Are there activities to do with babies? Yes and this list is full of 40+ fun and easy baby activities, all geared at this tiny tot age group. With sensory activities and simple ways to explore, this list of activities for babies is perfect for getting baby started on a life of play.
Do babies need easy activities?
It’s fun having a baby around – they’re full of joy, everything is learning, and the world is their oyster. But should we be doing baby activities with them?
Yes… no… It’s a complicated answer.
Babies learn through experiences and they learn through exposure.
We want to give our babies all of that, plus the sun, moon, and stars. A great way to introduce new experiences and give them exposure to different concepts, sensations, and items is through easy baby activities
The baby activities on this list were specially chosen to give baby a chance to explore their environment in a safe and meaningful way.
RELATED: Need some new books for your baby? Check out my list of absolute favorites that stayed with my kids far beyond baby-hood.
Looking for a different kind of parenting book?
Check out “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” for advice from tabies to big kids
How do you make sure a baby is learning?
Here’s how babies learn: through exposure and experiences and with play, reading, conversation.
We aren’t trying to teach or drill information into our babies. Everything is learning to a baby. These activities are meant to give experiences and exposures – all in the name of building background knowledge for them to draw off of later and help those neurons and pathways develop.
Babies don’t need school to learn. They just need opportunities to check out the world.
Baby activities are fun for caregivers, too.
Look, I love a baby as much as the next person but there comes a time when you are staying home with one all day long that you get a little…. stir crazy. Everything is wash, rinse, repeat and you are staring at someone all day who isn’t exactly a conversationalist.
Setting up easy baby activities can be as good for the caregiver as it is for the baby.
It gives you something to do.
It breaks up the monotony.
It helps pass the time from nap block to nap block.
I loved setting up little activities for my babies – not even so much for them but because it was fun for me to craft, create, have purpose, and find something new to do that day. Baby activities are also great new parent activities, and I say that with so much love.
RELATED: What are the best toys for babies? I have the most amazing list of toys that babies will keep playing with for years to come.
What are some easy baby activities?
The hardest part in finding activities for babies is actually finding them. There are not many activities on the Internet that are perfect for the 6-months to 15-months age group. I absolutely grabbed the best of the best to make this unique list.
I broke this activity this list into two categories: sensory ideas and exploration activities. Enjoy these activities with your baby (but remember, always use best judgement, supervision, and safety precautions).
Sensory Ideas for Babies
Fluffy Bin
Gather up your baby’s favorite stuffies and a kiddie poll for this snuggly activity that will be a favorite for your little one.
Rainbow Sensory Bottles
These bottles are beautiful and perfect for baby exploration! Each little bottle makes a different sound, is a different weight, and is visually exciting for little ones.
Baby Music Bin
Find some musical toys and rattles to create a baby music bin that will entertain them long enough to give you a moment to breathe.
Exploring Hot and Cold
This is such a great way for babies to explore different temperatures in a safe way.
Cereal Pool
Another non-swimming related activity using our kiddie pool! Throw in some Cheerios and your little one has a taste safe activity, is being safely contained, and extra bonus, they get to be part of the big kid action while still being protected.
Sparkly Squish Bag
The sequins and sparkly gems make this a must for little ones. It’ll keep their attention for a few minutes which is a success when it comes to a baby activity.
Bubble Sensory Bag
A simple and easy activity for your baby using just soap, water, and a resealable bag. What a winner.
Green Pea Sensory Bag
This is mesmerizing for babies to watch and play with. The little peas dance and bounce all around as they squish the bag.
Edible Chickpea Foam
This taste safe bubble foam is made from the liquid in a can of garbanzo beans. Amazing, right?
Baby Playdough
5 easy everyday ingredients come together to make this fun and edible playdough perfect for babies
Rainbow Spaghetti
This is a fantastic sensory bin material for babies! It’s edible and so alluring for them. The squishing and eating is all part of the experience.
Sensory Board Ideas
Want to try making a sensory board for your child? There are some great ideas for materials and instructions for various options here to get you started.
Edible Sand
Ground up cereal creates the best “sand” for babies to play with. It’s taste safe and the texture is a sensory dream for them.
Baby Oobleck
This activity was on repeat at our house and being a stage 47 clinger! Best part, it cleans up with a water and a towel.
Sensory Blocks
A great combination of sensory bottles and sensory blocks! These are the perfect size for little hands and real fun to knock over and stack.
Chia Seed Sensory Play
There are so many ways to use chia seeds for sensory play! While we don’t usually eat chia seeds alone, they are edible so it’s safe for babies to play with.
Sensory Fort
Remember the magic of fort building when you were a kid? This is the baby version of that and is about the coolest idea ever.
Exploration Activities for Babies
Circle Treasure Basket
Create a baby treasure basket for them to explore and learn with their little hands and minds.
Busy Box
If you have a seriously busy baby this is for you! Make a couple of these and place them around your house so that you can whip them out whenever you need.
Tugging Lid
You’re going to want to make more than one of these, trust me! It’s super easy to create and is a great alternative for baby to chew on when you’re out and about.
Discovery Baskets
These little baskets are great for letting babies explore otherwise off limit items to them. Babies can put their hands all over the various objects and get to explore and inspect each one.
Baby Puzzle Grab
A sticky wall just keeps giving and giving when it comes to activities for babies! Here you can put some of their favorite puzzle pieces on the wall and watch as they try to take them off.
Tummy Time Painting
Does your baby hate tummy time? Need something to distract them during that time? Try having them paint! Paint in a sensory bag is sure to spark their interest.
Dry Bath
One of those “it’s so simple why didn’t I think of that” activities! Baby is contained, safe, surrounded by favorite toys, and you can get ready in the morning.
Baby First Steps Foot Print Art
A cool and different way to mark a major milestone of babyhood…walking! Make sure you hold on tight to them though so they don’t go slipping and sliding through the paint.
Yarn Pull
Your baby will love the different textures and colors of yarn when playing with this activity. It’s another great highchair activity as well so you can actually get a chance to make dinner without your child attached to you.
DIY Ball Drop
Let’s work on those fine motor skills with your little one using this ball drop activity. Babies love nothing more than dropping things into a container and then taking them out.
Cheerio Find
This activity is a fine motor practice, sensory exploration, and snack all in one! Having young ones practice picking up smaller objects is a great way to practice those fine motor skills.
Mess Free Painting
Anything “mess free” is a yes from my camp! This painting activity is not only fun for littles but easily can be turned into a card or gift for others.
Window Grab
This is an easy, go to highchair activity for babies. Sticking foam shapes to a window and letting baby try to pull them off is A+ entertainment.
Play Silk Baby Activity
Need to keep your baby occupied during diaper changes or clothing changes? This play silk activity is sure to keep their attention long enough for you to get done what needs to be done.
Baby Sensory Play Area
Create a little play area for your baby filled with things they see, touch, and hear. There are some great ideas here to get you started.
Yarn Transfer
This transfer activity is so easy to put together and will easily be used over and over again.
Simple Toy Push
Keeping a baby busy is HARD work! This super simple activity is one that gave me a few precious moments of peace and gave him something to come back to over and over again.
Moon Sand
Also called “cloud dough,” this taste safe version is perfect for babies who are always wanting to put things in their mouths. It holds it shape when squished which is fun for littles to explore.
Pasta Play
Grab a colander and some uncooked pasta and let your little one go at it. They’ll work on fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, concentration, and some patience/perseverance in this activity.
Ball Drop
Playing to a baby’s strengths is important when finding activities for them. Dropping things is a strength for many babies so enter the baby ball drop, make from a recycled container and balls from another toy.
Texture Blocks
Create your own textured blocks using fabric, stickers, paper, etc. for your little one to play with. These are just like those touch and feel books but in block form so your child can explore various textures in 3D.
Knock Down Towers
This is a fun activity for adults to set up and big siblings. Create something for “babyzilla” to destroy and everyone will be laughing.
Hidden Toys
A hidden gem of an activity! It’s a grab bag of excitement for babies and can be easily transported to where ever you are at the ready for when you need a breather.
Animal Tape Rescue
Need a few moments of silence? Your baby will be focused and working for more than a few seconds trying to rescue their beloved toys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course not! Babies are always learning. Providing a stimulating and safe environment, reading to them and talking out loud does so much for their development.
Unless your medical professionals or therapists have dictated a specific learning program for your child, babies do not need a formal learning program. They need to listen to books. They need to be talked to. They need a variety of environments and situations (tummy time, holding, sitting, taking walks, etc.). Please be leery of any website or program promoting learning skills (like reading) in babies. These websites are preying on caregivers.
Check out my list of the best toys for babies. This list is full of toys that grow with your baby. Instead of spending money on one and done toys, these toys will last for years and be used through multiple developmental stages.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie has written two home learning curricula, Playing Preschool and Branches. Her parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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yumnah says
Great activities for babies, very helpful.
Nadia says
Hi Susie! Thank you so much for including one of our activities. At that age range it is often times so overwhelming for Mom’s to come up with age appropriate activities. It’s such an in between age where they are old enough to want more stimulation but still young enough that they can’t grasp many concepts. These suggestions are wonderful! I will definitely be referring my friends to this.
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles says
These are awesome! What a fun roundup! Definitely saving these!
Leah says
Thank you so much for including a couple of our activities! I love doing sensory bins/sensory activities with our kids! It is such a fun (and educational) way for them to pass their days!