7 Simple Play Activities for Babies Under 6 Months

Play is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with our children - and it looks different at every stage. In this blog series, I’ll be sharing simple, age-appropriate play ideas that you can enjoy together, starting with babies under 6 months. Whether you’re here at the very beginning of your parenting journey or dropping in later when your little one is older, you’ll find inspiration for each stage - from the tiniest newborn stretches to toddler adventures and beyond. Keep an eye out for future posts (and part twos!) so you can always come back for fresh ideas as your child grows.

The Benefits of Play: How Fun Helps Your Baby Learn and Grow

Play is so much more than just fun - it strengthens your bond with your child while helping their mind and body grow. Through play, little ones build connections in the brain, develop language and stretch their imagination and creativity. It supports both fine and gross motor skills, encourages problem solving and independence, and teaches cooperation. Play also nurtures emotional wellbeing, promotes mindfulness and even boosts physical fitness. In short, every playful moment is a powerful investment in your child’s growth and happiness. The ideas in this blog post are designed to be repeated again and again. Children thrive when repeating activities as it gives their brains chance to consolidate. Free play, initiated by them, should also be encouraged. It’s unlikely that your little one will find each activity easy, straight away. Don’t force them, just try another time. You know your baby best so pick and choose what you want to do and just enjoy them. Babies and children must be supervised at all times during activities. Everyday EHC take no responsibility for any incident or injury that occurs. All children develop at their own pace, so please don’t worry if your little one isn’t ready for every activity in this post.

And remember: cuddles, fresh-air walks and singing with your baby really are more than enough.

Top Tips (from experience!)

• Be prepared for mess: Have wipes or a bath ready - some activities can get a little chaotic.

• Follow your child’s lead: If they’re tired, hungry or simply not in the mood, it’s okay to leave it for another day. Not every activity will be a hit and that’s perfectly normal. You can always try again later.

• Mix it up: Try the activities indoors and outdoors - your child may surprise you with a preference.

• Trust the process: Learning is happening even if you don’t see it straight away.

• Keep them busy while you prep: Tunnels, dens and big cardboard boxes are brilliant distractions while you set things up.

• Don’t stress about the mess: If it bothers you, head outside or pop a waterproof tablecloth underneath the activity.

• Adapt what you have: A wooden play gym isn’t essential - cardboard boxes, door frames or sofa cushions can work just as well.

• Keep it simple: Don’t overthink it - grab what you need and get started.

• Look after yourself too: As long as your child is fully supervised, take a moment for a drink or a sit down. These activities are the beginning of their independence and you deserve a breather too.

Black and White Play

How to Play

Newborns’ sight is limited and they’re especially drawn to high-contrast patterns. Black-and-white images help their developing eyes learn to focus. Place the pictures in a comfortable spot - next to the changing table, on the floor during tummy time or in a quiet corner. As your baby looks, talk to them: ask “What can you see?” or say “I can see shapes” to support their early language development.

Best For

Newborns, though many babies enjoy these images up to around 8 months.

What You’ll Need

• Black-and-white pictures (you can buy them or draw your own with a black pen and paper). I got ours from brillbaby.com

Puppet and Teddy Play

How to Play

Bring puppets or soft toys to life by making them move, talk, sing songs or tell little stories. If you feel comfortable, try adding funny voices to make it extra engaging. Not confident with storytelling? Keep it simple - play a game of peekaboo (“peepo!”) with your puppet. If you have older children, invite them to be the puppeteer too - this can boost their own language, imagination and their bond.

Best For

All ages and stages - puppet play grows with your child.

What You’ll Need

• Hand or finger puppets

• Soft toys (teddies work perfectly!)

Ball Pit Bath Play

How to Play

Fill your bath as usual - use a baby seat if you like or join your little one in the water. Add lightweight balls or other waterproof toys, and a spoon for scooping and pouring. Encourage your baby to explore the water while you chat about what’s happening. Even from a young age, you can introduce simple concepts like 'floating' and 'sinking'. Bath play is a fun way for babies to begin learning about early maths and science through hands-on exploration.

Best For

All ages and stages

What You’ll Need

• Bathtub

• Lightweight balls or waterproof toys

Play Gym Ideas

How to Play

Babies are naturally curious and hanging shiny or colourful objects above them is a wonderful way to capture their attention. Choose a variety of ribbons, textures and colours, or use safe household items like toy kitchen utensils. Securely hang the items where your baby can watch, reach and explore with their hands and feet. You can describe what they see and feel: “What does it feel like? It’s a bit tickly, isn’t it?”

If using balloons, be mindful: babies may kick them off the string, so always supervise closely. For extra sensory fun, you can add fillings like sequins or rice to balloons so they make a sound when moved. This activity helps build leg muscles, supports coordination and encourages observation and problem-solving skills as your baby interacts with the world around them.

Best For

Non-mobile babies

What You’ll Need

• Shiny objects, ribbons or balloons

• Somewhere safe to hang them (wooden play gym, cardboard box or simply hold the objects above them.)

Sensory Scarves

How to Play

Sensory scarves are a simple and versatile way to build sensory-motor skills. Try waving them in front of a fan and watch them dance in the air or stick them to a glass door or window to explore colours and light. Play peekaboo with the scarves or tie a few together and pull them out of an empty tissue box for a fun surprise. Encourage your baby to interact with the scarves by asking questions like, “Can you put it on your…head?” and change the body part each time to add a playful learning element. For young babies you'll need to move the scarf to the correct body part.

Best For

All ages and stages

What You’ll Need

• Sensory scarves (lightweight, colourful and safe for babies)

Water Tray Tummy Time

How to Play

Water play isn’t just for bath time - it can also make tummy time more engaging. Place your baby on a cushion with a shallow tray of water and floating toys in front of them. If they're able to them might begin to their chest up with straight arms as they look for the toys. This activity helps build upper-body strength while introducing early concepts of cause and effect as your baby experiments with water and floating objects.

Best For

All ages and stages

What You’ll Need

• Shallow container or tray

• Water

• Small, safe water toys

Feely Bag Tummy Time

How to Play

Create sensory fun by filling strong zip wallets with safe materials like pom-poms, straws, buttons or lolly sticks. Secure each bag with tape and place them on the floor in front of your baby. Show your little one how to gently press and explore each bag, encouraging tactile play while they practice supporting themselves on their tummy. Always supervise closely and never allow your baby to bite the bags. This activity lets babies safely explore textures they’re curious about but can’t handle directly, such as shaving foam, paint or water beads.

Best For

Babies who can support themselves on their tummy for short periods

What You’ll Need

• Strong zip wallets

• Tape

• Safe fillings (pom-poms, straws, buttons, lolly sticks, etc.)

Little ones are wonderfully energetic and endlessly endearing - but it’s also completely normal to end the day feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted. You’re doing an incredible job and your family is so lucky to have you. Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once - dip back into this blog whenever you need fresh ideas, reassurance or a reminder that you’ve got this. And you really do 💛

Hi, I’m Emma, Early Childhood Expert and founder of Everyday. My goal is simple: help parents understand their children better, so connection deepens, guidance becomes clearer and every stage feels a little brighter. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the extraordinary - it’s about the everyday.