Fun and Free Quality Time with Your Baby

The following is a guest post submitted to me by a fellow mom who is passionate about motherhood and making baby gear available to moms. I received no compensation for this post and have not personally reviewed the products Amy links to in her post. If you are passionate about a subject and would like to write a guest post please send me an email or comment below. 

Amy Brown, a stay-at-home mom, is an editor of Livesnet, a site offering baby gear reviews and parenting tips. She’s surely willing to share her own experience and tips. Please visit Livesnet and read recent hot article on best convertible car seat 2011.

Fun and Free Quality Time with Your Baby

Spending time with your baby can be loads of fun. There are the stressful parts such as the responsibility of taking care of your baby, but you can have fun with baby and help your bond grow without paying an arm and a leg.

Too many people today think you have to spend a ton of money to have fun. That’s not true. The value of quality time is not based on the cost. It’s based on the fun you have together.

Stop listening to society tell you fun isn’t free! Check out these several suggestions on fun and free quality time with your baby.

Suggestion #1 – Fun Activities with Newborns

1. Take a Walk

If the weather is nice, take your baby and go for a walk. You don’t have to pay for the privilege. You don’t have to buy special equipment. You can use a baby sling or his stroller. Stop under a shady tree and listen to the birds. The walk is healthy exercise for you and a perfect time for your baby to get some Vitamin D and fresh air.

2. Turn Errands into an Adventure

You’ll find yourself running errands with your baby. It can be stressful but not if you make it into an adventure. Talk to your baby as you shop. Ask him if you should buy this brand or that brand. No, I’m not crazy. It encourages interaction between both of you and helps strengthen your bond. You’ll find yourself viewing stores and driving around in a whole new light.

3. Sing to Baby

It doesn’t matter where you are, you can sing to your baby. You don’t even have to have music going. You’ll find your baby reacting to certain songs.

Suggestion #2 – Fun Activities with the Pre-Toddler

1. Read to Them

Now, your baby can interact with your reading more than before. He can hold the book for you and see the pictures. He can point out things. Ask him where the butterfly is and help him recognize it. He might even start to say the words you are teaching him. Those can be very precious moments. You don’t even have to buy books. Go to the library.

2. Play Peek-a-Boo

This is a really fun game and can have both you and baby laughing. You can be anywhere, doing anything, and not have to buy toys to do it. Babies love this game and how involved you are with it.

3. Play in a Band

Not a real band with guitars and drums. Make your own at home. Get out wood spoons, pots and pans, and even old oat meal containers and put dried beans or rice in them to make noise. Your baby will love taking that wooden spoon, pounding on your soup pot and discovering what different noises he can make. You can sit right on the floor with baby and create your own music.

4. Go for a Walk

Once again, you don’t have to spend money on this and it can be fun. Go to a park and set baby on your lap while you swing slowly and gently. Guide them down the slide while standing on the ground. They’ll enjoy and you’ll actually relieve some stress.

5. Sing Songs

Songs still work. In fact, your baby can help sing along. If nothing else, he’ll be able to make noise and try to get on key with you. As he learns words, he’ll insert them and give your song a distinct sound.

6. Empty the Cupboard

Not only can your child take your kitchen supplies and turn them into a band, you can let him take your boxes of food and canned food and build things. You can stack them, turn them into buildings, or make them an obstacle course for a toy car. There is so much that can be found in those cupboards of yours.

7. Race the Baby

This is the stage where baby is learning to crawl and walk. You can join them on this adventure. Get down on their level and crawl with them. Help them see what they can do. Turn trying to walk into a game and see how fast they can come to you or get to their favorite toy while holding onto your hands.

You don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot of fun out of the time you spend with your baby. Be creative. Look around and see what boring, mundane activity or item can be a safe and fun activity with your baby. You’d be surprised at what you could come up with.