Let's face it, an itty bitty baby spends a lot of time asleep, and awake time is full of feeds, nappy changes, and having all of their needs met. But as their awake window begins to grow we find more moments in the day where we want to get down on the floor and play together. The question is: What does play look like with a newborn? 

It is easy to place pressure on play being developmentally appropriate and enriching, but at the end of the day we need fun, playful moments in our day just as much as our babies do. Even though baby is little, there are many ways to play together! In this blog post, we will explore a range of outdoor and indoor play activities that are fun and beneficial for both you and baby.

Outdoor Play Activities

1. Nature Walks: Take your baby on leisurely strolls around your neighbourhood, in the park, or even your backyard. Allow them to explore their surroundings, touch different textures, listen to the sounds of nature, and observe colourful sights. Point out birds, flowers, and trees, describing their features to promote language development. It may feel a little like you are talking to yourself, but trust us, very soon they will learn how to take part in these chats and you will be so glad you started practicing conversations early on! 
2. Sensory Play: Help your baby to explore different sensory experiences when you are exploring outdoors. Help them to feel their toes wriggle in the grass or the sand, feel the gentle rush of water over their legs as you hold them near the edge of the waves at the beach, feel the difference between the sun and the shade as you picnic under a tree. There are so many parts of nature to explore!
3. Baby Swing Time: Set up a secure baby swing in your backyard or head to a nearby park with a playground. The gentle rocking motion helps soothe and relax your little one while strengthening their core muscles. 
4. Tummy Time in the Grass: Lay a soft blanket on the grass and place your baby on their tummy. This activity promotes neck and upper body strength as they lift their head and explore the environment around them.

Indoor Play Activities

1. Mirror Play: Sit with your baby in front of a mirror. Encourage them to make faces, smile, and interact with their reflection. This activity helps develop self-awareness, facial recognition, and social skills.
2. Baby Gym: Invest in a baby gym or create your by holding soft toys/ribbons above baby. Place your baby on their back and let them explore the dangling toys, encouraging reaching, grasping, and kicking. This promotes gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
3. Sing and Dance: Turn on some soothing or playful music and dance around the room with your baby in your arms. Have fun singing and swaying to the music. This activity is great for bonding, rhythm recognition, and singing familiar songs can promote language development.

So, what do you think? Did you know all of these activities could be considered play? There are so many developmental and emotional benefits to interacting in a playful way with your little one. Remember to follow your baby's cues and make sure the activities are age-appropriate and safe.

Which of these activities are you going to try first?