Catering an infant is a 24/7 job which can sometimes (probably always) be tiring!
Mothers are, often, found wishing for ways that can keep their baby busy so that they can take a much-needed break or a quick shower. These activities seem like a blessing when you don’t get the time or the energy to scrub yourself, sometimes, for days in a row!
There are some days when you wish to not have loads of pending office work or when the laundry basket is over-flowing or something as simple as eating a meal in peace, without having to rock your baby in one hand while stuffing cold leftovers with the other!
Since I went through the same dilemma, here are 6 DIY activities for infants that will not only keep your munchkin occupied but also help develop fine motor skills.
1. A quick and easy Ball pit
If budget is not an issue, you can purchase one or build your own ball pit, since kids grow out of it almost too quickly.
All you need for this DIY activity for infants, is:
That’s nearly about it.
Set the carton wherever you want, just make sure it’s near sight.
Set your baby in and fill it up with balls. Not too much, just enough to cover your infant’s lap.
And watch them play with utmost joy.
This particular activity for infants is not only easy to build up, but also requires the least amount of cleaning, hence being almost mess free.
This results in a win-win situation, always!
2. Sparkling and dangling sensory bottles
This activity for infants is always a hit when you need some ME time. These can keep the baby occupied for as long as half an hour. Only moms would know how much those 30 minutes of peace can mean! 😉
To make these dazzling bottles you will need:
Start by taking a thick plastic bottle in order to avoid any leakages of any sort. Fill the bottle up with what you think will amaze your child the most.
Here are a few combinations that never fail to captivate the little ones:
= 3 parts colored water
1 part oil
And let your cuddle pooh enjoy the fascinating fusion of water and oil.
= Blue colored water
Lots of glitters
Sea shells of all sorts and sizes
And there you have it, an oceanic sensory bottle!
= Colored water
A table spoon of dishwasher or bubble bath.
There you have it, a foamy sensory bottle for your little one to shake!
= Colored beads of different sorts and sizes.
An inch long pieces of straw.
This makes an amazing sensory dangler for your bundle of joy.
Put glue on both the cap as well as the neck of the bottle and seal it tightly. Because you don’t want your child to drink any of that liquid you put in, or swallow any of the tiny materials.
If your child is a light sleeper and wakes up often during the night and stays up for long, DIY bed-time sensory bottle is what you need to start making now. This glow in the dark bottle will keep your pint-sized bundle of joy occupied, while you get some much-needed sleep.
Make one of these now, and prepare yourself with a camera to record the amused look on your little one’s face!
3. Edible paint
Well, the name says it all! What’s more fun than painting? But we all fear the paint being toxic. What if the baby has an adverse skin reaction? Since they love sneaking things in their mouth, what if they swallow some of the paint? The horrific possibilities are endless!
But not anymore! With this captivating, activity for infants, you can throw away all your worries, right out from your window.
Here’s what you need to gather:
-
- Greek yogurt
-
- Food coloring
Mix them up in plastic bowls and get ready to dip your fingers in and start that creativity.
Psst. This can get messy. Like really messy!
To create the least possible mess, use a shower curtain liner or an opaque plastic bag as a canvas as it is easy to wash the paint off them, later. Don’t forget to dress your baby in old clothes and let the fun begin.
Though this is purely an infant activity, it can still be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Actually, quite a few adults too, like me!
PS. The paints are edible but not storage safe.
4. Sticky, contact paper activity
This one has been fairly popular amongst all of the indoor activities for kids. Be it an infant or a preschooler, they all seem to love it.
All you need is:
A contact paper
Glass pane (window or door)
Some painter’s tape
And objects to stick, such as:
With the help of painter’s tape, stick the contact paper on the glass pane of a window or door. With the sticky side facing you.
Fill separate baskets of stick-able material and let your kid enjoy. I would suggest a basket of cotton balls which infants love to stick and take off as it is soft and can be handled easily by them.
It keeps the little ones occupied enough, like for you to lay down and take some rest. Or fix a quick meal for yourself while the baby plays.
5. Scarf dispenser
This one here is a good example of sensory play for babies. Kids love to play innovative games and this one tops the list. Here’s how to build it:
You need:
Take the plastic bag dispenser and fill it up with all the colorful silk scarves.
Demonstrate how to pull out the scarves via the holes to your baby and then let them take over. Watch as they not only pull out the scarves but have fun too by feeling them with their hands, feet and, how can we forget, their mouth!
6. DIY Sensory balls
This infant activity is pretty popular amongst infants as well as moms since it promotes sensory skills amongst the infants and is fairly easy to make. But to top it off, it is a completely mess free idea, unlike a few mentioned above.
Here’s what you will need:
Rubber balls are to be used because they are easier to grab as compared to plastic balls and are comparatively harmless. Make sure the size is good enough for your baby to handle, i.e. not too big, not too small.
Now, buy felt or foaming sheet alphabet cutouts from any crafts shop and stick them on the ball. If they have a sticky tape attached to them already, that’s good. But if not, use a strong adhesive to attach them.
Do the same with the Velcro polka dots. Whereas for the feathers, you will have to apply glue to its stem and then stick them on the ball.
There you have it, 3 soft balls for your little one to play with,while you respond to all those pending emails.
Do you have any infant play time ideas that helped you sneak some time out for yourself?
If so, comment below and let us know and get a chance to be featured on our portal.