23 Fun Activities for Your 4-Month-Old Baby
Finding ways to play with your 4-month-old baby can be hard. You want to help them learn and grow, but aren’t sure what they can do at this age. Many parents feel lost about what activities are right for such a tiny baby.
The good news is that simple play time can help your baby’s brain, body, and senses grow stronger.
This blog will share easy, safe, and fun activities perfect for 4-month-olds. We’ll cover games for tummy time, ways to help them grab things, simple songs to sing, and much more.
Each idea is made to fit what your baby can do right now, while helping them reach their next big step.
Understanding a 4-Month-Old Baby’s Development
At four months, babies change quickly in many ways. Their bodies grow stronger as they learn to hold their head up better and may start to roll from tummy to back. Some might push up on their arms during tummy time or grab toys with more skill.
Their minds grow too – they notice faces they know, track moving objects, and pay attention to bright colours and clear sounds. Babies this age often smile, laugh, and make happy sounds when they see people they know.
They watch others with interest and may cry when left alone. Their senses also get better, as they use their hands to feel different things, turn toward sounds, and look at the world with clearer eyes.
This is a time when babies learn so much each day just by playing and being with caring adults.
Sensory Stimulation Activities
At 4 months old, babies begin finding the world through touch, sound, and sight, making sensory play crucial for their development. These simple activities help strengthen neural bonds while keeping your little one engaged and curious.
1. Tummy Time with Toys
Place your baby on their tummy for 3-5 minutes several times a day. Position colourful toys or a baby-safe mirror just within reach to encourage head lifting and reaching.
This simple activity helps your baby build neck, back, and shoulder muscles needed for future milestones like rolling over and crawling.
Start with short sessions and slowly add more time as your little one gets stronger and more comfortable on their tummy.
2. Baby-Safe Mirrors
Hold a baby-safe mirror in front of your little one for a few minutes at a time. Move it slowly to different angles to keep their interest.
Babies begin recognising their reflection around 4-6 months, making mirrors interesting tools for personal growth.
Watch as your baby smiles, coos, or reaches toward their reflection! This activity helps develop visual tracking skills while playfully introducing the concept of self-awareness.
3. Textured Toys
Introduce toys with different textures during playtime, rotating between soft, bumpy, smooth, and crinkly surfaces. Let your baby grasp these toys or gently rub them against their hands, feet, and legs.
Trying varied textures helps develop your baby’s sense of touch and encourages sensory awareness.
This tactile expedition builds important neural bonds in your baby’s brain and supports the development of future fine motor skills.
4. Rattles and Shakers
Offer your baby age-appropriate rattles for short 2-3 minute play sessions. Gently shake the rattle within their line of sight, then move it slowly side to side to encourage visual tracking.
As your 4-month-old develops hand-eye coordination, they’ll begin reaching for and eventually grasping these noisy toys.
The cause-and-effect learning (shake = sound) helps your baby understand that they can influence their environment.
5. High-Contrast Visual Toys
Show your baby black and white patterns or high-contrast colored toys for 5-10 minutes at a time. Slowly move these visuals to encourage your baby to focus and follow with their eyes.
Young babies see high-contrast patterns most clearly, making these toys particularly stimulating for their developing vision.
These visual exercises strengthen eye muscles and help your baby practice the tracking skills needed for future hand-eye coordination.
6. Scent Scouting
Introduce your baby to gentle, natural scents like vanilla, lavender, or citrus for 30-60 seconds at a time. Hold scented objects several inches from your baby’s nose, watching for reactions like increased alertness or smiling.
Since babies have a well-developed sense of smell from birth, this activity engages an often-overlooked sense.
Familiar scents can also become sources of comfort and help your baby distinguish between different people and environments.
7. Soft, Crinkly Fabrics
Let your baby find soft fabrics with crinkly sounds during supervised playtime. These engaging toys stimulate both touch and hearing as your baby squeezes, mouths, and manipulates them.
The combination of interesting textures and surprising sounds motivates your baby to reach, grasp, and find all the important skills for their development. Always choose fabrics specifically designed for babies to ensure they’re safe for mouthing.
Motor Skill Development Activities
Helping your baby build strength and coordination is both fun and rewarding during these early months. Simple, engaging activities can support their growing physical abilities while strengthening your bond.
8. Supported Sitting
Prop your baby in your lap or use pillows on a firm surface to help them sit with support.
This simple activity strengthens their back, neck, and core muscles. Start with short sessions (3-5 minutes) and gradually increase as they grow stronger.
Make it fun by sitting face-to-face, talking, and singing. This position also gives them a new view of the world, stimulating visual development.
9. Reaching for Objects
Dangle bright, lightweight toys slightly out of your baby’s reach while they’re on their back or in a supported sitting position.
This encourages them to reach out, swipe, and eventually grasp objects. This activity develops hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and arm strength.
Vary the positions of toys (left, right, centre) to promote tracking and reaching in different directions.
10. Leg and Arm Exercises
Gently move your baby’s arms and legs in natural patterns while they lie on their back. Try bicycle movements with their legs or gently stretching arms out and across their chest.
These movements build flexibility, body awareness, and prepare muscles for future skills like crawling. Make it playful by adding songs or rhymes that match the movements.
11. Push-Up Practice
During tummy time, place a rolled towel or small pillow under your baby’s chest for support. Position colourful toys slightly above their eye level to motivate lifting their head and pushing up with their arms.
This activity builds crucial upper-body strength needed for crawling. Encourage this position for just a few seconds at first, gradually extending the time as they grow stronger.
12. Rolling Over
Help your baby practice rolling by gently guiding them from tummy to back and back to tummy. Start by moving their legs across their body while supporting their hip, then guide their arm and shoulder to follow.
This builds torso strength and teaches body coordination. Practice on a soft, safe surface and make it fun with excited praise each time they complete a roll.
13. Bouncing in Your Lap
Hold your baby securely on your lap, supporting their head and neck if needed. Gently bounce them up and down, helping them feel the movement in their legs.
This fun activity strengthens leg muscles and builds the early coordination needed for standing and walking later. Add simple songs or rhythmic words to make it more engaging and help develop their sense of rhythm.
Cognitive and Social Development Activities
At 4 months old, babies begin investing the world with growing curiosity, making this the perfect time to introduce simple activities that stimulate their developing minds and social skills.
These engaging interactions help strengthen their awareness, communication, and emotional bonds with caregivers.
14. Talking and Singing
Talk to your baby during daily tasks like diaper changes and bath time. Use a sing-song voice and simple melodies like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
Your baby may not understand words yet, but they’re learning speech patterns and building connections in their brain. Watch as they light up when they hear your voice!
15. Peek-a-Boo
Cover your face with your hands, then reveal it with a happy “peek-a-boo!” Your baby is learning that things still exist even when they can’t see them (object permanence).
Start with slow movements and watch their face for reactions. Their surprised giggles show they’re making important mental connections.
16. Imitating Sounds
Make simple sounds like “aah,” “ooh,” or “baba” while facing your baby. Pause to give them time to respond.
This back-and-forth mimicking is an early form of conversation. When they make a sound, repeat it back to show them that communication works both ways.
17. Looking at Books
Use board books with big, bright pictures. Point to images and name them simply: “Look, dog!” or “Red ball!”
Your baby is absorbing language while enjoying your voice and the colourful visuals. Let them touch and even mouth the book—they’re finding with all their senses.
18. Responding to Baby’s Cooing
When your baby makes sounds, respond by repeating them or adding a few words. This “conversation” teaches them about turn-taking in communication.
Respond quickly to show that their vocalisations have power and meaning, which encourages them to keep practising.
19. Social Smiling
Smile at your baby throughout the day. When they smile back, respond with enthusiasm! These smile exchanges build neural pathways for social connections.
Your reactions teach them that sharing emotions with others feels good and is an important way people connect.
Bonding and Emotional Development Activities
At four months old, babies become more interactive and responsive, making this a perfect time to strengthen your connection through simple, engaging activities.
These joyful interactions not only nurture emotional security but also support their growing social and cognitive skills.
20. Cuddling and Snuggling
Set aside 10-15 minutes a few times daily just for cuddling. Hold your baby close against your chest where they can hear your heartbeat.
This skin-to-skin contact releases feel-good hormones for both of you. Cuddling helps your baby feel safe and loved, building trust that you’ll always be there when needed.
These quiet moments create the foundation for healthy emotional development.
21. Gentle Rocking
Try different rocking motions to see what your baby enjoys most – side to side, up and down, or in circles. You can rock while standing, sitting in a chair, or using an exercise ball.
Maintain a steady rhythm and watch for signs of enjoyment like relaxed muscles and peaceful expressions. Rocking mimics the womb environment and teaches your baby that the world is a safe, predictable place.
22. Face-to-Face Interaction
Position your baby so you’re looking directly at each other, about 8-12 inches apart – the perfect distance for their developing vision.
Make different expressions – wide eyes, big smiles, surprised looks – and watch your baby try to copy you.
Talk in a sing-song voice about what you’re doing. These interactions teach your baby about communication and emotional expression while strengthening your unique bond.
23. Baby Massage
Start with just 5 minutes when your baby is calm and alert. Use a small amount of baby-safe oil on your hands. Try gentle strokes on their arms, legs, back, and tummy.
Watch for cues that they’re enjoying it (relaxed body, smiles) or need a break (turning away, fussing). Regular massage can improve sleep, reduce fussiness, and provide important sensory input for development.
Conclusion
Simple activities have a profound impact on how 4-month-old babies develop in all areas. Daily play helps their minds develop as they notice patterns and sounds.
Their body control improves with each reach and roll during floor time. Responding to their coos and smiles builds their sense of trust and joy. These basic games build neural pathways that set the stage for future skills.
Start today with just one new activity from this guide. Take photos of these special moments to look back on later. Join our parent community by sharing your baby’s favourite games in the comments section below.
Remember, the magic happens in these small daily moments, not with costly items or complex plans. Your time and attention are the greatest gifts you can give your growing baby.
