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Activities to Do With Your Newborn

Between all those diaper changes, feedings, and naps, there will be times when your newborn is awake and alert, ready to take in their surroundings and engage with you.

Every experience is fresh for your newborn, and this makes each little activity or interaction with you a chance to learn and bond. You may be wondering what newborn activities you can try when your baby is just days or weeks old, so read on for some great infant activities.

Sensory Activities for Infants

Stimulate your newborn’s senses with these sensory activities for infants:

  • Talk to your baby. You might wonder why you'd talk to your newborn when they can't understand or respond yet. However, babies pay special attention to human voices in the first month, especially high-pitched ones, like when you engage in "baby talk". When you talk to them, they may turn their head toward you and pay close attention. Look at how they react to your different tones—they may even make subtle movements of their arms and legs that are in time with your speech.

  • Read to your baby. Did you know that, even at this young age, your baby remembers some of the sounds they hear? Give it a try: Read a simple story to your little one over several days. After a short pause, read it again and notice your baby’s reactions.

  • Listen to music together. Music isn't just enjoyable for you; it can also be entertaining or calming for your baby. Listening to music together is a great way to bond. Just put on some soft tunes, hold your baby close, and gently sway along with the rhythm.

  • Introduce different textures and surfaces. Let your baby experience different tactile sensations by placing them on various surfaces such as a smooth or textured blanket, a towel, or a straw mat. Let them safely touch different surfaces when they're able: from sticky to smooth, bumpy to flat, cool to warm. You'll have as much fun as they do as you watch them explore.

  • Play tracking games together. Your baby's eyesight will gradually improve over the first months and years. To help them practice tracking, try moving something colorful or interesting slowly in front of their eyes. For example, move your head slowly from side to side or use a colorful or patterned toy, like a rattle, to try to catch their eye. Your little one might not be able to follow the movement right away, but with time, they'll get better at it. Read more about your baby's vision development.

  • Play with expressions. Smile at your baby, stick your tongue out, and make different expressions—the sillier and more exaggerated, the better! Get nice and close to your baby so they can study your face and its features. Before long, your little one might start imitating your expressions, and you’ll love it when they smile in response to your broad grins.

  • Sing to your baby. Sing your favorite lullaby or song to your baby. Even if you don't think you have the best singing voice, you'll find singing can have a soothing effect on your newborn when he’s feeling fussy.

  • Enjoy skin-to-skin contact. Hold your naked newborn (save for a diaper) against your bare chest and enjoy patting your baby and stroking their face and hair. Skin-to-skin contact offers many benefits for you and your baby, and it’s a great bonding activity you can do together.

Indoor Activities to Do with Newborns

You and your little one will spend most of the first weeks together indoors, but luckily there are plenty of fun activities to do with your newborn inside:

  • Tummy time. Lay your baby on their stomach for a short time—just a few minutes at a time, two or three times a day—while they're awake. Tummy time helps them strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles over time. Always keep an eye on them while they're on their tummy. If your newborn doesn’t seem to enjoy tummy time on a play mat on the floor, try placing your baby's tummy-down on your chest.

  • Baby mirror games. Even from a young age, your little one will be fascinated by faces—including their own. A baby-safe mirror can help your baby explore the world. Try holding your baby in front of the mirror and let them look and maybe even reach out. You can even get baby toys with unbreakable mirrors built into them.

  • Baby massage. Touch can be a great way to bond with your baby, and giving your baby a gentle massage can be soothing for both of you. Of course, babies are more delicate than adults, so you'll want to educate yourself and learn how to massage your baby. Maybe there is even an infant massage class in the area to teach you some safe techniques.

  • Puppet play. Although you can buy finger puppets online, you can also get creative and make your own hand puppet from an odd sock and some stick-on eyes. Play peek-a-boo, do silly songs and dances, move the puppet back and forth, and give your little one kisses with it. A puppet can be entertaining for both of you, especially if you make lots of funny sounds for the puppet as well.

  • Clap your baby’s hands together. Sing your favorite children’s song to your baby and gently clap their hands together in time with the tune.

  • Dance with your baby. Hold your baby, taking care to support their head at all times. Put some upbeat music on and gently dance together. Your little one will enjoy the movement with you.

  • Smiling games. Encourage your little one to smile by sticking your tongue out at them or by pulling silly faces. Keep in mind, you may have to wait until your baby’s second month before seeing your baby’s true smiles. The smiles you see during those very first few weeks are more likely one of your newborn’s reflexes.

Outdoor Activities to Do with Newborns

When it’s a beautiful warm day, why not spend some quality time with your baby during a walk or at the local park or playground? Remember that your newborn should not be exposed to direct sunlight, so you'll need to find a shady spot to enjoy the outdoors. There’s plenty you can do together outside—here are just a few ideas:

  • Go for a walk. Put your little one in a stroller or a baby carrier, making sure they are dressed appropriately for the temperature and have the shade of the canopy and a wide-brimmed hat if it’s sunny out. Getting outdoors can be stimulating for your baby and also gets you moving. As your little one grows, you can start pointing out all the things you see to your baby.

  • Tummy time in the backyard or park. Lay a comfortable blanket down on a safe area—grass in your yard or in an area of the park free from anything like sharp stones—and give your baby a little tummy time outdoors.

  • Read to your little one in the fresh air. Reading with your baby is a good activity no matter where you are, but when the weather is nice, grab a book and a picnic blanket and find a good place to settle down together for some story time.

  • Play with bubbles. Blow some bubbles into the air and let your baby watch them. Babies love to watch bubbles, and it’s fun to do this outside on a nice day! Just remember to blow the bubbles away from your baby so the soapy water doesn’t get in your newborn’s eyes or on their sensitive skin.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to finding things to do with your newborn baby, there are lots of activities that help develop the bond between you. Talking and reading to your baby, enjoying tummy time and skin-to-skin contact together, and going for stroller walks in the neighborhood are all things you and your newborn might enjoy.

Your baby is like a sponge, so all the newborn activities you do together help your baby develop and learn about the world. Enjoy this special time together and take lots of photos. Later on, you’ll love being reminded of the newborn phase and seeing how far your baby has come.

As your child gets bigger, there are many more activities for newborns and older babies that you can do at home with your older baby or toddler. Check out our ideas for indoor activities here.

How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.