Baby activities!

Oh, I love a good baby activity. Particularly because it is SO much fun to watch my babies get completely immersed in an activity as I sip a peppermint white chocolate mocha that’s *actually* still warm.

Seriously.

There’s nothing better.

But, listen…

I don’t want you to have to scour through Pinterest during your *extremely* valuable baby naptime to find the best baby activities for your little one, so I’ve put together this giant list for you. To make it even easier, I’ve split this giant list of over 45 brilliant baby activities for busy 1-year-olds into three categories: Art, Games, and Sensory Play.

Let’s dive into this list, shall we??

First up is my favorite category: ART.

I know.

It can be a little daunting to think about clean up.

Or, maybe you cringe at the thought of your baby eating paint (I get you, girl), but this list has you covered:

• Most ideas are “contained” in a bag or box
• While other activities feature edible paint recipes that are safe for little ones!

Here are the best art activities that any baby will love.

9 Brilliant Baby ART Activities

Edible finger paint recipe | Rainy Day Mum

Color-mixing in minutes | Simple Fun for Kids

Clinging film art | Messy Little Monster

Ice painting | Messy Little Monster

Marble painting | Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Tummy time painting | Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Taste safe baby paint | Munchkins and Moms

Color mixing in a bag | Simple Fun for Kids

See?

Those art activities weren’t so bad, right?

Next up is my go-to category: GAMES.

If you have a busy baby like I do, they will absolutely ADORE these activities. Choose these activities during a time of day when you need the baby to be a little more independent.

19 Brilliant Baby GAMES

Clothespin pull | Days with Grey

Poker chip drop | Happily Ever Mom

Q-tip push | Happily Ever Mom

Stacking cups | Mama Smiles

Sticky Grab | Happily Ever Mom

Stuffed ball | Little Worlds Big Adventures

Plastic egg drop | Happily Ever Mom

Ball in a box | What do we do all day

Make a discovery box | Inspiration Laboratories

Plastic egg roll | Inspiration Laboratories

Tummy time games | Mommy’s Bundle

Rhymes & finger games for baby | Simple Play Ideas

Spring flower bottle | Kid’s Craft Room

Music shakers | Kid’s Craft Room

Floating balloon game | Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Indoor leaf tunnel | Kids Activites Blog

Easiest ball drop ever | Kids Activities Blog

Sticky table | Learn with Play at Home

Wipes container play | Hands on: as we grow

Ribbon box | Teaching Mama

Take a dry bath | Busy Toddler

Last but not least: SENSORY PLAY.

Babies need a chance to engage their senses, but I know it’s not always easy to give them those opportunities. Particularly, if you have a baby who loves to put EVERYTHING in their mouth like mine does.

*insert eye roll*

This list is SAFE for those babies who love to eat everything, but who need dynamic sensory input.

18 Brilliant SENSORY PLAY Baby Activities

DIY touch and feel sensory board | Happily Ever Mom

Taste safe rainbow | Happily Ever Mom

Cereal pool | Busy Toddler

Water bead play | Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Encourage baby to sit with sensory bags | Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Polka dot bags | Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Oobleck for baby | Busy Toddler

Make a sticky velcro board | Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Baby play dough – taste safe | Mama. Papa. Bubba

Sensory fort | Messy Little Monster

Fun under the umbrella sensory play. | Best Toys for Toddlers

Sensory food bags | Life is a lullaby

Sticky spaghetti play | Rainy Day Mum

Exploring Potato flakes | Natural Beach Living

Sensory balls for baby to hold & touch | School Time Snippets

Baby play with rice | Simple Fun for Kids

Latch board | Happily Ever Mom

Peek-a-boo busy board | Busy Toddler

Edible sand | Happily Ever Mom

DIY sound shakers | Days with Grey

Magic Water Bin | Happily Ever Mom

That’s it!

This list of over 45 brilliant baby activities is a fantastic resource for busy parents who KNOW that activities and play are essential for baby’s growth and development.

If you’re like me and you’ll want to come back to this list, you can pin this list HERE. Or, follow our Just for baby! board and our FUN toddler activities board for more inspiration.

Pinterest is my favorite spot to hang out, so I’ll see you over there!

~Katie

More Baby Activities from Happily Ever Mom