Summer Activites for Your Baby

Summer is the time of year to take advantage of the weather and engage your baby, ages 6-18 months, in special activities he or she can't do during the colder months. Here are some great, economical ideas for giving your baby a stimulating and fun summer.

Swimming. If you have a local pool you can visit, swimming with mom or dad is a very fun activity for an infant or toddler. If you don't have access to a full sized pool, try purchasing a classic plastic baby pool. These molded pools fill up in a matter of minutes, easily warm to a good water temperature in the sun, and often cost less than $10.00 to buy. Swimming is a not-to-miss activity for any baby.

Sand. If you want to purchase a sandbox for your baby, they are plenty of fun for sensory exploration. If you don't want to spend your money on an entire sandbox, just purchase a large tote to fill with sand. This will be just as much fun for your little guy or gal. Make sure that you only use sandbox grade sand. This sand has been sifted to remove impurities that could harm your baby.

Visit the park. Visit area parks to find the best opportunities for baby recreation. Baby swings, slides, and other playground equipment are often available for even the tiniest tots. To avoid large crowds, and older kids hogging the baby swings, try going fairly early in the morning.

Go for a walk. Warm weather allows you to really get out and take your baby for long walks. Strap him or her in the stroller and get moving. Talk about what you are seeing as your stroll along. This is great for your baby's vocabulary and is also very visually stimulating. And as an added bonus, you get some exercise!

Take a crawl in the grass. Feeling the cool grass is wonderful for a curious baby. Choose a small, flat area of your yard and check it for any trash or other potentially harmful items. Then let your baby loose to crawl around and explore. If your baby has sensitive skin, you may want to dress her in pants so that her knees do not break out from the grass blades.