Play ideas for parents of babies and young children

For babies, toddlers and young children, play is not just fun, it is also really important for their development. Through play, children learn, explore and make sense of the world around them. It contributes to their wellbeing, physical health and mental resilience. Research into the benefits of play has found that it supports:

• learning and brain development
• physical activity and development
• social skills and relationships
• emotional wellbeing.

Unfortunately, it is not always easy for children to have lots of good play opportunities. That’s why it is important to make sure we prioritise play for our child.

Making time to play

Children naturally know how to play. As parents and carers, it is our job to make sure they have time, space and freedom to do so. It is important to build time for play into everyday family life, and it doesn't need to cost a thing. There are lots of small ways you can make time for play, even during the busiest days. You could:

• Plan time to play every day. Even five minutes of play with your child can be meaningful. Lay on the floor with babies or toddlers and let them copy your movements, make silly faces, or blow raspberries to make them giggle. For young children, have a 30-second dance party, race to tidy up a room, or play a super-speedy game of hide and seek.
• Take a playful approach to everyday tasks and activities. Let toddlers ‘help’ by passing you socks while you do laundry, or turn bath time into ‘splashy adventure time’ for younger children. By taking a playful approach to everyday tasks and activities, your child can have fun and enjoy precious time with you. What’s more, they can experience the joy of the everyday, be creative and learn how to find opportunities to play in their daily life.
• Make your home a great place to play. If your child has the freedom to play, they will make creative use of even a small space like the corner of a room. Ordinary things around your home can be used for play: cushions make great stepping-stones, a blanket over a table makes an instant den, empty cardboard boxes can be made into cars, castles or even spaceships.

Play ideas and inspiration

Playing often happens without much planning, but sometimes it’s helpful to have a few suggestions ready – we all run out of ideas sometimes. Here is some inspiration to help you make the most of play time, whether you are at home, on your way somewhere, away from home visiting friends and family, or on holiday.

Play at home

• Play peek-a-boo, sing, and give babies things to hold and grab.
• Introduce sensory play, using things like sensory bottles and tummy time mats.
• Encourage play with natural materials, such as sticks, leaves, mud and water.
• Allow balancing, climbing and hiding, only interfering if your child is in danger.
• Provide things to build with, such as blocks, pieces of fabric and cardboard boxes.

Playful journeys

• Sing songs in the car or on the bus or train.
• Let your child feel different textures on a walk.
• Try ‘I spy’ with colours or have a colour scavenger hunt.
• Let your child make up a story while you walk or drive.
• Encourage active travel on scooters, roller skates or skateboards.

Play when you are away

• Head to parks and green spaces to explore and play in nature.
• Build sandcastles on the beach or paddle and splash in a nearby river.
• Take toys like hula hoops, skipping ropes and space hoppers on holiday.
• When visiting grandparents or other relatives, ask them to share the games they used to play.
• Look for summer playschemes when you are away – this can be done at home too.

Further information

Learn more about the benefits of play for babies and young children, get more ideas for playing at home, and get top tips for parenting playfully.

If you work with young children and their parents and caregivers, read the Play Wales Play in the first 1000 days information sheet