Playing with a little someone who can’t sit on his own or even grab a toy properly can be a challenge. I’ve often looked at my little one and wondered aloud, “What do I do with you now?” Babies sometimes can be occupied with the most mundane of things like dangling a bunch of toys over their heads, but what’s the use of that? We want to make play fun and stimulating, so our LO gets all the right exposure he needs.

The Big Bag of Rattles

This bag is full of rattles and miscellaneous toys that he can grasp, thanks to his innate reflexes. They are bright, colourful, noisy and fun! All I do is shake them one by one, sing a rhyme/ song in tune with them or let him hold them. I even tap a couple on his feet, to give him the sensation of touch along with the experience of sound! Remember, what may seem boring to you, might actually be entertaining to them.

The Play Gym

This takes some getting used to, but it’s quite a brilliant invention. A foot piano and dangling rattles on an arch above, along with a colourful play mat. Our baby resisted at first, but with time, he liked it and would spend 10 – 20 minutes on it, twice a day. The best thing about the play gym, is that you can take that precious break you need, even if it’s for just 15 min.

We used “Cable World Kick and Play Musical”. Find it here: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07TCPBJK6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Baby Books

Now this one, I found, shocked many people I told them about. They asked me why I was showing books to a baby. A lot of pessimism and discouraging words were spoken that day, but I bought some anyway. And what a wonder they have been!

It is wrong to assume your baby is too little for anything but eating, sleeping and pooping. That is why I call them little humans. Little humans need respect, faith and education too. And books for babies are more than just about learning. They are fun!

There are books that make sounds, books with flaps, textures, puppets, shiny stuff – you name it! It would be a crime to not introduce our little ones to this form of media that for some reason many people seem averse to.

Trust me people. Books are good. Books are not about school. Books are for life!

Song and Dance

Try out some songs and see what the baby likes. Then dance to those tunes while you gently hold their tiny hands. Sing to them. Dance as you hold them. Have fun doing it, so your baby knows what music and rhythm is all about!

Sujay’s favorites were “Crazy frog“, “Gangnam style“, “Daddy” by PSY, Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and Maroon 5’s “Girls like you“.

Bubbles

Babies love it when you blow bubbles all over them. As soon as their vision develops, anyway. We tried it on Sujay when he was 4 months old, but as it is with everything, babies learn to like things. Their preferences are shaped by what they are exposed to. So our job is to expose them to everything, so they can choose and develop said preferences.

Just remember to say “Ba ba ba babba babba bubbles!!” as you blow them so your baby can learn his consonants as he plays!

Shadow Play

Trust me, babies are not afraid of the dark. Not pitch black darkness, but a little less light and voila! Now you can have your own shadow show! Which is super fun for everyone involved! Just shine a torch on the ceiling and move your hands like you just don’t care! This of course may not work on very young babies, because their vision’s still developing. Make sure to make lots of sounds and narrate what you’re doing though.

Rhymes

This is a favorite of mine. Sujay loves it as well. It involves singing, dancing and engaging your baby in a mild learning-cum-exercise routine!

Row, row, row your boat, Itsy-bitsy spider, Patty cake, Wheels on the bus, One-two buckle my shoe are all rhymes with lots of potential!

Use rhymes that involve actions and make those actions with your baby. This youtube channel, I found helpful while learning rhymes for my baby.

Some other activities you can try

• Playing Peek-a-boo
• Showing your baby the mirror and allowing him to touch his reflection and yours.
• Elevator ride on your lower legs. Lay your baby on your legs and lift him up and down. The baby can be laid on his back or after 3 months, his tummy.
• A rocker chair can come in handy and can engage your baby for a while.