Baby Play Activities (Birth to 12 Months)
The first year with your baby is full of discovery, for both of you. From sleepy newborn cuddles to busy, curious little explorers, play is one of the most meaningful ways to bond, connect, and support your baby’s early development. Here you will find simple, play-based activities for babies from birth to 12 months, organised by month to help you find ideas that suit your baby right now. All activities are gentle, low-prep, and designed to be enjoyed together at home.
How to use this page
Babies develop at their own pace. While the activities below are organised by month, it’s completely normal for babies to enjoy ideas from the months before or after their age. Use this page as a guide, not a checklist, follow your baby’s interests and enjoy the time together.
If you have concerns about your baby’s development, please seek advice from a qualified medical professional. These activities are shared for enjoyment, connection, and play.
Baby Activities: Birth to 6 Months
During the first six months, play focuses on sensory exploration, bonding, movement, and early communication. Even very simple activities help babies make sense of the world around them.
Explore activities by month:
Newborn (0–1 month)
Quiet bonding, cuddles, and very gentle sensory play to help you connect and settle into life together.
1 month
Your baby is becoming more alert and beginning to notice the world around them. Simple, calm activities work best during awake moments.
2 months
More wakeful time, early smiles, and the start of personality shining through, with growing interest in sounds and movement.
Fun Ideas for 2 month olds and you
3 months
Improved head control, more interaction, and lots of smiles and sounds as communication begins to blossom.
Activities to do at home with your 3 month old
4 months
A stronger body and a clearer personality, with more tummy time, floor play, and supported sitting.
5 months
Approaching the halfway mark, play becomes more active and curious as your baby prepares for bigger movements and messier fun.
Ideas of activities for 5 month olds
Baby Activities: 6 to 12 Months
From around six months, babies become more mobile, curious, and interactive. Play often becomes messier, noisier, and more active, and lots of fun! This stage includes sensory play, early problem-solving, movement, and shared experiences like exploring food and everyday objects.
Every baby develops at their own pace. Some babies move early, others take their time, all of this is completely normal. Feel free to explore activities from nearby months as well.
6 months
As food is introduced, play expands to include taste and texture alongside movement and exploration. Everyday routines become rich sensory experiences.
7 months
Many babies begin to move more confidently, whether that’s rolling, sitting, or starting to pull themselves up, while others are happy to stay put and explore from where they are.
8 months
Personality really shines through at this stage. Curiosity increases, crawling often begins, and babies enjoy activities that let them explore cause and effect.
9 months
With increased movement, play becomes more physical and interactive. Crawling, cruising, and early standing often appear, bringing lots of opportunities for discovery.
10 months
Babies at this stage love copying what they see and do. Everyday household activities become fascinating, and play often involves imitation and problem-solving.
11 months
Communication, movement, and curiosity all increase as your baby approaches their first birthday. Favourite toys, sounds, and games start to emerge.
12 months
Your baby is now officially a one-year-old! Stepping into toddlerhood with growing independence, movement, and confidence. Play continues to support learning, bonding, and fun.
Celebrating Your Baby’s First Year
Special moments like your baby’s first Christmas, Easter, or birthday can be made even more meaningful with simple, age-appropriate activities you can enjoy together as a family.
When Your Baby Turns One
Around their first birthday, your baby begins the exciting transition into toddlerhood. Movement, independence, and curiosity really take off during this stage, and play evolves quickly.
