9 Simple and Fun Activities to Do With Your Newborn 👶

You’ve just left the hospital with your gorgeous bundle of joy and are eager to spend some quality time with the newest member of your family. But what do you do when you get home? It’s too early for the trampoline park or a jungle gym, so you need to know some activities to do with newborns.

Babies often sleep, but when they have their wake windows, you can play with them to build your bond and further their development. Here are 10 ways you can spend time with your newborn.

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How Much Time Should You Spend Playing With Your Newborn?

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You’ll probably be exhausted during the first few weeks of your child’s life, so the good news is you don’t have to spend too much time playing with them at first. In fact, you should only spend about three to five minutes at a time playing multiple times a day so they can rest.

During the rest of the time your little one is awake, you can soak up the newborn cuddles, do some skin-to-skin time to boost your bond and their immunity, and relax. You’re already doing almost everything — doing nothing now and then is beneficial to both of you and will allow you some time to rest and recharge.

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9 Newborn Activities to Try

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When it’s time to play, here’s what you can do.

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Sing

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Even if you’re no Beyoncé, singing to your newborn is a great way to play with them. Try to sing a nursery rhyme that involves touch so you engage more than one sense. A nursery rhyme like “Round and Round the Garden” involves sight, touch and hearing.

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Read

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Like singing, reading is an excellent way to engage your baby's multiple senses. Read children’s books and show them the pictures. Though they won’t understand the words, the experience helps the two of you bond and could calm their minds, getting them to sleep faster.

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Make Eye Contact

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During your baby’s wake windows — when their eyes are wide open — take the opportunity to sit face to face with them and look into their eyes. Looking at your face will allow them to build an emotional bond with you.

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Use Tactile Toys

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As your baby develops their senses, the best thing you can do for them is allow them to explore. Do so by giving them different textures to hold. A rubber teething ring or a fuzzy toy are great tactile playthings.

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Get Moving

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Although your child isn’t able to regulate their movements yet, you can help them get a feel of things. Lay them flat on a blanket and pedal their legs, wave their arms, or wiggle their hips. They’ll be able to feel the muscles moving and begin doing it themselves.

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Talk

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During their time in the womb, your newborn got used to the sound of your voice, which means it’s now likely one of the most soothing sounds to them. Talk about your day and tell your newborn what is going on. Not only will it soothe them, but it will also stimulate their brain.

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Mirror Time

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Your little one can only see 8 to 12 inches, but bringing them close to a mirror is an excellent way to stimulate their brains and help them begin recognizing movement.

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Give A Massage

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An infant massage is a great way to build the bond between you and your baby and relax them. To increase the benefits, incorporate massage into your bedtime routine so your baby sleeps better.

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Show Them Your Home

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The entire world is a new and intriguing place to your little one, so each time they open their eyes, they learn. However, if you spend a lot of time in one room, show them different parts of your home so they experience a little more. Better yet, narrate the house tour to help them develop language skills.

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‍Leave Room for Downtime

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‍Remember to incorporate downtime, as well. In the same way you can become overstimulated from a lot of activity, your newborn is likely to become tired or restless if they have too much stimulation at once.

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‍The Benefits of Activities for Newborns

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‍These things to do with newborns will help you and your baby bond, but many other benefits come along with doing them. Your baby’s brain will be stimulated, allowing them to reach their milestones at the appropriate time.

Play also allows them to learn the different ways they can use their bodies, even though they won’t know just how to do it yet.

As a bonus, children who are played with as newborns have better emotional regulation. They’ve learned how to gauge feelings based on their parents’ teachings.

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‍Remember to Take Care of Yourself, Too

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‍While caring for your new baby is of the utmost importance, you shouldn’t neglect yourself. Take the time to understand your needs during the first few months of your newest addition’s life and cater to them.

You can’t give your newborn your best if you’re burned out, so do some things you enjoy doing. Find a minute or two to yourself each day so you’re energized and the moments spent with your child are special.

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This blog was written by Cora Gold. Thanks, Cora! Find her at Revivalist, LinkedIn, Pinterest and X. 

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