Play with siblings for babies and toddlers

34 ideas

• Coo conversations3 min · nothing to get · Taking turns with sounds is the first step toward taking turns in a conversation.
• Big kid show-and-tell3 min · you need a favorite toy of the older child's · The baby gets something to look at, and the big brother or sister gets a proud, gentle job.
• Raspberry trade3 min · nothing to get · Silly sounds and laughs are your baby's early practice at making and sharing sounds.
• Peekaboo with your hands3 min · nothing to get · Peekaboo is a happy little surprise that teaches your baby people come back.
• Washcloth tug2 min · you need a washcloth · Holding on and pulling helps your baby practice gripping.
• Peekaboo with a scarf4 min · you need a thin scarf or light cloth · Your baby learns that things are still there when they can't see them.
• What does the cow say?4 min · you need a picture book with animals, or toy animals · Animal sounds are easy, fun sounds for babies to listen to and, later, to copy.
• Roll the ball5 min · you need a soft ball · It's an early turn-taking game, with you and your baby passing something back and forth.
• Big kid parade4 min · you need a pot and spoon for the big kid · Babies love watching older children, and the big kid gets to be the star.
• Pat-a-Cake clapping3 min · nothing to get · Clapping along to a rhyme joins words, rhythm and hands together.
• Knock the tower down5 min · you need plastic cups or blocks · Babies love making something happen, and crashing a tower is a big, happy result.
• Voice hide-and-seek4 min · nothing to get · Finding you by your voice is a happy game and good practice for little partings.
• Ramp roll5 min · you need a cutting board or a big picture book, a couch cushion, a ball · Your baby sees that a ball let go at the top always rolls to the bottom.
• Where's your nose?3 min · nothing to get · Body parts are some of the first words toddlers understand and point to.
• Walk like a duck5 min · nothing to get · Moving like animals mixes walking practice with animal names and sounds.
• Ring Around the Rosie4 min · nothing to get · Falling down at the end is the best part, and your toddler learns to wait for it.
• Blanket hide3 min · you need a light blanket · Being found is a joyful game that toddlers ask for again and again.
• Teddy's tea party8 min · you need plastic cups and plates, a few stuffed animals · Pretend play lets toddlers practice caring for others and using words.
• Frog jumps4 min · nothing to get · Squatting and bouncing build leg strength on the way to real jumping.
• Dance and freeze5 min · nothing to get · Stopping on a signal is early practice at controlling their own body.
• Run to the tree8 min · nothing to get · Running to a goal and back is great practice for strong legs.
• Guess the animal5 min · nothing to get · Guessing from a clue is early thinking, and every animal has a name and a sound.
• Kitchen band parade8 min · you need pots, wooden spoons, a whisk, a plastic bowl · Loud and soft, fast and slow: a band teaches opposites and taking a lead.
• Blanket picnic10 min · you need a blanket, plates, a snack or pretend food, a stuffed animal · Serving others at a picnic is practice in sharing and counting.
• Copy me5 min · nothing to get · Copying actions is practice in watching, listening and moving on purpose.
• Living room obstacle course15 min · you need cushions, a table to crawl under, tape · Following a course in order means remembering steps as well as moving.
• Play restaurant15 min · you need paper and crayons, plates and cups, a notepad · Playing roles means using new words and taking turns.
• Red light, green light10 min · nothing to get · Stopping and going on a word is practice in listening and self-control.
• Animal doctor12 min · you need stuffed animals, strips of cloth for bandages, a spoon for a thermometer · Caring for pretend patients helps children practice kindness and talk about how bodies feel.
• Blanket fort20 min · you need blankets or sheets, chairs, clothespins or books to hold edges · Building a fort is planning, problem solving and teamwork, with a cozy reward.
• Make your own board game20 min · you need a big sheet of paper, crayons, a die, or a coin to flip, small toys for playing pieces · Counting squares, taking turns and handling losing are all part of the game.
• Paper airplane contest15 min · you need paper · Changing one thing and testing again is how experiments work.
• Backyard games day20 min · you need a bucket, sock balls, chalk or sticks for lines · Events with turns teach waiting, trying hard and being a good sport.
• Feelings charades8 min · nothing to get · Reading faces and naming feelings helps children understand themselves and others.