How can we entertain our baby?

Being home alone with a baby who has just learned to crawl but is curious about everything is not always an easy task. Especially if we would also like to do something else during the day...

There are surely parents who would like to do nothing all day but play with their baby and focus exclusively on them. For some, this is possible, but for many it is not. Either because they work from home, want to do housework, or need to take care of older siblings - or because, sometimes, most people like to spend a little time without anyone crying at their feet.

If you are one of those who are happy when their baby plays independently for at least 15-20 minutes, we have a few tips on how you can stretch that time a little (say, to 30 minutes...). None of them will be complicated, we promise. Never leave your baby completely alone, in case they eat something they should not, but it is already a help if they sit beside you in their high chair and happily fiddle with things while you send a few emails, right?

First of all, you will need to be a little relaxed, because most of these games may involve a smaller or larger mess. One that you will then have to clean up. But sometimes it is still worth it, believe me.

1. Tissue box

One of the simplest but greatest forms of entertainment for little ones is pulling tissues out of the box. One at a time, carefully considering every movement. Only the toilet paper roll can perhaps rival it; little ones can spend quite a lot of time there in complete bliss too, tearing everything into tiny pieces and carefully scattering them around. (We have heard of a baby who got a pack of toilet paper for Christmas, which they could finally tear up to their heart's content and no one told them off. What a great idea, right?) Tissues are better - perhaps - because here the game is not tearing them up, but simply pulling them out and then, in the best case, trying to put them back. Although we have rarely seen that happen. It is true that we have to put them back and pick everything up afterward, but at least it is completely harmless.

2. Play dough

Only let your baby play with play dough while you are there, so they do not fancy eating it and start tasting it. More experienced moms can make salt dough at home, which costs a fraction of store-bought play dough, and at least we know what is in it. You can find plenty of “recipes” for it online.

Babies, of course, do not use play dough the way older children do; they are more interested in touching it. They do not understand what this strange material is that can be squashed in all kinds of ways. They just happily squish it.

3. Bottle caps

We have seen more than once, during a big family celebration, how everyone excitedly watched to see what the baby thought of the presents, while the baby was having a wonderful time with a mineral water bottle found in the kitchen, especially once the cap came off. Several people vowed to buy them a whole carton of water next time, because at least they genuinely appreciate that. And how right they are! If we collect a few caps and put them in a plastic container, we have a great sorting and transferring game.

4. Finger painting

This may not sound very appealing at first, and often not even the second time, but with a little preparation it can actually be a great activity. Be sure to choose washable paint, find a large sheet of paper or an unwanted cardboard box that you can cut open, protect the furniture (spread plenty of newspaper around), and the game can begin. It will be adorable to watch your little one discover the colors and patterns they can create with their own tiny fingers.

You can also play this in the bathtub, where it is even easier to wash away the washable paint. But we recommend it only for those with strong nerves.

5. Kitchenware

It is so simple, and so much fun! All we have to do is take out a few safe kitchen items, such as a pot and a spatula, and, if we are feeling particularly generous, we can even empty a lower cabinet where our baby can put things in and take them out independently. They will love being able to “tidy up,” cook, or in other words do everything the grown-ups do.

Of course, there is always a chance that instead of putting things away, they will choose drumming, but let us hope for the best.

Whichever one you choose, we wish you lots of fun - and at least 30 minutes that the whole family can spend in peace and quiet.