Fun for Little Crawlers

Crawling Games to Play with Baby

By Kim Seidel

Another effective but simple developmental game for your crawler is to create an obstacle course with pillows, Corder says. Arrange the pillows to increase the difficulty as the course goes along. "The course will challenge the baby's physical and mental abilities," Corder says. "Babies will learn to use their bodies and take risks that build confidence. It is rewarding for both Baby and their parent to have Baby conquer a complicated course that can involve going through, under, around and over things like pillows."

"Crawling games will teach baby about limits and boundaries, which are important skills for future experiences," Corder says.

Playing hide-and-seek with an object is a good game to enjoy with babies at this stage, says Fran Swift, a parent educator at Family Resources in La Crosse, Wis. Hide a stuffed animal or other toy where the baby can easily locate it. Let Baby take a turn hiding an object on you too.

To boost confidence and trust, keep reaffirming to your baby that the object will come back. If you hide somewhere Baby can obviously find you; take turns hiding on one another as well. "These games of hide-and-seek and peek-a-boo are more than just a fun way to play," Swift says. "These actually prepare your child to separate from you more easily and know that you will come back for him."

Sometimes parents will inundate their baby with too many toys, blocking his way when he simply wants to crawl around and explore. Swift suggest that parents isolate a particular smaller toy or set up a little scene – perhaps a group of toy cars parked or a puzzle on the couch and another chair.

"This will give Baby something interesting to crawl to," Swift says. "When Baby reaches the toy, it will hold his interest by the very fact that it's in an unusual place. Put out different toys on varying days to keep Baby curious."

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