Baby Games that have Stood the Test of Time

It’s never too early to start playing games with your little ones and besides, baby games are so much fun! Playing a game with your baby allows you to relive your childhood, but more than that, it creates opportunities for bonding, helps strengthen a baby’s development and helps them learn new skills. It teaches them that laughter is wonderful, stretches their muscles and senses and improves problem solving skills. Just be sure to follow their cues and stop when they’ve had enough.

When it comes to baby games, there are many games you would remember from your own childhood. A good game stands the test of time and is passed on through generation after generation. Can’t think of any? Have a go at one of these classic games and watch as a smile lights up your baby’s face:

Peek-a-Boo

What baby doesn’t love a good game of peek-a-boo? It’s a game that teaches them that while you may disappear, you’ll always be back and helps them learn to predict regular patterns.

How to play: Place your child in a comfy position and then sit yourself in front of them. Place both hands over your eyes and then quickly pull them away to reveal your eyes. Enhance the play by saying words such as “Where’s Lucy?”, “There she is.”

Expressions

Your baby loves to see your face change and pulling funny faces teaches them about expression and the different ways we use it. As they get older, they will learn to imitate and interpret your facial expressions.

How to play: Show your baby a series of different facial expressions, such as happy, sad, angry, tired, silly, surprised and scared.

Fingerplay songs

Songs that you can sing while teaching finger movements help develop fine motor skills and are highly entertaining for young children. Once your baby can sit up, their hands are free to explore, so give them something to do.

How to play: Sing songs such as Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while acting out the song with finger movements.

Name that texture

Babies love toys that they can grip in their hand and love to learn how things work, feel and smell. The variety teaches different shapes, colour and texture, so keep it interesting by mixing toys up and asking lots of questions.

How to play: Give your baby a series of different toys and ask them to tell you what it is. If they’re not yet talking, guide them through each toy. “This one is yellow and squishy.” , “This one is blue and soft to touch.”

Where’s Your Nose?

You might remember that crazy uncle that would steal your nose every time you entered a room as a kid, and the good news is this game is still just as much fun as it was back then. You can mix it up by tickling their ears, knees or toes.

How to play: Simulate plucking the nose from your baby by tucking your thumb between the index and middle finger as you form a fist. Be careful not to ever frighten your child and always be playful in your actions.

Pat-a-Cake

This classic rhyme teaches babies to clap both hands together at the body midline and as they learn the movements and words, their confidence will grow.

How to play: Repeat Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man; bake me a cake as fast as you can. Pat it and roll it and mark it with a B and put in in the oven for baby and me.” As you sing, act the movements out using your hands.