educational activities for 8 month old

Best Activities for an 8-Month-Old Baby

What skills is your child developing at 8 months , social and emotional skills, language and communication skills, cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills, best activities for an 8-month-old baby, read this next, build a tower, create sensory bags, turn everyday objects into a rattle or shaker toy, dedicate one kitchen cabinet to your baby, tissue box play.

So rest assured: While the above activities are great ways to make playtime more stimulating and, ultimately more enriching for baby, research shows that even the simplest actions — talking, singing and reading, in particular — are some of the most important things parents can do with children of any age. 

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com,  When Your Baby Will Sit Up—With Your Help and Alone , July 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics, Infant Physical Activity , July 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics, The Power of Play—How Fun and Games Help Children Thrive , November 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics, Movement: Babies 8 to 12 Months , April 2021. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Birth to One Year , October, 2021. CHOC Children’s, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Developmental Milestones: Fine Motor Skills and Visual Motor Skills , 2021. KidsHealth From Nemours, Movement, Coordination, and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old , June 2019. KidsHealth From Nemours, Communication and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old , June 2019. Mayo Clinic, Infant Development: Milestones from 7 to 9 Months , June 2020. Stanford Children’s Health, The Growing Child: 7 to 9 Months , 2021. Zero to Three, Steps Toward Crawling , 2021. Manasa Mantravadi, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician in Indianapolis, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health. Elizabeth S. Norton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Department of Medical Social Sciences, principal investigator at LEARN Lab at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. 

About What to Expect

Popular articles, tools & registry.

At 8 months old, your baby is starting to become more and more mobile. You may notice that your baby is noisier too! 8-month-olds tend to find their voice and use it!

The changes from one month to the next are incredible!

This post may contain affiliate links for which I would receive a small commission on your purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Common Milestones for a 8 Month Old Baby

Here is a list of common milestones for 8-month-old babies. Remember, these are just average milestones! All babies meet milestones at different rates. If you are concerned about any of these milestones, consult your pediatrician.

1. Sitting unassisted

As baby’s core muscles strengthen, they will begin to sit up unassisted.

2. Preparing to Crawl

You may notice your baby on their hands and knees, rocking back and forth, or even crawling backward. These stages are a precursor to crawling!

3. Pincer Grasp

8 month olds are beginning to work on their pincer grasp. This grasp is the building block for (eventually) writing and doing other fine motor activities.

4. Pulling up on Furniture

As scary as it may seem, 8-month-olds can begin to pull up on furniture! Just be mindful of the items you have within their reach!

5. Making Sounds Back to You

Your baby is finding their voice and learning about conversation through your example. Be sure to chat with them often and encourage them to make sounds back to you!

6. Passing Objects

This is a great opportunity to learn about sharing with others. They will pass objects from hand to hand and back and forth to others.

What to Expect from Your 8-Month-Old

Aside from the milestones, your baby is making all sorts of developments at this age. You may be seeing things like:

• Increased motor control
• Developing an attachment to blanket or stuffed animal

Fine Motor Skills for 8-month-olds

Fine motor skills are starting to be more controlled by your 8-month-old. They are starting to explore toys more and continually baby improves their use of their pincer grasp to pick up small objects.

Your baby’s fine motor skills are starting to emerge. Babies start exploring toys that have different parts on them, so they can figure out how it all fits together.

You may notice your baby is able to hold an object in one hand, and their coordination skills increase. An example is being able to pick up food off their plate and putting it into their mouth, which takes hand-eye coordination.

Gross Motor Skills for 8 Month Olds

Gross motor skill improvements emerge around this age range. Lots of babies start to crawl, scoot, and maybe even cruise. Starting at 8 months there beings to be a lot of movement, since your baby is able to roll over, sit unassisted, stand up and down, and cruise.

The ability to crawl or scoot shows that your baby’s gross motor skills are really starting to develop.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are improved with the help of verbal and nonverbal cues. Your 8-month-old is beginning to understand things you are saying and tone of voice.

Your baby may be able to point at things they want, start to imitate some sounds that sound familiar, recognize other people’s facial expressions, and imitate hand gestures! This is where children start using basic gestures to communicate what they need or want so it’s important for parents to observe these cues!

Social Skills

At 8 months old, your baby is working on his/her social skills. As their cognitive abilities grow, you’ll notice they react differently in social situations.

Your baby may start to wave to people or may act shy. Stranger or separation anxiety may develop at this time, or they may want to smile at every person they see. It all depends on your baby and their personality.

15 Developmental Activities for 8-Month-Old Babies

1. playing with building blocks.

Building blocks are such a fantastic way for children to learn about the world around them. Watching them realize and discover how to stack their blocks to make a mini tower is one of the most gratifying moments of watching your child develop.

2. Peek-a-Boo

Everyone has played some version of peek-a-boo. I know my kids used to love playing peek-a-boo so much that their laughter would make it hard for them to breathe!

3. Crawling to Different Objects

One of the best ways to teach your child to crawl is with bribery. As awful as it may sound, making them retrieve a toy from your hand is a great way for you to get their little bodies mobile.

You can also ask them to go get something across the room to help them start to learn their object and/or color identification.

4. Walking Practice

Helping your baby start walking is a great way to keep them engaged with you while also training their muscles to get ready for their first steps. These practice sessions are one of the most important activities you can do with your little one.

5. Play with Stacker Toys

Stacker toys are a great activity to do with 8-month-old babies! Stacker toys have great benefits like learning about the size of objects, different colors, and textures, and even balance!

6. Play with Pots and Pans

Playing with pots and pans is so much fun for little ones to play with and an easy way to entertain them. Little ones love making noise!

7. Taste Testing

Trying new foods is a great experience for little ones! The different textures and tastes are great for stimulating their senses.

Reading to your baby is a great way for them to hear new words and see fun and bright pictures. Babies start learning about reading and talking far before they can do either!

9. Water Play

When I was a new mom, someone wise told me that my babies would be happiest in the water. Water play offers babies to develop hand eye coordination along with fine and gross motor skills.

10. Sensory Books

Sensory books are fun for babies to play with. Some are crinkly, some make noise or have bright pictures. These types of books help to stimulate your babies’ senses!

11. Playing with Pom-Poms

These large felt pom poms are a great object to have that is rather open ended. These pom poms can be played with by themselves, fit in different objects like cups or bowls and even be pretend food!

12. Make Some Noise

Find some noisy things around the house and let your baby make noise!

13. Make Believe Play

Playing with stuffed animals, dolls, puppets, plastic animals, etc is a great way to encourage independent play!

Turn up some jams or play with instruments! From a young age babies can recognize a beat. Children love lots of different types of music and it is great for their developing brains to hear!

15. Take a Nature Walk

Taking a walk is something that my babies always enjoy. There are lots of new sights, sounds, and even smells that will help to stimulate your baby and encourage learning about the environment around them.

As your babies get older, and more independent you may notice that it is easier to do different activities with them! This is especially exciting because it shows that their hard work is paying off!

What are your favorite activities to do with 8-month-old babies? Let me know in the comments below!

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Greatest Play-Based Learning Activities for 8-Month-Olds

Parents and educators often wonder how to play with an 8-month-old baby. These are 18 of my favorite play-based ideas that I use in developmental therapy sessions.

Discover interactive and sensory-rich learning experiences to promote babies’ cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical development skills.

Activities by Learning Domain

Gross motor : lumpy bumpy obstacle course.

Create a cozy, engaging space on the floor with layers of blankets and pillows.

Babies who are starting to crawl will use gross motor skills to move around the lumps of pillows. Crawling babies may be able to master moving over cushions or large blanket piles.

Babies who are sitting or learning to sit can tug and pull at pillows and blankets. The small bumps and lumps of the blankets and pillows also create a mini obstacle course for babies who are rolling.

Adjust the space to fit the developmental level of your baby.

Skills + Behaviors:

• Moving into a sitting position
• Sitting without support
• Pulling-to-stand

Fine Motor : Treasure Baskets

Treasure baskets are small collections of interesting toys or objects children can explore. For an 8-month-old baby, most items are still novel and exciting. Curious babies will instinctually want to hold and investigate any new items.

Infant Treasure Basket Themes:

• Bangle Bracelets
• Textured Blocks
• Monochrome Objects
• Variety of Balls
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Using hands to explore and manipulate objects
• Banging toys together
• Passing toys from one hand to the other

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Loose Parts for more ideas.

Language: Think Out Loud

While completing chores or daily tasks, talk through what you are doing out loud for your baby to hear. The more language your baby hears, the greater the benefit to their language development skills.

If your baby begins to babble while you talk, pause and listen to them. Then verbally respond in a way that feels natural. If it feels entirely unnatural, keep practicing with it. Soon your baby will be a toddler with more language to add to the conversation.

This back-and-forth exchange (often called serve-and-return in early childhood education) teaches babies the cadence and rhythm of conversation.

• Saying consonant-vowel sounds like “baba,” “mama,” “dada”

Literacy: Bathtime Books

Soapy, floating books add an extra sensory element to exploring books. Your baby is still figuring out books will be familiar objects with specific purposes. For now, babies are building interest in books and are enjoying the experience of reading with a caregiver.

• Gazing at pages of a book while reading together
• Holding and exploring books as objects

Discover dozens of easy literacy ideas for babies .

Cognitive: Block Play

I adore wood blocks. A quality wooden block set can grow up with your child. For babies, blocks are a chance to explore textures, sounds, and weight. 

• Place blocks into a basket, and your baby can enjoy tipping it over, spilling the blocks out.
• Place a small stack of blocks just out of reach to entice your baby to knock them over.

Explore our series on block play including an introduction to block play , block activities , and the benefits of block play .

• Looking for things out of view

Emotional: Baby says No!

Around 8-months-old, a baby will be learning how to shake their head no. Caregivers can show respect and reinforce the importance of consent by being considerate when a baby communicates no.

Shaking the head no is a huge step in learning how to communicate. Babies need plenty of practice because sometimes, naturally, they will not be able to share what they want and feel with this gesture.

Create opportunities for your baby to communicate by “saying” no. Some things like diaper changes or bedtimes have to happen. 

Other things are chances for your baby to express what they want and have their requests met.

• Can your sister hold you?
• Can I have this toy?
• Are you all done eating?
• Learning to shake head no

Self-Identity: Exploring Mirrors

Babies absolutely love exploring mirrors. At 8-months-old, babies will start responding to their own name.

Use a mirror to play with reflections. Sit in front of the mirror with your baby. Then look at them while saying their name. They may turn to see you or look at you through the mirror. “I see you looking at me in the mirror!”

Ask your baby, “Where is [baby’s name]?” Observe out loud where they look. “You can see yourself right here, can’t you?”

Gently continue to invite your baby to find themselves in the mirror. Each time, point out something about them. “There is [baby’s name] wearing his blue shirt.” “I see [baby’s name]. She is kicking her feet.”

• Responding to own name

Social: Photos of Loved Ones

Post photos of loved ones at child eye level. Choose a place where your baby can see the photos, such as at eye level while sitting on the floor or a place where they often pull to stand. You can even create a photo collage on the floor or a playmat. 

You can use pictures of family members, family friends, pets, or other people personally close to your baby. Adding labels with each person’s name can expose your baby to printed words.

From experience, the best way to post photos is first to tape them to the surface. Then seal the photos to the surface using a large piece of clear contact paper. 

Alternative : use two pieces of clear contact paper to “laminate” photos for your baby to hold.

• Recognize familiar faces
• Learning to wave hello

Art: Touch & Explore

At 8-months-old, babies are still learning about objects and how to use their hands to manipulate them. To help them prepare for more complex art experiences, you can start introducing art materials.

Babies can explore art objects by:

• Crumbling, shaking different types of paper
• Exploring capped markers or paintbrushes
• Investigating materials like felt, tissue paper, ribbons

Music: Routines with Rhythm

Connect a song or nursery rhyme to a daily task. Each time you and your baby participate in the routine, sing the song or even play it from your phone.

Ideas could be:

• good morning song
• toothbrushing song
• bedtime lullaby
• getting dressed
• diaper changing

Music can help soothe your baby during tough transitions too. 

Sensory Activities for 8-month-olds

Let’s explore 7 easy, low-mess DIY sensory learning activities. Learn about the benefits of sensory play for babies .

Vestibular: Hula Hoops

A hula hoop is a perfectly versatile toy that can grow with your baby. For an 8-month-old, a small, light-weight hula hoop is a chance to develop and stimulate the vestibular sense . While sitting or crawling, babies can reach for, lift, and shake the toy. The thin hula hoop ring makes it the perfect size for tiny hands.

Babies will test their balance while trying to pull the hula hoop towards them or lifting it above their heads.

For babies still spending time on their tummy and rolling, caregivers can attach ribbons, toys, or plastic loofahs to the hula hoop. A baby can play inside the ring, reaching and pulling on toys.

After some research, I’d recommend a small 26-28″ hoop if you are ordering online. A larger hula hoop could be better for creating a tummy time sensory ring.

• Shifting weight to balance body while sitting, crawling, or pulling-to-stand
• Learning what it feels like to move body at different speeds

Proprioceptive: Weighted Sensory Bottles

Parents and educators can create sensory bottles for babies to explore. Sensory bottles are made by filling an empty plastic bottle with different materials. Almost any type of plastic bottle will work, but the small globe-shaped apple juice bottles are great for small hands. 

To create weighted sensory bottles, choose materials to make a noticeable weight difference between the bottles. Babies can practice how much strength they need to use to manipulate objects of different weights.

Possible materials for heavy bottle:

• Water (can add food dye or liquid watercolor)

Possible materials for light bottle:

• Cotton balls

An alternative option is to create sensory bottles out of 2-liter pop bottles.

You can hot glue or superglue the lid on for extra security.

• Understanding where a body part is without being able to see it
• Knowing how close or far away an obstacle is
• Learning own strength

Taste: Tasty Talks

Babies spend plenty of time each day eating and mouthing toys. You can easily turn it into a more intentional learning activity.

If your baby has started trying new foods, you should talk about the textures and flavors of what they are eating. Pick a particular snack or food and make a point to focus on the sensory-rich experience of eating.

• “The applesauce feels cold in your mouth. It was in the fridge.”
• “That cracker is salty and crunchy. It feels different than your applesauce, doesn’t it?”

Because smell is so intertwined with the sense of taste, you can also talk about the flavors of the foods you are eating near your baby. They will be able to smell your food and begin making connections between food on their senses.

• “Can you smell the orange I’m peeling? It smells citrusy and might taste sour. Let’s find out.”

If your baby is not tasting new foods yet, talk about the flavor of the toothpaste you use to brush their teeth. You can point out the textures of their favorite toys.

• “Your toothpaste tastes cool and minty, just like the one I use.”
• “You put the pokey corner of your block in your mouth. It could poke your tongue. Be careful.”

Tactile/Touch: Wet + Dry Sponges

This super versatile activity gives your baby a chance to explore many different sensations. Simply adjust the activity to what materials or setting you are in.

• wet vs. dry sponges
• damp vs. soaking wet
• scratch sponges vs. soft sponges
• warm water vs. cold water

Control how messy you want this activity to be by controlling how much water you soak into the sponges.

Caregivers can introduce this activity to babies indoors or outdoors. For less mess, try the activity in the bathtub or a highchair at the end of mealtime.

Sight: Colorful Sunbeams

Choose a window in your home to create a colorful collage. You will need a roll or two of cellophane wrapping paper (the transparent wrapping paper you accidentally bought last minute when trying to get gift wrap).

First, cut out shapes, squares, or strips of the wrapping paper. Then tape the cutouts onto a particularly sunny window. As sunbeams come through the window, your baby will be treated to a colorful sensory play experience. The floor, the furniture, the ceiling, and the walls will temporarily transform into a multi-color light show.

Hearing: Sound Treasure Baskets

Treasure baskets are small collections of compelling toys or objects children can explore. You can create a sound-themed treasure basket to encourage your baby to explore noises.

• Metal Measuring Cups or Spoons on a Ring
• Toy Rattles
• Spice Bottle Shakers
• Bell Sensory Bottles
• Toy Instruments
• DIY Rain Sticks

Talk to your baby about the sounds they are making.

• “That clanged so loud when you hit it.”
• “I hear something rattling when you shake this.”
• “We can make a loud sound or a quiet sound. Let’s try.”

Smell: Scented Nature Walk

Exploring smells with your baby is super simple. While outdoors, begin to point out each new and interesting scent.

• Pick up your baby and step outside after a summer rain shower.
• Literally, stop and smell the flowers while out on a walk.
• Point out how the sunscreen smells while getting ready to play outside.
• Talk about the smell of fresh air when you play outside.
• Point out the unique scents while visiting a pool or beach.

Concerns about Development

At 8-months-old, babies are reaching many developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling, and babbling. They begin to refine their fine motor skills and use their fingers to explore objects. At this age, there is a wide range of what is “normal.” 

If you’re worried about your baby’s development, you can check out the CDC Milestone tracker PDFs or phone app . Reach out to your child’s pediatrician or contact your local early intervention service for a free evaluation. 

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Developmental Therapist

Hello, I'm Alysia (uh-lee-shuh), a developmental therapist for infants and toddlers with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. As the founder of Well Beings with Alysia, I'm demystifying child development for parents and early educators. Learn how to introduce the play-based activities, books, nature materials, and toys I use in classrooms and early intervention. Contact me: [email protected]

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Easy Activities for Your 8-Month-Olds

Embark on a journey of joy and exploration with your 8-month-old bundle of curiosity! In this post, we’ll unveil a treasure trove of stimulating activities tailored for your blossoming baby, as they continue to embark on new adventures in their developmental milestones.

8 Month Olds

As your baby reaches the 8-month mark, their development is in full swing! They are now more mobile, curious, and eager to explore their surroundings. It’s an exciting time as your little one is hitting important milestones and discovering new skills. As a parent, you may be looking for fun and creative activities to keep your 8-month-old baby entertained and engaged at home. In this post, we will explore what 8-month-old babies can and should be capable of doing, as well as provide 17 new and exciting activities to try with your little one.

Milestones for 8-Month-Old Babies

At 8 months old, your baby is becoming more independent and physically capable. They may be sitting up confidently without support and may even be starting to crawl or pull themselves up to stand. Their hand-eye coordination continues to improve, and they may be able to grasp and manipulate objects with more precision. They are also babbling and making more varied vocal sounds, and their social skills are developing as they become more aware of their surroundings and interact with familiar faces.

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17 Fun and Easy Activities for 8 Month Olds at Home

• Edible Art: Spread some yogurt or pureed fruits on a high chair tray or a plastic mat and let your baby explore with their hands and mouth. They can squish, smear, and taste the food, which promotes their sensory and fine motor development.
• Homemade Sensory Board: Create a sensory board using a piece of cardboard or wood and attach various textures, objects, and colors for your baby to explore. This provides a sensory experience and promotes their tactile and fine motor development.
• Sensory Bags: Fill Ziploc bags with different textured materials such as cooked pasta, jello, or shredded paper. Seal the bags tightly and let your baby explore by squishing and pressing on the bags. This provides a sensory experience and helps with their tactile development.
• Obstacle Course: Create a soft and safe obstacle course using cushions, pillows, and blankets. Help your baby crawl, roll, and navigate through the course, which encourages their gross motor skills and spatial awareness.
• Block Stacking: Provide soft, baby-safe blocks and encourage your baby to stack them, knock them down, and explore the different shapes and sizes. This promotes their hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills.

More Activities for 8 Month Olds

• Food Exploration: Offer a variety of safe, age-appropriate finger foods for your baby to explore and self-feed. This allows them to practice their fine motor skills and introduces them to new tastes and textures.
• DIY Sensory Bottles: Create sensory bottles using clear plastic bottles filled with colorful items such as glitter, beads, or rice. Seal the bottles tightly and let your baby shake, roll, and explore the different sensory experiences.
• Scarf Play: Play with colorful scarves and let your baby feel the different textures, explore the colors, and practice grasping and pulling. You can also use scarves to play peekaboo or hide-and-seek.
• Baby Yoga: Gently guide your baby through simple baby yoga poses, such as baby cobra or baby tree pose. This promotes their flexibility, strength, and body awareness.
• Ball Roll: Sit facing your baby and gently roll a soft ball back and forth between you. This encourages their hand-eye coordination and helps them develop their gross motor skills as they reach for the ball and roll it back to you.

Even More Activities for 8 Month Olds

• Nature Walk: Take your baby for a walk in a stroller or baby carrier and point out different objects and sounds in nature, such as birds, leaves, or flowers. This promotes their sensory development and exposes them to the wonders of the outdoors.
• Music and Movement: Play some lively music and dance or sing along with your baby. Encourage them to clap their hands, stomp their feet, or move to the rhythm, promoting their gross motor skills and coordination.
• Soft Toy Hide-and-Seek: Hide soft toys or objects under blankets or pillows and encourage your baby to find them. This promotes their visual tracking skills, problem-solving skills, and understanding of object permanence.
• Edible Playdough: Make edible playdough using baby-friendly ingredients such as mashed bananas or sweet potatoes. Let your baby squish, squeeze, and explore the dough, promoting their fine motor skills and sensory exploration.
• Shadow Play: Use a flashlight to create shadows on a wall or ceiling, and encourage your baby to reach out and touch the shadows. This promotes their visual tracking skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Mirror Maze: Create a simple mirror maze using baby-safe mirrors or reflective surfaces, and encourage your baby to move through the maze or reach for their own reflection. This promotes their spatial awareness and self-awareness.
• Nature Sensory Bin: Fill a sensory bin with natural materials such as leaves, pinecones, or flowers, and let your baby explore the different textures, smells, and colors. This promotes their sensory development and connection with nature.

Final Thoughts

Remember to always consider your baby’s safety and developmental stage when planning activities. Supervise closely and use age-appropriate materials and toys. Enjoy the precious moments of playtime and exploration with your 8-month-old baby! Happy playing!

Disclaimer: Please consult with your pediatrician or healthcare provider before starting any new activities with your baby to ensure their safety and well-being. Always follow appropriate safety guidelines and age recommendations for toys and activities.

Age Suitability

These at home activities are good for babies aged 8-months-olds and up.

The mess level for these activities for 8-month-olds varies.

Difficulty to Create Activities for 8-Month-Olds

Skills developed for activities for 8-month-olds.

Visual tracking, Body awareness, Reaching, grasping & eye hand coordination, fine motor skills, gross motor skills.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2learn toddler & preschool programs for curious toddlers.

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers  includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool  which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.  That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These  toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities  will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:  Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book:  Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy  here .

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book:  Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?  The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years   old and up.

TV Show:  Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show  Curious Crafting  which launched in July 2022 on  TVOkids  and  TVOkids YouTube ! Season 2 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

In season 2, we add new kinds of crafts like STEAM crafts and slime!

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WILL YOU MAKE THESE ACTIVITIES FOR 8-MONTH-OLDS WITH YOUR KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER!

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21 Best Activities for 8-Month-Olds at Home (2024)

Parenting comes with its own unique set of challenges. Beyond the responsibilities that already belong to us, we must balance that with our little ones running around underfoot, demanding to be entertained for fourteen hours out of the day. Eight-month-olds create even more of a challenge because they are now old enough that they need more stimulating activities throughout the day, but they are still too young to be left to distract themselves for too long. This gives us parents a common need in these trying times: activities for our eight-month-olds that they can do with minimal supervision.

Check out the free activities for 8-month-olds at the bottom of the page for even more ideas.

21 Engaging Activities for 8-Month-Olds

1. practice cooking.

While this activity might include a little bit of pretend eating on your part, this is something that your little one can do primarily on their own. When my son was younger, he would spend hours mixing different foods and presenting them proudly to me.

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2. Learn Structures with Building Blocks

This is a great developmental activity for 8-month-olds, and it can bring about so many different learning opportunities. These colorful blocks are visually stimulating for babies and while they learn how to put them together, it will help them to hone their fine motor skills.

3. Practice Walking

While babies start walking between nine and eighteen months, they tend to start trying to pull themselves up a little sooner. This can be either an outdoor activity or an indoor activity which is a huge bonus. This walker can help your little one to pull themselves up and possibly even take a few careful steps and then when they get tired of that, the bells and whistles on the front can occupy their minds for additional time.

4. Play and Learn with Music

Music is an underrated and often forgotten developmental activity for younger children. Learning how to make instruments produce sound is great for dexterity and fine motor skills and we don’t know a single child that doesn’t like to make noise. This is a louder activity, so it might be better suited for a day when you don’t have to be making phone calls.

5. Learn Size Awareness with Stacking Toys

Stacking and unstacking objects is a fun learning activity that can have the bonus of occupying your little one for quite a while. They can teach your little one about sizes and the one that I love for my son from Melissa and Doug can also teach shapes at the same time.

6. Pretend Read with Soft Books

While eight-month-olds obviously can’t read, they do love to mimic what they’ve seen their parents do. My son loves to turn pages and look at the stimulating colors and pictures on each page. A bonus of these soft books is that they are waterproof and can be wiped down after sticky little hands are done with them.

7. Mess Free Coloring

If there’s one thing all eight-month-olds have in common, it’s that they love to make messes. If we can let them feel like they’re making messes without them really making messes, they will stay busy for a long time. That’s why we love this drawing mat. You fill the pen with water, and it changes the colors on the mat but doesn’t risk staining anything around it.

8. Explore Textures with Sensory Bins

Sensory bins are wonderful for an unsupervised indoor or outdoor activity. Oatmeal can be used in place of rice or beans as a filler and it’s nothing to worry about if they put some into their mouths. You can fill your child’s sensory bin with non-toxic toys that are large enough that they aren’t a choking hazard. We love these soft blocks for our sensory bins.

9. Explore with a Homemade Ball Pit

There is an easy and cost-effective way to create a ball pit at home with simple, non-toxic supplies. All you need is a bin or small swimming pool and soft, plastic balls and you’re provided with a safe and stimulating activity that requires little to no supervision.

10. Mess Free Finger Painting

Finger painting is a lot of fun for kids around 8-months-old, but it is not something that can be done without a lot of supervision and cleanup after the fact. However, there is a great way to get the benefits of finger painting without the mess and possible ingestion of paint. You will just need to put a few dollops of paint into a large Ziploc bag and allow them to spread it around through the bag.

11. Cool Off with a Splash Pad

This activity is great if you live somewhere warm and want to let your kiddo cool off in a safe and fun way. This option is much safer than a pool because there is less than an inch of water in the bottom of it so it can be supervised from a comfortable distance while you work and your baby can enjoy playing with their toys in the middle of the sprinkler while splashing happily.

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12. Hone Dexterity While Fishing

This can be paired with the splash pad activity to create an even more stimulating and entertaining activity for your little one. When my son was younger, he would hook these toy fishes and unhook them to his heart’s content. The biggest bonus of this toy is that it can be used in or out of the water, including in the bathtub when you can supervise.

13. Learn Shapes by Sorting

We’ve all seen that old school Fisher Price sorting toy but there’s a reason that it has been popular for so many years now. It is a wonderful, stimulating activity for babies to learn shapes and spatial awareness while they just feel like they’re playing games.

14. Have Endless Fun with Reusable Stickers

Every kid loves stickers, but the fun only lasts so long with regular stickers. That’s why we love this sticker book because it supplies endless fun by allowing them to stick and move them however many times they would like. As an additional bonus, you won’t have to worry about finding stickers stuck all over walls and furniture when they’re done with it.

15. Make an Indoor Playground

Climbing is not only a fun activity for babies, but it allows them to build strength in their legs and shoulders. Furniture is generally too high to do this safely and can end with a bonked head or a scraped knee so using these foam blocks makes this activity safer but just as fun.

16. Practice Shapes with Wooden Puzzles

This stimulating activity is fun as well as being an excellent learning tool for babies. It is important to start teaching shapes and sizes early so that your baby has a strong basis in both. Wooden puzzles are a great way to do this and the fact that they’re non-toxic is awesome.

17. Explore with an Activity Table

Activity tables are a great way to keep a baby busy because there is enough going on with them that they’re not going to get bored. This activity table is perfect for babies under a year because it is low enough to the floor that they don’t need to try to stand while they play.

18. Mess Free Splashing with a Tummy Time Mat

At eight months old, a lot of babies still love their tummy time and it can be a great way to rest when they get tired of crawling. Tummy time mats can make this a stimulating activity at the same time as a restful moment for your baby. We loved this water mat because it allows young kids to push the water around and see the little toys inside!

19. Play with Letter Magnets

Whether they play with them on the fridge or on a baking sheet, letter magnets are a great learning activity for kids. Although they won’t be learning their letters at this age, having your little one play with letters will help them familiarize themselves with them so that it will be easier when it comes time to learn. Magnets also have the same fun qualities of stickers.

20. Practice Fine Motor Skills with a Pom Pom Whisk

Simply shoving a regular kitchen whisk full of pom poms can provide lasting fun for your little one while they use their newly developing pinching skills to pull the pom poms out from between the tines. The best part of this activity is that it can be put back together as many times as you want to for another day or even right away.

21. Make a Duck Pond

This is a great outdoor activity and can even be mixed with the splash pad we mentioned earlier. If you don’t have a splash pad you can simply fill a dish with about an inch of water and fill it with rubber ducks. Your baby can have fun pushing the ducks around and splashing with them to their heart’s content with this stimulating and fun activity.

7 Free Activities For Eight-Month-Olds

If you are looking for activities for your eight-month-old but don’t want to pay for supplies or wait for them to arrive, we have compiled 7 activities that you can do for free with supplies that you can find around the house.

1. Play with Colored Ice

You can make colorful ice with only water and food coloring and there are many different activities that you can do with them. Whether you choose to make a colorful addition to a bath or let them melt on the sidewalk, it’s a fun and free way to introduce colors to your little one.

2. Build a Fort with Pillows and Blankets

While this may take a little time on your part for the beginning, your baby will love playing in a fort and it might even encourage them to take a nap. All you need to do is hang up a blanket and use couch cushions or even just pillows off your bed to create a cozy little room.

3. Strengthen by Reaching for Objects.

An unexpected but highly effective way to distract your baby for some time is simply placing objects that they want slightly out of their reach whether that’s on the couch or a coffee table. This allows them to stretch and strengthen their shoulders and legs at the same time as occupying their time so you can get your stuff done.

4. Play Music with Pots and Pans

Even if you don’t want to buy a musical instrument kit, your baby can still enjoy the stimulating activity of playing music. Simply place some pots and pans upside down in front of your little one and give them a spoon (wooden works best) and they can enjoy banging on them to create their own music or even play along to songs.

5. Homemade Shape Sorter

You can create a shape sorter out of an empty tissue box or a clean yogurt container. Simply cut an opening in the top and provide your child with cereal, smaller toys, or any other choking-safe object for them to put into the hole. This is a reusable activity and requires very little supervision if the objects used are not choking size.

6. Make Music with Homemade Rattles

This one kind of works along with the pots and pans mentioned in #4. You can make an easy rattle with a small container or empty water bottle filled with rice or beans. This is another homemade instrument that babies can have fun playing along to music or on their own.

7. Paint with Water

All you need for this is a piece of paper (construction paper works best in my opinion) and water. You can provide a paint brush if you have one on hand, but chances are your little one will choose to use their hands anyways. The water changes the color of the paper and makes for the same fun learning activity as painting without the mess or supplies needed.

Parenting is a fun challenge as we are asked to be full time parents at the same time as working and taking care of our responsibilities outside and inside the home. As moms and dads, we want to create the most loving and educational environment possible for our children and we hope that one or two things on this list can help you to make that happen.

Montessori Expert

10 Plus Fun and Easy Activities for 8 month Old at Home

Author at Montessori Expert.

Eight months is an amazing time in your baby’s development! Their curiosity soars as they reach for everything and develop new skills.

As a Montessori teacher , I’ve seen firsthand how the right activities can nurture this natural love of learning . Here are some ideas to keep your little one engaged and growing.

Fun And Easy Activities For 8 Month Old

The world is a fascinating place for your 8-month-old! Everything is new and exciting, and they’re eager to learn and explore. Here are 20 Montessori-inspired activities you can do at home to nurture your baby’s development:

Activity 1: Tummy Time with a Twist

Age Group : 6 months – 1 year old

Materials : Play mat, colorful blanket/scarf

How to Perform: Tummy time is crucial for strengthening neck and back muscles. Place your baby on their tummy on a comfortable play mat. Drape a colorful blanket or scarf over their back, leaving their head uncovered. This variation on tummy time adds a touch of visual stimulation and encourages them to lift their head for a peek.

Area of Development : Gross motor skills, Visual development

Activity 2: Grasping and Rattling

Materials : Safe household objects (rattles, spoons, blocks)

How to Perform: Place a variety of safe household objects within your baby’s reach, like rattles, spoons, or blocks. Encourage them to reach for and grasp the objects. Shake a rattle in front of them to capture their attention and demonstrate how it makes noise. This simple activity strengthens hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Area of Development : Hand-eye coordination, Fine motor skills

Activity 3: Crinkle Paper Fun

Materials : Tissue paper (various colors)

How to Perform: Crumple up colorful tissue paper into balls. Show your baby how to crinkle the paper in their hands and make noise. Let them loose with the crinkly paper for a fun sensory activity. This helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills while the crinkling sound stimulates their auditory senses.

Area of Development : Hand-eye coordination, Fine motor skills, Auditory development

Activity 4: Textured Basket

Materials : Basket, fabric scraps (different textures)

How to Perform: Fill a basket with fabric scraps in various textures, like felt, fleece, and satin. Let your baby reach into the basket and explore the different feels. This sensory activity introduces them to texture exploration and strengthens their sense of touch.

Area of Development : Sensory development, Tactile discrimination

Activity 5: Mirror, Mirror

Materials : Unbreakable mirror (secured to wall or on floor)

How to Perform: Secure an unbreakable mirror at your baby’s eye level, either on the wall or on the floor. Watch with delight as they discover their reflection. They may touch the mirror, reach out to their reflection, or giggle at the sight. Mirror play helps develop self-awareness and social skills by sparking their curiosity about themselves and their interactions with the world.

Area of Development : Self-awareness, Social skills

Activity 6: Big Book Look

Materials : Large, colorful children’s book

How to Perform: Choose a big, colorful children’s book with captivating pictures. Sit with your baby and turn the pages together, pointing out objects and making sound effects. This activity fosters a love for books and introduces basic language development. The bold colors and simple illustrations will hold their attention, while your narration helps connect words with pictures.

Area of Development : Language development, Literacy skills

Activity 7: Shaking Surprise

Materials : Small container (plastic bottle, canister), dry beans/pasta, objects that make noise (bells, buttons)

How to Perform: Fill a small container halfway with dry beans or pasta. Add a few small objects that make noise, like bells or buttons. Secure the lid tightly. Let your baby shake the container and listen to the rattles and shakes. This activity strengthens auditory processing and hand-eye coordination. The sound surprises and the cause-and-effect element will keep them engaged.

Area of Development : Auditory processing, Hand-eye coordination

Activity 8: Reaching for the Stars

Materials : Mobiles (bright colors, simple shapes)

How to Perform: Hang a mobile with bright colors and simple shapes above your baby’s crib or play area. They will be captivated by the gentle movement and contrasting colors. Reaching and grasping for the hanging objects strengthens hand-eye coordination and visual tracking skills.

Area of Development : Hand-eye coordination, Visual tracking skills

Activity 9: Playful Peek-a-Boo

Materials : No materials needed!

How to Perform: Peek-a-boo is a timeless game that little ones love. Cover your face with your hands and say “peek-a-boo!” Then reveal your face and smile. This simple game strengthens social interaction and develops a sense of object permanence. Your baby will learn that even when things disappear for a moment, they can come back.

Area of Development : Social interaction, Object permanence

Activity 10: Tummy Time with a Mirror

Materials : Play mat, unbreakable mirror (small, safe for grabbing)

How to Perform: Place your baby on their tummy on a comfortable play mat. Put a small, unbreakable mirror in front of them, angled slightly upwards. This variation on tummy time encourages them to lift their head and neck even higher to see their reflection in the mirror.

Area of Development : Gross motor skills, Neck and back strengthening

Activity 11: Shaking Teethers

Materials : Teethers (various textures), ribbon

How to Perform: Tie a ribbon through two or three teethers with different textures. Let your baby hold the ribbon and shake the teethers together. This activity strengthens grasping skills and hand-eye coordination, while the different textures soothe teething gums. The bright colors and the ability to control the shaking will keep them interested.

Area of Development : Grasping skills, Hand-eye coordination

Activity 12: Cause and Effect Play (Container)

Materials : Empty container with lid

How to Perform: Find an empty container with a lid that your child can easily open and close. Show them how to put the lid on and take it off. You can also put a small object inside the container and demonstrate how to take it out. This activity introduces basic cause and effect and strengthens hand-eye coordination. They will learn that their actions can cause things to happen.

Area of Development : Cause and effect, Hand-eye coordination

Conclusion: Fostering Curiosity and Independence

Remember, the key is to create a safe and stimulating space where your baby can explore at their own pace. By offering a variety of these engaging activities, you’ll be sparking their curiosity, independence, and overall development. Watch your little one blossom!

10 Montessori Parenting Tips for a Happy Child

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Activities for 8 Month Old : Fun and Developmental Ideas

What should an 8 month old be doing.

At eight months old, your baby might start to show more independence. They could start to sit without support, crawl more efficiently, and even start to show signs of separation anxiety.

What The Experts Say

"Play is a fundamental building block of an infant’s development – setting the stage for a lifetime of learning and exploration. Through play, infants explore the world around them, developing crucial motor skills and fostering cognitive abilities. For example, infants learn to manipulate objects and start to understand cause and effect by grasping a rattle and then shaking the rattle to make noise. Play also lays the foundation for social interaction. It is during play that infants learn to communicate by mimicking sounds, gestures, and facial expressions of caregivers. Playful interactions with warm and nurturing caregivers also foster emotional development and emotional regulation. Play during infancy provides the necessary stimulation for growing brains and bodies, promoting healthy growth and overall development." Noreen Commella, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist for HYM

At 8 months old, babies are becoming more mobile and may even start crawling. This exciting stage of development calls for activities that not only entertain but also stimulate their physical, cognitive, and sensory growth. Here are 21 fun and developmental activities for your 8-month-old that will help them learn and grow while having a great time.

1. Hide and Seek with Toys

Playing hide and seek with toys helps your baby understand object permanence, the concept that objects still exist even when they're out of sight. Hide a toy under a blanket or behind a pillow and encourage your baby to find it. This activity also helps develop their problem-solving skills.

2. Stacking Blocks

Stacking blocks is an excellent activity for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Provide your baby with soft, colorful blocks that are easy to grasp and stack. Encourage them to build towers and knock them down for added fun.

3. Musical Toys

Playing with musical toys stimulates your baby's auditory senses and introduces them to the world of music. Provide them with age-appropriate instruments like rattles, drums, or xylophones, and encourage them to make their own tunes. Singing songs and nursery rhymes together is also a great bonding activity.

4. Imitation Games

Encourage your baby to imitate sounds and actions, such as clapping hands, waving, or making animal noises. This activity helps develop their language and social skills while also being a fun way to interact with your baby.

5. Crawling Games

If your baby has started crawling, create games that encourage them to move around. Set up a simple obstacle course with pillows or toys for them to crawl over or around. This activity helps strengthen their muscles and improve their gross motor skills.

6. Tunnels and Obstacle Courses

Provide your baby with tunnels or create your own using blankets and furniture. Encourage them to crawl through the tunnels, which helps develop their spatial awareness and motor skills. You can also create obstacle courses with soft objects for them to navigate around.

7. Introducing Simple Words

As your baby's language skills begin to develop, introduce them to simple words by pointing out objects around them. Name the objects and encourage your baby to repeat the words after you. This activity helps build their vocabulary and understanding of the world around them.

8. Self-Feeding with Finger Foods

Encourage your baby to practice self-feeding with finger foods like soft fruits, vegetables, and age-appropriate snacks. This activity helps develop their fine motor skills and introduces them to different textures and tastes. Always supervise your baby during mealtime and ensure the food is cut into small, manageable pieces to prevent choking.

9. Sensory Play

Sensory play is essential for your baby's cognitive and sensory development. Provide them with various materials to explore, such as playdough, water, or textured fabrics. This activity helps them learn about different textures and sensations while stimulating their curiosity.

10. Reading Books

Reading books to your baby is a great way to introduce them to language and storytelling. Choose age-appropriate books with bright, colorful illustrations and simple text. Encourage your baby to touch and explore the pages as you read aloud.

11. Mirror Play

Introduce your baby to their reflection in a mirror. This activity helps them develop self-awareness and social skills. Point out their facial features and encourage them to imitate your expressions or actions.

12. Tummy Time

Tummy time helps strengthen your baby's neck, back, and shoulder muscles. Place your baby on their tummy on a soft, comfortable surface and encourage them to lift their head and look around. Provide toys or objects for them to reach for and explore.

13. Water Play

Water play is a fun and engaging sensory activity for your 8-month-old. Fill a shallow container with water and provide them with cups, spoons, or toys to scoop and pour. Always supervise your baby during water play to ensure their safety.

14. Ball Play

Playing with balls helps develop your baby's hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Provide them with soft, lightweight balls to grasp, roll, and toss. Encourage them to crawl or reach for the ball as it moves.

15. Peekaboo

Peekaboo is a classic game that helps your baby develop object permanence and social skills. Hide your face behind your hands or a blanket and then reveal yourself, saying peekaboo! Your baby will delight in the surprise and anticipation of the game.

16. Dancing

Dancing with your baby is a fun way to bond and introduce them to rhythm and movement. Hold your baby securely and gently sway or bounce to the beat of your favorite songs.

17. Sorting and Matching

Provide your baby with simple sorting and matching activities, such as placing different-shaped objects into corresponding holes or matching colored objects. This activity helps develop their problem-solving skills and understanding of shapes and colors.

18. Outdoor Exploration

Take your baby outside to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Point out different objects, such as leaves, flowers, or animals, and encourage them to touch and feel their textures. This activity helps develop their sensory awareness and appreciation for the natural world.

19. Bubble Play

Blowing bubbles is a mesmerizing activity for your baby, as they watch the bubbles float and pop. Encourage them to reach for and pop the bubbles, which helps develop their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.

20. Puzzles

Introduce your baby to simple puzzles with large, easy-to-grasp pieces. This activity helps develop their problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Choose puzzles with bright colors and familiar objects to keep them engaged.

21. Texture Walk

Create a texture walk for your baby by placing different textured materials, such as bubble wrap, carpet, or a soft blanket, on the floor for them to crawl or walk on. This activity helps them explore various sensations and develop their sensory awareness. Always supervise your baby during this activity to ensure their safety.

What are some engaging activities for 8-month-old babies?

At eight months old, babies are becoming more mobile and are eager to explore their environment. Engaging activities for 8-month-old babies include practicing pulling up to stand, playing with toys that encourage reaching and grasping, introducing simple shape sorters and stacking toys, and engaging in interactive games like Hide and Seek or playing with a toy kitchen.

Always follow your baby's cues and adjust the activities according to their needs and preferences. Supervise your baby during these activities and ensure their safety and comfort at all times. Remember that every baby is different, and their development may vary.

How can I support my 8-month-old baby's development through activities?

Supporting your 8-month-old baby's development involves providing them with a variety of stimulating activities that encourage sensory exploration, motor skill development, and cognitive growth. Practicing pulling up to stand helps strengthen their muscles and promotes balance and coordination. Playing with toys that encourage reaching and grasping can improve their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Introducing simple shape sorters and stacking toys can enhance their problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. Engaging in interactive games like Hide and Seek or playing with a toy kitchen can support their cognitive development and social skills. Be patient and consistent with these activities, and always create a nurturing and supportive environment for your baby to explore and learn at their own pace.

What are some activities to help an 8-month-old baby develop their fine motor skills?

At eight months old, it's important to engage your baby in activities that develop their fine motor skills. One activity is to provide toys that require your baby to use their fingers and hands, such as blocks, shape sorters, or toys with buttons and levers. This helps your baby practice grasping, pinching, and manipulating objects, which are essential fine motor skills.

Another activity is to encourage your baby to practice self-feeding using baby-safe utensils or their fingers. This not only helps develop their fine motor skills but also promotes independence and self-confidence. You can also engage your baby in activities that involve hand-eye coordination, such as stacking toys, placing objects into containers, or playing with a toy that requires them to aim and press a button.

How can parents support their 8-month-old baby's emotional development through play?

Supporting your 8-month-old baby's emotional development is crucial for their overall well-being. One way to do this is by engaging in face-to-face interactions, making eye contact, talking, and responding to your baby's emotions. This helps your baby learn to recognize and express their emotions, as well as develop a secure attachment with you.

Another activity is to use toys, such as dolls or stuffed animals, to act out simple emotional scenarios, helping your baby understand and empathize with different emotions. You can also engage your baby in social play with other babies or family members, which helps them develop their social and emotional skills. Additionally, providing a nurturing and responsive environment, where your baby feels safe to explore and express their emotions, is essential for their emotional development.

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Month 8: Top 10 Sensory Activities for your 8 month old baby

Home » Baby » Baby Activities » Month 8: Top 10 Sensory Activities for your 8 month old baby

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As an Occupational Therapist and a Mom I have put together top activities for your 8 month old baby. These activities will support your baby’s cognitive (mind) and motor (movement) development.

I could feel its presence. It stood there looking directly at me. I felt it’s presence through me ఠ_ఠ .. Dad always says “fear is just a state of mind”.. I must push on as I nudged myself closer to it without blinking a single binary.. I leaned towards its BIIIGGGGG dark eye. It was looking back at me. This is it. I must overcome my fear! I pressed it… And it made few noises unfamiliar to me but I kept on pressing. Then a smiley welcoming face lit up on the back of it welcoming me to a world of photography. The 5D is alive. And not as scary as I originally thought. Dad uses it to capture moments in full frame color. It was now my turn to do some magic and let my creativity flow.

Until next month.

Exploration is a very important part of development. However, you always need to supervise and make sure they only have access to a safe environment.

Development

What to expect from your 8 month old

Here is a quick summary of a few milestones that you can start to notice with your 8 month old. Please note that this is not a complete list of Baby’s development.

Movement: Your little one may start to crawl. They may also start trying to pull themselves up to a standing position while holding on to the surrounding furniture.

Hand Skills: You may notice your little one starting to manipulate their toys with more ease. They will be banging their toys, tossing them or trying to put them into larger containers.

Pincer grasp: This is the ability to use the thumb and pointer finger to pick up small items. At this age your little one is starting to get the hang of using their thumb and index finger. At 8 months you might observe your baby picking up small items with their thumb and the side of their index finger.

Communication: Your baby’s communication is starting to become more meaningful as the ‘ma ma’ or ‘da da’ is directed towards a specific person. They also start to understand more basic words and may be able to follow simple instructions.

Activities for your 8 month old baby

1. sign language.

Everyone can use sign language. It is a great learning tool that promotes language and motor development.

Current research reports that you can start teaching your baby as early as 8 months. You may not notice immediate imitation but they are definitely gaining the understanding and the meaning of each sign.

Why teach it?

• It will reduce your baby’s frustrations and temper tantrums as they can communicate their needs.
• Sign language helps with the development of their fine motor skills as they try to form the different signs.
• It promotes language development.

How to start?

• You can purchase specific books or attend sign language classes.
• You can also look up different videos online. Note: Each country has their own sign language so look out for the country that you want when searching on line.
• Example of US sign language website: http://www.babysignlanguage.com
• Start with a few signs such as: more, all done, milk, eat, play and maybe their favorite animal.

2. Oatmeal sensory bin

How to Play

Oatmeal is another great tool to experience different textures and not worry if it ends up in your baby’s mouth.

Simply fill up your container with oatmeal. Then add a variety of objects in it. It can include blocks, interlocking rings, containers of various sizes or some of their chewy toys.

Once the set up is complete let your baby explore the oatmeal but also the different objects in it. As they pull out different items talk to them about the shape, color, size etc .

3. Crawling games

This is a great activity for those babies that are crawling on all fours. If your little one is creeping or scooting around they can still benefit from playing this game.

Things to do to encourage crawling:

• Place their favorite toys around the room and encourage them to retrieve it
• Get them chasing after their favorite pull toys
• Provide opportunities to crawl on different textures (grass, sand, carpet, wooden floors etc)
• Get them chasing after you or a sibling
• You can also fill an empty plastic bottle with hard candy or small bells and have them push it along the floor. Each time they go to grab it, it will roll a little forward and they have to chase after it.

4. Hide and seek

As your little one is gaining the understanding of object permanence, this is the perfect time to play hide and seek with their favorite toy.

Simply hold their favorite toy in front of them. Once you gain their attention then hide the toy. You can hide it behind your back, under a blanket or in a container. See if then they can locate it.

These games are great as they provide a sense of predictability. Things disappear and then they appear.

As your little one begins to develop separation anxiety, games like hide and seek will help them with understanding that even when things go away they will come back. Your child’s separation anxiety usually begins around this age or a couple months earlier and continues up until around the end of 2 years. Playing the hide and seek game in the next months or years to come is highly recommended to ease the feelings of separation anxiety. Of course the complexity of the game grows with the child.

Reading continues to be extremely beneficial for your baby’s language development.

Have fun when reading to your baby. You can use variety of tones to make different sound effects. Maybe play around with different facial expressions or change your voice according to the different characters.

Also allow your child to explore their books. Their manipulation can help with further hand development.

6. Exploring the world

Your little one will greatly benefit from continually exploring objects in their environment.

Once surrounded with objects they will grasp, manipulate and examine them. They will explore the objects visually, through their mouth and through the use of their hands.

As they continue to learn about the sensory qualities of objects, try to include a variety of objects. The objects or toys can be of various textures, sizes, densities, shapes, and colors. As they explore, they will use multiple senses and gain an opportunity to improve their coordination skills.

If your baby is not transferring objects from one hand to another try to gently encourage them to do so. This will promote better coordination and grasp between hands.

7. Chewy necklace

Simply place some safe toys onto a string and let your little one explore it with their mouth and hands. Make sure you don’t include anything toxic or small enough that it can become a choking hazard if pulled off. Only include items that safe to be explored by the mouth.

You can include a variety of blocks, small pieces of straw, large toy buttons, large bells.

Let them explore and have fun but also supervise your baby at all times.

8. Messy play

This is very easy to do. Simply smear applesauce, pudding or another pureed food on the highchair tray or the floor and let your little one explore it with their hands and mouth. They will get to play with yet another texture that will help with their hand development.

9. Tracking and reaching

Playing with your little one while they are sitting can have many benefits.

Hand eye coordination:  Is the ability for the eyes and the hands to work together to complete specific movements.

Moving their favorite toy around them can encourage this skill. You can move the toy to the right, left, down to the ground or above their eye level. As they follow with their eyes, encourage them to also reach and grab it with their hands.

Crossing midline:  This is the ability to cross the invisible line in the middle of the body with legs, hands or eyes.

Place toys on either side of your baby. Make sure it is within reach. Then encourage your little one to reach across their body. For example getting your little one to use their right hand to pick up a toy that is lying down on their left hand side. This will encourage them to cross their midline.

10. Let’s get kicking

To get going with this game, get your baby laying on their back. Then place either a therapy/exercise ball or a beach ball just in front of their legs. Whatever ball you decide to use, make sure it’s big enough so they can see the ball move. Then see if they will kick it. If they can’t, then guide their legs to complete the action.

Once they kick their ball, make sure you verbalize what they did. ‘ Oh look, you did it! You kicked the ball with your legs. Yay!’

Get them kicking for as long as they stay engage as this is a great activity for strengthening their legs.

Summary: Activities for your 8 month old baby

There you have it. My top 10 Sensory Activities for your 8 month old. These are bound to spark up other ideas. Let me know what activities you have tried in the comments section below.

Remember: Each baby develops at their own pace. If your child is not ready or not interested in this month’s activities, just try them again in a few weeks.

Disclaimer: The activities in this blog are intended for sensory play. They are not a replacement for treatment of children with Sensory Processing Disorder, are not medical advice and should not be used in place of the care of a medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. These activities should be facilitated and supervised by an adult. All activities are to be performed at your own risk and in no event shall Sensory Lifestyle   be liable for any damages.

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Games to Play with Your 8-Month-Old Baby

Reading time:

At around 8 months, babies seem to suddenly become more active, curious, and social. They are just realising that there is a whole world around them. This makes it the perfect time to engage their skills through play. Interactive games are a great way to build key developmental areas while strengthening your parent-child connection.

By 8 months, your little one will be learning to sit up, scoot, and grab. You may be surprised by just how mobile they are getting all of a sudden! You want to support this newfound movement with games that enhance physical abilities. While at it, don’t neglect emotional, social, language, and problem-solving skills. Paying attention to everything will ensure comprehensive learning and development.

Let’s look at some examples of games to play with your 8-month-old across key development categories.

Gross Motor Skills Games

• Assisted standing – Hold hands and gently pull baby up to standing. Support under arms as needed.
• Rocking/bouncing – Sit with legs out. Place baby facing you and hold waist while rocking back and forth.
• Rolling across lap – Lay baby across knees on tummy, hold torso while gently rolling left and right.
• Dancing – Hold upright supporting feet to stand. Play music and sway together to the beat.
• Crawling obstacle course – Create a soft crawling track and cheer your little one’s efforts!

Fine Motor Skill Games

Pick-up puffs – Scatter small finger foods like Little Bellies puffs for 7+ months babies for your little one to grasp and safely self-feed. This is a very important skill to develop! Read here why.

• Fill and dump buckets – Use containers for dropping toys in and taking them out.
• Passing game – Roll balls back and forth. Your baby will inevitably miss, so be sure to help retrieve misses while still keeping up the enthusiasm.
• Splashing tubs – Allow pouring from cups and splashing during bath time.
• Highlight toys – Shine a flashlight beam on various objects then have your little one grasp them as you highlight each one.

Playing with food is a wonderful way to help build motor skills. More on this in our article Playing With Food Benefits: Developing Fine & Gross Motor Skills .

Language Building Games

• Picture book reading – Label images, characters, and actions on pages. In the beginning, you’ll do the labelling, but over time, let your little one take over.
• Puppet shows – Have stuffed animals talk to each other and your baby.
• Sing songs – Gesture motions to Itsy Bitsy Spider or other rhyming tunes.
• Mirror talking – Describe facial expressions and objects while engaging with reflection.
• Making sounds – Have stuffed toys make animal sounds. Encourage your baby to imitate.

Cognitive Development Games

• Peek-a-boo – Hide face behind hands then open wide while saying “peekaboo!”
• Search tasks – Show baby a favorite toy then hide under blankets for them to pull back and find. Swap hiding spots.
• Matching shapes – Guide placing cubes, balls, etc. in matching holes of toddler busy box.
• Knock down towers – Build small block towers and let baby swat down. Build back up again for repetition.
• Pop-up toys – Allow baby to press levers and buttons making exciting motions happen. React with encouraging oohs and ahhs.

Emotional Development Games

• Chase games – Crawl after baby for giggles. Let them “get away” and then tickle when caught.
• Mirror faces – Make happy, sad, and surprised expressions together in a mirror. Name the emotions.
• Babble back and forth – Respond to coos with exaggerated melodic sounds.
• Imitate play – Stick out your tongue for your little one to copy. Do raspberries or other silly behaviours for your baby to model. Laugh together.
• Massages – Rub gently baby’s arms, legs, back, and tummy.

How to Play with an 8-Month Baby

As you can see, playing with your 8-month-old involves interactive and sensory-rich activities. Engage in simple games that encourage exploration and stimulate their developing senses. From peek-a-boo to sensory play, make each moment an opportunity for connection.

Consider playing daily games in short 5-10-minute sessions. This will nurture amazing development leaps. Tap into your baby’s interests and emerging abilities to guide joint play. Most importantly, follow their cues and keep it fun!

Remember, these interactive games are designed to promote your baby’s mobility, learning, and imagination. For you, try to enjoy the magical two-way connection you are getting during these precious months!

Handling Challenging Behaviours During Play

• Managing Hitting: Gently redirect your baby’s hands towards soft toys or your hands. Gradually, they’ll learn appropriate ways to explore and engage.
• Addressing Screaming for Fun: If your baby screams during play, stay calm and respond with a soothing voice. Offer comfort and slowly introduce quieter activities to shift their focus.

Final Thoughts

While this is a pretty big list of games you can play with your 8-month-old, it does not include all the games that babies can enjoy at this age. Do not be afraid to create your own games based on your baby’s interests and abilities. The most important thing is to have fun, be playful, and follow your baby’s cues.

So take advantage of this opportunity to play with your little one as you nurture their development. Embrace the joy of discovery and cherish the precious moments of laughter and connection!

More play-with-food game ideas in our Play with Food Guide from Simone Emery.

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Activities for an 8-month-old: Fostering baby’s development

Kristen Curette & Daemaine Hines/Stocksy

Your baby now understands that their favorite person in the world sometimes leaves. And they're not happy about it. 

By Motherly Editors Updated February 23, 2023

We independently select and share the products we love—and may receive a commission if you choose to buy.

Whether you went to work or just went to the bathroom, your baby now understands that his favorite person in the world sometimes leaves. And he’s not too thrilled about it.

According to Tovah Klein, PhD , director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “ How Toddlers Thrive ,” many babies at this stage begin to show signs of separation anxiety and stranger anxiety.

Dr. Klein explains how baby is more aware of unfamiliar people and places and may cry when someone new holds them (even if they’re usually a social butterfly), and recommends giving your baby extra time to warm up to new situations.

If you’re going to leave them with a family member, friend or caregiver, be sure to stick around for a bit to ease them into the adjustment process. When they feel comfortable, they’ll act more like themselves and start to play.

Related:  8-month-old baby milestones

Sensory activities for 8-month-olds

1. number games.

Infants as young as 9 months can perform  numerical computations with numbers up to 10 , even before they can verbalize these skills, studies show. Start prepping for this concept by introducing addition and subtraction into your daily routine. Add finger foods to baby’s tray one by one, count down from 10 as you blast off their rocket ship toy and sing counting songs together.

2. Make a baby-safe kitchen basket

Exploring by tasting literally everything they come across is just one of the ways 8-month-old babies gain sensory input. Make a baby-safe kitchen basket for them incorporating soft silicone or wooden tools like measuring cups, wooden spoons, basting brushes, spatulas and more into their own basket that they can reach for and investigate—and even take a little taste.

3. Mess-free art

Encourage baby’s burgeoning art skills by placing a piece of white paper inside a reclosable plastic bag and adding a few squirts of finger paint inside. With the bag closed, demonstrate how to use your fingers to move the paint around inside the bag and blend it together to cover the paper.

Related: Montessori for babies: 4 simple ways to get started

Developmental activities for 8-month-olds

1. mini architect.

Your little one’s grasping skills are getting more refined, and they may now be able to help you build a tower—and then promptly knock it down. Show them how to stack blocks on top of each other to balance, and see how high they can go.

2. Show and tell

Pointing out interesting things for baby to see helps them understand that they can communicate this way with you, too. Whether you’re reading a book together, taking a walk or shopping for groceries, make a point to point out what you’re noticing for your curious kid, then tell them all about it.

3. Step by step

Though not ready to walk just yet, baby is ready to learn about balance and spatial awareness, which help support their early walking skills. Practice stepping movements to exercise those leg muscles. Support your barefoot babe under the arms during practice steps, bounce your standing sweetie on the lap, or provide assistance as baby cruises along sturdy furniture. No need for shoes at this stage—being barefoot helps foot muscles develop. Supervise use of a safe push toy (spy our pick below) to promote independent mobility.

Related: When do babies start walking?

Things to do with an 8-month-old

Child development psychologist Dr. Holly Ruhl shares fun week-by-week activity ideas for month eight.

Week 1: Take me out to the ballgame

Help baby hone their motor and social skills by rolling a ball back and forth, and to go next-level, show your cutie how the pros play at a real ball game! Your tot will love the songs, mascots, fireworks and halftime events. Keep baby happy with snacks, sunscreen and a tour of the stadium. Even free little league games offer baby a chance to behold an intriguing interplay between other children.

Week 2: Crawl along

Crawling or scooting strengthens the muscles babies need to start working on walking—and little ones love the puzzle of an obstacle course. Set one up with pillows and cushions to create a mini maze—then have them follow you through it for a cute take on ‘Follow the Leader’.

Related: 8-month-old feeding schedule and expert advice

Week 3 : Go independent

Your little one can and should work on playing independently at this stage, too—you don’t need to be cruise director for your tiny tot. Baby just loves to be near you, so try to involve them in your day when possible, but know it’s also completely OK to do something just for you while they play safely nearby.

Week 4: Copy cat

Baby can imitate your actions even after a 24-hour delay . Exercise baby’s developing memory by modeling desirable behaviors for your babe to imitate. Use a spoon, brush your teeth or hair, share toys or care for stuffed animals, and then watch as your little one adorably tries to do the same.

Our favorite products for 8-month-olds

Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

As your little one begins to get their footing, push walker-style toys like this one are a great option. The wide base and handle make it easy for them to practice standing while a fun selection of buttons, spinners, lights and sounds provide endless entertainment. And if they’d rather play while sitting down, the entire front can detach to lay flat on the floor.

SoftZone Climb and Crawl Activity Playset

A safe place to crawl and explore while also providing a cushiony place to crash, this foam climbing set is sure to get a ton of use. Each of the five pieces can be used together or separately to create a play space that’s fun from eight months all the way through the toddler years.

Wiggle and Crawl Ball

There’s so much fun to be had with this interactive ball which wiggles and wobbles on its own. It’s not only a great way to encourage crawling, it also helps them learn colors, animal names and numbers. Additional features like a spinning turtle, sliding bird and twisting bunny give them opportunities to practice their fine motor skills.

Look ahead: Activities for a 9-month-old: Fostering baby’s development

A version of this story was originally published on Nov. 24, 2015. It has been updated.

Nurse reminds people why you shouldn’t kiss a newborn baby: ‘Put those lethal lips away’

Recall issued on infant formula sold at cvs and h-e-b due to elevated vitamin d levels, new report suggests that tongue-ties might be overdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary surgeries, families in oregon can now get free check-in visits at home with a nurse post-birth, our editors also recommend....

Activities for 8-Month-Old Babies

Looking for things to do with an 8-month-old baby? Look no further. We’ve got a list of ten developmental activities for 8-month-olds, perfect for this curious and crawly stage. All you need is a few everyday items, a sense of fun and adventure, a little imagination, and a lot of energy. Get ready to laugh, play, and bond, mama — you’ve got your hands full now!

But before we share our favorite 8-month-old baby activities, let’s take a quick look at the milestones your little mover and shaker might be hitting around this point.

What should I expect at 8 months?

How do i stimulate my 8-month-old.

It goes without saying that every baby is different, and 8-month-old developmental milestones should only ever be used as a rough guide for your own child’s development. That said, some of the things they may be doing at this age include:

• Rocking, crawling, or pulling themselves up to standing (with support)
• Picking things up, moving them from hand to hand, and banging them together
• Spotting things they want from across the room thanks to ever-improving vision
• Touching (and tasting) everything they can get their inquisitive little hands-on

There are all sorts of activities and games you can use to engage and entertain your 8-month-old baby.

From stacking blocks and storytime to singing, dancing, and messy play, here are some of our faves to inspire you.

10 super-fun activities for 8-month-old babies

1. play with building blocks.

Building blocks are timeless toys .

Babies have used them to have fun and learn new skills for generations. And while an 8-month-old baby may be too young to stack them successfully, they’ll enjoy figuring out how to put them together.

Playing with building blocks can improve their fine motor skills, improve their attention span, and help them learn to cooperate with others.

2. Hide and go seek

As your baby grows from a tiny newborn into a curious infant, they’ll begin to reach out and explore their surroundings.

As such, 8 months is a great time to introduce hide and seek. The classic game can help test and develop your baby’s understanding of object permanence.

Hide a toy while they’re watching you, firstly partly hidden and then concealed completely. Then watch them have fun trying to find it.

3. Learn sign language

More and more parents are teaching their babies sign language, and with good reason. This means of communication is extremely helpful for allowing little ones to express their needs before they’ve learned to talk.

8-month-old babies who know how to sign are usually less frustrated since they can express themselves more clearly to their caregivers.

Sign language helps them to communicate crucial information, such as if they’re hungry or hurt.

Reading is an activity parents should encourage long before their babies turn one. At 8 months old, babies love to immerse themselves in the sound and rhythms of speech, which can improve their language development. Rhyming books are ideal for children of this age.

Babies can learn how vowel and consonant sounds come together to form words.

5. Messy play

Messy play is a term that’s gained great popularity over the years.

Also referred to as sensory play since it encourages babies to use all five senses, it’s one of the best fun activities for 8-month-olds.

Messy play often involves babies using their hands to explore ingredients such as water, paint, sand, mud, slime, and clay.

This activity not only promotes fine motor skills but also improves hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

6. Sensory bins

Exploring sensory bins, bottles, and bags is one of the best developmental activities for 8-month-old babies.

Allowing them to discover, create, imagine and learn while engaging their senses, sensory bins can be filled with an almost endless variety of different materials, including water, sand, and shredded paper.

For younger babies, oatmeal is recommended as a filler since it won’t harm them if it finds its way into their mouths.

7. Finger painting

Finger painting is a lot of fun for 8-month-old babies. Not only will they enjoy getting creative using vibrant colors, but the activity can also promote their development.

In particular, it can improve those all-important fine motor skills by strengthening finger and hand muscles.

If you’re concerned about your little one putting their paint-covered hands into their mouths, consider using homemade edible finger paint.

Made using flour, salt, water, and coloring, it can be an excellent alternative to normal paint for babies.

8. Crawling games

Since most babies start crawling between 7 and 10 months, activities that promote this skill are ideal for 8-month-olds.

Make a game out of crawling by setting up pillows or toys to maneuver around or over.

You could also play “follow the leader” by crawling in front of your baby and encouraging them to follow you.

Make sure you give your baby plenty of tummy time since this activity strengthens the muscles they’ll need to learn to crawl.

9. Singing and dancing

Don’t assume your 8-month-old is too young for singing and dancing games and activities.

They don’t need to be walking or even crawling to enjoy moving along to music. Babies start kicking to music from the first few months of their lives.

You could start by teaching your baby fun action songs such as “This Little Piggy” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Babies love to watch, listen, and anticipate the accompanying movements, and you’ll have fun singing and dancing too.

10. Hit the splash pad

When temperatures start to climb, entertaining your baby can become more difficult. One idea is to invest in a splash pad.

Much safer than a paddling pool since it only has a tiny amount of water in the bottom, a splash pad lets your little one have fun while cooling off on a hot day.

And the best bit? You’ve got the perfect excuse to join them under the sprinkler for some splashy playtime!

Did we miss any? Share your favorites with the mamas on Peanut !

👶 Read next: 11 Fun Activities for 9-Month-Old Babies

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Best Fun & Developmental Activities For an 8-Month-Old Baby

Development Boosting Activities For 8-Month-Old Babies

There’s a unique charm in observing the fascinating milestones of an 8-month-old baby. From their babbles to their tentative scoots, they are constantly evolving. But as parents, it’s natural to wonder how we best support our baby’s growth . This article unfolds some of the best indoor, sensory, and educational activities for 8-month-old babies that promise fun and bolster development.

The eighth month of a baby’s life marks an explosion of physical and cognitive skills. This period sees your little one trying to sit without support , perhaps crawling or at least showing intentions to, and displaying an intense curiosity about the world. It is crucial to introduce activities that foster their development while ensuring they have a great time. Dive in to discover some enriching 8-month-old activities.

The eighth month of a baby’s life is like opening a window to a world filled with wonders. Their rapid development during this period warrants activities that keep pace with their boundless curiosity and burgeoning skills. Fortunately, there are a plethora of 8-month-old baby activities designed specifically for this phase. Parents can ensure that their little ones are constantly learning and having a blast by incorporating educational and indoor activities. Let’s explore some of these activities that promise fun and learning, including sensory activities for 8-month-olds.

1. Peek-a-Boo!

• Why: Introduces the concept of object permanence ( 1 ).
• How: Playfully hide your face behind your hands or a cloth and then reveal it with a cheerful “peek-a-boo!”

2. Sensory Bags

• Why: Encourages tactile exploration and improves fine motor skills ( 2 ).
• How: Fill ziplock bags with gel, rice, or beans and let the baby feel the different textures.

3. Sing-along Sessions

• Why: It stimulates the auditory senses and vocal cords and improves language, cognitive, social, and emotional skills ( 3 ).
• How: Sing familiar nursery rhymes , encouraging your baby to join with babbles or claps .

4. Crawling Tunnel

• Why: Strengthens muscles, supports mobility, improves gross motor skills, and develops sensory perception ( 4 ).
• How: Use soft cushions to make a makeshift tunnel, or get a play tunnel for your baby to crawl through.

5. Mirror Play

• Why: Encourages self-awareness ( 5 ) and cognitive development.
• How: Place a baby-safe mirror before them and let them observe their reflection.

6. Ball Roll

• Why: Enhances hand-eye coordination and gross and fine motor skills ( 6 ).
• How: Sit opposite your baby and gently roll a soft ball towards them.

7. Stacking Soft Blocks

• Why: Fosters understanding of balance and spatial relations, gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination/dexterity, and problem-solving skills ( 7 ).
• How: Provide large soft blocks and encourage your baby to stack them up.

8. Textured Toy Exploration

• Why: Offers sensory stimulation and development of gross and fine motor, cognitive, and social skills ( 8 ).
• How: Introduce toys with different textures and materials for tactile development.

9. Storytime with Touch & Feel Books

• Why: Develops listening skills and enhances tactile senses ( 9 ).
• How: Read colourful touch-and-feel books that offer varied textures on each page.

10. Shake & Rattle

• Why: Strengthens grip/ motor skills and stimulates auditory senses ( 10 ).
• How: Hand them baby-friendly rattles or homemade shakers filled with rice or beans.

11. Floor Play with Toys

• Why: Encourages mobility, core strength, exploration, and independence ( 11 ).
• How: Spread out various toys at a slight distance and motivate them to reach or crawl towards them.

12. Puzzle Boards

• Why: Introduces basic problem-solving skills, sequencing, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination ( 12 ).
• How: Offer simple wooden-shaped puzzles suitable for their age.

13. Water Play

• Why: It introduces the concept of liquid, stimulates tactile senses, and improves well-being and creativity ( 13 ).
• How: Fill a small tub with lukewarm water, introduce splash-friendly toys and supervise closely.

14. Finger Painting

• Why: Fosters creativity and sensory exploration ( 14 ).
• How: Use edible, baby-safe paints and let them smear and play on a large sheet.

15. Dance & Wiggle

• Why: Boosts balance and spatial awareness and introduces rhythm ( 15 ).
• How: Play gentle tunes and dance with your baby, holding them or letting them wiggle on the floor.

Introducing these indoor activities ensures that your baby remains entertained, engaged, and educated within the comfort and safety of your home. Each has its unique blend of fun and learning, making them perfect for an 8-month-old’s development journey.

1. What you should expect from your 8-month-old?

Your baby will be more active and curious at eight months. Expect them to try sitting without support, begin showing signs of crawling, babble more coherently, show recognition towards familiar people and objects, and express emotions like joy, fear, and anger. Your baby’s activity at 8 months will centre around exploring toys, responding to their name, and developing a solid bond with primary caregivers.

2. How can you develop a sense of object permanence in an 8-month-old?

Developing a sense of object permanence is pivotal at this age. Start with games like Peek-a-Boo. When playing, cover a toy with a cloth and reveal it after a moment, demonstrating that objects still exist even when not in sight. Consistent exposure to such indoor activities helps solidify this concept in their young minds.

As your baby approaches the end of their first year, treasure these moments of growth and exploration. Tailor these activities according to your baby’s preferences and watch them blossom. The activities listed above are not just fun but foundational, setting the stage for continuous learning and discovery. Happy parenting!

References/References:

1. Peek A Boo; Parent Trust for Washington Children; https://www.parenttrust.org/2017/07/12/peek-a-boo/

2. Ratnam, G.; Sensory Bags for Children – Importance and Easy DIY Crafts; FirstCry; https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/sensory-bags-for-children-importance-and-easy-diy-crafts/ ; September 2020

3. Four benefits of singing with young children; Community Early Learning Australia; https://www.cela.org.au/publications/amplify!-blog/jan-2023/four-benefits-of-singing-in-early-childhood

4. The 9 Best Toddler Crawling Tunnels of 2023; Wonder Baby; https://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/crawling-tunnel

5. Reflecting on babies and mirror play; First Things First; https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/first-things/reflecting-on-babies-and-mirror-play/

6. Infant and Toddler Activity Pages: Roll the Ball; MSU Child and Family Development; https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/infant-and-toddler-activity-pages-roll-the-ball

7. The Benefits of Block Play For Infants and Toddlers In Your Childcare Centre; The Power of Play; https://info.scholarschoice.ca/blog/the-benefits-of-block-play-for-infants-and-toddlers-in-your-childcare-centre

8. What Is Sensory Play? The Benefits for Your Child and Sensory Play Ideas; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-sensory-play-ideas ; March 2022

9. Why you should share “touch and feel” books; First 5 Forever; https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/first5forever/blog/why-you-should-share-touch-and-feel-books ; June 2021

10. Paulus, M., Hunnius, S., van Elk, M., and Bekkering, H.; How learning to shake a rattle affects 8-month-old infants’ perception of the rattle’s sound: electrophysiological evidence for action-effect binding in infancy; Dev Cogn Neurosci; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6987660/ ; January 2012

11. When and Why Baby Should Play on the Floor; Pathways; https://pathways.org/when-why-baby-play-on-floor/

12. Five Things Children Gain from Puzzle Play; Illinois Early Learning Project; https://illinoisearlylearning.org/blogs/growing/puzzle-play/

13. The benefits of water play for children’s development; St. Nicholas; https://stnicks.org.au/news/the-benefits-of-water-play-for-childrens-development/

14. 8 Ways Finger Painting Helps Children’s Development; Fraser; https://www.fraser.org/resources/blog/8-ways-finger-painting-helps-childrens-development

15. Benefits of dance for early literacy and development; State Library of Queensland; https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/first5forever/blog/benefits-dance-early-literacy-and-development

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11 Fun Activities for 6- to 12-Month-Olds

Help enhance your baby's growth—and have tons of fun—with these development-boosting activities that are perfect for babies who are 6 to 12 months old.

Your baby may be halfway or more through their first year of life, but they'll experience many more physical, mental, social, and emotional changes before that first birthday actually arrives. Not only are they more interested in and aware of the world around them, but they'll also soon be crawling , cruising, or walking around in it—if they're not already.

There's no stopping their progress into toddlerhood, and with a little TLC and encouragement, you can help them reach the next stage with ease—and have lots of fun along the way.

"Playing and connecting with our babies gets their brain development going," says Roni Cohen Leiderman, Ph.D. , dean of the Mailman Segal Center for Human Development at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, and co-author of Let's Play and Learn Together . "Our love, attention, time, and touch with our baby are the most important parts of developmental activities. Everything is underlined with parent-child interaction."

Wondering about the best ways to encourage your baby's healthy growth and development? Dr. Leiderman and two other experts offer these simple but powerful and enjoyable development-boosting activities for 6- to 12-month-olds.

1. Peekaboo

Materials needed : Small toys or books, blanket

What to do : Place a toy or book under a blanket, leaving part of the object showing. Then ask your baby, "Where is it?" and encourage them to look for it.

"Babies will usually grab it and dig under the blanket," says Robert Myers, Ph.D. , a child and adolescent psychologist, founder of the Child Development Institute, and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine in Orange, California. "If yours doesn't, you could remove and then replace the blanket."

Variations: After your baby has mastered finding a partly hidden object, move on to hiding it completely under the blanket.

Skills learned: Fine motor skill development, object permanence

2. Stacking

Materials needed : Plastic measuring cups

What to do : Take turns stacking the cups and knocking them down. You can also have a "race," where you both stack cups at the same time.

Skills learned : Understanding cause and effect, fine motor skills

Materials needed : Wooden puzzles

What to do : Around their first birthday, your baby will be ready for large wooden puzzles, Dr. Myers says. The doctor suggests choosing ones with colorful shapes or pictures. "Show and tell them first how it works—you may have to guide their hands," he says. "Clap and cheer when they are successful." For younger babies, you can use blocks made out of softer materials.

Skills learned : Problem-solving, fine motor skills, visual skills

Materials needed : Board or cloth picture books

What to do : Regularly read books to your baby, pointing to the pictures as you read and engaging them by changing your voice for different characters. Invite your little one to participate by encouraging them to laugh or act surprised by the story, touch the pictures, and turn the pages.

Skills learned : Language development, listening skills

5. Clap With Me

What to do : Around 6 to 8 months of age, your child will learn to clap, Dr. Leiderman says, so encourage them with this rhyme:

Clap, clap, one, two, three .

Clap, clap, clap with me.

Clap, clap, four and five.

Clap, clap, clap, bees in hive.

Clap, clap, six, seven, eight.

Clap, clap, clap, you are great.

Clap, clap, nine and ten.

Clap, clap, let's do it again.

Skills learned : Imitation, rhyming

6. Rhyme Time

What to do : Sing songs with real or made-up words that rhyme, like "thump, thump, thump, bump, bump, bump, jump, jump, jump." You might feel a little silly, but all that rhyming is another way to boost your baby's language development.

"Like touch, talking with your baby is like food for their bodies and their minds," explains Dr. Leiderman. "A child's receptive understanding of language starts long before their expressive language, so we want to use as many opportunities as possible to drench them in language."

Skills learned : Auditory discrimination, future vocabulary

7. Shake the Bottle

Materials needed : Empty 16-ounce bottle, colored rice or pasta

What to do : Fill the bottle with the rice or pasta, and glue the top back on so your baby can safely watch and hear what happens as they shake, rattle, and roll the container.

"A bottle doesn't usually make this noise," says Dr. Leiderman, "so now they are hearing new and novel things, which brings an element of surprise. Babies this age are also learning so much about cause and effect, which is an exciting new skill."

Skills learned : Fine motor skills, auditory discrimination, cause and effect

8. Disappearing Cheerio

Materials needed : Cheerios, opaque plastic cups

What to do : Create your own version of the old-fashioned shell game by hiding a Cheerio under a cup and seeing if your baby can find it. This simple activity reinforces object permanence, a major concept for babies to learn.

Variations : Using two different-colored cups, put the Cheerio under one cup and move it around to see if they can remember which one was the hiding place. After they have found the Cheerio under the first cup, show them you are now putting it under the second cup and see if they remember that the Cheerio has moved.

Skills learned : Attention skills, memory development, object permanence

9. Light Show

Materials needed : Colored plastic containers, mini flashlights

What to do : Turn on some mini flashlights, and drop them into empty water bottles, Tupperware, or any colored lidded containers. Place your baby in tummy time in a dark room and let them explore the colorful lighted containers on the floor in front of them.

"The harsh light of the LEDs will be diffused for little peepers, while any loose or removable parts will be safely away from baby's mouth," says Rachel Coley, occupational therapist, author of Begin With a Blanket: Creative Play for Infants, and founder of CanDo Kiddo . "Closely supervise as your little one grasps and turns, bangs, and rolls the containers."

Variations : Take a flashlight out of a container, place your baby on their back, and simply move the light slowly on a dark wall. "Pause on objects and talk to or with your child about what she's seeing," Coley adds.

Skills learned : Visual sensory stimulation, eye movement skills, sustained attention, socialization, bonding, body movement

10. Baggy Fingerpainting

Materials needed : Washable finger paint, a gallon-size zippered freezer bag, tape

What to do : Squeeze a couple of dark colors of washable finger paint into a zippered baggy and seal tightly. Add duct tape for extra security. Spread the paint around to coat the inside of the bag, then place it on the floor in front of your baby during tummy time. Show them how to make marks on the outside of the bag with their hand or finger.

"To preserve your little one's artwork, simply cut the edges off the bag and then peel off the top of the artwork, and lay flat to dry," Coley says.

Variations : Have an independent sitter? Try this activity in a high chair.

Skills learned : Sensory development, fine motor skills, understanding cause and effect, early writing skills

11. Container Play

Materials needed : Small toys, container

What to do : Place a few toys (such as balls, pegs, plastic links, or other smaller items) in a container with an opening a bit bigger than the objects. (Be sure these toys are large enough that your baby can't choke on them.) Hand the container to your baby, who will probably turn it over and over, causing some toys to tumble out.

"Eventually, your baby will realize that something is rattling around inside and that toys seem to be falling out of it, so they will start shaking, banging, and reaching inside the container," Coley says. Reload the container periodically until your kiddo figures out how to do it on their own.

Variations : Once they've gotten good at putting items in the container, you can extend the activity by choosing a narrow-mouthed container and longer toys, like rectangular blocks, pegs, and plastic spoons. "Your baby will learn through trial and error that she has to turn the objects to fit them into containers," she adds.

Skills learned : Object manipulation and orientation skills

Related Articles

Top Activities For a 8 Month Old Baby – Benefits and Tips For Parents

An 8 month old baby is no more helpless or just a cute little bundle lying in one place. They can move, hold, throw and play on their own too. Babies at this age are ready to explore and learn new concepts. They are keen to understand how the world around them functions. Hence, keep following some top activities which aid in the developmental skills of an 8 month old baby.

Exposing your 8 month old to useful activities can accelerate their development. You cannot sit and teach an 8-month-old, but you can help them learn by playing. Activities are a great option for such learning. It helps your baby understand various aspects in their own way.

In This Article

What Activities Can You Expect From a 8 Month Old Baby?

• Top Fun and Engaging Activities For a 8 Month Old Baby

At this stage, your baby can

• Roll over both sides with ease or at least one way comfortably. Rolling the other way might require a little effort or incentive.
• Sit up with enough support for a few minutes before they topple to one side or try to reach forward to grab things
• Show interest in standing up with support
• They may stand for a few seconds before they sit back down. With a little time and patience, this duration will increase slowly
• Make cute noises and babble when you speak to them
• Make eye contact and follow moving items with their eyes

Top Fun And Engaging Activities For a 8 Month Old Baby

Babies at this stage will find everything interesting and challenging. Here are some fun activities you can do with your 8 month old baby at this stage –

1. Noisy Games

Babies love noise. They like to be noisy and will pay attention only when something is noisier than them. It can be toys, instruments, or just you making all the funny noises.

What You Will Need?

• Noisy toys or instruments
• A well-fed and rested baby (noise can be overstimulation for a tired or hungry baby)

Top Benefits of Playing Noisy Games With 8 Month Old Baby

Here are a few benefits of playing noisy games with babies

Tips For Parents

• Use toys and instruments your baby can experiment with too.
• Just get creative and use funny noises. Your baby won’t judge.

2. Helping Babies Crawl

Your baby is keen to move at this stage. They love to watch moving toys and people. Many babies can get on all fours and try to move. Teaching them how to crawl can help them learn it faster.

• Clean and safe space to crawl around in

Top Benefits of Helping Babies Crawl

Here are a few benefits of helping babies crawl

• Do not put on kneecaps to protect their knees. It will only delay crawling as it can be slippery and discourage the baby.
• Crawl and show them how it is done.
• Keep their favorite toys just slightly away from them and encourage them to crawl.

3. Reading to Your Babies

Your baby’s cognitive development is happening at a fast pace now. Babies will pay close attention when you read to them. They will love to peek into the book and see the images too.

• Your baby in a good mood
• Interesting books

Top Benefits of Reading to Your 8 Month Old Baby

Here are a few benefits of reading to your babies

• Start with hard-bound books your baby can hold or flip on their own.
• Choose books with bright illustrations.
• Phonetic storybooks can help improve language faster.

4. Playing With Colors

By this stage, your baby can differentiate between colors. They can perceive bright and dark colors and will show preference toward one or more shades. Playing with colors can be a great way to explore and learn the color names.

• Colorful toys
• Baby safe paints
• Big chart or paper
• Waste cloth

Top Benefits of Playing With Colours For 8 Month Old Baby

Here are a few benefits of playing with colors for your babies

• Use dark-colored or old clothes when you let your baby paint or play with colors.
• Use an apron to avoid getting paint over themselves or their clothes.
• Be patient and mentally prepared to clean up a big mess.
• Use newspapers to protect your floor.

[Read : When Do Babies Start Seeing Colors? ]

5. The Calling Game

Your baby can recognize voices and where they originate from, much better than they did last month. They take lesser time to respond too.

• A volunteer

Top Benefits of the Calling Game For 8 Month Old Baby

Here are a few benefits of calling the game for babies

• Keep moving around the room and calling.
• Use different tones and pitches to increase their awareness.
• Have a volunteer join you. Hearing two different voices will sharpen their hearing ability more.

[Read : Baby Hearing Development After Birth ]

6. What is Inside

Babies love to hide and play. They love to use their hands to explore and pull out things from inside bags or bins.

• A bag or bin filled with odd items
• Active baby

Top Benefits of Playing What is Inside With 8 Month Old Baby

Here are a few benefits of playing what is inside with your baby

• Ensure the items in the bag are not sharp.
• Mix new items with your baby’s favorite items.
• Include items of various textures.

[Read : Object Permanence in Babies ]

7. Sticky Ball

Sticky is another texture your baby will learn to love. It can make them anxious at first but they will eventually enjoy playing with it.

• Few balls small enough for your baby to hold properly
• Sticky tape
• Surface free of other items

Top Benefits of Playing Sticky Ball With 8 Month Old Baby

Here are a few benefits of playing sticky ball with your baby

• Ensure there are no small items that can stick to the ball.
• Change the tape often as the stickiness will reduce and also accumulate a lot of dirt.
• Ensure your baby does not mouth the ball.

[Read : Baby’s Fine Motor Skill Development ]

8. Water Play

Babies love water. They can just sit in and play for hours together. Adding toys and activities to it can make it all the more interesting.

• A spacious tub filled with water
• Your baby and yourself

Top Benefits of Water Play For 8 Month Old Baby

Here are a few benefits of water play for babies

• If you are letting them play with water, keep a floor mat or cloth to wipe, nearby
• Change your baby out of wet clothes once they finish playing
• Stay next to them if you are putting them in a tub filled with water
• Add colors to the water to make it more fun (not when they are sitting in the water)

Your baby is getting stronger and learning quickly. They will like to do the same activity over and over again until they are better at it or achieve what they are trying to do. Age and skill-appropriate activities can do wonders for their development.

Sindhuja, a mother of two, is an obsessive mom with a keen interest in psychology, especially child psychology. Her quest for knowledge and way with words led her to become a passionate content writer. She transformed her love for writing into a full-fledged career which incidentally also turned up being the perfect stress buster for the last 5 years.

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Playing With Your 8-Month-Old Baby: What to Expect

• Jamie Clayton
• Categories : Understanding infant development & learning
• Tags : Early education information for teachers, parents & caregivers

Learning Starts Early!

All throughout your child’s months of life, there has already been several milestones they have achieved. At the 8 month mark, a new

transition is in place. Certain games and toys will help spark their curiosity and continue their path of learning. Seeing the spark in your child’s eye will help you see what interests your baby during play time. Take those first cues as what will work best when playing with your 8-month-old child.

Hide and Seek Games

Right now, playing hide and seek games along with peek-a-boo will entertain your little one for hours. These are some fun games that can help with brain development. They will see that both their toys and you are there. The repetition of leaving a room or taking a toy, teaches your child that they both are still around. This will start to develop a seeking skill, where they will learn to seek out both objects and people.

Blocks can be one of the best toys for a child. If you stack up the blocks yourself, show her how to knock them down, she will be amazed at the creation that you came up with. Taking these small blocks and making a huge figure out of them will fascinate your child. Over sized blocks, such as the Especially for Baby 6 Piece Soft Blocks Set from Babies R Us, is a great idea at this age group.

If you also have toys that you can take apart and put back together again, this is the perfect step to use those. Things like puzzles, toy parts, and toy animals are some great ideas. They will want to examine how to take those toys apart and watch you put them back together. Then, they will start to do it on their own.

Children love to watch what adults do. From facial expressions to daily activities, your little one is well aware of your movements. Get out a pot from your kitchen and try banging on that. Your child’s eyes will light up with excitement. Try putting a hat on your head and then taking it off. Pass the hat to our baby and have her put it on her head. Doing simple show and tell things throughout the day will help her develop into your family.

Little containers, dolls, and smaller objects that your child can hold will make for an enjoyable time. Make sure that all objects given to your baby don’t pose a choking hazard, either by the size itself or parts that may come off. The ExerSaucer is still an excellent way for your child to be entertained. Mark off the parts of the house that would be dangerous for your little one, and create good play area for her. Children are not to be left alone playing in the ExerSaucer or any stationary activity center. One of my favorite ExerSaucers that my daughter loved was the Fisher-Price Little Superstar Step ’n Play Piano Entertainer. We are a very musical family so this was a great starting point for her to learn new sounds.

Reading to your child is the best thing you can to for them. This helps them to hear new words, sounds, and get acquainted to your voice. At this point, children love both black and white books as well as vivid picture books. Soft books that babies can hold should be used for more of a toy than a learning point. Sitting your child on your lap and reading to them at the same time every day, helps set in a good schedule.

I would suggest reading short stories and nursery rhymes to your baby throughout the day. Books that have textures on them as well as books with sounds will go over well with infants in the 8 month mark. Babies enjoy being close to you and hearing your voice, so just grab a book and get to reading! I would suggest books by Sassy, such as their Sensations Book and Baby’s First Sound Books. Both of these are soft for your baby to touch, yet they give enough interest to keep their mind racing!

Well Balanced Play Time

In order for your child to continue to develop in a forward rate, using several different techniques will do the trick. Play around with different toys, books, sounds, and games to see what your child likes best. Please remember that all children develop at different times, so your child might not be doing the something as your friend’s child at that age. This is normal, so do not panic. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, bring them up with your doctor during the routine checks. Doctor’s will point out any issues that they see, but be honest with them about your schedule and what you do with your child.

At this pivotal 8-month mark, knowing the best games and toys can make a huge difference in your child’s development. A mix-and-match of your favorites will help your baby continue to grow and want to learn. Make learning fun with your little one as a bonding tool. This special time to just sit on the floor and play with your baby will be a rewarding time for the both of you. So sit back, enjoy those smiles, and help your baby learn. They will thank you in the long run.

Self, Personal Experience

See Bright Hub Education’s Guide to Creative Educational Activities for Infants , assembled by Kara Bietz

8 Month Old Baby , on What to Expect.com

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12 Best 8 Month Old Activities for Your Little One

Check out these top 8 month old activities to enjoy with your little one! These with help your baby develop fine and gross motor skills, build muscles, develop their brain, and have fun with you.

Are you looking for some exciting activities for your eight month old that will help them reach developmental milestones?

This post is full of new ways to encourage your baby’s growth, strengthen cognitive abilities, and more!

Some of these links are affiliate links meaning if you purchase from these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Everything I share is my own opinions and things I personally use and love. You can learn more by reviewing  my disclosure .   As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

8 Month Old Activities for Your Baby’s Development 

There are so many ways to play with your little one but these are just a few of the top activities for 8-month-old babies. 

They’re all simple to set up, even if you’re a new mommy with little experience playing with babies or doing activities.

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Try Different Takes on a Classic Game

An eight month old needs different activities than younger babies, but can still benefit from things like tummy time and nursery rhymes.

They might seem like easy games that your baby has outgrown, but they’re building blocks for better brain development, problem-solving skills, working through separation anxiety, and much more.

Even if you think your little one has outgrown some of these simple activities, try them anyway!

Whether it’s peek-a-boo or tummy time, try switching it up a bit to make it more engaging and challenging. 

For example, you can show your little one how to roll a ball back and forth to you during tummy time , which challenges their balance and hand-eye coordination. This is also a perfect time for mirror play with a baby-safe stand-up mirror.

Another idea is classic peek-a-boo but hiding behind different objects and at different distances or for longer periods of time.

Peek-a-boo is said to build baby’s object permanence, help them recognize familiar faces, and strengthen their attachment bond to you, ultimately learning that you’ll always come back. 

You can also sing classic nursery rhymes in a different pitch, use new words in place of the originals, or make it funny with different facial expressions. This will not only make your baby laugh but will nurture their language development and even musical skills down the road.

These simple eighth month old baby activities can still be fun and help your baby reach new developmental milestones with some variations and adaptations.

Play with Stacking Toys

Playing with stacking toys offers significant developmental benefits for an 8-month-old. This activity helps enhance fine motor skills as infants grasp, hold, and place the toys, improving hand strength and coordination.

The precise actions required for stacking aid in developing better control over their movements, which is crucial for more complex skills later on.

Stacking toys also help with problem-solving abilities and an understanding of cause and effect. Babies learn how to balance the toys and arrange them in the correct order, recognizing that their actions lead to specific outcomes.

Sensory Activities

There are many ways to provide sensory experiences for your eight month old from sensory bins and bags to sensory pads and mats. You don’t have to buy special toys, though.

Walking on a variety of things that are in your everyday life like grass and sidewalks is more than enough to help your baby explore different textures. 

You can help them build language skills by explaining what you’re walking on, how it feels, and what it sounds like as you touch or scratch it. Your eight month old will learn valuable communication skills as you do this!

Additionally, research has shown that multi sensory activities are particularly beneficial for babies and kids who have a sensory processing disorder.

If you’re working with an occupational therapist, ask them for their recommendations for sensory play and other activities specific to your child. 

Experiment with Sensory Bins

Of course, with sensory play comes sensory bins! These provide a great way to keep the mess (mostly) contained and can be customized to whatever activity or theme you choose. 

As the name implies, you fill a bin with a variety of different objects like pom poms and fillers like rice that stimulate their senses.

Ideally the toys have different shapes, textures, colors, and are in varying sizes. It goes without saying, but make sure the small objects aren’t too small – you don’t want any choking hazards! 

You can set up a fun game like picking up the pom poms with their fingers and stuffing them in bottles or clean egg cartons, which helps to improve their fine motor skill development, especially their pincer grasp. 

Sensory bins are one of the best ways to build and strengthen cognitive skills and encourage independent play, so have fun with them and be creative as long as you make it a safe environment! 

For an 8 month old, make sure your sensory bin fillers are taste safe, in case they try to eat whatever is inside.

Messy Play 

It might be a bit inconvenient, but messy play is surprisingly one of the most important things for building your baby’s development no matter how many months of age your babe is.

It’s also great for beating boredom and encouraging independent play just like sensory activities can be. 

Messy play can range from playing with sensory bins as mentioned above, making mud pies, throwing balls in a pit, tearing up grass in the yard, water play, or taking things in and out of the cabinets. 

Try to keep it open ended and focus on letting it be an integrated learning experience instead of a perfectly planned activity that you see on Pinterest!

As long as it’s safe and age-appropriate, let their curiosity guide them. This also gives you clues to what may become their interests and learning style as they get older.

Play with Mirrors

This simple yet fascinating experience helps infants develop self-awareness and recognize their own reflections, a crucial step in their cognitive development.

As they observe their movements and facial expressions in the mirror, they begin to understand the concept of self and differentiate themselves from others, especially their mom.

Mirror play also stimulates visual and social development. The visual stimulation from seeing their reflection and surroundings in the mirror enhances their focus and tracking abilities.

Socially, interacting with their reflection can be a form of early socialization, as they may smile, laugh, or make faces, promoting emotional expression and recognition. This interaction helps them understand social cues and develop early communication skills.

Plus, it is so cute seeing them look at themselves in the mirror!

Make sure to get a baby safe mirror so it won’t break and hurt them.

Play with Musical Instruments and Toys With Different Sounds

Exposing your eight month old to musical instruments and toys with different sounds has been proven to nurture their language development, emotional intelligence, communication skills, and much more. 

Even something as silly as a squeaky toy or silly sounds can be beneficial in the same manner and help them recognize varying sounds and where they come from. If nothing else, it’s just fun! 

You don’t need a music class to make this a great activity, either. Some simple baby musical toys like the ones from Melissa and Doug are a perfect start!

Go to Social Gatherings

What better way to build social skills than to get some real social interaction! As long as your baby is healthy and you are comfortable with the surroundings, go on a couple of mommy-and-me playdates or family events.

It will help your little one gain valuable social skills and help you have conversations with another adult! 

You can try searching for local mom groups through Facebook groups, an online app like Meet Up, or Googling “mommy and me groups near me.” Some areas have groups just for new mammas, too. 

This may not seem like it should be on a list of  developmental activities for an eight month old, but socializing is beneficial for a child’s development throughout their life – even this young.

Try New Foods

It may not normally be thought of as an activity either, but your eight month old will have a great time regardless!

This is a good age to introduce solid foods as long as your baby is showing signs of being ready.  

Try laying out a couple of finger foods in their high chair tray like cooked pasta, potatoes, bagels, and so forth.

You can test out different sauces and seasonings, too. Dipping their food is another great way for them to work on their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

If they’re not a fan of the high chair, try putting some toys on their tray or letting them do other fun activities in it to help them get used to it. (And yes, this definitely counts as messy play, too!)

Set Up Obstacle Courses

A simple baby obstacle course is a fun way to encourage crawling and eventually baby’s first steps. 

The layout will depend on your little one’s abilities but a good starting point is to arrange a few soft objects like pillows on the floor that your baby needs to move around.

You can hang a hula hoop in a doorway for them to crawl through or help them step over, as well. Soft foam blocks, couch cushions, sensory pads, makeshift tunnels, and gym mats are perfect for baby obstacle courses.

Just remember to keep it fun and not too challenging so baby doesn’t get frustrated! 

Reading books with an 8-month-old offers ton of developmental benefits. This early exposure to books stimulates cognitive development as infants begin to understand the concept of stories and sequences.

Looking at pictures and listening to your voice helps them start to make connections between words and images, laying the foundation for language.

The rhythmic patterns and repetitive phrases commonly found in children’s books also enhance memory and learning.

Reading together also builds emotional bonding and social development. The close physical contact and shared attention during reading sessions strengthen the emotional connection between the infant and mom.

Play with Blocks

This hands-on play promotes fine motor skills as infants grasp, stack, and manipulate the blocks, improving their hand strength and coordination.

The precise actions required to place one block on top of another enhance their control over their movements, setting the stage for more complex tasks in the future.

I love these silicone blocks for young babies because they also provide sensory input too!

8-Month-Old Baby Activities Wrap-Up

Whether your 7-month-old baby is a bit ahead of the curve or your 8-month-old is just now discovering the basics, these developmental activities will help them learn essential new skills while having so much fun in the process!

As always, talk with your baby’s doctor or occupational therapist if you have concerns or need medical advice – and remember that every baby reaches milestones at their own pace so don’t worry too much if they seem a little behind! 

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*APP STORE AWARD WINNER 2023* MONTESSORI-INSPIRED ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS Pok Pok is a low-stimulation app of Montessori-inspired activities that empower kids to explore, experiment, and learn through play. The most beautiful, calming app for kids 2-7 years-old. Try it FREE with your little one today! No ads. No language. No winning or losing. No grown-up required. *APPLE DESIGN AWARD WINNER* *WINNER ACADEMICS’ CHOICE AWARD* *As seen in Forbes, TechCrunch, SuperParent, Moms.com, The Verge, CNET, and more!* Whether you have a 2-year-old trying an app for the first time, or you’ve got a tech-savvy 7 year-old on your hands, every child will learn and find their own fun in Pok Pok. They’ll tap into their imaginations to tell stories, develop early STEM skills, draw, build and learn all about the world we live in through open-ended play. — HOW IT WORKS Simply open the app, tap a toy, and watch as your child explores the activities. They will learn through experimentation and can’t do anything wrong because every toy is designed to be played with in a number of ways. There are no rules or levels to beat, there is no winning or losing, and no menus get in the way. — WHY IT’S UNIQUE The entire experience is calming and sensory-friendly so it’s never overstimulating for kids. They’ll feel at peace with our soft, hand-recorded sounds and slow-paced animations. — A GROWING COLLECTION OF TOYS • Town: Explore our bustling, eco-friendly community. • House: Play pretend with a diverse family and household. • Busy Book: Look, tap and listen to our interactive encyclopedia. • Islands: Embark on an ocean adventure and explore beautiful islands. • World Puzzle: Join tiles to bring a new world to life. • Dinosaurs: Discover and play in the prehistoric era. • Drawing: Create a masterpiece. • Musical Blobs: Make music and feel zen. • Silly Blocks: Invent extraordinary characters and structures. • Marble Machine: Tinker with marbles, gears, switches and tubes. • Shops: Run errands just like in real life. • Radio: Dance and sing along to our original, groovy jams. • Busy Board: Experiment, press, pinch, slide, flick and fidget. • Forest: Discover a forest sprouting with life. • Blocks: Build anything (and knock it over)! • Sequencer: DJ snappy beats and patterns. + New ones added regularly! — WE ARE PARENTS & EDUCATORS Pok Pok is a mom-founded company on a mission to help raise the next generation of creative thinkers! We work together with early childhood education experts to make sure every detail is perfect and safe for your little ones. — PRIVACY IS OUR PRIORITY Pok Pok is COPPA compliant. There are no ads or sneaky fees. Ever. — SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Subscribe once and get access to every toy and update. Pok Pok is a subscription so we can continue adding more activities for kids without compromising on quality. You can share one subscription across all of your family’s devices. You can cancel anytime—no hard feelings! Your subscription will automatically renew 24 hours before the end of your subscription period, unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can turn it off in your iTunes account settings. Payment will only be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and once your free trial has ended. Please note that deleting Pok Pok off your device does not cancel your subscription. You must cancel your subscription via your iTunes account. *** www.playpokpok.com [email protected] Instagram | @playpokpok Facebook | @playpokpok Twitter | @playpokpok TikTok | @playpokpok

Version 39.2

Get ready for summer fun! It’s summer in Pok Pok and we’re making a splash with new additions to Town, Islands and Radio! Kids can enjoy a trip to the Islands' summer fair, be dazzled by vibrant street performances in Town, or jam-out under the sun with Radio! Explore new storytelling opportunities and spark conversations about your summer plans, seasons, safety, and more with this update.

Ratings and Reviews

5.1K Ratings

Editors’ Choice

Pok Pok Playroom’s married founders set out to create a kids’ app parents wouldn’t have to mute in a restaurant—and to the delight of grown-up diners everywhere, they did it. Pok Pok Playroom is a free-play feast for little senses: There are switches to flip, gears to grind, and blobs to plop together, all drawn and designed by hand to make the app feel like a tactile, handcrafted toy. Endlessly inventive but never overwhelming, it’s a master class in how a simple app can sometimes feel the most advanced.

Beautifully Designed / Big Hit with my 4 kids (ages 3-8)

We have 4 kids (3, 5yo twins, and an 8yo) and each of them loves Pok Pok and plays with it in a different way / gets something different out of it. I highly recommend this app to parents everywhere. We try to be very intentional about what our kids are doing on devices, and this Pok Pok app hit all the right points for us and our kids. It truly does what it says - it empowers kids to explore and experiment. It's beautifully designed, it's calming. We've noticed our kids don't get addicted to it in the way other apps do, so it's easier for them to put it down when it's time. Our 3 year-old loves playing in the city scape mode and just clicking around to see which things were interactive - nearly everything is which is just awesome - and there were definitely some things he clicked on that made him smile or laugh. Our 5yo girl gravitates heavily to all the art stuff and she loves pretend play and the dress up / character based play. Our 5yo boy basically follows his sister's lead, but also enjoyed a couple other parts of the app I didn't see his sister playing with. And the main thing I wanted to call out with our 8 year-old is that he normally has a really difficult time putting down the iPad, but that wasn't the case with this app. He didn't have as hard of a time saying goodbye to it as he does with some of the other apps we let him use, which is just great.

Developer Response ,

Thank you so much :)

mom trying to help other moms

my daughter has been using this app for about a month and she's only on it for a few minutes before she decides she wants to go outside and play, mind you she used to get fussy with me over a phone, overall i think this app has helped my daughter a lot as she's going out more and wanting to explore and interact more and not using screen time as much, compared to her being angry most of the day for not having screen time. did i also mention she loves showing her 1 year old brother everything in app so they both play and interact with each other, but if you go to their parental thing it also has a sort of guided sheet on question you could ask your child that way us as parents could also be involved with our kids on this app. P.S i love using this app myself as it soothes and helps me de-stress at night. also the subscription might not seem worth it but i promise it's better than paying hundreds for a child to go to an actual Montessori school if you don't have funds for it like myself.

We are sooo happy to be reading your heartwarming message! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and we hope your daughter continues to thrive!

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App privacy.

The developer, Pok Pok , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Identifiers

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish

• Pok Pok Monthly $6.99
• Pok Pok Annual $45.99
• Pok Pok Annual $79.99
• Pok Pok Monthly $12.99
• Pok Pok Monthly $9.99
• Pok Pok Annual $34.49
• Pok Pok Annual $59.99
• Pok Pok Lifetime $89.99
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Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., featured in, you might also like.

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9 Fun Activities for Kids With ADHD

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Create Something

Get organized, go on an adventure, do a project together, get out of the house, cook together, go stargazing.

A child who has ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) can seem to have an endless supply of energy , and finding things for them to do can be an endless challenge. One solution: Keep a list of fun activities to occupy their busy brains and bodies. Here are eight to get you started.

You don't have to sign your child up for every sport under the sun, but physical activity is a must. Getting your child's body moving will help them to focus their energy on a fun and rewarding activity. Go for a walk, play tag, or ride bikes together.

Physical exercise helps decrease anxiety, depression, aggression, and social problems among children with ADHD.

Signing up for a youth sports group can be a great option for many kids with ADHD. Sports and athletics can be a particularly great outlet, but carefully consider which type of sport might best match your child's needs and abilities. 

A child with hyperactive/impulsive type ADHD might benefit from a highly active, physical sport (such as wrestling or swimming), whereas a child with inattentive type ADHD would do better with one with more short-term, focused goals (such as track and field).

Another great way to channel your child's energy is to encourage them to be creative. This could mean painting, drawing, building with blocks, or even just making up stories. Let your child's imagination run wild and see what they come up with.

Creative expression is beneficial for many mental health conditions, including ADHD. Expressive arts therapy , for example, can be helpful for both children and adults with ADHD. It may help kids practice and strengthen several skills, including focus, communication, and problem-solving skills. It can also be useful for expressing emotions, building self-awareness , and reducing stress levels.

One study found that allowing kids with ADHD to draw and talk about their lives was a useful way to gain insight into their interests and subjective well-being .

Fortunately, you can draw on many of these same benefits by doing creative activities with your child. Drawing, finger painting, sculpting with clay, collaging, or even just scribbling can help your child express themself while having fun.

Many kids with ADHD struggle with organization, but cleaning up and getting organized can be a fun activity if you make it into a game.

Help your child to organize their toys , clothes, or school supplies. You can even race to see who can clean up the quickest.

Some ideas to help make cleaning and organizing fun and exciting:

• Set a timer : Try setting a timer for a short amount of time (around five to ten minutes), and then see how much each of you can clean up in that time. 
• Laundry race : Challenge your child to see how much laundry they can help fold and put away.
• Fill a basket : Grab a couple of laundry baskets (or find one for each member of the family if everyone wants to get involved), and see who can fill each one with toys or other items lying around the house. Once the first phase of the game is over, you can move on to the next challenge—seeing who can put all of the items in their basket away the quickest.

Kids with ADHD often love adventure, and new experiences are more likely to hold their interest. Plan a treasure hunt around the house or go on a nature hike and see who can find the most interesting things. Be sure to bring along a camera so that you can document your child's findings.

Because kids with ADHD often struggle with feelings of boredom , introducing novel activities can be a great way to help them stay interested. 

Variety is the key to keeping your child engaged. So, mix things up and try out new activities on a regular basis. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with endless fun activities for kids with ADHD.

Games are a great way to help kids with ADHD focus their energy in a way that can help entertain them while building valuable skills. 

Memory games or word puzzles can be a good option for some kids or even an active game like musical chairs.

Other fun activities to try include:

• Indoor scavenger hunt
• Building towers out of cards or blocks
• Balloon volleyball
• Playing music and dancing
• Indoor obstacle course
• Jumping rope
• Hula hooping
• Jumping on a trampoline

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find items for your games. In many cases, you can take things you already have in the house and incorporate them into a fun activity. It just takes some imagination to keep things interesting and keep your child from getting bored. 

Working on a project together can be a fun way to bond with your child while also helping them to focus their energy.

Examples of projects you might work on together include:

• Creating a storybook
• Learning a musical instrument
• Craft projects
• Dress up games

Choose a project that is age-appropriate and let your child take the lead. This can be a great way to help your child build self-regulation skills. Finishing a project with your help can also help them gain a sense of mastery and accomplishment.

Sometimes, the best way to entertain a child with ADHD is to leave the house. Plan a day trip to somewhere that your child will be interested in. This could be a museum, the zoo, an amusement park, or even just a new playground.

• Have a picnic : Picnics are fun for everyone and can be a great way to spend some time together outdoors. Pack up some snacks and head to your backyard or a nearby park for a fun-filled afternoon. You can make your picnic as simple or as fancy as you want—just make sure to include plenty of good food and fun games.
• Go camping : If you really want to get away from it all, go camping! This is a great activity for kids with ADHD because it gets them out in nature where they can run and explore. And if heading for the wilderness isn’t an option, try just camping out in your backyard (or even your living room).
• Visit a museum: Museums can be fun for kids of all ages, but they can be especially fun for kids with ADHD. They offer a chance to explore and learn in a stimulating but not overwhelming environment.

Cooking is a great activity for kids with ADHD because it involves many different senses. Plus, it's a fun way to bond with your child and teach them valuable life skills. Start with simple recipes that are great for beginners before working your way up to more complex ones.

You can make this a regular part of your child's routine by setting aside certain days of the week for preparing certain meals.

For example, one night might be "pizza night," where each member of the family gets to choose their own toppings and prepare their own mini-pizza. 

Stargazing is a calming activity that can be fun for kids of all ages. It's a great way to spend time together while also teaching your child about science and the world around them.

If staying up late enough to see the stars isn't an option for your little one, you might consider something like a hike, nature walk, or trip to the beach during the day instead. All of these activities offer a chance to explore and learn while also getting some fresh air and exercise.

Studies have shown that having more contact with nature and green spaces can positively impact children's mental health, including children who have ADHD.

Doing activities with together is a great way to bond with your child and help them focus on something they find interesting and rewarding. Look for ways to incorporate fun and adventure as you go about your day—even when you're just preparing a meal or doing household chores. These fun activities for kids with ADHD can provide a much-needed outlet for their energy and give you some quality time together. 

Zang Y. Impact of physical exercise on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders: Evidence through a meta-analysis . Medicine (Baltimore) . 2019;98(46):e17980. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017980

Barfield PA, Driessnack M. Children with ADHD draw-and-tell about what makes their life really good . J Spec Pediatr Nurs . 2018 Apr;23(2):e12210. doi:10.1111/jspn.12210

Tillmann S, Tobin D, Avison W, Gilliland J. Mental health benefits of interactions with nature in children and teenagers: a systematic review . J Epidemiol Community Health . 2018;72(10):958-966. doi:10.1136/jech-2018-210436

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Britain’s Violent Riots: What We Know

Officials had braced for more unrest on Wednesday, but the night’s anti-immigration protests were smaller, with counterprotesters dominating the streets instead.

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By Lynsey Chutel

After days of violent rioting set off by disinformation around a deadly stabbing rampage, the authorities in Britain had been bracing for more unrest on Wednesday. But by nightfall, large-scale anti-immigration demonstrations had not materialized, and only a few arrests had been made nationwide.

Instead, streets in cities across the country were filled with thousands of antiracism protesters, including in Liverpool, where by late evening, the counterdemonstration had taken on an almost celebratory tone.

Over the weekend, the anti-immigration protests, organized by far-right groups, had devolved into violence in more than a dozen towns and cities. And with messages on social media calling for wider protests and counterprotests on Wednesday, the British authorities were on high alert.

With tensions running high, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet held emergency meetings to discuss what has become the first crisis of his recently elected government. Some 6,000 specialist public-order police officers were mobilized nationwide to respond to any disorder, and the authorities in several cities and towns stepped up patrols.

Wednesday was not trouble-free, however.

In Bristol, the police said there was one arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle and a bottle was thrown. In the southern city of Portsmouth, police officers dispersed a small group of anti-immigration protesters who had blocked a roadway. And in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where there have been at least four nights of unrest, disorder continued, and the police service said it would bring in additional officers.

But overall, many expressed relief that the fears of wide-scale violence had not been realized.

Here’s what we know about the turmoil in Britain.

Where arrests have been reported

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