Nearly all babies, toddlers, and children have one thing in common—a love for play. This is important, as playtime allows their developing mind to make new connections and discoveries in a safe environment. Keeping your baby entertained can feel a bit challenging to a first-time parent since they have different abilities than a young child. Keep your growing infant active with these great ways to entertain your baby and keep them engaged!
Sing to Them
Singing to your baby is a great way to help them begin grasping their language skills since it teaches them new words and how to say them. Plus, this fun activity helps them learn to listen; once your little one can say words, have them sing nursery rhymes back to you. This activity is also a great way for the two of you to bond since babies love the sound of their parent’s voice.
Give Them Teethers
Although these aren’t toys, one of the many benefits of using teethersis that they keep those little hands occupied. These often come in fun shapes and textures that fascinate their developing mind. In the early stages of life, babies put things in their mouths to understand them—this is the oral stage—and this is the purpose of a teether.
Engage Their Senses
Another tip to keep your baby entertained is to do activities that require they use several of their senses. Many parents also suggest creating sensory boxes for babies packed with a variety of items that will engage their senses. This can include items like:
- Dry pasta noodles or rice
- A sponge
- Edible play dough
Make sure the items you have are all safe for your baby and don’t pose choking hazards or other dangers. Additionally, try to have items to appeal to each of the five senses as you go through the box with them. This is an exciting way to explore different textures, smells, and states.
Explore Outside
Whether you go for a walk or play in the backyard, this is an easy way to give your cutie a change in scenery. You can eat lunch outside together to make eating more fun for your kiddo. Or, you could go on a scavenger hunt where you two look for leaves, flowers, and more. If your baby is too young for this, you can still enjoy time outside by putting them in their stroller and going for a stroll.
Read Books Together
Most baby experts agree that you can and should start reading to your baby on their first day of life. Although they may not understand the story just yet, they still enjoy the sound of your voice and time together.
As your little one develops, they’ll become more fascinated with the pictures, and you can point things out to them. Soon enough, they’ll also enjoy and engage with the story that you read with them. Nothing quite bonds people like an incredible story!