35+ Simple Activities for 0-6 Month Olds

It can be perplexing to know just exactly what to do when your new baby is not sleeping, nursing, crying, or getting a diaper change. Soon enough they start looking around and trying to move, this is when you begin the a special time of first discoveries in the world.

It is amazing to witness such deep joy come from such simple activities. Enjoy the different ideas here for 0-6 month olds, each topic covers a different way to gently engage with your baby and bond through exploring new experiences.

Simple Activities for 0-6 Month Olds

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Gross Motor: Exercise, Movement, and Tummy Time

These mamas remind us that even when it looks like nothing is going on, our little babies are always developing and working hard to grow. Encouraging their movement and showing them different ways to feel their bodies has an important role! Enjoy the simple motions, babies don’t last forever 🙂

Importance of Tummy Time by Simple Home Blessing
Tips for Tummy Time by Mama OT
Fun Tummy Time Positions by Your Kids OT
Newborn Exercises by True Aim Education
Activities for a One Month Old by Babies Learn Through Play

Soft Play Ideas

These simple sew ideas give a baby something soft to play and teeth with and keep your hands busy!

Fabric Blocks by Powerful Mothering
Taggie Bunny by Powerful Mothering
Baby Rag Quilt by I Can Teach My Child
No Sew Quiet Book by Powerful Mothering

Music Inspired

Excite the ear with your beautiful, loving voice! Sing-alongs with hand action are great to introduce fine motor skills and rhythm at an early age.

Action Songs for Baby by The Educators Spin On It
Baby’s First Nursery Rhymes by Let’s Play Kids Music
DIY Rattle Drum Toy by Pink Stripey Socks
Egg Shakers by Living Montessori Now

Early Art and Crafts

Colorful keepsakes and other bright ideas are a nice way to pass the time while your little one remains little. It’s never too early to start crafting!

Handprint Keepsakes by Messy Little Monster
Footprint Sunflower Craft by Fun Hand-Print Art Blog
Neon Edible Paint by I Heart Arts and Crafts (read this survival guide to painting with infants).
Mess-Proof Gooey Color Paint by Powerful Mothering
DIY Origami Mobile by B-Inspired Mama

Discovery Bottles, Busy Baskets and Boxes

Recycle old containers, baskets, and cardboard boxes for baby’s first discovery play. It is nice to have a go-to basket collection of easy access baby friendly toys. Pick out baby safe objects with intriguing textures, colors, and shapes to make a treasure box or put them in a bottle for some floaty fun.

Baby Fabric Bucket by TinkerLab
Treasure Baskets for Baby by Natural Beach Living
Giant Sensory Box by Pink Oatmeal
Sensory Discovery Bottles by The Imagination Tree
Spider Web Discovery Basket by The Train Driver’s Wife

Fine Motor Play for Baby

OoOh sensory! These easy projects with bring many ‘coos’ and ‘oohs’. Simple and affordable activities that use upcycled or recycled materials, you can’t go wrong!

Finding Reflections by Mama Smiles
Baby Play with Christmas Lights by Simple Fun For Kids
Baby Games with Foil Blanket by Messy Little Monster
Color Texture Book by Bambini Travel
Sensory Balls by School Time Snippets
Baby Water Play by Pink Oatmeal
Baby Rice Play by Fun At Home With Kids (use this great tip to neutralize the vinegar smell when you color rice and don’t limit your play to just rice, dry pasta works well also!)

Kitchen Inspired Taste Safe Sensory Play

Here’s some sensory play right from your kitchen! Each recipe is “taste-safe”, made from food ingredients and non-toxic if it is accidentally ingested. Get a little messy and have a lot of fun!!