I love playing with my baby. We sit on the floor and sing together, roll a ball, rock a doll, stack blocks, and bang toys against each other. It has been a long time since I was a child myself, though. Sometimes when I’m feeling tired and uncreative, I need some inspiration for fun games to play at home, so that neither of us gets bored.

The parenting section at the back of the children’s area at the library offers a great selection of books with ideas for play with children. 

Brain games for babies, toddlers & twos by Jackie Silberg

125 Brain Games for Babies by Jackie Silberg

Both of these books label the activities as appropriate for different ages, in three month increments.Some games we had already discovered on our own, like rolling the ball and playing with a wet washcloth. I am looking forward to talking in different voices and more pretend play with stuffed animals.

For preschool children, I like Mister Rogers’ Play Time: Encourage your child to create, explore and pretend with dozens of easy-to-do activities by Fred Rogers. I fondly remember many of the simple activities in this book from my own childhood. I especially recommend the “creative fun” and “nature and science” chapters, which concentrate on hands-on kitchen chemistry. From making your pennies shiny again using vinegar or putting celery or flowers in colored water  to making homemade playdough, toothpaste, pumpkin seeds, Mister Rogers has dozen of ideas to share with your child.

What are your favorite activities to do with your toddler or preschool child? Where do you get new ideas?