What to do with your baby all day: no-prep play ideas by age

What do I do with my baby when they are awake?

Play is one of the main ways babies learn about the world, and the NHS says it supports social, language, thinking and problem-solving skills. For a baby, play mostly means being near you while you talk, sing and move.

Guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that babies under 1 should be active a few times every day in different ways, with playing together on the floor the most useful kind. The more, the better. That can be five minutes on a mat after a nappy change, not a planned session.

Everyday jobs count. Describe what you are doing as you fold washing, sing while you feed, and name things you see on a walk. Outdoor play also helps your baby learn about their surroundings.

What baby activities need zero prep?

Most of the best baby activities need nothing but you. These NHS-suggested ideas work at home, in a waiting room or on a tired afternoon:

• Tickle their face and count their fingers and toes
• Play peek-a-boo, again and again
• Sing a song or nursery rhyme, or just make one up
• Take turns clapping hands
• Dance with your baby held safely in your arms
• Let them wriggle on the floor, which is good for muscle development
• Lay them on their back so they can kick their legs
• Talk about what is around you, or read a book together

How should I play with my baby by age?

Babies develop at their own pace, so treat these as rough guides from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the NHS rather than a checklist.

• 0 to 3 months: gentle rocking, slow dancing, talking and singing. Try tummy time on your chest while you are both awake.
• 3 to 6 months: read fabric or board books, keep a regular routine, and from around 6 months enjoy mirrors and copying sounds together.
• 6 to 9 months: put toys on the floor that your baby can reach or crawl to, point at pictures and make the sounds (the dog goes woof).
• 9 to 12 months: hide a toy for them to find, play peek-a-boo, and repeat simple words as you point and sing.
• 12 months and over: once walking, the NHS suggests at least 180 minutes of activity a day, spread through the day, such as park trips, action songs and helping unpack shopping.

How much floor time and tummy time does my baby need?

For babies who are not yet moving about, WHO recommends at least 30 minutes on their tummy, spread through the day, while awake. Start little and often. From birth, your chest is a good first spot for tummy time, as long as you are fully alert and not likely to doze off.

Tummy time is only for when your baby is awake and alert, and you are there to keep an eye on them.

Try not to keep your baby strapped in for long stretches. WHO advises no more than 1 hour at a time in a pram, high chair or carrier, and the NHS suggests walkers, bouncers and seats for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

Do babies need screen time or special toys?

No. The NHS advises avoiding screen time for babies and toddlers, and WHO says screen time is not recommended for babies under 1. Video calls with family are fine as a shared activity.

Simple toys your baby can reach for, push and pull keep them moving. When your baby is settled and still, reading or telling a story together is a good choice.

When to talk to your health visitor

Many babies crawl between 7 and 10 months, and some shuffle on their bottom instead. If your baby is not showing signs of moving by 12 months, or you have any worry about how they are developing, talk to your health visitor or GP. You know your baby best, and asking is always fine.