Play activities for baby hands
Did you know that crawling is one of the BEST activities to develop your baby's hand skills for later in life? It's true! Crawling develops the upper body and the arches of the hands which later helps with holding a fork, writing, tying shoes and lots more! Read more if your baby skipped crawling or you want more ideas on how to help your baby learn to crawl.
This blog is part of a 2 part series. Read about the science and development behind play and hand skills here. Play ideas - keep scrolling!
Skills by age
0-2 months - Mostly closed/fisted hands, begins to hold an object placed in the hand ~6 weeks
2-4 months - Hands begin to open, thumb tucked into palm less often, begin to bat at (hit) toys and hold toys at midline (center of body), brings hands to mouth, starts to push up through extended arms in tummy time
4-6 months - Transfers toy between hands, uses a raking (whole handed) grasp, begins to develop an open webspace (the ability to hold a toy between thumb and finger tips without it touching the palm)
6-9 months - Consistently releases toys, claps, bangs toys together, holds spoon with a cylindrical grasp (fisted around spoon handle), holds a cup with handles
9-12 months - Points, uses pincer grasp (tip of pointer and thumb) to pick up small items, turns pages in book
Play Ideas by age
We’ve linked some of our favorite toys here in bold for you. We are part of the Amazon Affiliates program and earn a small commission from items you purchase from our site at no additional cost to you.
0-2 months
Help baby open their hands by untucking the thumbs. Brush washcloths, tissue paper, sweaters, necklaces, leather, anything with an interesting texture across baby’s palm. Verbally label it, “it’s bumpy,” “or this one is cold,” and move slowly so they can really take it all in.
Massage baby’s hands with lotion after a bath or a nap. This is a great time to talk to your baby, sing, and name their body parts. The added touch input helps their sensory system get going too.
Hold a ball like this or a black and white picture above baby and let them start to reach toward it. The reach won’t be very coordinated yet but help them hit the target successfully if they’re interested. This is the beginning of hand-eye coordination.
We love this rattle because it’s light weight and has great sensory experiences. Place it in baby’s hand for them and narrate what they’re seeing and feeling. (Read more on encouraging language development in the first 12 months - yes, you can start this early)
2-4 months
Lay baby on their side and have them reach for and hit a ball or balloon on the floor - big target, easy position
Hang "new toys" on links in the play gym - a kitchen whisk, loofa, or old keys to add some new sensory experiences as baby’s hands begin to open.
Give baby easy to hold toys like an o-ball, teether, loofa or even a kitchen whisk. These items are easy for little fingers to grab and bring to their mouth for exploration. Remember baby can’t open their hand to let go of a toy on their own yet so you may hear some fussing when they need your help.
Place baby on their belly. Surround them in a circle with different books and stand them up on end so baby has something motivating to look up at. This will also help when they begin to pivot on their belly around 4 months.
4-6 months
These can be done in tummy time or sitting (with your help and assuming baby has good head control)
Give baby measuring cups, shiny bowls, Tupperware lids, and let them explore.⠀
Put ice cubes on a baking tray to keep tiny hands busy, add a big spoon for older babies to practice scooping.⠀
Make a ring around baby with a blanket or towel on the floor to keep toys from rolling too far away and at a reasonable reaching distance. Put balls, a ring stacker, or toys with pieces in the ring. Encourage them to move a little to "chase" down the ball or other toys.
Add pull toys (toys with a string attached) - or tie a shoelace to a toy with wheels so baby can pull it close and move it around.
Throw some fresh fruit in the blanket circle. It will roll funny and has great sensory exploration opportunities. It’s a great way to work on hand-eye coordination too!
6-9 months
Muffin tins are your friend - Baby is now working on picking items up with their whole hand called a raking grasp. Putting items in a muffin tin hole makes baby’s little hands have to work harder. Grab an array of toys - the shape sorter pieces, bath toys, balls, puzzle pieces - and throw them into an empty muffin tin. Let baby work on picking up, putting down, mouthing and banging. So much great fine motor and sensory work here!
Throw some seasoning containers into an old pair of tall socks and tie a knot at the top. Now it's a rattle, a sensory experience, easy to grab and crawl with. You can also try tucking the tied end into the couch cushions if you have a new sitter.
Place blocks in a half circle just out of reach of your sitting baby. This will cause them to shift their weight to grab the blocks. A two for one strengthening activity.
Start encouraging baby to feed themselves with a spoon. They will begin by dipping, not scooping, but help them engage in this (messy) process. More info here.
Encourage baby to hold their bottle with 2 hands and cups with handles and bring them to their own mouth.
9- 12 months
Read to baby. Point to items in the books and label them or model the sound it makes. “Cow, moo,” This helps baby develop language skills (more here) and works on pointing.
Have baby help you turn pages in the books you’re reading.
Give baby small snacks (puffs or Cheerios) by holding it in the air. This requires baby to use a pincer grasp (pointer and thumb) to grab the item instead of being able to pick it up off the tray with a raking grasp (whole handed).
Save old clear food containers (Parmesan cheese, beans…) put baby’s favorite toys inside so they can see and are motivated to get them out. Let them problem solve dumping and or reaching in. Then help them put items back into the fully open lid.
If you have a pop-up-toy, now is a great time to use it, or check used toys stores. These levers cause baby to problem solve and look to you when they need help so you’re supporting fine motor and communication skills at the same time.
This toy is also a fun one to work on pointing. Baby has to press the toy down with an extended pointer finger to make it pop up. You can use it later too by naming colors, or saying, “ready, set, go!”
Now that you have tons of easy play ideas, go have fun! Want more ideas? Get our download below.
Make sure you tag us on Instagram when you try these ideas!
-Bree
We’re Jaclyn & Bree
Pediatric therapists and moms with a mission to empower you with knowledge to encourage your baby’s development and continue confidently into your parenthood journey.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below and we will get back to you. As always, the information we share is meant to provide general education and tips and is not intended as medical advice. If you have a specific question or concern about your child’s development, please speak directly to your child’s doctor or therapist.
