I’m sure you couldn’t wait for your baby to grow into a little crawler and discover ways to find amusement and play.
But now you’re met with a whole new issue: your little one is too, well, little for the playground, but they need to play and learn.
This brings you all the way back to the beginning, where you have to dote on them to keep boredom away.
What you’re essentially looking for is a safe outlet for your child’s vast curiosity and energy, so they may eat and sleep like a champ!
Children Learn by Playing
Nature predetermined it that way – children of all ages have the urge to play, which subconsciously causes them to develop and learn.
With that in mind, a fun and challenging playground is of utmost importance.
However, the challenge has got to be just enough – not too great nor too insignificant.
If a child isn’t sufficiently challenged, they won’t gain any new skills. And if playtime is too challenging, they’ll turn frustrated and fussy real quick.
The Main Advantage of an In-House Playground
Moms and caretakers know exactly what it means to leave the house with the baby.
From getting the stroller ready to packing diapers, wipes, bottles and the mountain of other necessities.
By creating a fun playing space for your baby indoors or in your garden, you’ve given them both a fun experience and the comfort of the home.
To Begin With: Adjust the Playground to the Child’s Age
The way two-month-old and nine-month-old babies play are fundamentally different.
Babies grow and develop incredibly fast, their motor and comprehensive skills change quickly and a parent always has to be vigilant.
We’ll explore some budget-friendly DIY ways to create a safe playing space for your little one, that are age-appropriate, challenging and fun.
Three to Eight-Month-Old Babies
This is the phase in which babies primarily learn through touch… Oh, and taste, so to speak.
They’ll put in their mouth and bite anything you leave in their way. So make sure to surround them only with large and semi-large objects they can’t swallow or choke on.
Various plush, plastic and wooden toys which depict farm animals, zoo and wild animals and objects are sure to interest them.
Hence, all you need for your DIY playground at this point is a soft surface to place your baby down on. It can be your bed, or even the floor.
Place a soft blanket over your carpet, lie your baby on their tummy and let them work out how to move their neck and arms.
Communication Is Important
Babies need to know their parents are around, they feel when you’re away.
While in-home playground gives you some space to devote more time to yourself and your chores, it’s still necessary to actively engage with the baby.
They love hearing your voice as well as seeing a reaction for their play.
It’s also a chance for the baby to learn which of their actions are good and which get them a no-no.
Engage Their Senses
Thanks to the Internet, there’s a plethera of animal sounds and videos you can play for your baby.
For example, if they’re playing with a cow plushie, you can play moos in the background. This engages their senses of touch, sight and hearing.
Observe their reaction to make sure they’ve caught on before moving on to another activity.
Remember that babies have a very short attention span and need all the patience you can spare.
Nine-Month to a One-Year-Old Crawler
At this age, babies go full explorer mode. And given that they can finally move and sit on their own, nothing within reach is safe.
It’s time to baby-proof sharp edges and lock away anything you don’t want to end up chewed.
At this phase, parents need some tolerance for a messy house, and if possible, to allow the baby to freely explore everything that’s safe.
From ransacking a kitchen drawer, to playing with pans. This might also work as a puzzle of sorts – as the baby figures out which lid goes on which pot.
Just make sure there is no dish-soap within their reach, cause they will eat it.
Active Play
Your baby is finally of the age where they can actively play with you. Get a colorful ball and play a game of fetch.
Roll the ball to the other end of the room and have the baby bring it to you. Have them aim the ball and act like you’re in the audience. Again, babies love our reactions.
Don’t force the baby to practice or get better quicker – they’re meant to have fun and play. Allow them to learn at their own pace.
You may also play hide and seek or play-chase each other around the house or garden.
If the Baby Enjoys Playing Alone, Don’t Intervene
We have the natural urge to help children when they seem to be having trouble with something.
However, as long as a baby or child isn’t giving up, it means they believe they can figure it out. Don’t take it away from them.
Allowing your baby to clumsily fail at playing with puzzles is honoring their learning pace. You allow their brains to develop.
Sooner or later, they’ll get a hang of it and the reward will be that much bigger because they did all on their own. This is one of the principles of the Montessori parenting method.
Introduce Textures
Different food, dry and wet, stone, grass or even their own clothes – they’re all fun and new textures that the baby finds fascinating.
While eating on their own, they practice their grip and motor skills. It’s messy, but it’s meant to be!
Water is especially fun and interesting to them at this point.
In the summer, if you have a safe balcony or garden, get them a baby pool and let them splash water and pour it from one container to the other.
One to Four-Year-Old Toddlers
This is where you should start taking vitamins for agility, because you will need it.
Once the child learns to walk, there’s no stopping them. Their curiosity is no lesser, but they have so many more ways to satisfy it.
Toddler’s playground is whatever you’re doing at the moment.
If you like to spend time on your phone, make sure they have their own plastic little Babrie phone to match.
Include them in your chores and even in your exercise.
This allows them to adopt common behaviors of the adults around them.
Through copying you they’ll learn the basics of preparing food, doing simple exercises and using electronics.
Get Artsy
Once your little one’s hands can grip a pencil, you bet they’re gonna use it – everywhere.
Create a controlled environment for them to express themselves and experiment with creativity.
A drawing corner in their room away from anything you don’t want colored could work.
When it comes to painting, you could try a bathtub or a baby pool, to make sure paint and watercolor don’t end up everywhere.
Make some improvised music or dance with them – it’s a way for both the child and the parents to have a blast.
Your Little One Needs a Social Life
At this point, you likely have some other young parents in your life who can bring their own toddlers for playdates.
Let them play together and learn from each other.
Create Obstacles
Various types of playing structures are a hallmark of any playground. If you have your own outdoor area, you’ve got plenty of space to get creative and get your little one a swing or a DIY slide.
However, you may as well create an indoor structure with pillows and throw pillows for them to get over.
Create levels and watch your toddler use everything at their disposal to conquer them. Of course – if it even needs to be said – make sure everything is safe.
Play the floor is lava with them. Let them help you in the garden or to water house plants. Let them feed pets, domestic animals or even birds.
Use the largest space in your home or garden to fashion up a racing track with a finish line and play-race your toddler.
At this phase, they want to be challenged and included.
In Conclusion
Children need attention. I mean, don’t we all?
Though, kids especially need to feel that you’re cheering them on, that you’re including and supporting them.
This is the very basis of their confidence and self-love, which need to be nourished from their youngest days.