Fun Things to Do with Your Baby

New parenthood is incredibly joyful, but it can sometimes be downright boring. If you're looking for some easy entertainment, try out these fun things to do with a baby.

Mother Looking At Cute Smiling Baby Daughter Standing By Backpack In Park

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If you're a new parent, you've probably been trapped inside, changing endless diapers and feeding your little one around the clock. And though having a tiny baby might make you sometimes feel a little overwhelmed and disconnected from the outside world, the good news is, most babies are highly portable. Here are some fun things to do with your infant throughout the year.

Pack a Picnic

Head to your local park with a blanket and lunch. Let the grass tickle your baby's feet, and have them lie on your lap and watch the leaves rustle in the wind. Even if they're too young to roll a ball, they'll love watching other people play. Frisbee games, bikes, dogs, birds, and squirrels are five-star entertainment.

Enroll in a Class

If your baby is younger than 6 months, they probably won't get much out of classes. But they can be a welcome activity for parents itching to leave the house! Some examples: Mommy and Me yoga classes (check your local studios), a music class like Music Together or Kindermusik, a group exercise class such as Stroller Strides or Strollercize, or infant massage (hospitals often offer classes).

Go Swimming

Many community pools will post designated times for family swim; the crowds thin out then, and you can avoid splashing teenagers and serious lap swimmers. Hop in and watch your baby's face light up as they experience the magical feeling of weightlessness for the first time.

Draw on Sidewalks

Buy a big box of chunky sidewalk chalk and sit beside your baby, doodling all over your driveway or sidewalk. It doesn't matter if they aren't old enough to draw their own stick figures. They'll enjoy "helping," and you'll end up with a colorful entryway to your home!

Film a Home Movie

As soon as you send one batch of baby photos to loved ones, you're hounded for new pictures. Thankfully, today's technology can make sharing milestones a creative project. Use your phone to record mini videos of your child each day, compile the clips together, and send your short movies via email to your relatives.

Visit a Pet Store

Go to the pet store, and watch your baby laugh with glee when they discover the puppies and kittens jumping around. Identify the animals, and then help them wave to each of them. Exotic-bird stores can be entertaining, too, especially if the bird gives your baby a shout-out.

Take a Local Field Trip

These baby-friendly locations could entertain your family for an afternoon!

Zoo: If your baby lights up every time you reach for Good Night, Gorilla, they'll have a blast pointing to lions right in front of them. You don't have to make an entire day of it, either. Have a laugh with the monkeys and then head home for naptime.

Butterfly conservatory: Strap your sweetie into your baby carrier for a stroll through a world of fluttering, colorful creatures. If one lands on your baby's head, make sure someone can capture the moment with a photo.

Botanical garden: Many botanical gardens now have playgrounds and fountain areas that are a haven for little ones. And you get to smell the roses, too!

Animal farm: The snorts and brays may fascinate or startle your baby at first, but if you enjoy the sounds, they'll take a cue from you.

Relive Your Wedding Day

Get out your wedding video and have fun reminiscing about the big day, while pointing out all the guests your baby knows. They'll be amazed to see them on TV! "My son, Jack, liked watching our video so much that more than two years later, he still asks me to turn on 'The Wedding Show,'" says Laurie Rosen, of Westchester, New York.

Learn a New Language

Always wanted to polish up your Spanish or learn the basics of French? Do it! Find a language class online, then practice around your child. You can also find storybooks in different languages to read aloud. Your baby may not actually pick up any words, but research has shown that a baby's exposure to another language can help improve their mastery of foreign languages down the road.

Share a Soak

Run a bath for two! Listen to classical music or sing a lullaby as you soak together in warm water. If your baby is feeling more playful, add in some bath toys and plastic cups, and sing Ernie's "Rubber Duckie." Either way, it's a great bonding experience. For safety reasons, be sure not to fill the tub too high, and always have a firm hold on your child.

Peruse a Fabric Store

For some reason, new parenthood can bring out our inner DIYer. Dreams of adorable, hand-sewn stuffed animals dance in our heads (even if we've never held a needle and thread). Spend some time in a fabric store, and you'll be inspired to channel your energy into a creative project. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the selection, ask staffers to suggest some ideas, including those of the no-sew variety. At the same time, make the shopping experience a visual and tactile adventure for your baby. Expose them to furry fabrics, yards of shimmery sequins, and rolls of satin ribbons.

Take the Long Way Home

If you're out running errands, consider stopping for these everyday sights. They might seem run-of-the-mill to you, but they can provide some entertainment for your little one!

Play with a water fountain: Dip your baby's toes in an outdoor park's water fountain and get rewarded with peals of laughter.

Admire new construction: Pause across the street from that big cement mixer; it's fascinating for wee ones, and really for anyone. How do those things work?

Visit the local farmer's market: Life is good when you can teach your baby colors by strolling the produce stands! Also, it's an opportunity to hit up the dog parents so your baby can meet a furry friend.

Additional reporting by Kate Rockwood
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