games 12 week old

[Gilldav]

Hi just after some more ideas on any good things to buy for my 12week old ds, he has an activity mat with dangly creatures and a mirror which he loves. I sing songs with him and use bubbles but would like some more ideas on things to engage him, thanks

Not games but have a look at touchy feely books- that's not my teddy etc.
There are also finger puppet books DD has the rainbow fish and loves it.

Can second the touch books, ones with high contrast are good too. Your local library will probably have lots.

Have a look here for sone more ideas

He’s 12 weeks old. He genuinely doesn’t need engaging. Just talk to him as you do whatever you normally do.

Pottering you’ve obviously not met my DS...

Peek a boo!

Dad's attention span for books was better at that age than it is now at 14 months!

Other than that I'd say plenty of walks and chatting about what you see.

DD started cooing at her jellycat bunnies at 4 months ish so I'd say cuddly toys are worthwhile from a young age.

Nuby teething toys

Oops! the common Dad instead of DD typo

I would stick to the playmat, I really relied a lot on the bouncy chair with dangly toys over the top, rattles to grip that make a noise. My DS was fascinated by the v-tech ‘yellow car’ rattle - if you can stand it that is. Also, some squishy sensory balls that light up when you bounce them, babies love to follow them with their eyes.
One thing I would echo at this stage is that they really don’t need too much at this point. I look back at my now 15 month old’s ‘little baby’ stage and I really don’t think I absorbed it enough - being able to let him roll on a mat and go and make a cuppa or have a chat with a friend - enjoy it.

Woozit!!!!

Thanks some lovely ideas and great advice

Ooh have you got an emergency blanket? Great for sensory play even at that age

DS loved going to the supermarket he thought it was hilarious. He liked walks in his carrier, watching TV together, he wasn't really interested in toys, much more keen on what was going on around him. Loved going out for coffee and swimming.

He did like these;

Amison Animal Tails Cloth book Baby Toy Cloth Development Books Learning & Educa... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019FANHL4/ref=cmswwrsmsscapiiiVtLrBbGMPB5DX

And lots and lots of tummy time. I made him a beanbag at that age so he could prop himself up on his front. He also just liked the sound of the beans when he touched it.

They love simple things at that age. As a PP said, my LO loved a silver emergency blanket and some colourful sensory scarves (very cheap on eBay) which I stuffed into a tissue box and then pulled out to his amazement ☺️ also basic musical instruments - shakers etc. Singing will be amazing for them, but maybe join the local library if you haven't already and get some "that's not my" books as suggested x

I have found that my LO doesn't really need toys as such. I made some "rattles" out of food containers and rice/pasta. She likes playing with tin foil and baking parchment. And she likes playing with cups, mugs and kitchen utensils (wooden spoons, whisks, normal spoons, spatulas etc.). Lots of "free" things you already have around the house seem to entertain her quite a lot :)

Music.

I always let my kids just 'be'... they'd lie on the floor mat and listen to music.
Dial it back on the stimulation. Just being here and brand new in the world is stimulating enough. They don't need entertainment.
But music is food for the soul.

Can I come one here and whisper, very quietly that tummy time is bollocks?

I sang. Constantly. Baby lying on my bent knees (so sort of “sat” up), and sang for hours- especially songs with actions. DS never got bored of it- and now at 2, is still sung to whenever he’s getting stressed/ needs a sleep/ is bored- and it is still a “magic cure”.

Totally agree with Bertrand about tummy time. We didn’t bother and my baby had no issues with rolling etc when the time came.

Bertrand totally agree. Neither of mine did it, in fact they both objected loudly.

1sttimeunicorn my 10 week old loves the yellow car, I however end up with the bloody song in my head all day

I brought some black and white pattern books, my son loves them i prop them up while hes on his mat. He's not really interested in tummy time or toys much except yellow car and he'll coo at the animals on the gym. He has never had tummy time as he would scream and at his 6-8 week check doc said he had really strong tummy muscles so don't think they really need it. I sing nursery rhymes all the time to him and chat to him about everything. I walk him round the garden and put his hand on leaves etc. I found some great ideas on pinterest such as sensory bottles which he loves. I think sometimes less is more, when it comes to my baby anyway, he gets overwhelmed easily so the simplest things are the best!