Activities to Try at Home
Simple, fun ways to support your child's development every day
Learning Through Play
Young children learn best through play! These everyday activities can help support your child's development. Remember to follow your child's lead, make it fun, and celebrate small successes.
Tip: Short, frequent activities work better than long sessions. Even 5-10 minutes of focused play makes a difference!
Speech & Language Activities
For Babies (0-12 months)
- Talk, talk, talk! - Narrate what you're doing ("Now we're changing your diaper!")
- Copy their sounds - When baby coos or babbles, repeat it back
- Sing songs - Nursery rhymes with actions (Itsy Bitsy Spider, Pat-a-Cake)
- Read board books - Point to pictures and name them
- Play peek-a-boo - Great for turn-taking and social connection
For Toddlers (1-3 years)
- Expand their words - If they say "ball", you say "Yes! Red ball!"
- Offer choices - "Do you want milk or juice?" (hold up both)
- Name emotions - "You look sad. Did you want the toy?"
- Sing cleanup songs - Make transitions fun with songs
- Play phone - Pretend conversations build language skills
- Read together daily - Ask "What's that?" and "Where's the dog?"
Fine Motor Activities (Hands & Fingers)
For Babies
- Tummy time with toys - Place toys in front to reach for
- Finger foods - Small pieces of safe foods to pick up
- Texture exploration - Different fabrics, crinkle toys
- Stacking cups - Knock them down, put things inside
For Toddlers
- Playdough - Squeeze, roll, poke, and squish
- Coloring/scribbling - Chunky crayons on big paper
- Stickers - Peeling and placing builds finger strength
- Water play - Pouring, squeezing sponges, cups
- Building blocks - Stacking and knocking down
- Finger painting - Messy but great for coordination
- Threading - Large beads on string or pipe cleaners
Gross Motor Activities (Whole Body)
For Babies
- Tummy time - Start with short periods, increase gradually
- Reaching games - Hold toys to encourage reaching
- Supported sitting - Use pillows or your lap for practice
- Leg bicycles - Gently move baby's legs in bicycle motion
- Roll a ball - Roll toward baby while sitting supported
For Toddlers
- Dance party - Move to music, copy each other's moves
- Ball play - Rolling, throwing, kicking
- Obstacle course - Pillows to climb over, tunnels to crawl through
- Animal walks - Walk like a bear, hop like a frog
- Playground time - Climbing, sliding, swinging
- Bubble chasing - Run to pop bubbles
- Push/pull toys - Wagons, push mowers, shopping carts
Social-Emotional Activities
- Mirror play - Make faces, wave, point to features
- Pretend play - Feed dolls, have tea parties, play house
- Turn-taking games - Roll ball back and forth, take turns with toys
- Books about feelings - Name emotions in pictures
- Comfort items - Let child have a special blanket or toy
- Playdates - Short, supervised play with other children
- Helper tasks - Let toddlers help with simple chores
- Routines - Predictable schedules help children feel secure
Sensory Play Ideas
- Sensory bins - Rice, dried pasta, water beads (supervised)
- Sand and water table - Digging, pouring, scooping
- Shaving cream play - On highchair tray or in bathtub
- Texture walk - Walk on grass, sand, carpet, tile
- Music and instruments - Shakers, drums, bells
- Edible finger paint - Yogurt or pudding on tray
- Ice cube play - Watch it melt, feel the cold
Tips for Success
- Follow your child's interests - Activities work best when children are engaged
- Keep it short - Young children have short attention spans
- Reduce distractions - Turn off TV, put away phones
- Get on their level - Sit on the floor with them
- Celebrate effort - Praise trying, not just success
- Be patient - Learning takes time and repetition
- Make it routine - Build activities into daily life
Want Personalized Activity Ideas?
Our therapists can suggest activities tailored to your child's specific needs.