Baby activities_06_ACT_5 happy-baby activities_01

5 happy-baby activities (that help with development too!)

5 happy-baby activities (that help with development too!)

0-6 Months
Article
Aug 12, 2024
3 mins

Ideas for fitting new and fun games into your baby’s routine. 

Between four and six months is a special time for your baby! This is when you’ll start to notice lots of changes – They’ll become more social and interact with those around them, which is lovely for everyone involved!

And, as they start to build strength in their neck and body, they might be able to sit up – maybe with a little help from you, pillows, or a baby chair. This is great practice for head and neck control, which they’ll need when they begin to eat. They might start to grab things too (watch out for hair and jewellery!)

You can support these developments through fun playtime. One-to-one activities are also a much better way of engaging your baby than television and other electronic devices. While you may think screen time wouldn’t affect her at such a young age, it could actually have a negative effect on their development, so why not try some of these play activities instead?

First happy-baby activity

1. The game: Mirror, mirror

What you need: A mirror large enough to show both your reflection and your baby’s.

What to do: Make them wave at baby and mom. Then make them ‘find’ baby and mom by patting your reflections in the mirror. Silly faces are encouraged!

What your baby is learning: Although your baby may not recognize itself in the mirror, they can respond to the smiling faces and be fascinated by images.

Second happy-baby activity

2. The game: Little water baby

What you need: A soft, safe surface.

What to do: Place your baby on their tummy (either on a surface, or on your tummy or arm) and encourage them kick their arms and legs at the same time, as if they are swimming.

What your baby is learning: Important motor skills they’ll need when they start crawling.

Third happy-baby activity

3. The game: Peekaboo!

What you need: Just yourself!

What to do: A baby-game classic. Simply hide your face behind your hands — and let your baby squirm, kick, and laugh with excitement as you open your hands again with a ‘peekaboo!’

What your baby is learning: The idea that things they can’t see still exist!

Fourth happy-baby activity

4. The game: Peekaboo Too!

What you need: A few of your baby’s favourite toys, and a blanket.

What to do: Hide a toy under a blanket, then lift the blanket to reveal it with a big ‘peekaboo!’ After a little while, let your baby look for and find the toys their self.

What your baby is learning: As above, your baby will learn that things they can’t see still exist. Feeling and touching the blanket and toys will also help with their sensory development.

Fifth happy-baby activity

5. The game: Reach and grab

What you need: A few small, safe objects, such as blocks, small stuffed animals, and plastic cups.

What to do: Offer them the toys so that they have a chance to hold them. Then place the items just out of reach, so they can practice “raking” them. Make sure you give them lots of encouragement along the way.

What your baby is learning: This will help develop the hand and finger skills they will eventually use to feed themselves.

Sources

Related articles

View details Baby Feeding and Nutrition: The Guide
Article
Breastfeeding

Baby Feeding and Nutrition: The Guide

How will you feed your newborn?

7 mins to read

View details Baby Development milestones: Months 1 - 3
Article
Baby and mommy

Baby Development milestones: Months 1 - 3

Your baby’s first focus? She’ll use her eyes and ears, along with her sense of smell and touch, to learn her new world.

4 mins to read

View details How to strengthen your baby's immune system
Article
How to strengthen your baby's immune system

How to strengthen your baby's immune system

By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician

3 mins to read

View details Top tips for better sleep at 3-6 months
Article
Baby sleep habits_06_ACT_Top tips for better sleep at 3-6 months

Top tips for better sleep at 3-6 months

Scientists agree that good sleep is important for healthy growth, so follow our all-day guide to better sleep for baby.

3 mins to read

View details How a 6 months baby develops fine motor skills? | Baby's Development: Months 4-6
Article
Fine motor skills

How a 6 months baby develops fine motor skills? | Baby's Development: Months 4-6

Let’s talk baby talk! No, not words just yet, but the language basics begin here!

5 mins to read

View details How to get Baby to Sleep & Fight Fatigue
Article
baby sleep time

How to get Baby to Sleep & Fight Fatigue

Getting enough sleep during the first months of your baby's life means adjusting to your own new sleep habits and those of your baby.

3 mins to read

View details The ins and outs of babies’ digestive system
Article
The ins and outs of babies’ digestive system

The ins and outs of babies’ digestive system

By Dr. Jeff Habert, family physician

3 mins to read

View details Baby Bedtime Routine: How, Why & When to Start
Article
Baby sleep habits_03_ACT_How to establish a bedtime routine_01

Baby Bedtime Routine: How, Why & When to Start

Good sleep habits are important for the health and well-being of your baby. Learn how and when to start a bedtime routine with your baby.

4 mins to read

View details Newborn Sleep Development - What you need to know
Article
Newborn Sleep Development

Newborn Sleep Development - What you need to know

You’re half-awake at 4 am with a wide-awake baby in your arms and wondering if you’ll ever get a full night’s sleep again. Don’t worry, you will.

6 mins to read

View details Newborn feeding schedule | Nursing quiz
Article
Newborn feeding schedule| Nursing quiz

Newborn feeding schedule | Nursing quiz

Is your baby getting enough?

1 min to read

View details Tummy time: let’s play!
Article
Baby activities_01_EXPLORE_Tummy time lets play

Tummy time: let’s play!

Did you know? Tummy time helps your baby develop muscles and motor skills. 

2 mins to read

View details Baby digestion development | First days
Article
Baby digestion development | First days

Baby digestion development | First days

By Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician

3 mins to read

View details When will my baby sleep through the night?
Article
Baby sleep habits_02_LEARN_When will my baby sleep through the night

When will my baby sleep through the night?

When your baby first comes home from the hospital, their irregular sleep patterns can be both challenging and exhausting.

4 mins to read

View details How to Bathe Your Baby
Article
baby bath

How to Bathe Your Baby

Baby’s first bath will be a new experience for both of you, so give yourself plenty of time to relax and enjoy it.

3 mins to read

View details Switch off screens and play!
Article
Baby activities_04_EXPLORE_Switch off screens and play

Switch off screens and play!

Did you know? Too much screen time can keep your baby from being active, and may interfere with their sleep.  

1 min to read

View details Playtime ideas for your 0-4 month old
Article
Playtime ideas for your 0-4 month old

Playtime ideas for your 0-4 month old

Make the most of your time at home with these five tummy-time moves to get your little one active and help you bond with each other.

3 mins to read

View details How to Soothe a Baby with Colic
Article
84285508_20 (2)

How to Soothe a Baby with Colic

Got a fussy baby? Infantile colic is characterized by intense, uncontrolled crying or fussing in an otherwise healthy and well-fed baby. About 20% of babies suffer from colic.

4 mins to read

View details Settling your baby through the night
Article
Baby sleep habits_04_EXPLORE_Settling your baby through the night

Settling your baby through the night

Did you know? Waking up during the night doesn’t always mean your baby is hungry.

2 mins to read

View details Benefits of probiotics for babies
Article
Benefits of probiotics for infants

Benefits of probiotics for babies

This article includes contributions from Dr. Dina Kulik, pediatrician, and Charlotte Geroudet, GD.

5 mins to read

Join

  Join

Your parenting instincts, our support

Super-sized Savings

SIGN UP & GET A CHANCE TO WIN

Sign up for Nestlé Baby & me and automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100* gift card!

For full details, please visit the Terms & Conditions.

EMAILS & SUPPORT

PERSONALIZED EMAILS & SUPPORT

Receive customized emails with useful info, special offers, & more to help guide you through each parenting phase.

Helpful Resources

HELPFUL TOOLS & RESOURCES

Get access to our helpful and interactive parenting tools & resources in one convenient hub.

EXPERT GUIDANCE

We offer science-based advice & specialized nutritional guidance for every stage of the parenting journey—from preconception to toddlerhood.