How to Keep a Baby Entertained

Bright colors, moving objects and faces can provide entertainment for an alert infant. While toys, swings and bouncers also work wonders, there are plenty of free ways to entertain baby with household items.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wooden spoons
• Pots or pans
• Blush brush
• Electronic devices
• Mirror

1. Bring out the pots and pans. Get your wooden spoons and some shiny pots, and let him bang away.

2. Rip up old magazines or newspapers and let baby take over. It'll keep him happy and busy for a long while.

3. Stroke your baby with fluffy make-up brushes. Use a big blush brush (without the blush) and gently feather it against his cheeks, tummy, arms or legs. It makes babies giggle with delight. Older babies may even try it on you.

4. Break out the old standbys. Sing, play patty-cake or peek-a-boo. These take effort on your part, but they work well.

5. Let him play with old electronics. Babies love to play with the buttons on old TV remotes and telephones. Also, unplug your computer keyboard and let baby pound on the keys.

6. Show him a mirror. Babies love to see faces, and mirrors are a wonderful way to keep him entertained. He won't recognize his reflection yet, but he's sure to wonder who's that cute baby staring back at him.

Tips & Warnings

• If baby is tired, you can also use the blush brush to lull him to sleep. Just softly stroke his cheeks slowly.