The A-Z of Playing With Your Baby
A whole 26 weeks ago… Okay, a whole 30 weeks ago I started a challenge to come up with 26 different ways of playing with your baby. As part of my #ABC123 challenge I managed it, I followed the alphabet and have got 26 ways to play. I did miss a couple of weeks, but I came back the following week and continued on.
It’s been a really interesting project, especially from the aspect of commitment to writing a specific blog post each week. A bit like a deadline or even homework and on occasions it’s been difficult. There were some letters I really struggled to play with but that is the nature of the challenge. Looking back now there are some letters that I’d have probably done differently.
When I started this challenge I was a fairly novice blogger. At most I’d have been blogging a month or two. This process has really helped find a style of writing that I am happy with. So please go ahead and have a look through my A-Z of playing with a baby:
Having cuddle and physical play has been very important to our bond. The Robot loves to climb all over me and sit on my knee and it’s that special kinda play that makes me all warm and squishy. As he grows I’ll get less cuddles so things like playing airplanes or reading books is really important to us.
You can’t beat a little bit of messy play. If you just accept things are going to get mucky and have plenty of towels and wipes around, old clothes and an open mind your child will hopefully love it!
One thing is for sure is that you really don’t need lots of expensive plastic toys to enjoy play time with your kids. My son loves playing with the pots and pans in the kitchen. The outdoors is equally as important. Exploring in the mud and playing with stones or twigs is the right of passage for little ones. Let them explore!
A bit of junk, a cardboard box, newspaper are all brilliant ways to play and keep my son occupied for ages. His favourite is shower painting, non toxic paint, a brush and the side of the bath and he’s super happy.
Sometimes a play activity can completely fail. We tried to make slime for X and it was an epic fail. We’ll try it again one day!
The last big positive is that I’ve been able to play with my son, the Robot. In lots of different imaginative ways that if I hadn’t have followed this challenge then I probably would never have tried it.
Playing with our children is so important and if you’re reading this I urge you to give some of them a go. You might be surprised how enjoyable they are.
This post belongs to my #ABC123 blogging challenge. Why not give it a go?
I so have so enjoyed this series! So many fabulous ideas. Don’t stop…I want to know which letters you would have done differently…
Thanks Lucy! I think I’m going to start again and see how it goes now my little man is a bit older!
Brilliant post for ideas! I’m always struggling so this is ideal. Loving the sound of edible paint and jelly, although I think I’d do them in the garden or in the bath as your friend said! Saw your comment above and agree you’ll get more reaction now he’s older. I tried a few things with my rocket man when he was quite small and he just looked at me like I was mad! Think he’d get properly stuck in now x #TribalChat
That’s great. I hope that you can give it a go. I’d do more stuff outside but we have gravel so cleaning up would be equally as difficult!
This is great thank you. I’m useless at thinking of things and keep telling myself to try different things more. He loves the bath and water so might try and do things in there and it contains the mess a bit!! #familyfun
Soppymum (Sara) recently posted…Confession!
Good plan, our bath is a great safe haven for mess!
Great ideas. The best thing I ever made for the twins when they were little (er) was a busy texture box. I basically filled a box with items of different textures and they pulled stuff out of the box like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. They also have two older sisters so I dont think I have even bought them more than five toys…and they are TWO.
#familyfun
Kristin McCarthy recently posted…Writer Clap-Back
That would be great Kristin, new textures for the littles is really fascinating for them. Hand me down toys are great!
Great post… I’ll come back to it as the boys get older. I should probably get on with it and start introducing some messy play, they’ll love it! #familyfun
Twin Pickle recently posted…Baby food super-ingredients: 5 ways to jazz up homemade puree.
I am sure that they will love it!
As a teacher I totally agree with you! Play is vitally important for learning. It is amazing to see how much you and Robert have both learned from this amazing challenge. Well done mummy and Robert! #FamilyFun
An imperfect mum (Catie) recently posted…A glimpse into our autism: Knives and forks…
Thanks Catie, I’ve stagnatted a little the last week or two so I should get back on it again soon!
This is a great challenge and the first I’ve heard of it so thanks for bringing it to my attention. It’s a really nice way of ensuring variety. I’ll definitely be looking into this!
Potty Adventures
#familyfun
David mellor recently posted…Family Friendly Festivals: The Good Life Experience 2016
That’d be great. It certainly made my last few months interesting trying to come up with different ideas! Had to ask friends often especially at the dreaded X!
So many fantastic ideas! Well done on completing the challenge! #familyfun
The Speed Bump recently posted…Blogging Awards Make Me Proud To Be A Blogger
Thanks it was good fun!
Well done at thinking of all of these, great ideas x #familyfun
Jenni recently posted…What lucas wore #29 – shoes, shoes, shoes
I had help on some of the letters coming up with the ideas but it really was good fun to try.
Great post with lots of ideas. I have a few A-Z challenges I want to give a go at some point too x
#FamilyFun
Alana – Burnished Chaos recently posted…When You Need To Take A Step Back
Oh you should give this a go. Its definately worth the challenge in keeping the consistancy of blogging going.
What a fabulous idea and soooooo many good suggestions here – I’m going to make jelly with my lot over the weekend I think. Will be coming back to this post for more inspiration I think. 🙂 #FamilyFun x
Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…Wicked Wednesdays #8: You can’t make an Omelette without breaking some Eggs…
Thank you. Jelly is something I want to try again as he didn’t much like it the first time.
This is exactly the reason why I voted for you as inspiring in the recent awards. #FamilyFun
Helena recently posted…Creative Crafters For Christmas
Ahhh Helena, you make me blush! Thanks for the lovely comment again! 🙂
This is a pretty incredible post. I loved the edible paint!! inspired!
Mainy
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mainy – myrealfairy recently posted…myrealfairy does….Center Parcs – Longleat Forest
Thanks Mainy that’s very kind of you
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