15 Everyday Games To Help Your Baby’s Brain Development

There are games you can play with your baby to help improve their brain development. These games also contribute to your baby’s language development, visual tracking and other social skills. 

Given below are some games to help your baby’s brain development. 

1. Tummy Time

Tummy time not only improves your baby’s motor skills but contributes to their cognitive development as well. You can place some colourful objects nearby to capture your baby’s attention. Swinging an object back and forth will encourage your baby to swivel their neck. You can also hold your baby on top of an exercise ball and roll them gently in different directions.

2. Blow Bubbles

Bubbles are a great way to engage your baby’s different senses like touch and sight. Using a bubble solution, you can blow bubbles for your baby to play with. They will be fascinated by the way the bubbles move around and pop when they are touched. Make it a fun game by taking turns popping the bubbles.

3. Sensory Play

Another great way to engage your baby’s senses and improve brain development is by creating different sensory play activities. The amazing part about sensory play is that you can literally use anything! Let your baby experiment with different textures like ribbons, straw, bubble wrap and coloured foam. 

Many moms are hesitant to let their babies engage in sensory play because of the huge mess it makes. Getting a good toddler play yard fence will help solve this problem by confining the mess to one area.

4. Peek-A-Boo

I don’t think there is a single baby who doesn’t enjoy peek-a-boo! Parents love watching their babies burst into huge smiles when they play peek-a-boo with them. It is a great way to stimulate your baby’s senses and improve their social development.

You can also try another version of peek-a-boo where you hide objects after revealing it to your baby. This is a great way to teach your baby about object permanence.

5. Interactive Nursery Rhymes

Relive your childhood with your baby by singing some classic nursery rhymes to him. While singing rhymes like Baa Baa Black Sheep, you can encourage your baby to imitate the Baa Baa sound and repeat it after him. You can even use a Christmas star while singing the Twinkle Twinkle little star lullaby.

6. Make Them Smell Different Things

Take your baby to the kitchen and make them smell different things like coffee, tea, lemons, spices and other items which have distinct smells. You should also join in and react to the smells by making funny faces. This will encourage your baby to express their feelings as well.

7. Have A Fun Conversation

Talking to your baby is one of the best ways to improve communication and brain development. Talk to your baby and respond to all their babbling and cooing. Have a fun conversation and take turns responding to each other.

8. Mealtime Fun

If your baby is old enough to sit on the high chair, have them try out different edible items. Place some jelly cubes or edible play dough on the table and watch them experiment. You should also try them out with your baby. Tease your baby by swinging the spoon back and forth while feeding him. 

9. Interactive Bath Time

Make bath time extra fun by incorporating toys and other fun bathing materials. You can even tell them a fun story with the help of bathtub toys. Give your baby some cups to practice filling them with water and pouring it out. This simple activity can help your baby gain fundamental skills. 

10. Groove To The Beat

The different beats of music help stimulate different parts of your baby’s brain. Dance it out with your baby and let them practice their quirky moves. You should bounce them or clap hands with them according to the music. 

11. Sound Imitation

You can play the game of sound imitation with your baby either indoors or outdoors. Point to different things like a bird or a vehicle and imitate the sounds they make. Your baby will most likely try to imitate the same sound. 

12. The Explorer Game

We all know that babies love to explore their surroundings. Make sure you allow your baby to explore both indoors and outdoors in safe places. Whenever your baby comes across a random object, explain what it is to your baby. 

For example, if your baby comes across a musical instrument, name the instrument and let him know the sound it makes by playing it. Similarly, if your baby discovers some new plant growing outside, let them feel the leaves gently.

13. Obstacle Course

Set up an obstacle course for your baby using soft and safe items like pillows, cushions and blankets. You can stack them up or even make a fence arrangement with them.

Let your baby crawl through the cushion obstacle course and find their way to the end. This will contribute to both physical and mental development since they are using both their physical body and their mental capacity.

14. The Body Part Game

Point to your baby’s different body parts and name them. For example, point to your baby’s nose and say nose. Repeat it a few times, so your baby will be able to grasp what you are saying. They might even attempt to repeat after you.

Make it extra fun by turning this into a body part song with rhythm. You can also point to your own body parts while singing the song.  

15. Finger Painting

Finger painting has many benefits and provides your baby with a good sensory experience. Make sure you use non-toxic and water-based paints which are safe for your baby. You can even make the paint at home. 

Spread plastic sheets or newspapers to avoid messes. Have your baby dip their finger into the paint and place it on the paper. You can demonstrate it to them, so they will follow. Take turns and admire the messy masterpiece you make together at the end!

Remember that you don’t have to make these games overly complicated. Doing simple things like interacting with your baby regularly and playing with them will help improve their development. Cherish game time with your baby because your baby will grow up in no time!