How to Create Stimulating Activities for Infants

Activity time with your infant isn't just for keeping him entertained. Play is important to stimulate his senses and help him develop his skills and learn about the world around him. Try to include age-appropriate activities in your daily routine to stimulate your infant's sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. According to Baby Center, regularly stimulated infants hit their developmental milestones earlier, have superior muscle coordination and are more confident.

Things You'll Need

  • Infant gym
  • Colorful toy
  • Plastic tubs
  • Metal spoons
  • Bells
  • Squeaky and musical toys
  • Finger foods
  • Cushions
  • Books
  • Laundry

Instructions

    • 1

      Position your infant so her face is directly in front of yours. Make some expressive or silly faces to catch her attention. Smile, raise your eyebrows and stick out your tongue. Make soft "ah" or "ooh" noises to keep her attention. This activity stimulates your infant's social, visual, and listening skills and boosts her emotional development. It's also a great bonding activity for the two of you. This activity is great for infants of all ages. Even a very young infant may try to mimic your facial expressions.

    • 2

      Buy an infant gym to provide your baby with lots of interesting dangling objects to try to reach up and grab. Between the ages of 1 and 3 months, your infant is developing his sense of touch. Hold a colorful toy just out of reach to encourage him to swat at it, or move it slowly from side to side in front of his eyes to improve his visual skills.

    • 3

      Talk to your infant to stimulate her listening and vocal skills. At approximately 4 to 7 months, your infant may be starting to babble in her own little language in preparation for her first words in a few months' time. Respond to the sounds your baby makes to stimulate her social development, advises KidsHealth.

    • 4

      Give your 7- to 9-month-old infant a variety of objects that make different sounds, such as plastic tubs, metal spoons, bells, and squeaky and musical toys. Show him how to bang them on the floor and pass them from one hand to the other. This activity boosts his visual, listening and motor skills, Baby Center reports. Encourage his fine motor skills and stimulate his sense of taste and smell by placing peas, small cubes of cheese and ring-shaped cereal on a clean surface in front of him.

    • 5

      Create an obstacle course for your crawling, scooting or walking infant. Place cushions, books, and piles of laundry in her way and watch her try to overcome them. This activity is great for her motor skills.

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