Things to do with 4 month old - Please!! (Near to Sutton or just ideas?)

[anythingwithagiraffeonit]

Hi everyone...

My baby is bored! She gets very very frustrated during the day and ive been told that this is a difficult age really for activities so what could I do with her?

Tried a few activities and a few just didn't hold her attention but at the moment we go to rhyme time and gymboree and on those days she is an angel! At the weekend DH and I take her to aqua tots and she seems to love that too...

I'd really like a few more ideas of some things to do with her... Lots of activities and classes seem to be for babies 6 months plus and I'm out of things to do!

Going to try baby sensory next week but it's quite far from where we live.

I'm in Sutton btw if anyone knows of anything specific?

I can't handle the afternoon crying on bored days!! Xx

Hi, My son is 5 months old and I live in Carshalton Beeches and I've done the following stuff with him: Sutton library have a story and song session on a friday morning from 10 - 10.20am which is good, Wallingotn library also do them and they're free! All the baby centres about have specific sessions for under 2s as well, my local one is called buggie buddies and is good, lots of toys for this age group and songs etc at the end. There are loads of mother and toddler groups about here, some are a bit intimidating but others are good and I've found that even sitting and watching older toddlers playing tires him out. Do you have an NCT group you could meet up with again just watching other children is stimulation for them? Westcroft centre also does monkey music type thing as do the other sports centres around, just need to find the one thats nearest to you .

I hope this is of some use to you. sorry if you've already exhausted all these possibilities its about as much as my brain can muster at the moment

Meet friends for coffee or lunch, walk in the buggy, put her in the sling and go shopping? That's what I tend to do.

Am not near you so can't suggest specifics but you can replicate the ryhme time at home with CDs (maybe team up with a friend) and take her swimming on your own. I would second the idea of long walks. When they get older and more mobile this is not so easy as they get bored so enjoy it now while you can!

I'll look into all of this - the only problem with some of the activities (and most that I find) is that they are on a Friday which is the only day I actually have a regular weekday activity booked and paid for :p (gymboree)

My little one liked reading books with big pictures around 4 months. And visiting other people, not just other babies, just being somewhere different and seeing different people. I took her around the town in the buggy 2 or 3 days a week for an hour or so, weather providing.

lots of childrens centres do lots of activities you will also find lots of people to socialise with and your little one will have company of other kids

Hi, I have made a sensory box for my DC. I change it around from time to time but currently in there is:

An egg box
An empty drinking bottle filled with rice
An empty nappy wipe packet
Some Felt (I have a selection of colours and shapes that I cut out)
Some brightly coloured pipe cleaners
Empty kitchen roll
Greaseproof paper
An empty drinking bottle filled with a selection of buttons
A toothbrush (unused!)

I get the box out twice a week and spend a solid 1/2 - 1 hr with my DS as he explores the different sounds, textures, colours etc of the box...it is unbelievable watching him, he is just so engaged! And to think how much I spent on toys this Christmas!

I also plan to add some metal measuring spoons and wooden spoons when I come across them in Asda or Pound land etc but the basic idea is no plastic...the possibilities are endless!

How about baby yoga? Have a look at this

When my LO was about that age my sister (a nursery nurse) bought her a Sensory Treasure Basket from the RNIB website. OMG - it was the most amazing thing ever!!! She would sit for 50 mins at a time exploring it. She's 7.5 months now and still potters about with it. I'd definitely recommend that you either buy one or create one yourself. Here's a useful link :)

I often walk to our local garden centre. They have loads of animals, my 4 1/2month old DD absolutely loves watching the fish. She can spend hours there!

Also where I live a few cinemas show films that you can take your baby to - I go about twice a month. Fun to keep uptodate with movies & my DD enjoys it lots.

Am trying out swimming next week & going to start a baby music class too. Ummm ... Trying to think of anything else that is a bit different for you!

Walks with coffee shop stops are always a winner. Baby yoga was fun too. Hope that's some help!!

If she likes Aqua Tots have you tried Swim a Song? You can help your child to swim through song and rhyme at home in the bath (as well as the stuff you're doing in the pool).

It does cost, around £25 with postage and package, but it's an option.

There is a fantastic live fish shop in the back of the Garden centre, Morden hall Park. Lots of different colourful fish to watch, not everything you do has to be designed for babies for it to work, IYSWIM.