25 Easy Home Daycare Activities for Infants

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Caring for infants while running a home daycare setting means creating a nurturing, stimulating environment that supports their growth and development. These 25 easy home daycare activities for infants are simple to set up, require minimal materials, and can be adapted for babies of different ages and abilities.

While babies can’t do crafts or follow directions like older children, there are plenty of easy, developmentally appropriate activities you can do to help them learn, explore, and connect. Each one supports key developmental areas, including motor skills, sensory processing, language development, and bonding.

Tummy Time Play

Tummy time is essential for strengthening babies’ neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. Make it fun by laying out a soft blanket with a few colorful toys within reach. Mirrors, textured fabric, or high-contrast books can keep them engaged while building strength.

Sensory Bottle

Create calming, mess-free sensory bottles using water, glitter, beads, or colored oil. Infants love watching the materials float and swirl. You can also make themed bottles with buttons, ribbons, or rice. Always secure the lid tightly.

High-Contrast Image Cards

Black and white images or high-contrast flashcards stimulate babies’ developing vision. Lay them nearby during tummy time or tape them to a low wall for visual exploration. You can even make your own with construction paper.

Soft Music and Dancing

Gently dancing with an infant to soothing music or lullabies can help with bonding and vestibular development. You can also play a variety of music during the day and watch how babies respond to different sounds and rhythms.

Finger Puppet Stories

Use simple finger puppets to tell short stories or songs. This encourages language development and social interaction. You can make your own from felt or buy soft cloth ones that are safe for infant play.

Blanket Peekaboo

Playing peekaboo with a blanket is a timeless and easy way to help babies develop object permanence. Use a lightweight cloth and take turns covering your face or the baby’s toy and then revealing it with excitement.

Water Play in a Basin

Fill a shallow container with a small amount of warm water and let infants explore with supervision. Provide washcloths, rubber ducks, or cups. Even dipping toes into water during warm weather is a sensory treat.

Touch and Feel Books

Books with textures, flaps, or mirrors are great for encouraging babies to explore with their hands and eyes. Reading aloud while they explore builds early literacy and language connections.

Mirror Time

Place a baby-safe mirror on the floor and let infants gaze at themselves. They might smile, babble, or reach for their reflection, building self-awareness and social development.

Soft Ball Rolling

Rolling a soft ball back and forth encourages motor planning and social interaction. For younger infants, you can gently roll it toward them and encourage reaching or crawling to get it.

Infant Massage

Gentle massage helps with circulation, digestion, and relaxation. Use slow strokes on arms, legs, and back, and talk softly as you go. This activity also strengthens your bond with the baby.

Scarf Play

Light scarves or ribbons are fascinating for babies to watch float and fall. Wave them in the air or let babies try to grasp them. Always supervise to avoid wrapping or tangling.

Soft Stacking Toys

Soft cloth or silicone stacking toys give infants the chance to explore with their hands and mouths safely. Older infants might begin stacking or knocking them over, which builds coordination.

Crinkly Toys and Fabric

Toys or fabric that crinkle when touched offer exciting cause-and-effect fun. They’re also great for fine motor exploration and can be attached to a highchair or stroller.

Simple Sign Language

Start using simple baby signs like “more,” “milk,” and “all done” during routines. Repetition helps infants start to understand and may eventually use the signs themselves.

Singing Nursery Rhymes

Singing familiar nursery rhymes while clapping, bouncing, or using hand motions introduces rhythm, language patterns, and interactive fun. Repetition is comforting and helps with memory development.

Hanging Toys for Reaching

Use a baby gym or hang soft toys overhead for infants to reach and bat. This encourages arm movement, focus, and eye-hand coordination. Rotate toys to keep things fresh and engaging.

Texture Crawl Mats

Lay out a variety of safe textures for crawlers to explore: a fluffy rug, a silicone mat, or a crinkly blanket. As they crawl across, they get to explore with both their hands and feet.

Bubble Time

Blow bubbles during outdoor play or indoors during circle time. Babies are mesmerized by the floating shapes and colors, and older infants may try to reach and pop them.

Nature Walks in a Stroller

Take babies outside in a stroller or carrier and talk about what you see. Point out trees, cars, birds, and flowers. The sights, sounds, and fresh air are great for sensory development.

Ring Stacking and Sorting

Colorful rings or stacking cups help infants develop early problem-solving and fine motor skills. Sit nearby and model how to stack them, then let babies explore their own way.

Soft Animal Sounds Game

Use plush animals to introduce animal names and sounds: “This is a cow. Moo!” Repeating animal sounds and showing matching toys helps with vocabulary and sound association.

Baby Yoga Poses

With infants lying on their back, guide their legs gently into “bicycle” or “toes to nose” poses. Baby yoga can be part of a gentle morning routine to get bodies moving and relaxed.

Sensory Bags

Fill a sealed freezer bag with gel, beads, buttons, or confetti and tape it to the floor or table. Babies can squish and press the contents without getting messy. Always double seal and supervise closely.

Balloon Kicking

Tie a balloon to a crib rail or baby gym bar so it dangles above a baby’s legs. They’ll kick and watch it bounce and float. This builds leg strength and cause-effect understanding.

Creating a rich learning environment for infants in your home daycare doesn’t require elaborate materials. With a little creativity and attention to safety, you can offer meaningful experiences that help babies grow physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Remember, the key to all infant activities is connection, talk to the babies, smile, and follow their lead. Even the simplest moments can have a big impact on their development and sense of security.