1001 Fun Ways to Play

One of my favourite places in the world is Chapters. What's better than browsing books and looking at lovely things with a Chai Tea Latte in hand?? I often head there after Wesley is in bed for a little "me time". During a recent visit I came across a great find in the Bargain Books section. It's a little book called 1001 Fun Ways to Play and it's full of of quick, creative activities for babies, toddlers and young children. The best part is that most of the activities involve minimal prep and materials that you probably already have at home. It's a great resource for rainy days or quiet play after dinner or whenever you just need a little "help"!

I thought I'd share a few of my favourite ideas. The book is sorted by age-appropriateness which is really helpful!

0+ months:

1) Soothe with heartbeats

Studies show that newborns are soothed by the sound of a human heartbeat, which they grew accustomed to hearing in the womb. Let your baby experience this comforting sound often by lying with him on your chest, skin to skin. Or sit in a chair and let his head rest against the left side of your chest, which psychologist Lee Salk and others have noted is the side on which most mothers intuitively hold their babies anyway. Notice how the sound and feel of your beating heart can calm your newborn.

20) Dance to the beat

Dancing with babies is an age-old technique for helping them fall asleep or settle down. It provides them with the swaying motion and physcial contact that they crave. Some babies enjoy lullabies; others prefer rock’n’roll. Whatever yoru baby’s preference, swaying with him held in your arms is a great way to bond, and it does wonders to both calm a child and ease a stressed parent’s soul. IN years to come, hearing the music that you and your baby dances to will bring back tender memories.

40) Smell the roses

Your baby was born with an extremely refined sense of smell. Immediately after birth, babies can even recognize the smell of their mothers. Indeed, one way newborns find their mother’s nipple is through scent. Stimulate your infant’s sense of smell by passing pleasantly scented objects, such as flowers, oranges, or vanilla extract, beneath her nose. She can’t sniff voluntarily (that doesn’t happen until abut 18 months of age), but she’ll enjoy smelling sweet scents in the air.

3+ months:

116) Introduce a new language

A child is never too young to hear a new language. One great way to start is by greeting your baby in the morning in both French and English with the classic song, “Frere Jacques”

118) Sing to the tune of a classic

use your fingers to count stars in this song, to the tune of “Row, row, row your boat”.

One, two, three big stars

Count to three with your fingers on one hand

Blinking in the sky!

Open and close both of your hands three times to make them blink

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, twinkle

Continue ‘blinking’ both hands while raising them over your head

how’d they get so high?

hold out your hands, palms up, as if you don’t know the answer

6+ months

184) Make a family photo album

Strengthen the bond your baby feels with the rest of her family by filling an album with photos of people she knows and loves. Add pictures of beloved pets and toys, too, and you’ll have a book that will engage and entertain her for years to come

185) Hide sounds

Hide an object that makes noise – a ticking clock, a music box, or a talking plush toy – where your adventurous crawler can find it. As he searches for the source of the sound, he’ll be testing his auditory tracking skills. He’ll also gain a sense of mastery when he discovers the little noisemaker.

198) Dine in the buff

Even the most adorable baby clothes lose their appeal when they’re covered in cereal or pureed peas. So let your little diner eat in the buff once in a while. Not only will it keep her clothes stain-free, but it’s also fun for her. And when she smears carrots across her chest, remember that she’s becoming more aware of her body.

9+ months:

251) Get out the muffin pan

Once baby has mastered the ability to pick up and release objects, he’ll enjoy plopping tennis balls, toys, and wads of crumpled-up paper into the cups of muffin tins – an action that hones fine motor skills.

258) Offer puppet kisses

Don a small hand puppet and use it to give ‘kisses’ to different parts of your baby’s body. She’ll love to hear you tell her where the puppet is going to kiss her next.

300) Give blanket rides

A blanket ride is much like a sled ride, except that you pull a blanket across a floor or grass instead of a sled across snow. Sit or lay your child on a blanket, then gently and slowly pull the blanket. Try different directions. If you add an older child to the mix, she can ensure that the baby doesn’t topple over, plus this doubles the fun!

310) Let ‘er rip!

Indoor sandbox! Much oatmeal was ingested.

Before your toss out your magazines, let your baby explore the thrill of tearing out the pages! The ripping action sounds great and helps him develop both gross and find motor skills. Make sure he doesn’t put any paper in his mouth.

12+ months:

411) Follow the string trail

Kids love to explore, especially when there’s treasure at the end of the journey. Using a brightly coloured ball of yarn, wind a trail through your house. Supervising carefully, help your child follow the trail as it runs from his bedroom door, down the hall, loops around the corner into the living room, then winds in and out among the dining room chairs until he comes to the yarn’s end, hidden in a box or bag containing a small treat. If he gathers up yarn as he goes, the path will be easier to follow.

414) Make an indoor sandbox

Set a plastic dishpan on a try and empty a large box of oatmeal into it. Give your toddler cups and spoons for pouring and digging, plastic horses for grazing, or toy cars and trucks for tunneling through the oats.

I'll post some activities for older toddlers at a later date. I'm getting a typing cramp!