Young baby activities

[Cheekychicken93]

My little girl is almost 3 months and is starting to be awake a lot more now struggling to find some activities I can do with her at home besides her play gym and peek a boo! I was wondering if anyone knew of any good websites with ideas or blogs to follow for young babies rather than 1+

Thanks in advance

Following this as I'm also interested to know for my 2 month old DD!

Pinterest has some great ideas and links to blog posts.

At that age my DD liked the textured link rings hanging from a toy arch, scraps of fabric to feel (especially furry fabric or thinner, see-through chiffon scarves and silver foil blankets) and discovering different textures (you can get a set of sensory balls off Amazon which my DD seemed to enjoy).

I saw a great idea from someone on Instagram of knotting lots of different fabric scraps to a hula hoop, then putting your baby in the middle during tummy time and letting them work their way around the hoop to feel the different textures. My DD really liked a small plastic bottle filled with beads, rice, dried lentils and sequins, just to shake it and hear the different noises. She's 21 months now and still quite enjoys that bottle!

You could try knotting different coloured ribbons to a hoop and letting them play with it. My DD liked this one too. I used to hang it from her toy arch or hold it in front of her to encourage her to grab it.

Don't worry about specific activities. Talk to her at every opportunity with lots of eye contact and pull (friendly) faces, as that builds lots of links in their brain. Also touch different parts of her body, it's meant to be really stimulating for them. Things like moving her legs and arms up and down, rubbing her belly, tickling her if she feels comfortable with it. At this age they want lots of social interaction.

I found Babbling Babies in a charity shop, they are flash cards and have suggestions for games etc for different ages. I don't follow them to the letter, but they have been good for trying new games and songs, and use toys most people have anyway. I think The Baby Club has a book out now as well with some ideas. I wouldn't worry from a learning stuff perspective but you're right it can be hard to think of new things so you don't get bored yourself.

When my DC were that age I used to put on music and cuddle-dance with them and sing to them. Also lay them on their backs and waved those garden spiral things at them which they loved.
But TBH, just chatting away to them and giving lots of cuddles as you go about your day is the best entertainment for them. Once they could sit up, we went out and about everywhere, facing out in the buggy to see the world, not staring up at my exhausted sleep deprived manic grin.
For social contact, baby massage class was fun and really useful for tips to soothe colic (used one technique from it on my husband the other night when he woke with stomach cramp). My DC also loved baby music, library story telling and splashing about in the local pool.

Honestly at that age just take them with you and do whatever you want. With my first I did all of those sensory activities and they took about 5 minutes. He just wasn’t into it. But he was very happy to join me for walks, errands, coffee with friends, and at home cleaning up and doing chores. I chatted to him along the way, describing what I was doing and where we were. (He’s super bright now, not that I think that’s relevant anyway.) My second child was much better at keeping himself happy on his own. By that time we also had a houseful of toys for under-3s so that was enough.

We did lots of sensory play when they we’re about 1-3, but when they’re super young it is pretty pointless. Take advantage of your freedom and do what you want to do. If you’re bored look for baby groups with mums in the same boat — it’s so nice to just chat and let the babies explode in a safe environment

At this age the best thing for them is anything sensory.
Lie baby on a pillow or mat in front of you, get some different textured and colourful materials and sing some songs while playing with the materials.
My dd is 1 now and we have always sang tons of songs to her

Sensory scarves were a big hit with my DS and then sensory bottle and rattles when he was bigger. He loved his baby gym and would be happy enough hitting and kicking the toys on it! We started Baby Sensory at about 8 weeks which was brilliant (I know it's a frowned upon middle class mum activity but we loved it!).

Play Hooray on Instagram/Facebook does baby activities usually on a Monday so she's worth a look.

Take them somewhere like b&q and go to the light fitting aisle. It fascinates them.

Bath time.

Bubble machine.

I dont think they need specific activities, just interaction with people. So take her out and about places - to the supermarket, walk round the park, to visit friends and family.
Singing is great for babies and it's never to early to start reading to them. Touchy feely books or ones with bright colours are ideal - get down to the library!