REQUIREMENTS: An open outdoor space on grass or dry pavement. Rope, ribbon, or string to mark a starting line in the grass. Chalk to mark a starting line on pavement.

Directions 1. Talk with your toddler about rabbits and bunnies. How do they move? 2. Show your child how to hop like a rabbit. Feet should be shoulder-width apart. 3. Keep your hands held up in front of your stomach or chest. 4. Take off with both feet and land with both feet. 5. Play “Follow the Leader” while hopping, and take turns being the leader. Variation • Create a starting line, and see who can hop the farthest with one hop. • If other children and adults available, try making a relay race with two or three mixed teams of toddlers and adults. Create a starting line and place markers about 5-8 metres away. Each player has to hop around the marker and return to the start before the next one can go. • Bonus points: Have a contest to see who can wiggle their nose like a rabbit! Benefits • This activity develops basic jumping (strictly speaking, hopping means using only one foot). • It also develops agility, balance, and coordination.

Number of Players:

What You Need:

• Ball

Activity:

Sit on the floor facing your baby and roll a soft ball towards him. 

Holding your baby’s hands, show him how to roll the ball back to you.

This is great fun for your baby and with a little encouragement, he will learn very quickly to roll the ball back.

Number of Players:

What You Need:

• Tea towel

Activity:

Sit in front of your baby.

Get a clean tea towel and pop it over your head.

Show your baby how fun it is.

Take the tea towel off your head.

Now give the tea towel to her and let her do it.
 
She will have fun putting the tea towel on her head and taking it off.

Notes

• Once your baby is used to the game, she can play it herself.

Number of Players:

What You Need:

• soft ball
• string
• small cup hook

Activity:

Hang a soft ball from the ceiling by securing a long strand of string to the ball and then tieing the other end to a hook in the ceiling.

Make sure the ball hangs within reach of your baby's legs and arms.

Your baby will enjoy punching, kicking and watching the ball move about.

Notes

• This offers great entertainment whilst your baby is lying on her back.
• You can also hang the ball off a mobile frame.

Finding the right toy for bubs can be as easy as recycling a bottle and making a splash! Shake it up with this baby toy and watch as your baby discovers the joy of bubbly fun.

Number of Players:

What You Need:

• empty water bottle
• water
• dishwashing liquid
• tape

Activity:

Fill half the water bottle with water.
 
Put a just a squeeze of dishwashing liquid into it.

Secure the top with some tape and give the bottle a thorough shake.

Your baby will enjoy shaking the bottle, listening to the noise and watching the bubbles.

This is a fabulous sensory activity for babies as young as just a few months old.

Notes: This can make a wonderful crawling toy, too. As baby rolls it along the ground, it can sometimes get a little too far out of reach or the weight of the water will roll it along forward. Watch as bubs crawls to catch the bottle!

Number of Players:

Activity:

Sit on the floor with your baby facing you.

Place your hands firmly under his arms and around his chest to support his body.

Ask your baby, "Are you ready to fly in the sky?" Then say, "Here we go. One, two, threeee!"

Roll back until you are lying down and holding your baby above you.
 
Say "fly, baby, fly!"

Not only will your baby love the sensation of flying, you may love the workout it gives your arms and back muscles!

Number of Players:

Activity:

Teach your baby their body part names.

Point to their body part, for example, nose and say "This is your nose, nose, nose."

After repeating this a few times, ask them where their nose is.

Your baby will copy you and point at their nose, once they learn what it is.

Notes 

• You can also do this by naming objects around the house, for example chair, table, etc.