really energetic baby....

[AliGrylls]

I have a 6 month old who is really energetic. He is lovely but his play requirements are so high.

I am really struggling to think of new games things I can do with him. I have put him in his bouncer (which he does not love atm) for 10 mins, he has done heaps of tummy time and I have done structured play which I have learnt from his gymboree sessions and nursery rhymes.

I really can't think of anything else to do with him. If I don't play with him then he won't take his morning nap. Can anyone suggest some different games / activities I can do with him.

TV

Watching me blow bubbles seems to calm my 3 month old DD down. She starts off being really excited and kicky, then quietly watches them float around. Can last about 10 minutes.
Do you know about treasure baskets? Maybe just handling lots of little objects might occupy him.

My DS was exactly the same.. he used to love being carried around on my back while I pottered.. Or just go into different rooms, bouncing on the bed, playing music, have a daytime bath, treasure baskets are great.

Swimming The days I took DD swimming were the only days I was guarenteed to get a decent nap out of her.

i agree with nappy.....swimming

Thank god that at 14mo she has finally learnt how to watch the tele

DD2 is now 7 months. At this age they like to do lots of different things for a few minutes at a time. Raid the kitchen cupboards for wooden spoons, and pans, hide toys in plastic or metal tins for him to find. Buy lots of second hand toys from eBAY or NCT shops and change them over every day. We explore different rooms in the house, go to toddler groups, play with toys/books in the library and go "dog spotting" in the pushchair (she loves dogs squealing with delight when she sees them). She also loves watching the washing machine go round.

Sometimes they sleep, sometimes they don't .

Even now I have a mental list of things we will be doing the next day, so that I'm never caught off guard by bored restless children.

What are these treasure baskets?

Just big baskets of toys?

Swimming a good idea - fresh air will also help knock them out so trip to the park for a little ride on the swings/watching the other kids may help. Let them be on the floor with plenty of things near by to encourage them to roll/grab. My DS2 is extremely energetic too and started crawling at 7 months to get to things - after lots of practising from 6 months.

He is asleep. I took him to a creche this morning for half an hour and it had more effect than anything else I have ever tried.

Treasure basket
DS (almost 8 months) loves his, keeps him occupied for ages.