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 10 Tummy Time Activities Your Baby Will Love

Tummy time is an important part of your baby’s physical development and motor skills, but it can be challenging to engage your baby while they are laying on their tummy. Tummy time activities are perfect to keep your baby entertained and interested in the world around them as they practice their physical skills and develop their motor skills, allowing you to focus on something else for a few minutes! Here are 10 tummy time activities your baby will love.

                                

1) Flashcards

Using flashcards with your baby is a great way to keep her engaged while also encouraging important developmental activities. Flashcards can be used in numerous ways, but one of our favorites is to position them along a hard-surface floor, where your baby can crawl around on her tummy and try to grab them. This activity promotes eye-hand coordination, gross motor skills and more! Check out these instructions on how to make your own homemade flashcards (perfect for you non-DIYers).

2) Books with pictures

Babies love looking at faces, so it’s no surprise that babies are fascinated by books with pictures of faces in them. Reading to your baby from a board book that features favorite characters is an excellent way to spend tummy time with your little one. Consider buying some Dr. Seuss or Eric Carle books for belly time. But keep in mind that as much as babies like to look at each other, they won’t like seeing themselves!

                                   

                                    

3) Baby videos

Watching baby videos is a fun, engaging activity that keeps your infant occupied and stimulated. Playing with your baby using toys and games also helps develop motor skills and coordination.

 Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so don’t worry if he doesn’t follow through on one or two of these ideas immediately – but try them all at least once!

4) Toys

Toys are great for keeping babies busy, but they’re not always comfortable—and they can be difficult to manage if you have more than one child. Fortunately, there are other ways to keep your baby entertained while he is on his tummy. Toys just might be a little bit of overkill when it comes to tummy time. Instead, try these 10 tummy time activities your baby will love!

                                       

5) Sing songs

Singing is a great activity for your baby. If you’re not sure what to sing, stick to short and simple melodies that your baby can learn quickly—they’ll be ready for more complicated songs in no time! You can either hum or lightly strum a ukulele or guitar while singing to him, or you can write down any of your favorite kids songs (and their lyrics) so you don’t forget them.

6) Rompers

Rompers are easy to pull on and off baby, and they’re usually made of stretchy cotton or fleece. They’re perfect for tummy time since babies tend to be more comfortable in a looser-fitting outfit that allows them to move around easily. Rompers also provide extra protection from rashes when you change your baby’s diaper. If you do use a shirt instead of a romper, choose one with long sleeves for added coverage.

   

7) Sensory Bags

Put a few small items inside a plastic grocery bag or Ziploc bag and then seal it up. Put your baby down on their tummy and let them feel around in there to discover what’s inside. Once they are done, open it back up and dump everything out for them to see. Sensory bags keep things interesting—not only for babies but also for parents too!

8) Play outside

There’s a reason babies love to spend time outside, and it isn’t just because they love fresh air and sunshine. Babies also find play much more stimulating when they’re interacting with nature—seeing leaves blowing in a breeze, feeling tree bark with their touch, listening to birds sing. When you take your baby out for walks or bike rides, he or she is sure to enjoy new sights and sounds that will stimulate development of language skills and curiosity about his or her environment.

                                     

9) Massage

Massage doesn’t only feel good. It also has a positive impact on your baby’s development. A study in Pediatric Research found that massage boosted babies’ emotional stability and increased their ability to self-soothe—helping them relax, fall asleep, and develop better coping skills for dealing with life’s inevitable stressors. Here are some tummy time activities you can do with your baby that will help develop these important skills.

10) Swaddling

Swaddling is a great way to play with your baby. Swaddling her helps her feel more secure and encourages good sleep habits. Secure your baby snugly in a blanket so she can’t move around too much and then make funny faces at her or peek out from under blankets and behind toys while you talk to her. She’ll love watching you from underneath, where it’s safe and warm, just like in your tummy!