How to play with your baby, 7 months old

Is your little one getting into  everything  these days? The closer babies get the one-year mark, the more they’re drawn to exploration. Your baby is beginning to use all of his senses to understand the world around him. That means you may be struggling to keep things out of his mouth and those little fingers out of harm’s way. 

Even if you’re baby isn’t crawling, I bet she’s finding plenty of ways to keep you on your toes. And if she gets bored? Cue the tears! This month, we’ll focus on sensory activities to keep your baby entertained while helping her safely explore the environment. Below are some ideas for how to play with your seven-month-old.

7-Month Milestones

 By month 7, your baby  may  begin to:

·      Sleep through the night, with 2 naps during the day

·      Try solid foods (no honey, juice, or cow’s milk yet!)

·      Pull up to a sitting position

·      Pull up to stand or “cruise”

·      Crawl or rock back and forth on all fours

·      Find creative ways to get around, such as scooting or army crawling

·      Develop a sense of humor and intentionally make you laugh

·      Clap when he’s happy (or to encourage you to keep playing)

·      Enjoy story time or pretend play (i.e. puppets, funny voices, interactive songs)

·      Pass toys from one hand the other

·      Use a raking grasp (not pincer)

·      See in full color

·      Respond to her name and “no”

·      Find hidden objects

Your baby may not have mastered all of the milestones above, and that’s ok! Milestones vary a lot between 6 months and one year. However, here are a few potential concerns to look out for – talk to your pediatrician if you notice any of the following:

·      Lack of head control

·      Noticeably stiff or floppy muscles

·      Cannot bear any weight on legs (with help)

·      Only reaching with one hand

·      Unemotional, lack of affection, and/or refuses to cuddle (on a consistent basis)

·      Unresponsive to sounds

·      Unresponsive to lights/movement

·      Difficulty getting things to his mouth

·      Can’t roll over in either direction

·      No babbling or interest in interactive games/songs

 Sources: ( Healthy Children  &  What to Expect )

Sensory Activities for Seven Month Old’s – Montessori Style Learning  

Finger Painting

You can try paper, but in my experience, it just turns into a wet, messy ball in a matter of seconds. Instead, invest in some kind of plastic mat to put down: painting tarp, baby pool, play mat, etc. Grab some non-toxic finger paint , strip your baby down to a diaper, and let your baby Picasso go to town! Obviously, an area with hard floors or outdoors is best for this activity. 

Enjoy crafting? Make edible finger paint for your little one! You probably don’t want to use this for fridge art since it comes with an expiration date, but this nutritious paint duals as a healthy snack! Simply mix Greek yogurt and a few drops of food coloring together. 

Don’t want to smell yogurt all day (or maybe want to keep your baby’s first masterpiece)? Try this easy  homemade finger paint . 

Ball Pit

Fill a small baby pool or pack ‘n’ play with a layer of  plastic balls . Watch as he tries to “swim” through them. This may help motivate your little one to get on all fours or crawl. Don’t forget to stay with your baby during this activity.

Baby Yoga Ball

Whether your baby is crawling or not, she probably has the urge to  move. Blow up a beach ball, leaving it slightly flat to help your baby balance. With your hands on her at all times for safety, place her on the ball with her tummy facing down. Help her roll back and forth, letting her feet come to rest on the ground. Then, lay her on her back, and help her balance the ball with her hands and feet in the air and the ball on top. Encourage free play with the ball as well. Clap proudly as she moves toward the ball and bats or kicks it away. Push it back to her to keep the game going.

Tunnel Time

Put a lightweight blanket over an  activity mat  to create a short tunnel. If your baby is trying to crawl, encourage him to wiggle his way through from one end to the other. Place a mirror or his favorite toy on the other side for extra motivation. Exaggerate your excitement as he makes progress.

Finger Puppets

Get some  finger puppets  and use them to tell a story. Then, give your baby a turn. Place the puppets on her fingers and make voices and sound effects to help her tell a story.

Nature Play

Head outside for some fresh air together. Collect colorful leaves, flowers, rocks, sticks, and other materials in a basket. Once you get home, take them out and let your baby feel the different textures. If you find something that smells – like a rose – have her smell it with you. For small items like acorns, be sure to help your baby examine it safely since it is a choking hazard – do not leave her alone with small items.

Rolling Toys

Your baby is starting to experiment with cause and effect. Babies at this age enjoy rolling toys like trains that hook together or large cars. Make believe together and have the train or cars travel around to the “town” the “grocery store” the “playground” etc.

(*Matchbox/Hot Wheel cars are still too small for this age, but  large trains  like this one by Fisher Price are great!)

Pop-Up/Interactive Books 

I’ll warn you ahead of time: these books will take a beating. Use this as a time to teach your baby how to take care of books, but don’t set your expectations too high. Inevitably, some pages will get torn. You can also try fabric books instead since they’re washable and can handle more wear and tear – plus your baby can play with them on car rides. Check out this DK  Under the Sea  peekaboo pop-up book or this  Lamaze Peekaboo Forest  book.

Fruit and Veggie Sensory Play

Does your little one fuss while you’re preparing meals? Let him help. Find large fruits and veggies with thick skins, such as apples, zucchini, oranges, acorn squash, potatoes, etc. Let him have fun feeling the different textures and rolling them around. (The floor is best for this activity since they’ll roll off of a high chair.) Wash them first since there’s a good chance she’ll attempt a chomp or two. Take it a step further by seeing if your little one will put them inside a bowl to “cook.”

Baby Dishwasher

Your tiny seven-month-old may turn out to be quite helpful! Give your baby a wet washcloth and encourage her to “clean” some plasticware while you do dishes or clean. More than likely, your baby wants to be just like Mom and Dad these days! Containers with lids lend themselves to play time as well. Help her take things in and out. Shake them around with the lids on. Let her beat them like a drum. Surprisingly, the best toys are simple household items!