Playing with your baby

Just because your baby can’t read, it doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy a story. Your voice will soothe them, and it’s a lovely excuse for a cuddle. You might think they don’t know what the words mean, but babies’ brains are like wee sponges – you’d be amazed what they pick up even when they’re tiny. You could also try showing them books with different textures for them to feel – this will help them get interested in books.

Watch this short video to see how you can use the books in your Baby Box to connect with your wee one.

Singing to your baby while you go about your day is a great way to keep them entertained. And babies learn by hearing your voice. They don’t care if you’re not Taylor Swift – they’ll love your voice more!

All wee ones love this simple rhyme:

'Round and round the garden, like a teddy bear' – move your finger in circle on your child’s palm.
'One step, two step,' – walk your fingers up their arm.
'Tickle you under there!' – tickle them under their armpit – or anywhere else that’s ticklish!

You’ll find lots more rhymes and songs like this in the Bookbug Song and Rhyme Library

Babies don't need lots of new toys to be happy. Wooden spoons, plastic tumblers, a drink bottle filled with colourful items and sealed shut – anything can be a toy! Just make sure it can’t be swallowed, and there are no loose, sharp or removable parts.

Hide behind your hands then surprise your wee one by reappearing – boo! For extra giggles, you can make funny noises. You can also try this with your baby’s toys. This simple game teaches them that even if they can’t see you, you still exist!

This short video shows you how you can use the muslin cloth in your Baby Box to play peek-a-book with your wee one.

Who’s that in the mirror? Try letting your baby look at their reflection and see if they recognise themselves.

Tickling can be a lovely way to bond. When you're changing your baby’s nappy, tickle their toes or tummy – they love how it feels.

Making a mobile is great way to keep babies interested as their eyes develop and they focus more. They’re easy to make at home too. Just cut out different colourful objects from magazines, back them with card, attach them to string on a coat hanger and you’ve got an instant mobile! 

If you have older kids, why not get them to make the mobile? That way, everyone’s busy. If they need some inspiration, this video from CBeebies shows them how to make a planet mobile that’s out of this world!

Tickling can be a lovely way to bond. When you're changing your baby’s nappy, tickle their toes or tummy – they love how it feels.

As your wee one gets older, they might try grabbing everything around them. So pop them on a blanket and scatter some baby-safe objects around them, like the teething ring and comforter toy in your Baby Box. And give them a kiss and a ‘well done’ when they reach them. 

When they’re learning how to stand up, help them practise by getting them to reach for toys on your sofa.

You’ve probably noticed by now that babies love making noise! Make some simple instruments for your wee one by filling a plastic bottle with pasta or rice (make sure the lid is very firmly shut so they can’t open it and don’t leave them alone with these). Or why not give them some pots and a wooden spoon to bang them with? Then put on the radio and watch them play along!

Try drawing some shapes, lines or figures on a piece of paper while your baby watches. You could tell them a little story as you do, or help them hold the pencil or crayon and have a go themselves. Who cares how good you are at drawing? Your baby won’t judge your artistic skills!

It’s never too early to start with art. Messing around with pencils, crayons and baby-safe paints are a great way to have fun together while helping them develop different skills. Just letting them make marks and showing you appreciate what they’ve done helps build their confidence. For lots of fun, creative ideas, check out the Art at the Start project here.

Once your little one is sitting up happily, you may want to start playing some ball games. Passing a soft ball or rolled up sock to each other is a good way to start. Sit close together to begin with, and as your baby finds it easier to do, you can start moving further apart.

Making bubble beards at bath-time is a great way to keep your baby laughing while you wash their hair. Try making bubble beards on each other to see who can look the silliest. You can find more fun bath games here.