No materials
Nothing to find, buy or prepare. These need only the two of you — useful when you are out, tired, or somewhere unfamiliar.
78 activities
By age
78 ideas
Face to Face
Hold your baby about a forearm's distance away and let them study your face. Slowly stick out your tongue or open your mouth wide, then wait.
0 mo – 4 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Tell Them What's Happening
While you change or dress your baby, say what you are doing in simple words. "Now the left arm. Now we're all done."
0 mo – 12 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Down Here With You
During awake tummy time, lie down facing your baby so your face is at their level, and talk to them quietly.
0 mo – 6 mo · 2 min · At home · Calm · No materials
The Same Song Each Time
Pick one short song and sing it at the same moment each day — before the bath, or while getting dressed. Repetition is the point.
0 mo – 18 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Hello, Hands
Bring your baby's hands gently together where they can see them, and let them look. Name them: "these are your hands."
5 mo – 8 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Say Something, Then Wait
Say one short thing to your baby, then stay quiet and count slowly to five. Often a sound, a look or a small movement comes back.
1 mo – 12 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
A Tour of the Room
Carry your baby slowly around a room and stop at three things. Name each one and let them look for as long as they want.
1 mo – 6 mo · 5 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Gentle Bicycle Legs
During a nappy change, hold your baby's feet and move their legs in a slow cycling motion while you chat to them.
0 mo – 9 mo · 2 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
Quiet Time on Your Chest
Sit back comfortably with your baby resting on your chest and simply be quiet together for a few minutes.
0 mo – 6 mo · 10 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Light and Shade
Carry your baby to a window and let them look at the changing light. Describe what you can both see.
0 mo – 8 mo · 5 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Low Voice, High Voice
Say the same short phrase twice — once in a low voice, once in a high one — and see which your baby prefers.
1 mo – 12 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Clap, Then Wait
Clap twice, then stop and look at your baby. If they move, wiggle or make a sound, treat it as their turn and clap back.
5 mo – 20 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Along the Sofa
If your child is already pulling up to stand, sit a little way along the sofa and invite them to make their way to you.
8 mo – 16 mo · 5 min · At home · Active · No materials
Three Good Things
At bedtime, name three ordinary things that happened today in a calm voice. It does not matter that your baby cannot answer yet.
2 mo – 2 yr · 2 min · At home · Calm · No materials
One Minute Outside
On an ordinary trip out, stop for a moment and stay still. Let your baby hear whatever is there — traffic, birds, wind — and say what you can hear.
0 mo – 12 mo · 2 min · Outdoors · Calm · No materials
A Seat at the Table
If your baby can sit comfortably upright with support, bring them to the table for part of the meal and talk to them between mouthfuls, the way you would to anyone else sitting there. When they look away or fuss, they have had enough of the table.
6 mo – 10 mo · 5 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Moving on the Grass
If your child is already moving about, let them crawl or walk on grass or a soft uneven surface. It is slower and stranger than the floor at home, and that is the interesting part.
8 mo – 2 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
One Arm at a Time
Before putting on each sleeve, stroke that arm slowly once and say, 'this arm now.' Then dress it, and do the same on the other side.
0 mo – 8 mo · 2 min · At home · Calm · No materials
You're the Leader
For a moment, copy the movements your child makes. Then make one movement yourself and see whether they want to copy you.
12 mo – 3 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Keep the Story Going
Start with: "Today we found a tiny elephant in the kitchen…" Each person adds one part of the story.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Where Does This Live?
Pick up one object and ask where it belongs. Walk there together and put it away, then stop. One object is enough.
18 mo – 3 yr · 5 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Walk Like a Bear
Cross the room as a bear, then a cat, then a bird. Let your child choose the next animal.
20 mo – 5 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Active · No materials
Find Something Red
Choose a colour and take turns finding things around you in that colour. Three finds is a full game.
2 yr – 3 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
What Was That Sound?
Stop and listen together for a moment, then name one sound each. A car, a bird, the fridge.
22 mo – 6 yr · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
A Proper Hello
When someone comes home, stop what you are doing and greet them together — a wave, a hug, a shout of their name.
12 mo – 6 yr · 2 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
Hide and Seek, Small Version
Hide somewhere very obvious in the room and let your child find you. Make a small sound if they need a clue.
18 mo – 3 yr · 10 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
One Word, Right Then
When your child is happy, sad or angry about something, name it with one feeling word in the moment: 'happy', 'sad', 'angry'. Then carry on; they do not need to answer.
13 mo – 2 yr · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Count as We Go
Count the steps out loud together as you climb the stairs. Whatever number you reach is the right one.
2 yr – 3 yr · 2 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Today's Weather Report
Look out of the window together. Let your child choose one thing about outside — a grey sky, a wet road, branches moving — then announce it in one sentence: "Today…"
3 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Twenty Questions, Small Version
Think of an animal and let your child ask yes-or-no questions until they guess it. Three questions is plenty at first.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
You Make the Rule
Pick a simple game you already play and let your child add one new rule — "only whispering" or "clap when you find it". Play one round with it, then they can change the rule again.
4 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Sway Together
Hold your baby close and sway slowly from side to side, humming whatever comes to mind.
0 mo – 12 mo · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Name What You See
When your baby frowns, yawns or brightens, say what you notice: "you look tired", "that made you happy".
0 mo – 12 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Slow Blinks
Hold your baby's gaze and blink slowly a few times. Watch whether they settle or blink back.
5 mo – 8 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Hold On Tight
Offer your finger for your baby to grip, and talk to them quietly while they hold on. Let them be the one who lets go.
0 mo – 8 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
After the Feed
When your baby is full and calm, hold them upright where they can see your face and tell them what the two of you are doing next. A minute or two is enough.
0 mo – 12 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Look What I Found
On a walk, stop and point at one thing — a tree, a cat, a bus. Say its name once and give your baby time to look.
4 mo – 2 yr · 5 min · Outdoors · Calm · No materials
Say It Back
When your baby makes a sound, make the same one back. Then add one small change and see whether they follow.
3 mo – 18 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Watch the Branches Move
Sit or stand where your baby can see a tree or a hanging line. Say nothing for a while and let them watch it move.
2 mo – 18 mo · 5 min · Outdoors · Calm · No materials
Humming, Held Close
Hold your baby against your chest and hum one low, slow tune. They feel it as much as they hear it.
0 mo – 6 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Come and Find Me
If your child is already moving about on the floor, crawl slowly a short way and look back. Let them come to you, then make a fuss when they arrive.
7 mo – 16 mo · 5 min · At home · Active · No materials
Dance, Then Freeze
Play or hum some music and dance together. Stop the sound suddenly and everybody freezes until it starts again.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · At home · Active · No materials
Puddle Stomping
Put on boots and jump in a puddle together. Count the jumps out loud if your child enjoys that.
20 mo – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
Three Slow Breaths
Before sleep, take three slow breaths together with a hand on your tummies. Make it quiet and unhurried.
2 yr – 6 yr · 2 min · At home · Calm · No materials
One Song, Two Actions
Pick a song you both know and give it two hand actions — a clap and a wave. Do the same two every time you sing it.
14 mo – 3 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
And Then We…
Start telling something you do every day — "and then we put on our…" — and stop there. Let your child finish it with a word, a sound or a movement.
13 mo – 2 yr · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
I Spy Something…
Take turns describing something you can both see without naming it, until the other person guesses.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Who Knows Who?
Take turns asking easy questions about each other: favourite food, favourite colour, funniest moment.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Count Five Things Outside
On a walk, agree what you are counting — trees, red cars, birds — and count until you reach five.
2 yr – 4 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Gentle · No materials
Two Minutes of Tidying
Pick one small area and tidy it together for two minutes, then stop whether or not it is finished.
2 yr – 4 yr · 2 min · At home · Gentle · No materials
Wait for a Bird
Sit by a window or outside and wait quietly until you both see a bird. Then describe it to each other.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Copy My Rhythm
Clap a short pattern and let your child copy it. Then let them set one and you copy — theirs is allowed to be impossible.
20 mo – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Today I Feel…
Name your own feeling first: 'I'm happy today', 'a little sad', 'a little angry'. Then invite your child to choose a word for theirs if they want. One word is enough; they do not need to explain why.
3 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Nose, Ear, Toes
While drying your baby after a bath, touch and name three body parts in the same order each time.
9 mo – 2 yr · 2 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Up and Down, Slowly
Hold your baby securely and lift them slowly up and gently back down, saying "up" and "down" as you go.
3 mo – 15 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
How Does That Feel?
Outside, let your baby put a hand on grass, a wall or a smooth stone. Name what it feels like and let them decide how long.
7 mo – 2 yr · 5 min · Outdoors · Calm · No materials
Your Hand on My Cheek
Rest your baby's hand gently against your cheek or jaw and keep talking. Their hand does not need to be open; let them feel the movement as you speak. Stop when they pull away.
0 mo – 6 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Chase Your Shadow
On a sunny day, find your shadows and try to make them wave, jump or grow taller.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Gentle · No materials
Slowly, Then Quickly
Walk across the room as slowly as you both can, then as quickly as is safe. Let your child call which one is next.
18 mo – 2 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Active · No materials
Tap the Beat on Your Knees
Sing or play a song you both like and tap the beat on your knees. Let your child tap wherever they like, at whatever speed.
16 mo – 3 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
What Happens Next?
Stop halfway through a familiar story and ask your child what happens next. Follow their version, even if it is new.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Do Something Kind
Choose one person at home and do one small thing for them together — bring them a glass of water or put their slippers by their chair. One thing is enough.
3 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · At home · Calm · No materials
The Best Bit of Today
Each say one good moment from today. Small moments count as much as big ones.
3 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Sing It Wrong on Purpose
Sing a song your child knows but change one word to something silly. Wait for them to correct you.
2 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Say It How I Say It
Say one everyday word in a whisper, then very slowly, then in a sing-song. Let your child copy each one and then choose the next way.
2 yr – 4 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
You Are In Charge of One Thing
On a short errand you are doing anyway, give your child one job for the whole trip — carrying the bag, or remembering what you came for.
2 yr – 6 yr · 15 min · Outdoors · Gentle · No materials
Number Spotter
Pick a number — say 3 — and call it out wherever you spot it: a door number, a bus, a price tag. Finding three of something counts too.
4 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Hello, Feet
Press your thumb gently along the sole of each foot and name them out loud. Stop the moment they pull away.
0 mo – 4 mo · 2 min · Anywhere · Calm · No materials
Watch the World Go By
Sit on a bench or a step outside and watch what passes — people, cars, a dog. Say what you see and let your child pick the next thing to watch.
12 mo – 4 yr · 5 min · Outdoors · Calm · No materials
One Thing From Outside
On a walk, let your child choose one safe natural thing to bring home — a leaf, a stone — and put it somewhere special.
20 mo – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Calm · No materials
Dance Your Name
Clap out the beats in each person's name, then invent a small movement for each beat.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
The Slowest Race
Race across the room to see who can move the slowest without stopping. The last one there wins.
3 yr – 6 yr · 5 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
Only When I Say It Twice
Give simple actions — hands up, turn around — but only do them when you say it twice. Getting caught out is the joke, not a mistake.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Anywhere · Gentle · No materials
You Plan the Job
Pick one small household job — setting the table or sorting the toy shelf — and let your child tell you the steps: what first, what next. Follow their plan step by step, asking questions if you need to.
4 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · At home · Calm · No materials
Three Stops on the Way
On a walk you are taking anyway, stop three times. Each time, look at one thing properly and say what you notice about it.
2 yr – 3 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Calm · No materials
Run to the Tree and Back
In an open space, pick something to run to and back from. Let your child choose the target and start you both off.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
Along the Low Wall
Find a low wall, kerb or log and walk along it holding your hand. Let your child set the pace and get down whenever they want.
2 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials
How Far Can You Jump?
Outside, mark a starting line with a stick or a shoe and jump forward from it. Mark where you land and take turns trying again.
3 yr – 6 yr · 10 min · Outdoors · Active · No materials