Even when they’re doing practically nothing, sleeping soundly or even just sitting there gazing at their tiny feet, your baby is just the absolute sweetest! Everything they do entertains you and makes you smile, but when they look at you with that funny, inquisitive look in their eye, you sometimes wonder whether they’re enjoying themselves as much as you are.

First of all, we’d like to assure you that they are. You’ll be the most fascinating thing in their world for a good long while. But if you’re not already doing so, there are some games you can engage them in that will have you and them smiling and laughing even more!

But why are these games so important?

Why is it important to play games with my baby?

Varied gameplay, even when it’s incredibly simple, will do wonders for your child’s development. It’ll also keep you and them entertained, distract them when they’re a bit moody, and help to grow the bond between you.

So, which games can we introduce to our babies that will have you and them giggling constantly?

How can I engage my baby in play from 1-3 months?

When it comes to little babies, any play that involves learning about their bodies or their sense of the world is encouraged. So try the following:

Gently tickle their face, fingers and toes.

Encourage the use of rattles, placing them in their hands and letting them have a good shake.

Favour black and white toys with interesting patterns, including baby mobiles (for a cheap mobile, paint some black swirls on a few pieces of white card and hang them by a string above the bed).

Baby gyms (something which has hanging objects your baby can reach and grab at from a lying position) offer your baby endless entertainment.

They’ll also love being on a mat or soft blanket and kicking their legs out.

Anything that involves the sound of voices, particularly yours, is great. Nursery rhymes, stories, sing-songs and chatter are all wonderful options. Just make sure to give your baby time to respond and attempt to mimic you.

Be sure to make eye contact with your baby when you chatter away and always be extra careful of items that may cause choking.

How can I engage my baby in play from 4-6 months?

As they progress into the next three months of their life, they’ll enjoy much of the same games, though colours will now prove more exciting than black and white, and you may find they neglect their old baby gym. But what else can you do for play?

Their hand-eye coordination will improve a great deal during these months so offer them plenty of different items to hold, shake and even drop. There's no need to spend a lot of money on toys. Simple household items such as a spoon and plastic plate can be just as much fun.

They’ll love looking in mirrors and at photos and pictures.

But you will be their favourite playmate. Everything you do will fascinate them, so make funny noises and silly faces, and play lots of peekaboo.

And keep on reading to them as much as possible.

How can I engage my baby in play from 7-12 months?

Now, as they draw closer to their very first birthday, it’s important to let your baby dictate how they play, so let them lead and follow them enthusiastically. You can continue all of the previous games but make sure you don’t overwhelm them. You can also add the following to the mix:

Cause and effect games such as jack in the box, or something that must be bashed to be opened, are wonderfully exciting at this age.

Toys that move, like balls and wheeled toys will be a favourite, as will simple musical instruments.

They may copy you if you show them how to scribble with a crayon.

They’ll also start to join in with pretend games. For example, you could have an imaginary picnic.

As their manual dexterity improves, building blocks can be thrown into the mix; as can random but safe household objects, such as a colander.

And most random of all, they’ll show a strange fascination for cardboard boxes.

Here are a few basic play tips to bear in mind:

Once they can crawl, let them explore the living room and garden whilst you sit nearby and keep an eye out.

Have plenty of cuddle and tickle sessions.

Enjoy being silly in front of your baby, putting on strange voices and making odd faces.

Dance with your baby in your arms or when they’re watching you.

Show them how to do things like getting dressed. They’ll learn surprisingly fast.

Don’t be afraid to get a little messy.

Babies also need quiet time, so at times when they are content you can leave them watching you get on with your own stuff while you chatter to them about what you are doing.

Why is playing games with my baby important?

Unii’s Baby Development Journey explores why it is so important to play games with your baby.