Building a Development-Boosting Baby Play Area
Playtime for infants is all about Tummy Time, while for older babies, it’s about safe exploration as they gain mobility.
An infant play space should include a soft, firm surface with simple toys that help them practice early skills like holding their head up and tracking.
Play areas for older babies should include soft items they can crawl or pull up on and toys that are open-ended, teach cause and effect, and engage their fine motor skills and senses.
Play is how babies learn best! But how can you create a safe, engaging play area that supports development and grows with Baby? We’ve got the tips to help! See our ideas for making an enriching play space for infants and older babies!
Creating a Play Area for Infants (0-6 months)
In Baby’s first 6 months, most playtime is about Tummy Time. This is how Baby builds strength for future milestones! You don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment, just a few simple Tummy Time essentials, such as:
A soft, firm surface—like carpet or a play mat—in a safe area of the home
A few simple baby toys (see suggestions below)
A blanket for doing Tummy Time on the go!
Remember, playtime is Baby’s chance to move freely and build strength while engaging with you. Limit time in infant containers like bouncers, swings, or car seats to allow Baby freedom of movement and also help prevent common infant conditions like positional plagiocephaly and torticollis.
How to Pick Toys for Infants
To keep floor time interesting, build up a small collection of toys that you can rotate through during play, one at a time. Some of the best types of infant toys will help Baby practice early skills like holding their head up and tracking, such as:
Baby mirrors
High-contrast toys and books
Toys that light up and/or make sound
Stuffed animals or puppets
Safety Considerations for Play at 0-6 Months
Always supervise Baby!
Avoid playing on elevated surfaces, like countertops or couches.
Keep Baby’s play area free of hazards, such as magnets, batteries, coins, plastic bags, and loose furniture that could fall on Baby.
Toys should be larger than 1.25 inches wide and 2.25 inches long to prevent choking. This is about as big around as a golf ball and longer than a pink eraser.
Creating a Play Area for Older Babies (6-12 Months)
As Baby becomes more mobile with independent sitting, scooting, crawling, and eventually standing and first steps, their play area should encourage safe exploration. Give them room to move, climb, and try new things all on their own! Try to include:
Things Baby can crawl over, like pillows or couch cushions
Activity tables or soft furniture (e.g., a couch or ottoman) that Baby can practice pulling up on
A discovery bin with toys Baby can choose from (see below for suggestions)
How to Pick Toys for Older Babies
At this age, look for toys that are open-ended, teach cause and effect, and engage their senses and fine motor skills. These are some of our top picks:
Stacking cups and blocks
Shape sorters and puzzles
Baby musical instruments
Toys with different textures
Even simple household items can make great toys for Baby! Try baby-safe kitchen utensils like measuring spoons and bowls or a TV remote with the batteries removed.
Safety Considerations for Play at 6-12 Months
More mobility means it’s time to baby proof! Below are a few quick tips, but you can find more baby-proofing tips for the whole house here. Remember to always supervise Baby during play!
Use baby gates to close off stairs and non-baby-proofed areas of the house.
Secure all loose furniture—it should be sturdy enough for Baby to pull up on when learning to stand.
Cover outlets, tie up/put away cords, and pad sharp edges.
Scan the floor for small objects before playtime. </aside>
Growing Into Toddler Play
As Baby enters toddler age, keep encouraging their independence! Let them choose which toys to play with, problem-solve on their own, and make up scenarios for pretend play. And don’t forget to soak up these moments and with your little one! Play may be important for their growth, but it’s just as important for making memories together!
