Keeping Busy

So many adventures planned for my baby’s first summer… beach days, trips to Block Island, backyard parties with family and friends, swinging at the park, vacations, and of course, her first birthday. It saddens me to think that everything we’ve looked forward to for so long, may be cancelled this year. I am very thankful that she is still too young to understand the current chaos in the world and luckily isn’t as affected as those who are older. (I couldn’t imagine being the parent of a toddler or child in school right now!)

Although following such strict limitations is tricky for us all, keeping my baby away from the people who truly matter seems to be the most challenging. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends… what a weird concept to think that we have all become so accustomed to this strange new normal. I must say that despite the enormous amount of anxiety, stress and uncertainty, I am beyond grateful for my angel who gives me a million and one reasons to smile. After weeks of being stuck inside, we finally have some nice weather to enjoy the much needed fresh air. Here are some activities we do to keep Mila entertained while quarantining:

Lots of Time Outside:  

Usually, we start our day with a morning walk, and if it’s really nice, we’ll go for another during her afternoon nap.  We tend to follow the same route and so about halfway through, we stop at the beach to stick our toes in the sand.

We also enjoy time on the front porch. She has newly discovered how to wave and so as people go by, we like to smile and yell hello. In the backyard, Mila loves to explore. She crawls around and captures every texture, sound and movement. Some things we have tried are: a sensory table, setting up a mini obstacle course where she is able to climb, and many activities with water! (Filling up buckets and adding toys, using the sprinkler, sticking our feet under the hose, pouring water onto a cookie sheet so that she can splash, etc.). We also have a little baby pool set up under the umbrella! (I know Daddy is anxiously awaiting the day everything opens, so he can take her into the big girl pool for swimming lessons!)

Playtime Inside:

Entertainment inside however, has become slightly difficult to maintain. There is a fenced off area in the living room full of toys, so we spend a decent amount of time in there. It is a completely safe area where mommy doesn’t have to worry. Mila is able to crawl, pull herself up on things, and play, all while learning to be somewhat independent. We also love to use the walker. Music classes with grammy, sitting in Pop Pop’s indoor swing, looking out the window with daddy, playing peek-a-boo, or reading with mommy, are some more fun and stimulating ways we try to keep her busy throughout the day. I just ordered a tunnel that connects to a tent and mini ball pit that I think she is going to absolutely adore, being that she is currently obsessed with crawling under, over and on top of everything!

Homemade Activities:

With so much time on our hands, I thought it would be fun to do some research and create a few homemade activities that might help with her developmental skills. Here are some fun ideas that are super simple and easy to make: (For babies 6-12 months!)

Stimulation Board-  Using poster board, super glue multiple objects that vary in size, color and texture.  For example, you could add an old lock, some chains, a new sponge, ribbon, letters or numbers, a cut out from an unused rug, and any other objects that spin, move or you think baby would be interested in examining. Place the board flat on the floor or at eye level against a wall and let them go crazy!

Tugging Lid- Using an old Tupperware container lid, use scissors to poke several holes. Be sure the holes are big enough and will allow different types of ribbon to fit through them. Once in, tie a knot on both ends of each individual strip. This is a hand-eye coordination activity, where your baby will enjoy tugging them back and forth!

The Never Ending Package- Find an old wipes container or something similar that has a small opening on top. (Another example would be a tissue box.) Use scissors to make the opening a little easier for your child to fit their hands through. Stuff the box with old pieces of fabric, tissue paper, or anything that your baby would have fun reaching in and pulling out! (This is perfect for my Mila right now… She pulls every single item out of her drawers, toy box, blanket bucket, laundry pile, etc.)

Object Permanence Box– You’ll need an old shoe box. First, you must cut or remove the lid. Using the bottom portion of the box, flip it over so the open side is on the ground. Cut a circle (big enough for a small ball to fit through) on top. Then, on either the right or left side, cut a rectangle shape. This way, when your baby puts the ball into the hole, they will watch it roll out from underneath.

Keeping busy and staying positive have been the only things helping us get through this! We are so blessed to be healthy and have each other, but boy do I hope things return to some sort of normalcy soon!