5 Super Smart & Simple Infant Activities (6-9mos)

Ok, your baby can sit up now. He engages with the world around him. She wants to hold and grasp things. Here are some ideas that will both entertain and teach your little one. It’s helpful to avoid talking too much or distracting baby while exploring.

1. Sensory Basket

Put away the plastic stuff! Find a wicker or woven basket, wooden box, or shallow cardboard container. Put a few items of various weights, textures, sizes in the box. Items like a dry washcloth, spoon, soft toy, clean sponge, ball, yarn, shiny or scratchy materials, etc. Watch as he grasps and explores all the items. Even the basket is an interesting! Everything will obviously go into the mouth but these new and exciting things will engage your baby’s senses.

When finished, remove any breakable or choking hazards (sponge, yarn, etc.) put the other items back in the basket and leave it on a low shelf for baby to reach for or find on his own.

2. Pull That Ribbon

Tie a string/ribbon to an object (stuffed animal, truck, anything). Demonstrate pulling the string and making the object move toward you. Then place the string in front of baby and ask her to try. This teaches cause and effect, hand-eye coordination and taking turns. Again, keep on a low shelf so she can do the activity again.

3. Pots and Lids-

Give baby a pot and a lid. Demonstrate how the lid lifts and sits. Then, watch as he copies and puts the lid on and off. Eventually introduce other easy on and off lids (oatmeal container, food containers, eventually twist on tops and cookie tin tops). Designate a low drawer in the kitchen for baby. He will go back to it over and over throughout the next few months looking for fun.

4. Pull the Scarf

Place a scarf between you and your baby. Let her grab one end, you grab the other. Play a little tug of war. This social activity will engage her interest. Exaggerate leaning forward when she pulls. Of course, she may just want to explore the scarf’s texture…that’s fun too!

5. Pick It Up and Drop It!

Babies this age can generally pick up but not drop in. Place two baskets or boxes in front of your baby. Put a ball in one of the boxes. Pick it up and drop it in the other. Then, ask baby to do it too. You’ll probably have to pick it up from one box but your baby will enjoy dropping it into the other. Eventually, he’ll pick up and drop! This is a grasping drill and a coordination game.

Activities are adapted from the North American Montessori Center’s Infant & Toddler program. I am certified birth through three through this program.