities are popular.

I hope you enjoy these infant activities with your baby. Explore the other Practical Playthings on the Home Page.