Movement Games to Play With Baby
(3 - 6 Months)

Rug Rat
Let your baby have the run of his house. Place him on a pile carper, a warm bathroom or kitchen floor. Get down and join him as he creeps and crawls. Provide a variety of surfaces on which he can gain mastery of his body. Install safety gates to establish boundaries.

Rolling Pin
To play this game, lay your baby down on the bed or on a carpeted floor. Gently roll him back and forth. Repeat this motion, telling him he's rolling out the cookies.

Faith at 4 months enjoying kicking and splashing with "Dada" in the big tub!

The BIG Tub
From time to time, take your baby with you into the BIG tub. Let him have the time of his life -- let him splash and kick in the water. Bring a toy or two, like a rubber duckie or a chime ball.

Wading
Let your baby walk across the tub with about three inches of water. Support him by holding him under his arms.

Up & Down the Bar
Lay your baby on his back. Put a crib bar on baby's hands. Holding his arms over his head, roll him to the right and then to the left (about three times) while he grasps the bar. Then pull baby halfway up to sitting position. If his head is wobbly at all or his grasp is poor, lift him only 2 inches off the floor until his muscles are stronger. Hold for 5 seconds. Then lower his back and lift him 3 - 5 inches from the floor and lower him. Repeat 3 times saying "Up and down, up and down".

Up and Down and Everywhere
Slide your arms under baby's back so that he rests in the crook of your elbow. Lift baby about 1 inch from the ground and then go up, down, forward, backward, side to side, around in slow circles to right, around in circles to left. Do this about 3 times in each position. Describer the direction of the movements while doing this.

Grab the Toy
You'll need a pillowcase folded in half lengthwise for this game. Lift baby up at 45-degree angle and then lower. His arms will dangle in front of him. Repeat about 3 times. Place a favorite toy in front of him, just beyond his arms' reach as he is slightly inclined. Allow him to reach for the toy three times before lowering him to successfully grab it.

Hand Bang
Show baby how to bang on table with his hand. Let him bang for about 30 seconds. Put his favorite toy on the table, slightly out of reach so he leans forward and pushes off with his feet as he reaches for the toy. This helps him stretch and reach.

Knee Rides
Give your baby a good bounce through knee rides. Let him sit on your lap, facing you. Support him by holding him under his arms. Move your bottom forward to sit on the edge of the chair. Recite bouncing rhymes as you lift your heels so your baby gets a good bounce.

To Market, To Market
To market, to market,
To buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again,
Jiggety jig.

To market, to market,
To buy a fat hog,
Home again, home again,
Jiggity jog.

To market, to market,
To buy a plum bun,
Home again, home again,
Marketing's done.