9-Month-Old Baby Activities and Games: Things to Do with a 9-Month-Old (2024)

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What do 9-month-old babies like to do?

Your 9-month-old is learning new things every day. They are probably engaging with the world more and more, from quiet play when they are breastfeeding to banging on pots while you cook. Babies at this age are starting to mimic different sounds as part of their language development and actions as part of their physical development.

Your baby is probably letting you know what they like and dislike. You will quickly learn how to read their expressions and body language to determine what they're asking for, including what kinds of activities they want to try.

What to teach a 9-month-old baby

When you think of activities for 9-month-old babies, think of the things that make you laugh, smile, or feel silly. These are usually great ideas for games for 9-month-old babies. You've probably seen how babies react to funny faces, silly noises, or large, exaggerated movements.

If you like music and played it for your baby when they were in the womb, your baby will likely recognize some of that music and respond. Much of what your baby has been exposed to in their early life is based on rhythms. These can include your heartbeat, breathing, rocking motions, pats on their back or bottom, footsteps, clapping, etc.

Many of these rhythmic patterns are reflected in music and offer an excellent way to learn and play. In fact, recent studies have shown that infants who listen to music develop earlier positive social behavior and skills than children who do not. It has also been shown that young children who listen to music develop stronger language skills.

Other activities for 9-month-old babies can include peek-a-boo, ball games, imitation, keep away, and drop the toy. Your baby is learning that things do not disappear when they can longer see them. They love to drop things off a highchair over and over again because they know it is still there and you will pick it up again! Your 9-month-old might start to play keep-away by offering you a toy and pulling it back to themselves at the last second. All of these repetitive actions can be incorporated into activities for 9-month-olds.

What should your 9-month-old be doing?

By 9 months old, most babies are able to sit unsupported, crawl, and have started to develop early walking skills. They can probably pass a toy from one hand to another, have developed gross and fine motors skills, and have much better hand-eye coordination than just a few months ago.

Activities for 9-month-olds should incorporate these new skills to encourage additional development. Babies can help stack cups or blocks and can definitely knock them down! They can point to objects and imitate movements that you first demonstrate and then encourage them to do on their own.

Games to play with a 9-month-old

There are lots of games to play with 9-month-olds that involve nothing other than you and your baby. These games are great when you're away from the house and don't have any toys on hand. Some great games for 9-month-olds that don't involve toys include:

• Peek-a-boo
• Pattycake
• This little piggy
• Imitation game
• Singing
• Making funny faces
• Bouncing and flying
• Making animal sounds

Regardless of the activities and games that you and your 9-month-old baby play, make them fun for everyone involved. No one can resist the laughter of a happy baby. Laughter is contagious, and it's good for you and your baby.