6 Classic Baby Games

Peek-a-Boo
This game teaches your baby that objects out of sight still exist and can be found—an important cognitive lesson for baby.

Here are some variations of the game:

Hide your face behind your spread-apart fingers.
Peek around the corner of a doorway.
Use a light cloth that baby can pull off easily and victoriously as you call out "Peek-a-boo!"

This game can be played throughout baby's first year of life and into toddlerhood.

Ahh-Boom!

When baby is between five- to seven-months old, prop her in a sitting position facing you on your lap. Lower your head and gently touch foreheads with your baby while slowly saying, "Ahh-boom!" at each touch. In time, your baby will anticipate the game by leaning forward before your foreheads meet.
Sooo Big!

Your little one loves it when you lift both his arms up very high and exclaim delightedly, "How big are you? You are so big!" Once your child has learned this game, lift your hands up high and let your child stretch his own arms way upward as you exclaim, "Sooo big!"
Pat-a-Cake

Babies learn to clap both hands together at the body midline between seven and nine months. "Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man; bake me a cake as fast as you can…" is an excellent rhyme to chant with your baby. She will enjoy mimicking your clapping, and her confidence will build as she learns the movements and words.
Oops!

This game can be played with various props but works particularly well with building blocks. Build a tower of blocks with your three- to six-month old and let him knock them down. This game teaches cause and effect—that actions have consequences. And it's lots of fun!
This Little Piggy

Respond to your baby's burblings with encouraging words as you play "This Little Piggy Went to Market" with her tiny toes. Your baby learns that despite being a small creature, she has control over play situations: Notice how she thrusts out her toes in a clear request to play the game again and again!