Cognitive Activities for Babies (0–12 Months)

Cause and effect, object permanence, early problem-solving: these cognitive games turn everyday moments into brain-building play.

70 activities, youngest first.

Cognitive

Feeding Lullaby

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Shadow Puppets

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Whispered Story

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Soft Light Play

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Narrated Diaper Change

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Face Expressions

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Where's the Sound?

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Red Object Tracking

Newborn (0–4 weeks)

Cognitive

Face-to-Face Time

0–2 months

Cognitive

Flashlight Ceiling Chase

0–2 months

Cognitive

Mirror Playtime

0–2 months

Cognitive

Slow Tracking

1–2 months

Cognitive

Point and Name

1–2 months

Cognitive

Kitchen Sound Tour

1–3 months

Cognitive

Reading Aloud

1–2 months

Cognitive

Name Song

1–2 months

Cognitive

Counting Toes

1–2 months

Cognitive

Cloth Over Baby Peek-a-Boo

1–2 months

Cognitive

Upside Down Peek-a-Boo

1–3 months

Cognitive

Mirror Face Study

1–3 months

Cognitive

Tongue Clicking Game

1–3 months

Cognitive

Family Photo Tour

2–3 months

Cognitive

Cuddle and Describe

2–3 months

Cognitive

Peek-a-Boo with Toy

2–3 months

Cognitive

Container Drop

2–3 months

Cognitive

Sound Imitation

2–3 months

Cognitive

Animal Sounds

2–3 months

Cognitive

Blanket Pull

2–4 months

Cognitive

Contrast Book Time

2–4 months

Cognitive

Story Time with Voices

2–4 months

Cognitive

Raspberry Blowing

2–4 months

Cognitive

Whisk and Pompom Rescue

3–6 months

Cognitive

Name That Body Part

3–5 months

Cognitive

Disappearing Toy

3–5 months

Cognitive

Mirror Peek-a-Boo

3–5 months

Cognitive

Sound Copying

4–6 months

Cognitive

Where Did It Go?

4–6 months

Cognitive

Singing with Pauses

4–6 months

Cognitive

Clapping Song

5–7 months

Cognitive

Tape Rescue Mission

5–9 months

Cognitive

Cup Stacking

5–7 months

Cognitive

Waving Bye-Bye

6–8 months

Cognitive

Book Babbling

6–8 months

Cognitive

Object Permanence Play

6–8 months

Cognitive

First Puzzle Pieces

6–8 months

Cognitive

Dropping Game

6–8 months

Cognitive

Simple Requests

7–9 months

Cognitive

Responding to Name

7–9 months

Cognitive

Nesting Cups

7–9 months

Cognitive

Lid and Container Match

7–9 months

Cognitive

Point and Name

8–10 months

Cognitive

Follow Simple Directions

8–10 months

Cognitive

Household Treasure Basket

8–13 months

Cognitive

Paper Towel Tube Telescope

8–13 months

Cognitive

Egg Carton Color Sorting

8–13 months

Cognitive

First Words Game

8–10 months

Cognitive

Simple Peg Puzzle

9–11 months

Cognitive

Sorting by Size

9–11 months

Cognitive

Container In-and-Out

9–11 months

Cognitive

Pretend Tea Party

9–13 months

Cognitive

Stacking Ring Tower

9–11 months

Cognitive

Block Tower Building

10–12 months

Cognitive

Pretend Cooking

10–12 months

Cognitive

Simple Shape Sorting

10–12 months

Cognitive

Crayon Scribble Story

10–13 months

Cognitive

Two-Word Phrases

10–12 months

Cognitive

Animal Sound Matching

11–13 months

Cognitive

Simple Hide and Seek

11–13 months

Cognitive

Toy Phone Chat

11–13 months

Cognitive

Feeding a Stuffed Animal

11–13 months