But…all the carefully selected baby toys, fun and interesting decorations in their room, and consistent calls to grandpa as reinforcement still doesn't keep them entertained for very long.
They still want to get in to everything you don't want them in to. Like the wall outlets (even though you put the plugs over them, it's still fun to try to pull them off), the delicate blinds, and especially the doggie water bowl!
No matter how hard you try to keep them away from some things, the little stinkers keep going back. It wears you out.
Here are few things to try in order to keep your eight month old entertained without having to run around the house and completely wear out your favorite word, "No."
1. Keep it simple and use what you already have. Look around the house for things that are wooden, smooth, won't tear off like paper, and not pointy.
Used food containers work well. Sour cream containers are often the best, especially when playing on a smooth and flat surface. Baby has fun pushing the container around in a circle, it easily slips out of their hands and mouth, and isn't likely to injure them.
Wooden spoons also work well. Toddlers like to tap and bang them on most objects they see. Just make sure there's nothing around that you don't want hit.
2. Babies love boxes. It's well known that babies are more likely to play with the box a toy comes in rather than the toy itself. So every few days find a box to bring home.
Grocery stores are a good option because they give away tons of boxes. All you have to do is ask for some from the produce department (and be ok with some used produce boxes). Liquor stores are great for colorful and different shaped boxes that often have fun inserts in them that are used to keep the glass bottles from hitting each other during shipment (and you have to be ok having liquor boxes scattered around the house). Also, check with appliance stores, they will sometimes have really big boxes that they're display items came in and want to throw them away.
3. Pots and Pans make lots of fun and loud nixes. Babies love pots and pans and the 'music' they make when banged together and again other things. Sauce pots without the long handles work best. Just make sure they're clean and don't have any oily residue from cooking.
You can also take a clean metal doggie bowl and put in the mix. They are typically light weight and easy for baby to shake around and bang on the floor. They also make great sounds that baby really likes.
4. Water is fun! Whether it's a little bit in a cup, more in a pot or pan, or lots in a sink or tub, baby loves to splash around in water. Also, when you mix water with pots and pans you get an extra special experience!
5. Paper and stickers get an amusing reaction. Crumpling paper makes for good baby entertainment. Give baby any unwanted mail and you won't need a shredder! Babies typically like to squeeze paper in their hands, just make sure they don't put in the their mouths to the point that pieces start to come off and they want to eat it.
Whenever you purchase something and a sticker comes on it, give it to baby. The sticky side gives them something interesting to experiment with. They will touch it with their fingers, touch it to other objects, and often stick to other parts of their arms or legs. Sometimes they'll get it stuck in their hair and look around as if it disappeared and they don't know what happened to it!
This is a list of a few things that help entertain babies. They may not all work for you, but give them a try and see if your baby, or you, are entertained for a while.
