With summer finally here, the weather is perfect for you to get out and about with your baby and make lasting memories. The warmth and longer days lend themselves to developmental and fun activities that you and your little one can enjoy and engage in.
Here are some of the top activities you can do with your baby this Summer:
Outdoor Picnics
An outdoor picnic is an inexpensive way to spend time with your little one, and can even take place in your back garden if you are pressed for time or are unable to travel. Grab a blanket, some snacks, a hat and sunscreen for your little one and enjoy the fresh air. This also is a great time to introduce your baby to more of the world outside, as they explore different textures and scents, stimulating their senses and teaching them more about their surroundings.
Play In Water
Whether it’s a small paddling pool, the bath, swimming pools or a visit to the beach, playing in water is a fun way to keep your baby cool in the sun. Use specially made bath toys to capture their interest and introduce them to the concept of enjoying the sensations that playing in water brings. Water helps to build motor skills, letting them improve and explore hand-eye coordination and muscle strength.
Ensure your little one is supervised at all times when in water and isn’t left alone, even if the water is shallow, and that the water is the right temperature for them to be put into without any risks of causing injury or damaging their delicate skin.
Nature Walks
Using a pushchair or baby carrier and take a walk into nature. This will help to introduce your baby to the new sights and sounds to build their language, listening and recognition skills – enhancing their curiosity and cognitive development. Spending time together outdoors helps to build strong bonds, acting as a way to calm and relax your baby whilst laying the foundation for creating an active and health lifestyle for years to come.
Playdates
Summer is the perfect time to connect with your community and join playgroups or go out for playdates with other parents. This won’t just be beneficial for you – helping you meet others in a similar position and get advice support and make friends, but it will also help your baby learn how to interact with other infants and people outside of their household. They’ll learn the very basic values of respect, friendship and understanding, and can help to build lifelong bonds should you reman in contact.
Read Outside
Find a shady spot in the garden, take some books and read together. Reading to your baby doesn’t have to just be a bedtime activity, and changing scenery can make books even more interactive and engaging for your little one. You can even make up stories yourself based on your surroundings, pointing specific things out to your baby that you talk about so they can learn to associate these words with objects, plants and their general environment.
Summer is a wonderful time-period to get out and about with your child, but you must make sure they’re protected:
- Use baby-safe sunscreen, hats and lightweight clothing to protect from harsh sun rays and weather
- Make sure your baby is kept hydrated throughout the day
- Don’t overwhelm your baby – they get tired quickly, so take things one step at a time and give them rest periods during the day
- Supervise your baby at all times to keep them safe
By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you can enjoy the summer whilst supporting your baby’s growth and development all while having fun in the sun.