Top 30 Must-Have Items for New Babies

Becoming a new parent is an exciting and overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to preparing for your baby’s arrival. With so many baby products on the market, it can be hard to know what you really need. That’s why I’ve created a helpful guide to the must-have items for new babies—everything from feeding and diapering essentials to gear for sleep, travel, and play.

Whether you’re stocking up before the big day or building your baby registry, this list will help you feel more confident and ready to welcome your little one.

Here’s a list of the Top 30 Must-Have Items for New Babies—essentials that help with feeding, sleep, diapering, safety, play, and comfort in those first few months:

Feeding Essentials

• Nursing Pillow – Supports baby and helps with positioning during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
• Bottles and Nipples – Even for breastfeeding moms, having bottles on hand is helpful.
• Burp Cloths – Keep these handy for spit-ups and feeding messes.
• High-Quality Breast Pump – If breastfeeding, a reliable pump (manual or electric) is a game-changer. You’ll also want to get Nipple Cream and Nursing Pads
• Breast Milk Storage Bags – For storing pumped milk.
• Formula (if not breastfeeding) – A must-have for formula-feeding parents.
• Bibs – Protect baby’s clothes from drool and spills.
• High Chair (for later months) – Great to have ahead of time.

Sleep Essentials

• Crib or Bassinet – A safe sleep space approved for infants. There are many options available. Here’s a few of my favorites… Convertable Crib, Crib with Changing Table, Adjustable Crib with Changing Table, or this Convertable Crib.
• Crib Mattress – Firm and breathable for safety.
• Swaddles or Sleep Sacks – Keeps baby snug and helps with sleep.
• White Noise Machine – Mimics the womb and helps soothe baby to sleep. Portable White Noise Machines are helpful too.
• Fitted Crib Sheets – Several extras for easy changes. Grab a Crib Mattress Protector too
• Baby Monitor – For peace of mind when baby is in another room.
• Baby Monthly Milestone Blanket – A sweet way to document your child’s growth each month.
• Pacifier– All of my newborns loved this type from the hospital.
• Bouncy Seat – Provides a safe, cozy place for baby to rest, observe, and gently bounce, which can be soothing.
• Baby Swing – Offers calming motion that can help soothe a fussy newborn and lull them to sleep.

Diapering Essentials

• Diapers – Start with newborn size but don’t overstock in case baby grows quickly.
• Wipes – Gentle and unscented are best for newborn skin.
• Diaper Rash Cream – To protect against and treat rashes.
• Changing Pad/Mat – A dedicated, wipeable surface for diaper changes. You may want to also grab a changing pad cover too. Grab a Portable Diaper Changing Pad too.
• Changing Table – A safe, organized space for quick and easy diaper changes.
• Diaper Bag – A must-have for outings.

Clothing Essentials

• Onesies and Sleepers – Soft, comfy clothes with easy access for diaper changes.
• Baby Mittens and Hats – Prevent scratching and keep baby warm.
• Socks or Booties – Keep little toes cozy.
• Laundry Detergent for Newborns – Choose a gentle, hypoallergenic laundry detergent.

Bathing & Grooming

• Baby Bathtub – Makes bath time easier and safer.
• Hooded Towels – Keep baby warm post-bath.
• Soft Washcloths – Gentle for delicate skin.
• Gentle Baby Soap & Lotion & Massage Oil – Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free is ideal.
• Baby Nail Clippers or File – Keep tiny nails trimmed safely.
• Cradle Cap Sponge and Brush – Gently loosen and remove the dry, flaky skin on your newborn’s scalp

Health & Safety

• Digital Thermometer – Essential for checking baby’s temperature.
• Nasal Aspirator – Helps clear baby’s stuffy nose safely.
• Baby Gate – (for later months) to keep your mobile baby out of specific areas.
• Baby Proofing – (for later months) Start thinking about when your baby starts crawling, you’ll want to start adding Outlet Covers, Corner Protectors, Cabinet Locks, Door Knob Covers to keep your baby safe.

Travel Essentials

• Infant Car Seat – A must-have from day one. Many hospitals require one before discharge.
• Stroller – Choose one that fits your lifestyle (lightweight, travel system, jogging).
• Baby Carrier or Wrap – Great for bonding and hands-free carrying on the go.

Playtime

Newborns benefit from baby toys because they support early development through gentle sensory stimulation, visual focus, and motor skill practice. High-contrast patterns, soft textures, and soothing sounds help strengthen their senses and encourage interaction. While not essential for entertainment, these toys promote bonding and comfort in age-appropriate ways.

• Baby Activity Mat – Encourages tummy time and sensory exploration with textures, colors, and sounds.
• Fabric Books – Stimulates baby’s vision and touch with soft pages and high-contrast patterns.
• Soft Toys – Offers comfort and gentle sensory play through touch and sound.
• Baby Teether Toys – (for later months) Gives babies something safe to chew on, soothing sore gums as they begin teething.

Essential Newborn Checklist

Amazon Baby Registry

The Amazon Baby Registry offers convenience, flexibility, and a wide selection of products all in one place—making it a favorite among new parents. With perks like a free welcome box, a generous 15% completion discount, easy returns, and the ability to add items from any website, it simplifies the process of preparing for your baby.

Friends and family can easily shop from your list, and you can track purchases and thank-you notes with ease. It’s a smart way to stay organized and get everything you need for your growing family.

Preparing for a new baby can feel overwhelming, but having the right essentials on hand can make all the difference. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your growing family, this list of must-have baby items will help you feel more confident and ready to welcome your little one.

You may also enjoy these ideas for preparing for your new baby….

Babies and Toddlers are naturally interested in animals. Many times your family pet ends up being one of your babies first words. Then they begin to discover animal toys, our toy animals currently get lined up one by one when she’s playing with them and carried all around the room.

Her next thing she loves is the animal books. My little one loves talking to the kittens and touching the fur in it. Although these are all important to her development, it’s just not the real thing.  It is my hope that your baby starts to discover the animals that live all around us first and gets excited to go outside.  

We’re working on the sign “Outside” at our house, here’s how you sign for “Outside” from Signing Time using sign language.

Exploring your own Zoo in My Backyard with your Baby

Take your children outside on adventures. We spend our mornings in the yard and discovered we live at the zoo! Well, not really , but to my daughter it feels like it.  

We were searching and discovering animals on a daily basis. I love how she carefully watches and observes everything that surround her in this environment. She is starting to get very excited with her little dancing feet when she sees something new moving. 

Did you know at this age you can teach your baby and toddlers about SCIENCE?

What animals can you discover with your baby in your yard?

Mammals

• My baby discovered that many squirrels live in our yard.
• They like to run  and climb up trees and dig in the ground
• They also eat those brown acorns on the ground that she loves to pick up at try to eat herself.
• She also discovered that the cat has a tail just like a squirrel.

Birds

• My baby discovered that the birds fly back and forth from the trees and talk to each other.
• She discovered that they even come to the bird feeder to eat.
• She  discovered that they can be different colors and different sizes.
• They also come to the birdbath for water (still waiting for her to see how they take baths)
• Here are some Bird Activities for your baby & toddler

Amphibians

• My baby discovered that a frog likes to live on our chair on the back porch.
• She discovered that it likes to jump when you try to touch it.  (can’t wait for tadpoles to arrive)
• Here is Rainy Day Mum family’s experience with Frog Hunting & Frog Books

Fish

• My baby discovered that fish swim very fast when you approach.
• She also discovered they come back when you throw food into the water.
• We are very lucky that we have our own little pond in our yard, but you could always have a goldfish bowl or aquarium in your house.

Reptiles

• My baby discovered that a lizard climbs up on the pot on the front porch.

(Thank goodness we did not discover a snake yet, although pretend ones keep us busy)

Insects

• My baby discovered that a grasshopper sitting on our peas could jump as she tried to touch it!
• She also discovered a ladybug that flew away when she tried to touch it.
• She found out that the bright yellow butterflies fly away very quickly.

What is my baby learning outdoors?

My baby is learning all about the world around here. 

• She learned that there are all types of animals. 
• She learned that animals can move in different ways. 
• She also learned that they can make different noises. 

All skills of observation and knowledge in science. Learning starts from the very beginning!

The skills she is learning outside with me are far better than any skills she’ll learn watching a TV. Although I know it most certainly takes more effort, it’s our jobs as a child’s first teacher to give them these opportunities every day throughout the day to engage in nature and to explore their surroundings inside and outside.

Enjoy simple, sensory-rich activities that connect your baby with nature.

How do I connect with animals at playtime?

Outdoor time is so important! It’s also important to let your child find ways to explore those concepts in play. Connecting the outdoors is very easy.  Just find a few toys that represent what you’re finding outdoors. Connecting through books & toys is just what they need to begin to develop their imagination. 

We have found fish, squirrels, birds, frogs, ladybugs, and so those are the toys we are exploring and playing with right now. Don’t feel like you have to own all of these things… sometimes playgroups are a great way to exchange a concept. I’m waiting for a friend’s zoo animals to arrive at my house any day! Can’t wait!

Ready for more Animals? Take a Baby & Toddler Field Trip

Top Ten Places to Take Go to See Animals with your Baby

1. Your Yard
2. Park
3. Farm
4. Duck Pond
5. Zoo
6. Pet Store
7. Neighbors’ Pet
8. Ocean
9. River
10. Check your local area… you might be surprised what type of rescued animals need your support and are available for a fun time.

I hope you enjoy finding a Zoo in your backyard, front yard, neighborhood and community. Giving children the opportunity to experience little moments like this with real-life creatures is so important to their development!

Where do you discover animals?

You may also enjoy these activities with your baby…

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. 

Looking for creative ideas for an Easter Basket for your baby? 

Here are some baby friendly ideas that are hands-on, healthy, and will inspire your baby’s imagination. A few ideas are even handmade that you could put together quickly with felt fabric scraps from home.

Baby Easter Basket Ideas

As you’re picking out a basket consider picking a basket that your baby or toddler can easily carry around when it has eggs inside of it. 

Little hands love putting eggs in and out of baskets and it’s great for their fine motor and gross motor skills.

This Cuddly Bunny Plush Easter Egg Basket or Personalized Plus Blue Bunny Easter Basket would be a fun surprise for your baby.

If you have a baby younger than 4 months for Easter, this Baby GUND My First Easter Basket Playset Stuffed Plush, 5 pieces would be perfect. I can only imagine how cute your baby’s easter photos would be.

Plastic Easter buckets can be fun too and you can explore with sand and water too once you’re done for outdoor sensory play.

What Can I Fill a Baby’s Easter Eggs With?

• An Egg Can Be Just an Egg

Truthfully don’t feel like you have to fill them. They will enjoy just playing with the eggs. My older daughter first learned to throw using plastic eggs, they were light and easy to hold and she loved playing the egg game with them.

At the time, she was 7 months old and loved just sitting and throwing them. Now my youngest daughter is 15 months, and she loves trying to open them and discover things, every age is different.

If you are concerned with them coming open, you can just tape them closed.

• Make Egg Shakers

You could always fill them with something, too, and seal them closed to make music. Consider items like rice, beans, or beads. Just make sure that they are sealed closed to avoid any choking hazards. 

Electrical tape seems to do that job the best.

• Music Scarves for Movement
• Finger Puppets
• Easter Bubbles (tiny wedding ones, much easier for little mouths to learn with)
• Bunny Finger Puppet
• Chick Bean Bag
• Eggs filled with finger foods like cereal, goldfish, puffs, raisins (instead of candy items)

What Can I Fill a Baby’s Easter Basket With?

Spring Animal Puppets like a rabbit puppet or lamb puppet or Felt Eggs for encouraging Imaginary Play

For younger babies, you can Make a Personalized Onesie with fabric Applique or a Handmade Tag Blanket

Fill their basket with one or two toys that can be played with again and again

Here’s a post about Making Your Own Personalized Photo Blocks for their basket.

You could do family members or spring photos!

Easter Basket Ideas for Babies

Click here for More Easter Crafts and Books for Babies & Toddlers

We hope that these ideas have made creating an Easter basket for your baby or toddler a little bit easier and provide hours of fun together with your baby.

Baby Easter Toy Ideas

If you’re looking for a few baby easter toy suggestions to add to your baby’s first Easter basket I would start with these Eco Friendly Easter Eggs – 18 Count. 

You could add a few finger puppets inside for a special Easter surprise like this 10pcs Velvet Animal Style Finger Puppets Set .

• Hape Eggspressions Wooden Learning Toy with Illustrative Book
• 6 Wooden Percussion Musical Egg Maracas Egg Shakers
• Bunny Rabbit Hand Puppet, White
• Hide N Squeak Eggs
• 6 pcs Smart Easter Egg Montessori Toy for Kids

Easter Books for Babies

One item that’s a must in your baby’s Easter basket is an Easter Book. A tradition that I’ve always done with my 3 kids is to add a book to their Easter basket each year.

Here are a few of my favorite Easter books to start with.

• Where Are Baby’s Easter Eggs?: A Lift-the-Flap Book
• Bright Baby Touch and Feel Easter
• Duck & Goose, Here Comes the Easter Bunny!
• The Story of Easter
• My First Easter
• Little Blue Truck’s Springtime
• Baby Touch and Feel: Bunny
• Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book)
• Llama Llama Easter Egg
• Construction Site: Spring Delight

Here are some more fun Easter Books for your baby or toddlers

Looking for more Easter Activities for Babies and Toddlers? Try these…

Happy Easter from The Educators’ Spin On It

You may also enjoy these activities for your baby…

These easy baby easter activities and crafts will keep your little one busy this spring. 

Don’t wait to bring out the eggs and bunnies now for hours of fun!

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. 

Easter Activities for Babies

Playful ways to have fun this Easter with your baby or toddler. These hands on ideas encourage your baby to explore shapes, textures, and colors in a playful way. 

Incorporate your favorite Rabbit Finger Puppet or  Easter Bunny Egg Basket or even those adorable Easter Nesting Eggs. 

• Eggs Exploration– Let them explore the eggs, make sure to tape them closed if you have very young ones. My daughter is 15 Months Old so she like to open the eggs and discover things inside.  We put a scarf in this egg and finger puppets in another. 
  
  The larger eggs are easier to put things into. Here’s my daughter at 4 months having a little egg fun. I can’t believe how quickly they grow. 

• Egg Hunt– Set the eggs around the room and have your child search for them. Grab these eco-friendly plant-based plastic eggs.

• Fill the Basket-Empty the Basket– They LOVE filling a basket or bucket with eggs and carrying it around and then dumping it out, hours of fun and teaches them how to clean up

• Spring Puppets and Finger Puppets– Encourage them to begin to play imaginary play, make sure you are modeling how it’s done, they need to learn from someone.   

• Bunny Fun-Start playing make believe with your little ones, grab an item to represent a carrot and feed the bunny together.
  
  Let the bunny hop around the room too. They love it. 

• Sorting Spring Animals- We discovered that we have different kinds of chicks and bunnies and created piles with them with big sister. 

• Cookie Cutter Playtime– Using cookie cutters to explore the shapes of spring, we use a metal bowl to keep them in for extra sound fun too.
  
  Here’s a set of easter cookie cutters that would be perfect for this activity.  Wilton 10 Piece Easter Egg Cookie Cutter Canister Set

• Egg Sounds– Put rice or beads inside of eggs and seal closed, makes great shakers for music time

• Make Felt Eggs– Using felt eggs lets them explore the shapes big, small & different colors. This was a great activity to get siblings playing together too.
  
  A felt set this one will keep you busy with tons of ideas for Easter with your baby. Get this 9″ X 12″ Assorted Pack Acrylic Craft Felt – 50 pcs, Pastel Colors

  

• Make a Bird Nest -Using the leftover scraps from your felt eggs you can create a next and give your child a basket to create the nest in and a container to store the nest time. 

Learning Spring Sign Language with Your Baby

Here’s a great chance to learn some new signs with your baby.  I found a few that relate to Spring, hope you enjoy exploring spring with your baby!

• Flower
• Grass
• Egg
• Bunny
• Easter 
• Egg
• Sheep

Easter Crafts for Babies and Toddler

• Painting Egg Shape with Finger Paint– Just cut out an egg shape and allow your child to use finger paint all over the egg. 
• Stamp Painting with Spring Cookie Cutters–  Using cookie cutters, dip them into paint and encourage them to stamp onto paper.  Here’s an example
• Bunny Handprint Card or T-Shirt– You can create a little bunny by painting their palm and two fingers for a T-shirt or a card.  Here’s an example 
• Tot School Easter Crafts for older toddlers  

Looking for more ideas for Baby Easter Baskets

Ideas for Baskets for Babies and Toddlers

Easter Photo Ideas

Using Flowers and Props for Photo Fun

Easter Board Books For Babies and Toddlers 

Here are some of our favorites Easter Books at our house that we’ve collected through the years with kids. We always give a book in our Easter baskets. It’s a way we remember year after year our Easter baskets. 

Easter Basket Ideas for Playtime for Babies and Toddlers

• TOMY Little Chirpers Sorting Eggs Learning Toy
• 6pcs Easter Eggs Clever Matching Eggs 
• Eco Friendly Easter Eggs – 12 Count
•  5 pcs/ 5″ Easter Bunny Nesting Dolls
• Easter Bunny Egg Basket
• Folkmanis Mini Lop Eared Rabbit Finger Puppet

Which Easter activity for babies will you try first? Which one will you add to your baby’s Easter fun?

Happy Easter from The Educators’ Spin On It

Looking for more? Explore these 20 Activities for Babies!

Here’s how to make your baby’s first Valentine’s day special…

Take a peek at simple ideas for playing with hearts at home this Valentine’s Day with your baby.

Hands-On Activities for your Baby and Toddlers to enjoy and create for Valentine’s Day!

It’s hard to believe my littlest one is going to celebrate her second Valentine’s Day. Last year we were taken sweet pictures of her the size of a chocolate box and this year we’re playing with chocolate boxes.

My oldest daughter was 6 months old for her first Valentine’s Day. She was in love with the box of chocolates. Are you ready for some adorable Valentine’s Day Crafts for Babies?

Here are some heartfelt activities that I know your little ones will enjoy!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Heart Exploration Activity

Babies love to explore!  Let them explore the new things around your home for Valentine’s Day. The empty box of chocolate can be the newest toy that they love to open and shut and open and shut and hide their toys inside.

Heart Cookie Cutters Art Activity

The heart cookie cutter you found on clearance after Valentine’s Day can become a manipulative toy that they love putting in and out of the metal bowl (our favorite toy at our house).

Hearts Cookie Cutter Set

Finding things around the house shaped like hearts and talking about them provides discovery and stimulation and vocabulary for your baby’s development.  

I hope to make a few heart photo blocks this week too, inspired by our Make Your Own Baby Blocks.

Felt Hearts Activity

It’s always fun to give your baby something new to explore. We’re using Felt Hearts for playtime. I cut out some felt hearts in various sizes so that we could explore the hearts. I also gave her a container to keep them in. I made sure to make the hearts in both matching colors and shapes so that she could find the same.

Creating learning opportunities to sort objects and demonstrate new vocabulary; is important at any age. We used words like big, small, same, different, red, pink, and purple.

They would make a cute Valentine gift for your child!

Felt Sweets and Fabric Bowl we received this adorable Handmade Gift for her 1st birthday that she loves. It’s a great idea for Valentine’s Day too for your little ones!

Felt Sheets 12 x 8 Inches, 40 Colors Craft Felt Fabric Sheet Felt Squares

Heart Scribbles Art

We just started making our First Scribbles (check out our post for more info).

This time she had fun using the container to hold her crayons in. She was so engaged in putting the crayons in and out of the crayon holder.

She would take the crayon out and put it onto the paper and scribble and then put it back in. I tried to make a big deal out of when she would put it on the paper so she would start to process what to do. She loved it!

I took her scribbles and cut out some Hearts in various sizes to decorate for Valentine’s Day. Then we took the hearts and glued them onto a piece of paper to create butterflies.

We hung them up on our fridge but you can also make Valentine’s Day cards for Daddy or Grandparents with them.

When we glued them I made sure not to put glue on the end so that their wings could lift up off the paper as though they are flying.

Here’s how our Butterfly Hearts from Scribbles turned out.

Heart Prints with Cookie Cutter

We explored using a heart cookie cutter to make prints with washable paint. I added a few drops of soap into our already washable paint to make it a little bit easier at clean-up time.

Before we started using the cookie cutter I gave her some time the day before to play with it.

It’s important to let your child experience the art supply before expecting them to create something with it.

100 Heart Doilies, 24 Pieces Foam Hearts and 2 Bags of Foam Heart Stickers

Butterfly Valentine with Printable

Create an adorable valentine to share with loved ones for your child’s first Valentine’s Day with this Butterfly Valentine using the outline of their foot.

I’ve included a few cute phrases that you can print out and attach too.  Download here.

Easy Valentine crafts for one year olds!

Love Bug Footprint T-Shirt

I couldn’t resist using her foot one last time to make a little Valentine’s Day T-Shirt to wear.  I just dipped her foot into red fabric paint and put it onto a Onesie. 

Then I took a sponge heart stamp and stamped the wings onto my Love Bug!  Simple but turned out super cute for our little Love Bug.  You could easily make this into a card too.

Valentine Butterfly Craft for Kids

We sent little Valentine’s off to Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. We made little Valentine Butterflies by tracing my daughter’s foot. Then we attached heart doilies for the wings and eyes to the footprint. We attached this little Valentine phrase too.

I love that both of my girls were able to do this craft together and send them off to family.

Baby’s First Valentine Craft Ideas 

Simple Valentine’s Idea just create a handprint on a heart doily, great for siblings too! Then write a little keepsake message at the bottom. If you want to add a little more heart fun, you can put a foam sticker in the middle of the paper first and then remove it after the fact to leave a heart outline.

Have fun with each of these baby crafts for Valentine’s Day!

Valentine Snack Time for toddlers and preschoolers 

We enjoyed our Heart Breadsticks from Little Hands That Cook with Books. If you haven’t checked it out you might want to for a little special snack for family or friends. My daughter loved the heart bread stick and they were super simple!

Valentine’s Day Shopping List for your Baby’s First Valentine’s Day

• Doilies Multipack Valentine
• 3 Piece Hearts Cutter Set

  

• Tulip Soft Fabric Paint Kit
• Crayola Washable Kid’s Neon Paint Set
• Steel Fun Pail, Hot Pink
• Acrylic Felt Value Pack – Red, Fuchsia, Dark Pink, White

Valentine’s Day Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

Don’t forget to add a special Valentine’s Day Board Book to your fun too! Here’s our favorite…

Hope you enjoy this special time with your baby. Take the moment to really see your baby and loved ones. Validate them and express to them that they are a person who’s important to you. Taking the time to say “I Love You” with hugs and kisses and smiles.

I promise you, your child will love you forever for those moments and grow up happy, confident and loved!

You know what’s best for your child and are your child’s first and most important teacher.

Looking for more ways to have fun on Valentine’s Day with your child?  Check out our 101+ Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids!  

Click here for more Baby Activities 

The Educators’ Spin On It Activities are suggestions to play with your child with together. Please use at your own risk and provide adult supervision at all times.

Because they are so little, babies may not remember what we are doing with them, but it is OH SO IMPORTANT to expose them to literature, allow them to explore, provide them with purposeful playtime, and talk to them.  

We are teaching them about the world. We are parenting with purpose.

So what can you do with a baby?

Pumpkin Activities for Babies

We put together a collection of ideas inspired by fall as your baby or toddler explores for the first time these elements of fall.

Sing a Pumpkin song

Five Little Pumpkins is my kids favorite song this time of year. Singing the same song over and over again is great for developing vocabulary and feeling the rhythm of words.

This Five Little Pumpkin song by Raffi is the original one and our favorite!

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
First one said “Oh my, it’s getting late!”
Second one said “There are witches in the air,”
Third one said “but we don’t care!”
Fourth one said “Let’s run and run and run.”
Fifth one said “I’m ready for some fun!”
Ooo ooo went the wind, and out went the lights,
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Use your fingers to count.  

Better yet, use 5 little pumpkins to act out the story.

Make your own musical instrument 

Changing the color of the paper will make your DIY shakers connect with your theme! Black and orange are high contrast colors and would look very fallish!

Read a Fall Board Book

Babies LOVE flap books and touch and feel books.  

Make sure that your baby has access to books all the time.  We keep them on the bottom shelf of our bookshelf and some in his play basket.

For tips on reading with a baby, this is MUST READ POST

Amazon Affiliate Links to Books

Fall Board Books for Babies

Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin
The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin
I Love Fall!: A Touch-and-Feel Board Book
You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie
I Love You, Little Pumpkin! (Padded Cloth Covers with Lift-the-Flaps)
Five Little Pumpkins (Padded Board Books)
Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch
Where Is Baby’s Pumpkin? (Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Books)

Make a learning game

Cut a hole in the lid of a baby food container and cover the outside with a festive color paper. Let them drop large pom poms into the hole.

Let them EXPLORE their surroundings

Talk about the textures, how things look, how they feel. Don’t be afraid to let them get dirty. Just make sure to watch them at all times as babies put everything in their mouths. I let my baby scoop the goop – but I would never leave him with the pumpkin seeds (AKA choking hazards) unattended.

How does it feel?

• Wet
• Stringy
• Moist
• Cool
• Slimy

Take a trip to the pumpkin patch  

Show your little one the different size pumpkins. Let them touch and sit next to different size, shape and color pumpkins. If you have the chance – ride a hay ride with them. It may be a little bit bumpy and dusty, but lots of fun!

Here’s a few virtual fields trips to the pumpkin patch for inspiration.

Have them paint a pumpkin

We use the classic finger paint, but if your little one likes to put things in their mouth, you can use an edible finger paint like yogurt or pudding instead. Give them the paper, squirt some paint on and let them smear away!

You could also use Washi Tape to Decorate a Pumpkin!

Don’t forget to take a picture and e-mail it to your family.  I know mine loves getting those kind of pictures!

For even more ideas on baby and toddler activities here at The Educators’ Spin On It, we recommend:

• Fall Tot School Activities
• Fall Colors Collage Activity for Toddlers
• Tot School Fall Painting Project
• Acorn Themed Tot School
• Action Songs for Babies
• Animals All Around us
• Ball Activities for Babies and Toddlers
• Creating & Organizing Toy Stations
• Edible Finger Painting with Babies and Toddlers
• Felt Handmade Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

What will you do with YOUR baby this fall?

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Here are our favorite action songs for babies that your baby will fall in love with for hours of fun and developmental growth.

Let’s explore how to add these baby action songs into your baby’s routine at home.

Baby Songs

There are so many fun songs for babies out there but I bet it’s been years since you’ve sung them.

As a new parent, these baby songs listed below are some of my favorites.

Part of what makes them my favorite is that they are also moving parts of their bodies as you sing with them. Combining both auditory skills and movement skills with your baby songs involves different parts of their brain.

A big win in my books is when I can stimulate growth in various parts of my baby’s development.

Disclosure: This post has affiliate links to Amazon for you to shop with.  

Clap Clap Clap Your Hands!

My daughter learned to clap recently and now she’s clapping at everything she does. She even claps when she successfully falls down from standing, too funny.  It made me stop and think about how much we’ve been modeling for her how to clap and what fun it can be to celebrate the little things.

Of course, the teacher in me was spinning ideas of all the benefits she’s learning from learning songs with Mommy. Plus now we can add instruments like these baby instruments on Amazon to our music fun too.

Most importantly singing with your children creates such a special bond between you and your little one.

Skills to Develop during Music Time for Babies

• Builds language development
• Allows for self-expression
• Learning about body parts
• Increases listening skills and opportunities to follow directions
• Builds social awareness
• Increases attention span
• Teaches order and sequence
• Builds dexterity and muscle control

I hope that you’ll take time each day to sing with your baby! 
Music is such a gift in the life of a child.

For more baby songs Try Amazon Music Unlimited Free Trial

Tips on Setting up Toy Stations for your Baby including a Music Station 

Action Songs for Babies

Here are some fun ACTION songs we’ve been singing for our baby songs.

Clap Clap Clap Your Hands

Clap clap clap your hands
Clap your hands together
Clap clap clap your hands
Clap your hands together.

TIP: You can easily substitute clap into any action word like stomp, jump tap wiggle and change hands to a different body part.

We like to sing this version as I lift her up in the air too.

Jump jump jump up high
Jump way up in the sky
Jump jump jump up high
Jump way up in the sky

LISTEN TO THE SONG

If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!

TIP: You can change clap to any action word too!  (Shake, wave, snap, reach up high etc.)

LISTEN TO THE SONG

The Merry Goes ‘Round by Jewel 

The Baby Hokey Pokey

You put your arms up
You put your arms down
You put your arms up
And you wave them all around
You tickle, tickle, tickle
And you wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

The baby hokey pokey is fun!

You put your legs up
You put your legs down
You put your legs up
And you wave them all around
You tickle, tickle, tickle
And you wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

The baby hokey pokey is fun!

You put your baby up
You put your baby down
You put your baby up
And you wave her all around
You tickle, tickle, tickle
And you wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

The baby hokey pokey is fun!

TIP: This song teaching about all body parts with your baby, get creative!

LISTEN TO THIS SONG

The Singable Songs Collection 

What are your favorite Action Songs you sing with your Baby?

Try Amazon Music Unlimited Free Trial for baby songs

Music Ideas for Baby Songs

Looking for more ways to have fun with music with your baby?  Here are some instruments ideas to go along with your music time for babies.

• Exploring Music with Kids
• Parenting Tips for Making Music Every Day! 
• Create your Own Musical Instruments
• Growing Your Own Instruments 
• Tips on How to Play with your 2 Month Old Baby

You can check out more Baby Time ideas on our site!

Hope you enjoy these adorable baby songs with movements with your littlest one!

You may also enjoy these activities with your baby…

Make your Own Instruments for Babies & Toddlers

It’s so important for babies and toddlers to have music in their everyday lives. With some of your child’s favorite action songs you can have some fun with making your own instruments for shakers.

We found all sorts of containers over the past month to save for our musical instruments.  Baby snack containers, soda bottles, oatmeal containers, popcorn treats, chocolate milk you name it I saved it from our holiday parties. 

You need to use caution and make sure it’s a container that will stand up to a little one exploring it.

Grab your containers and let’s get started!

I used beans and rice from our cupboard to fill the inside to make the shakers.  If you are doing several containers use a variety of materials inside. It’s great practice in auditory discrimination to listen and try to see what’s inside the various containers. Some other ideas for materials are beads, bells, or pebbles. 

Just a reminder to make sure you seal the container with hot glue or tape to avoid any spills or choking hazards and have adult supervision at all times with any homemade toy.

(Avoid using kidney beans as they can be dangerous if consumed uncooked.) 

I used some wrapping paper to decorate our Musical drums and shakers. I cut the paper to fit and then covered the entire container with packing tape, contact paper would work too. Just to make it more durable and kid-friendly.   

I love how bright they turned out with very little effort. A great spot I find fun paper at is the Dollar Spot at Target! 

If I was having my Toddler, Preschooler, or school-aged child make it, I would let them decorate it with stamps, stickers, and coloring or painting them before I covered them with contact paper or packaging tape.

Here are some ideas for DIY Instruments for School Ages!

Fun Activities for Homemade Musical Instruments

• Shake It Varying the speed and also how you shake it
• Roll It Roll the containers between your hands or on the floor for a different sound
• Drum Fun  Using their hands or an object like a wooden spoon or drumstick practice hitting it
• Match my Sound  Fast or slow have your little one copy you with the sounds you do or copy them
• Stack it  Using the containers have fun arranging them in various ways
• Dance Time  Hold the shakers and dance to music

My daughter was so excited when she woke up from her nap to play with these today.  She took lots of her time shaking them and hitting them but she also stacked them up and arranged them all over the room.  So much FUN! 

Since we used containers they also become stacking toys, great for gross and fine motor skills and visual discrimination by learning about sizes.

The best part is that we made these for almost no Money, they were all things I had lying around the house.

I can’t wait until big sister comes home from school so that we can play our instruments with her during Family Jam Time!  This musical instrument activity with the containers is great for any age, especially when you’re looking for something for Sibling Playtime .  

If you’re looking for more ways to use Reused Materials, check out how we used the Lids from veggie & fruit pouches!  Don’t forget to RECYCLE your containers when you are all done playing.

Hope you have fun with your little ones!  Musical Fun should be a part of EVERY DAY!

Check out more of our Baby Time Activities here!

Here are six ideas for exploring nature with your baby.

Staying at Home is for the Birds

It’s not what you think, I LOVE staying at home with my baby.

It’s that very statement “I’m staying at home for the birds” that is the underlying reason I am at home with my children each day instead of working outside of the home. I want to experience those everyday learning moments with her.

Showing her all the elements of nature for the very first time. One of my daughter’s first signs was bird.

Can you tell what we spend a lot of time doing?

6 Ideas for Nature Activities with Babies

We spend some of our time going on adventures and seeing the world. I stay at home with my daughter so that I can share moments of her day talking with her about all the things she’s discovering in her environment. I love how babies get excited when they realize they are going outside for an adventure.

When my middle child was fussy as a baby all you had to do was step outside for a moment and the whole world changed and she was calm… it was like magic.

My youngest really enjoys dropping off big sister at school and watching all the big kids.

Take a Bird Walk with Your Baby

Go for a Walk

We go on walks in the backyard, in the front yard, in the neighborhood, at the store, at the mall, at the duck pond, at the park, at the zoo, and even at the library. It’s my job as her Mom and as her primary caregiver during the day to SHOW her EVERYTHING and TALK to her about EVERYTHING she’s observing and experiencing both inside and outside.

The photos above were taken this morning from our back porch with my daughter and I watching the brave birds and squirrels.

Set Up a Bird Feeder

We set out a bird feeder and bird bath outside our window too where she enjoys pulling up and standing at the window to watch the birds who come to visit our yard each day. She gets so excited to see the bird when they come. 

We like to sit on the back porch together and watch the birds come to the feeder too. They are very brave birds and let us watch, even though we’re not the quietest bird watchers. 

The neighborhood crows like to come and land on our fireplace and Caw across the field, it’s very loud down the chimney. 

It’s so cute she stops whatever she’s doing tells me that the Birds are here. Of course, it sounds more like buh buh buh when she tells me but because she also knows the sign for bird she uses that too.

Nature Walks Increase Language Skills for your Baby

Learn New Words

I encourage you to talk with your child using very detailed sentences about the things that your child is observing in their environment. I also encourage you to teach your child baby sign language, it is so much fun when they are able to sign things before they are able to say them, and opens a whole new world of communication with your child. 

Use it when you’re singing songs, they love it!

Baby Sign Language

Signing Time Word of the Week: Bird  This is our favorite Baby Sign Language Series.  Here are both a video clip and an image of how to sign “bird”. To sign the word “bird” put your thumb and index finger by your mouth, like a beak, and open it and few times.

Great Back Yard Bird Count

While you’re at it don’t forget to turn in your numbers for the Great Backyard Bird Count

There a section for older kids too if you haven’t checked it out!  If you missed it just remember next year in February! Here’s an adorable Bird Nest Craft from Tots Crafts to create with your toddlers and preschoolers as they join you on the walks from. 

You can take time with your older ones to Explore a Birds Next or even make your own Bird House by reusing containers.

Walk. Explore. Talk.

Go out and explore the outside with your baby! You can create a zoo within your own yard too. Click here to find out how. Make your walk a TALKING and DISCOVERING WALK!

Take time and enjoy these moments with your baby, it’s why you’re at home with them. You can give them more than anyone else in the world at this stage in life. Go outside and enjoy the birds.

I have experienced both many sides of being a Parent as a Working Parent and Stay at Home Parent and even a work from home parent with my 3 children. They ALL are equally IMPORTANT and rewarding.

You are your child’s first teacher and you know which is best for them and your family’s budget.

Enjoy your baby moments!

If you enjoyed this post for babies you might enjoy our other Baby Time Activity Ideas

Baby Christmas Activities – Sights and Sounds in a Bottle

Safety Note: This Baby Christmas Activity is one to make and shake for your baby. It is NOT A TOY.

Never leave your child untended with small objects that may become a choking hazard. Although the small objects are inside the bottle, the cap is a small circular item and must be kept in your – the adult- hands at all times and store out of reach of children under the age of 3.*

Materials Needed:

• Empty clean, clear plastic bottle and lid.
• Pom Poms .75″ 45/Pkg-Red
• SEQUINS 
• Finger Flashlights – LED Finger Lamps
• Jingle Bells

How to make.

1. Fill a bottle with lots of tiny things all of one color. Include a variety of textures and sounds.  We added a Finger Flashlight to make our bottle glow too.

2. Cap the lid and play.

How to play

Roll and watch. Set the baby in your lap or lay them on their tummy. Roll the bottle back and forth.

Roll to crawl. Roll the bottle filled with colorful materials slightly out of reach. Let baby roll or crawl to it.  Reward their efforts with smiles. If they reach the bottle, give it a shake and roll it out of reach once again!  *

Baby Christmas Activities – Jingle Bells

Safety Note: This Baby Christmas Activity is one to make and shake for your baby. It is NOT A TOY. Never leave your child untended with small objects that may become a choking hazard. Keep the jingle bells in your – the adult- hands at all times and store out of reach of children under the age of 3.

Materials Needed:

• Jingle Bells 
• Chenille Stems

How to Make:

1. Thread 4-6 bells onto the chinelle stems.

2. Wrap the ends of the chenille stems around and twist to make a handle.

How to play

Talk about the sounds. Young babies may startle at new sounds, start quietly and talk to your baby about what they are hearing. Your conversation may sound something like this:

Today I made you a jingle bell shaker.

I put 4 bells onto a wire stick. One, Two, Three, Four.

Can you hear the jingle of the bells? shake it

They make the sound jingle, jingle.

Do you like the sound? notice babies face

I see you smiling. You must like the sound of the jingle bells.

Looking side to side. In this activity, the adult starts by shaking the bells in front of your baby. Slowly move the bells to one side and encourage your child to follow the bells with their eyes.

Sing Jingle Bells. Your baby may not sing with you, but they may start to coo and make noises as they hear you sing. Make the song part of your routine and sing it every day. Your baby with become more familiar with the tune. Repetition helps with vocabulary development.

Baby Christmas Activities – Shape Crawl

Materials Needed:

• Scrapbook paper
• Scissors
• Contact paper

How to Make:

1. ADULT: Cut large triangle and star shapes out of the paper.

2. Set them on the floor and cover them with contact paper.

How to play

Crawl to the Shape. Let baby roll or crawl to the shape on the ground. Talk about the name and the colors.

*Contact paper doesn’t work with carpets with high pilling.

More Baby Time Articles and Activity Ideas

What are your favorite baby Christmas activities?

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