How will we play with our baby?

You’ve probably had a vision of your future baby giggling while you fly them around the room like a tiny airplane. But when you pause to think about it some more, maybe you’re wondering... what does playing with a baby actually look like? Do we need flashcards? Should we be narrating everything like a National Geographic documentary? Is tummy time considered play?

Let’s talk about it. Because play isn’t just entertainment; it’s how babies learn. And it’s one of the most joyful, weird, and connection-rich parts of parenting.

What counts as play?

Short answer: pretty much everything you do together that’s joyful, responsive, and a little bit silly.

Newborns aren’t rolling dice or working on their chess game. But from the very beginning, they’re soaking in your voice, your facial expressions, your gestures. Those little interactions? That’s play.

You can start playing the day you come home from the hospital. Even eye contact, diaper changes, and humming during a feeding count. If you’ve made a funny face while waiting for a burp, congrats, you’ve played today.

Talking, singing, imitating their sounds, holding up a toy for them to track with their eyes, it all counts. You don’t need anything fancy. Seriously, your face is their favorite toy for a good while.

Why play matters

Play builds brains. No, really. It’s how babies develop motor skills, language, attention, curiosity, and social smarts. And it’s not just about what they’re doing. It’s about who they’re doing it with.

That means you. Parents are a baby’s first playmates. And that bond, what researchers call “serve and return”, is pure magic. Your baby babbles, you babble back. They kick, you cheer. They shake a rattle, you smile like it’s the Oscars. That’s play. And it wires their brain for learning, connection, and joy.

How much playtime do newborns need?

With newborns, wake windows can be as short as 45–90 minutes, and most of that time is taken up by feeding, changing, and calming. That leaves just a few minutes for play, and that’s enough. Tiny doses, often repeated, work beautifully. Especially in the early weeks, play should be short, simple, and on your baby’s timeline.

What if one of us is more playful than the other?

One of you might be the peekaboo champion, while the other is still figuring out how to make silly voices without feeling like a total goof. That’s okay. Babies don’t need a performance. They need you, engaged and attuned.

I like to think I am the more fun one in our relationship but it’s super clear that my husband is definitely the more naturally playful one. Am I jealous? Maybe. Definitely.

So if “play” feels awkward at first, start simple. Narrate what you’re doing. Wiggle a stuffed animal. Lie on the floor together and see what they notice. Follow their lead. You’ll find your rhythm, and your own version of fun.

Do we need to plan activities, or just… wing it?

A little of both. Babies love repetition and routine, so yes, doing the same goofy song every morning can actually be a brilliant developmental tool. But they also thrive on surprise and spontaneity. A paper towel roll becomes a telescope. A plastic cup is suddenly a drum.

Sometimes, they’re happiest just watching you cook dinner or fold laundry. You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy playroom. A safe space on the floor, a few open-ended toys, and a parent willing to make silly faces? Gold.

How to actually play (especially with a newborn)

Here’s what research and experience both say works beautifully:

• Face-to-face time: Babies love looking at faces, especially yours. Even two-day-old newborns can imitate simple expressions.

• Talking: Narrate the day. “Here comes the wipe!” Leave space for them to coo back. The more words they hear, the more language they build.

• Reading: Books are great. So are takeout menus, your email, or anything you’re reading aloud. It’s all language exposure.

• Singing: It stimulates the brain and regulates emotions. Bonus points for movement (“Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” is a hit for a reason).

• Tummy time: Vital for neck and core strength. Start with just a few minutes per wake window. By 7 weeks, aim for a total of 15–30 minutes a day.

• Outside time: A walk, some sunlight, or a fresh-air diaper change can calm babies, and support their sleep.

• Mirrors: Babies love to look at themselves (don’t we all?). A mirror can be a captivating toy for tummy time or cuddles.

• Independent play: Yes, even for newborns. Let them stare at shadows or gently kick under a play gym. Quiet observation is learning too.

What about toys?

Your baby doesn’t need much. But here are a few things that can make playtime fun and developmentally rich:

• High-contrast toys: Black and white images are perfect for newborn vision.

• Rattles or teethers: Great for tracking and sound response.

• Musical toys or swings: Sound and light stimulate early brain growth.

• Simple objects: Scarves, plastic cups, cardboard boxes.

Your baby can only see about 12 inches in front of their face and they can’t grasp or reach just yet. Keep it close, slow, and simple.

What about baby classes?

Baby music classes. Infant yoga. Mommy-and-me developmental play groups. They’re everywhere, and they can be really fun. If you love a structured activity, enjoy getting out of the house, or just want to connect with other new parents, a class might be a great fit.

But let’s be clear: you don’t need a class to support your baby’s development. Everything your baby truly needs, interaction, stimulation, bonding, is already happening in your everyday life.

So if a class sounds fun, go for it. And if it sounds exhausting or expensive, skip it without guilt.

If you’re raising a bilingual baby, play is a powerful tool

Games and songs are great ways to introduce multiple languages. Sing in each language. Read books aloud. Narrate routines in both tongues. Even if you’re not fluent, your effort shows that language is love, and play makes it stick.

Final thought? Your baby doesn’t need you to be perfect. Just present.

You might be silly. You might be tired. You might invent a game called “Find the Lost Sock” and your baby thinks it’s the most hilarious thing they’ve ever seen. That’s the magic.

Play is not a checklist. It’s a relationship.

So play like yourself. Follow your baby’s cues. Let them lead sometimes. And if all else fails, sing “The Wheels on the Bus” and add increasingly absurd verses until you both laugh.

That, my friend, is good parenting.

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