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Pip Playbook ideas

Baby Activities (0–12 months)

Tummy time, high-contrast play, and sensory bonding for the first year.

80 activities in Pip Playbook match this idea

Babies don't need much — but they need it often. In the first year, tiny, repeated moments of connection, tracking, tummy time, and sensory input do the real developmental work. These activities are all short (under 5 minutes), grownup-led, and designed around a real baby's changing focus month by month.

Why it works

•Tummy time builds core strength and pre-crawling coordination.
•Face-to-face play sparks language and attachment.
•Simple cause-and-effect (shake, drop, splash) grows brain wiring for reasoning.

How to use these ideas

•Aim for 3–5 short play windows a day, when baby is calm and alert.
•Follow their gaze. Whatever they look at is the next activity.
•Sing everything. Melody is baby-brain rocket fuel.

Try one of these activities

Sorted by age

Rainbow Paper Plate Fish — Arts & Crafts activity for ages 3–7 (indoor, 25 min)

Rainbow Paper Plate Fish

25 min Ages 3–7

Kitchen Counter Volcano — Science Experiments activity for ages 5–10 (indoor, 20 min)

Science Experiments

Kitchen Counter Volcano

20 min Ages 5–10

Tic-Tac-Toe Bean Bag Relay — Play Together activity for ages 4–10 (either, 15 min)

Tic-Tac-Toe Bean Bag Relay

15 min Ages 4–10

Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin — Sensory Play activity for ages 1–4 (indoor, 30 min)

Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

30 min Ages 1–4

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies — Cooking & Baking activity for ages 5–12 (indoor, 45 min)

Cooking & Baking

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

45 min Ages 5–12

The Vanishing Coin — Magic Tricks activity for ages 6–11 (indoor, 10 min to learn)

The Vanishing Coin

10 min to learn Ages 6–11

Month 1: Eye Contact & First Tummy Time — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–1 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Month 1: Eye Contact & First Tummy Time

5 min Ages 0–1 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Heartbeat Snuggles: Connecting Skin-to-Skin — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–3 months (indoor, 15 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Heartbeat Snuggles: Connecting Skin-to-Skin

15 min Ages 0–3 months

Grab 1–2 thingsIndoor

Chest-Up Tummy Time: A Snuggle-Powered Workout! — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Chest-Up Tummy Time: A Snuggle-Powered Workout!

5 min Ages 0–3 months

Grab 1–2 thingsIndoor

Vowel Echo Chat — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Vowel Echo Chat

5 min Ages 0–3 months

Grab 1–2 thingsIndoor

Tiny Touches Sensory Exploration — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–3 months (indoor, 10 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Tiny Touches Sensory Exploration

10 min Ages 0–3 months

Grab 1–2 thingsIndoor

Softie Squeeze & Reach — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Softie Squeeze & Reach

5 min Ages 0–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

High-Contrast Card Slow Reveal — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

High-Contrast Card Slow Reveal

5 min Ages 0–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Car-Seat Companion Kit: Soothing On The Go — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–6 months (indoor, 15 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Car-Seat Companion Kit: Soothing On The Go

15 min Ages 0–6 months

Grab 1–2 thingsIndoor

Crib Comfort & Safety Check — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 0–6 months (indoor, 15 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Crib Comfort & Safety Check

15 min Ages 0–6 months

Ready right nowIndoor

The Kind Note Moment — Parent Care activity for ages For parents (indoor, 5 min)

The Kind Note Moment

5 min Ages For parents

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Month 2: Social Smiles & Cooing Chats — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–2 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Month 2: Social Smiles & Cooing Chats

5 min Ages 1–2 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Gentle Lullaby & Sway — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Gentle Lullaby & Sway

5 min Ages 1–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Baby Bicycle Kicks — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Baby Bicycle Kicks

5 min Ages 1–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Feather Follow-Along — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Feather Follow-Along

5 min Ages 1–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Peek-a-Boo Face Fun — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Peek-a-Boo Face Fun

5 min Ages 1–3 months

Ready right nowNo materials needed ✨Indoor

Tissue Box Peek-a-Boo! — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Tissue Box Peek-a-Boo!

5 min Ages 1–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Peek-a-Boo Scarf Surprise — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–3 months (indoor, 5 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Peek-a-Boo Scarf Surprise

5 min Ages 1–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Sound Safari Adventure — Baby (0–12 months) activity for ages 1–3 months (indoor, 10 min)

Baby (0–12 months)

Sound Safari Adventure

10 min Ages 1–3 months

Ready right nowIndoor

Browse all matching activities in Explore

Pip's tips

•A high-contrast board book beats a fancy toy every single time.
•Mirror time is genuinely educational — 5 minutes daily.
•Skip anything that plays music for baby. You are the concert.

Frequently asked

What activities can I do with a 3 month old?

Tummy time with a small mirror, high-contrast card viewing, gentle bicycle legs, singing with facial expressions, and slow-motion peekaboo. All in 3–5 minute windows.

Related ideas

Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers & Presch Toddler Activities at Home (18 months–3 Quiet Time Activities for Toddlers & Pre