5 month old activities

We are a low screen household and at around 5 months I found my son needed lots of 'playing together time'. I would try and split the day up so we do activities throughout - some outside time, a sensory activity/craft type activity, some reading together time and then to encourage free/independent play we had his toys out and would rotate different toys every couple days to spark new interest. Try not to intervene too much as they play with toys and model how you would like to encourage them to spend time, so sit and read a book while they play, cook, clean etc You can also move toys around the room or set them up differently. You can still do some screen time but can set limits, opt for slow moving, low stimulus shows, we also prefer shows where they speak correctly. We looked for our sons individual dopamine overload (around 20mins) at which point if he continues watching, his behaviour changes. This will be different for each child. If it's songs or music play it via audio only or sing together.

I know all babies are different and admittedly mine were 'easy' babies

My best tip would honestly be just involve them in your life and the mundane - it's not mundane to them it's new and with you and thry don't know the difference between play and 'housework' . It's all with you

Put them in their high chair/boucer and let them watch you wash pots. Blow a few bubbles on them when older

Play peekaboo when youre in the shower - we have a glass that steams up then i wipe it

I sing lots and make up songs with their name . Narrate the day. E.g 'so we'll hoover up and then we'll go for a walk, what will we see' . Honestly, i just make stuff up- it gets easier and feels more natural more you do it

Tuppaware - my youngest has loads of toys but that's his favourite while i'm tidying the kitchen or cooking 🙈

When that little , i used to book one organised activity a day e.g baby sensory, library time. Look for free or low cost stuff too

Get them wet or get outside. Deep baking tray with random objects in

Obviously, I get it if your baby is crying but they really don't need entertaining as such, nor do children. Don't feel guilty for not making life 'interesting'. Sorry if this comes across as lecturing - i just know it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you're not entertaining your baby and that that will affect development.

Long term - boredom is where their imagination is allowed to blossom and something in today's world our children are not experiencing much

We got those little rattle toys for wrists and legs at that age - i remember they enjoyed them

A foil blanket from first aid kits - hours of rustly entertainment. Add a couple of random objects or something flashy

Thank you I love this! - I didn’t post the original post but wanted to look back at comment and this is very helpful!