Adult Health Library
Infant Play
What can I do to help promote play in my baby?
All children are different and may enjoy different toys and interactions, but the following are suggestions for activities and toys for the baby:
Birth to 1 month
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Hang brightly colored objects near your baby
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Hang mobiles with high-contrast patterns
What you can do as a parent:
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Sing and talk to your baby
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Play music
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Rock your baby and take them for walks
2 to 3 months
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Likes bright objects
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Enjoys pictures and mirrors
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Likes rattles
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Enjoys infant swing
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Enjoys car rides
What you can do as a parent:
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Sing and talk to your baby
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Play music
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Rock your baby and take them for walks
4 to 6 months
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Likes brightly colored objects
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Likes to hold toys
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Enjoys rattles or bells
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Likes swings and strollers
What you can do as a parent:
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Talk to your baby
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Encourage your baby to crawl and sit by placing them on the floor
6 to 9 months
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Enjoys large toys with bright colors that move
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Likes to play peek-a-boo
What you can do as a parent:
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Call your baby by name
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Speak clearly to your baby and encourage different sounds
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Name body parts, foods, and people
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Tell your baby simple commands
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Play pat-a-cake
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Begin saying words that tell what you are doing
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Encourage your baby to crawl by placing toys beyond their reach
9 to 12 months
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Enjoys looking at books
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Likes hearing sounds of animals
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Enjoys large toys that can be pushed and pulled
What you can do as a parent:
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Take your baby to different places and outings
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Play ball with your baby
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Read to your baby
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Tell your baby names of body parts
Toys for babies
Birth to 6 months
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Mobiles
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Mirrors that will not break
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Music boxes
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Bells and rattles
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Stuffed animals
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Swings
7 to 12 months
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Blocks
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Brightly colored toys
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Books
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Balls
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Cup and spoon
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Jack-in-the-box
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Rattles
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Teething toys
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Toys that can be pushed and pulled
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Baby dolls
Online Medical Reviewer: Liora C Adler MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN