Games for Babies

Games help babies learn.

Finding games for babies who are not walking or talking may seem like a challenge, but with a little creativity you can have fun with your baby and help her learn at the same time. Babies are constantly taking in information from the world around them and will be easily delighted by bright colors, new sounds and direct interaction with people.

Peek-a-Boo

Hide behind your hands, then reveal yourself with a cry of "peek-a-boo!" An easy game to play anywhere, peek-a-boo can keep babies entertained for ages. Adjust the game to your baby's personality: if he is easily startled, show yourself slowly and speak softly; if he gets anxious about not being able to see you don't hide for too long.

Peek-a-boo is not only good entertainment for grocery store lines and car rides, it also helps develop your baby's sense of object permanence (realizing that objects and people still exist even if he can't see them) and teaches him that you will come back when you leave.

Try variations of the game, such as using a puppet or hiding yourself behind a blanket or wall.

Finger Games and Rhymes

Finger games are an easy way to keep your baby entertained anywhere, because you don't need anything more than your hands and some rhymes. Many finger games have simple actions that your baby can copy (clapping hands, wiggling fingers, pointing). Games that incorporate tickling can be helpful in keeping your baby happy and smiling during unpleasant activities, such as diaper changes.

Round and Round the Garden

Round and round the garden

Went the Teddy bear,

(Move your index finger in a circle around baby's palm or stomach)

One step, two steps, ("Walk" your fingers up his arm)

Tickle under there! (Tickle him under his arm or chin)

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider

Went up the water spout

(Place your thumbs on the index fingers of the opposite hand and alternate them, "walking" the spider upwards)

Down came the rain and washed the spider out

(Separate your hands and wiggle your fingers down to the floor, like rain)

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain

(Put your arms above your head, creating a circle for the sun)

And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.

(Repeat climbing action)

Play Centers

Play centers are a great way to keep your baby entertained while you throw dinner together. They have the benefit of being able to swivel and bounce, but they remain stationary so there is no chasing involved.

Play centers have a variety of activities to allow baby to improve fine motor skills, learn about cause and effect (he will be delighted to discover that he can make a silly noise by pushing a certain button) and be stimulated by bright colors and patterns.

Play centers should only be used once your baby is able to support his own neck and head, and he should never be left unsupervised in a play center.

Blocks

Blocks span several developmental stages.

Make a tower out of brightly colored blocks and show your baby how to knock it down --- the power she feels from doing so will likely thrill her.

As your baby gets older she will start to place blocks on top of each other, building fine motor skills and learning about balance and gravity at the same time.

Once baby is old enough, make a game out of putting the blocks away.

References

• Parenthood: Never Too Young: Games to Play With Infants