Motion Games and Finger Plays for Babies

When you first have a baby, it may seem like playing games is a long time away. Babies don’t seem to do much, especially in their first months of life, but their brains and sense about the world around them are growing exponentially each day. That’s why playing motion games for babies a few minutes each day is a great way to introduce your little one to the world and strengthen your bond. Babies have a very short attention span, so choose one of the games for babies from the list below to do once or twice, which is all you need. Keep in mind that the goal of motion games and finger plays for babies is to interact and have fun. Make lots of eye contact with your baby, smile, and use a calm and happy tone. Your baby will soon look forward to these one-on-one times with you, and before you know it, he’ll probably develop some favorite games to play with you.

Games for infants are simple, repetitive, and time-tested favorites that help babies learn how to interact with you; these finger plays for babies also give them an introduction to language through rhythm and repetition, as well as simple melodies. When your baby gets older, chances are he’ll still love these motion games for infants, but will want to do them for a longer period of time. Who knows? You may get your very first smile while playing one of these games for babies. No matter what, enjoy playing these motion games for babies with your little one; you’ll both have fun and make memories at this stage of development that’s gone all-to-quickly.

Itsy-Bitsy Spider
This finger play for babies and toddlers is a favorite for most. When babies are little, you can play this while they lay on their backs; they can sit in your lap as they get older. Just hold their hands and do the motions with them while you sing. This song is also a fun introduction to the basics of nature like the sun and the rain.

The itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout/
Down came the rain and washed the spider out/
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain/
So the itsy-bitsy spider went up the spout again.

Watch a video of how to do this finger play here.

Patty Cake
My babies were always in giggles after this motion game. Not only does this rhyme introduce your baby to clapping, it’s also a simple introduction to the letter B, or the first letter of your baby’s name. You simply recite the rhyme and clap along with your baby to the beat of the words:

Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man;
bake me a cake as fast as you can! (Clap faster during this line)
Roll it (roll your hands around one another), pat it (pat your hands on your baby’s tummy, legs, etc.), and mark it with a B (trace a letter B in the air with baby’s finger).
Put it in the oven for baby and me!

Variation: Mark the cake with the initial of your baby’s first name, and change “baby” in the last line to your baby’s name.

This Little Piggy
This favorite motion game for infants is perfect for very young babies because you use their feet, which are much easier to grasp in the early months than hands. Starting with the big toe and working down the line to the pinky toe, grab each toe and wiggle it in your fingers. When you get to the last “piggy,” tickle your fingers from your baby’s toes all the way to their belly and then neck. This always results in smiles and giggles. The rhyme goes like this:

This little piggy went to market/
This little piggy stayed home/
This little piggy had roast beef/
This little piggy had none/
And this little piggy cried, “wee, wee, wee” all the way home.

Where Is Thumbkin?
This finger play works well with older babies who can uncurl their fingers. Snuggle your baby on your lap and guide each finger from the thumb to the pinky. Start with both hand behind your back, and recite the rhyme (sung to the tune of Frere Jacques), once for each finger:

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am! (Bring out left thumb and wiggle it) Here I am! (Bring out right thumb and wiggle it)
How are you today, sir? (Wiggle left thumb) Very well I thank you. (Wiggle right thumb)
Run away, (put left thumb back behind your back) run away. (put right thumb behind your back)

Repeat the song for each finger: Pointer, Middle Finger, Ring Finger, and Pinky.

Grand Old Duke of York
This motion game for babies is really fun for them, and a great mini workout for you. All you do is sit on the floor with your knees bent and together. Sit your baby on your knees facing you and sing this song. Raise your knees up and down to the words of the song. Babies love being bounced to this tune, but save the true bouncing for older babies who can hold their heads up.

The Grand Old Duke of York / He had ten thousand men /
He marched them up to the top of the hill / And he marched them down again
And when they’re up, they’re up / And when they’re down, they’re down /
And when they’re halfway up, they’re neither up nor down.

Listen to the melody here.

Wheels on the Bus
This song is a lot of fun for babies and toddlers, and each verse has different motions. The first verse is very basic; you roll your hands around each other to simulate the wheels, and then trace a curvy path with both hands simultaneously in front of you for the last line: “All through the town.” All three of my babies loved this song, and it always got them smiling and engaging with me. Read many verses and versions of this popular song and download the music here.

Playing Instruments
Music is a great way to engage your baby and introduce her to the world of language and sound. Simple shakers and other instruments are fun for your baby, teaching her about rhythm and music. Simply play your favorite music or sing your favorite songs to your baby (babies love to hear their parents voices, even if you can’t really sing!) and help your baby play along with a rattle, shaker, or other instrument. This High Sea Symphony from Melissa & Doug is perfect for little hands and serves as a great introduction to simple instruments.

Naming Body Parts
One of the most simple motion games for infants is to point to their various body parts and name them out loud. This can be done anywhere, and you’d be surprised at how soon babies can respond to you by touching the body part you call out. I’ve always used this game as a distraction on the changing table, and my babies never got tired of it. Start with the basics of eyes, nose, mouth, and belly, and when they’re older, introduce more advanced parts like forehead and neck. Not only does it teach them the parts of the body, it’s a fun way to interact with each other. Take turns pointing out parts on baby and on you.