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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

  • Hang brightly colored objects near your baby

  • Hang mobiles with high-contrast patterns

What you can do as a parent:

  • Sing and talk to your baby

  • Play music

  • Rock your baby and take them for walks

2 to 3 months

  • Likes bright objects

  • Enjoys pictures and mirrors

  • Likes rattles

  • Enjoys infant swing

  • Enjoys car rides

What you can do as a parent:

  • Sing and talk to your baby

  • Play music

  • Rock your baby and take them for walks

4 to 6 months

  • Likes brightly colored objects

  • Likes to hold toys

  • Enjoys rattles or bells

  • Likes swings and strollers

What you can do as a parent:

  • Talk to your baby

  • Encourage your baby to crawl and sit by placing them on the floor

6 to 9 months

  • Enjoys large toys with bright colors that move

  • Likes to play peek-a-boo

What you can do as a parent:

  • Call your baby by name

  • Speak clearly to your baby and encourage different sounds

  • Name body parts, foods, and people

  • Tell your baby simple commands

  • Play pat-a-cake

  • Begin saying words that tell what you are doing

  • Encourage your baby to crawl by placing toys beyond their reach

9 to 12 months

  • Enjoys looking at books

  • Likes hearing sounds of animals

  • Enjoys large toys that can be pushed and pulled

What you can do as a parent:

  • Take your baby to different places and outings

  • Play ball with your baby

  • Read to your baby

  • Tell your baby names of body parts

Toys for babies

Birth to 6 months

  • Mobiles

  • Mirrors that will not break

  • Music boxes

  • Bells and rattles

  • Stuffed animals

  • Swings

7 to 12 months

  • Blocks

  • Brightly colored toys

  • Books

  • Balls

  • Cup and spoon

  • Jack-in-the-box

  • Rattles

  • Teething toys

  • Toys that can be pushed and pulled

  • Baby dolls

Medical Reviewers:

  • Dan Brennan MD
  • Liora C Adler MD
  • Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN