Baby Activities for 3 Month Old Infants
Even though your baby is still, well….a baby, there are a TON of baby activities for 3 month old infants out there! Instead of overwhelming you, we’ve picked eight of our favorites.
The best part? None of them require fancy new toys; you can use whatever you have around the house!
So the next time you start panicking because your baby can’t do what another baby can, take a few deep breathes, then introduce your 3 month old to the following developmental activities. And remember, babies develop at different rates.
1. Ready, set, sit
First up for baby activities for 3 month old infants is to practice sitting (with assistance).
With your support, try to see if your baby can sit for 15-30 seconds. If you have a device like an Alexa, you can use your voice to set the timer, so your focus is always on baby.
You don’t have to worry about your baby hurting themselves with this activity because you’ll be supporting them! But if you’re still a bit nervous, create a super padded surface behind them using some soft pillows.
2. Tummy time
Up next for baby activities for 3 month old infants is…tummy time! Babies seem to either really love it (or they don’t).
Some items you might have around your house that might encourage your baby to lift their include: teaser cat toy (pole with the toy at the end); portable mobile; stacking tower; animated older sibling, colorful photo (maybe even their photo!); your dog’s squeaker toy; a disco ball holiday ornament.
If you find one or two items that interest your baby, you’re winning!
Refer to your pediatrician’s guidelines on the recommended amount of tummy time per day, as the time allotments increase by month.
3. Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
One of the most rewarding of the baby activities for 3 month old infants is teaching them to roll over.
With baby on their side, place their favorite toy above their head, and slowly move it so they have to roll on their back in order to see it.
If you’re struggling to find a ‘toy’ that they are intrigued enough by to do this activity, think about the things your baby tries to grasp. Your dangling earrings, your eyeglasses, perhaps your long hair?
You’re going to be keeping those items just out of their reach so try not to worry about baby grasping them and gobbling them up! And as for your hair, perhaps you’ve got a halloween wig stored in a bin somewhere? Dust it off; it’s time for it’s big debut!
This activity takes time to master, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen on baby’s first try. Let their incremental progress motivate you to keep going!
Also remind yourself that once they successfully learn how to roll, they may never been in the same place you left them, again.
4. Follow my finger
Whoever would have thought that law enforcement would rely on one of our favorite baby activities for 3 month old infants?!
If you’ve ever watched an episode of Reno 911 or Cops, you’ve probably seen this next activity in action. Here’s how to replicate it:
Place your index finger upright, in front of baby’s face. Move your finger up/down and then left/right. Does your baby follow your finger with their eyes?
Make sure you move your finger slowly. After all, you don’t want to make your baby dizzy!
After I practice this activity, I always bring my finger to my baby’s nose and say “Boop!” It usually gets me a smile.
5. Sing ‘Open, Shut Them’
One of our favorite baby activities for 3 month old infants is singing. But what’s even better is making your singing come alive. Here’s how to do that:
First familiarize yourself with the song, “Open, Shut Them.” Then, sit your baby in your lap and while you are singing, help your baby open and close their hands.
There are many opportunities within the song to tickle your baby, which should delight them. But when you assist them with opening/closing their hands, you help them develop!
6. Don’t let go
One of the next baby activities for 3 month old infants focuses on baby’s grasp.
Place an item in your baby’s hand. Can they hold onto it?
If they can’t, try a larger item. Gradually decrease the size of the item.
If you play this game regularly, you’ll be amazed at how much progress your baby makes over time!
7. Shake, shake, shake
Next up, we’re featuring one of the baby activities for 3 month old infants where you can make some noise!
If you want a quick and easy DIY project, you can make a noise maker using an empty milk storage bottle filling it with elbow macaroni or rice. But make sure that you have the top screwed on VERY tightly. I use a hot glue gun and put a seal of glue around the seam of the bottle, just to make sure nothing spills.
If DIY isn’t your thing, there are plenty of options to choose from, online.
Practice shaking the maracas with your baby. Shake, shake, shake!
It’s even more fun if you have a song playing and you try to shake the maracas to the beat of the music! If it’s too difficult to keep up, simply sing a song; that way you can easily adjust the rhythm of the beat.
8. Reach for the stars
Our final suggestion for fun baby activities for 3 month old infants is affectionately called, reach for the stars.
Hold baby’s favorite toy above their head, slightly out of reach. Do they try to touch it?
If not, move the toy within their reach; let them grab it, and then try the activity again.
Final Thoughts on Fun Baby Activities for 3 Month Old Infants
There are a lot of fun things you can do with your baby! We’ve selected our favorite developmental baby activities for 3 month old infants to get you started.
After a lot of practice, your 3 month old may be able to sit assisted, roll over, lift their head higher during tummy time, reach for toys, track objects with their eyes, open and close their hands, grasp objects, and more!
It won’t happen overnight, but baby will get there. And don’t keep their progress to yourself; the next time you’re at your pediatrician’s office, let them know what you’ve working on!
Looking for More Fun with Your 3 Month Old?
We’ve got great suggestions on books and more musical activities.
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These are all amazing activities to do with your three month old! I love the variety you added on the list!
Thanks so much, Cristina! Xx