Tummy Time Toys and Play Ideas for Babies

We know that tummy time is good for babies, but what are they actually supposed to do once they are on their tummies? Do you need special toys or activities to do? How do you actually play?... hang on there Mama I've got you! As a physiotherapist who has been helping babies with tummy time for 15 years I can help!

Firstly if you are wondering what tummy time is, why it is important,  or what to do if your baby hates it, start by reading this blog here Tummy Time for Babies. If you've got all that and you want to know what to do keep reading!

How to do tummy time with baby?

Start by gently rolling your baby onto the tummy. Rolling them into and out  of this position helps your baby learn how to roll and that this is a position they can move in and out of independently, this helps them to like it more. 

If your baby is finding tummy time flat on the floor difficult, crying in the position quickly, then you need to read our blog Tummy Time for Babies for ideas on how to make it easier. Tummy time does not need to be on the floor. You can use your body, pillows, and towels to support your baby to enjoy this position. 

Tummy Time play ideas

Once your baby is comfortable and happy in whatever type of tummy time position you choose they are ready to play! How strong your baby is and how easily they can hold this position will determine how they play.

Tummy time play ideas for newborns

Newborn babies will not be able to use their hands to play. They will be leaning on their elbows and forearms and be unable to lift 1 arm up. Babies this age might even rest mouth on hands and suck. Older babies who are slower to develop a love for tummy time will look like this too. If your baby looks like the one in this picture no matter how old they are then try some of these ideas:

• Lying facing each other talking or singing
• Looking together in a mirror, you can sit up behind and your baby can see you in the mirror
• Looking out at a view, like out a glass door or across the playground, you can comment on the things you can see
• Reading a book together
• Doing some nice long massage strokes down the bag and legs

Top tip: Keep it simple! No elaborate set ups that take time and energy and make you less likely to do tummy time of more disappointed when it doesn't go for as long as you hoped! This group need very frequent very short bursts of tummy time so make it easy on yourself! 

Tummy time play ideas for babies

Older babies start to be able to lean on one arm and reach forwards with the other (seen in this photo). They may be able to turn in a circle on their tummy or start to wiggle forwards. This lean and reach is REALLY important for learning to creep and crawl and so we choose toys to encourage it. Here are some of my favourite toys for this age category. 

• Pop up toys, you push something and something pops (I like the mechanical ones pictured not the electronic ones)
• Flaps- on books or toys or a packet of nappy wipes if you're out and about (desperate times), babies this age love to open and close
• Water balls and rainmakers- anything that rolls and creates a gentle sound or interesting visual effect 
• Teething toys in a tray- a low basket or tray of smaller teethings toys that are interesting to grab and explore orally
• Books- board or fabric books that can be roughly and independently handled
• Toys with interesting textures- a strip of hanging ribbons, a crinkly fabric toy, a touch and feel book with lots of textures to explore
• Roly Poly toys that you bop over and they pop back up. 

Which toys to use for Tummy time?

Lots of toys are marketed as essential for tummy time for your baby, but do you really need them? Let me unpack some of the common ones for you and help you decide if you do need them in your home!

Tummy time mirror

Tummy time floor mirror are often small plastic mirrors that pop out to stand up so your baby can see themselves (pictured below). These can be good as they can also see you as you sit up behind them rather than needing to lie on your tummy facing them. They are great, we use them at the clinic and I have one at home however they are not something you will likely get much long term use out of. 

An alternative that I use much more in the clinic and at home is a floor length mirror. If you have wardrobe doors that are mirrored or a glass door you can see your reflection in this can be a great alternative to buying something new. The much bigger space allows your baby a view of the whole room. If it is safely attached your baby might be able to reach forwards and bat at themselves when they are older too!

Images for both options below, a small tummy time mirror and large full length mirror. 

There are lots of other options for face to face tummy time that don't involve you lying on the floor too! Check out our blog and Tummy Time e guide for lots more ideas!

Tummy time water mat

Another popular option is a plastic mat you fill with water and the baby pushes on it. Again this can be useful but it does have a shorter duration of use. After a few months your baby won't play with it any more. This toy is helpful because it encourages your baby to lean on one arm and reach with the other. As we discussed above this is a very important mini milestone that occurs pre crawling however you can achieve the same thing without this specific toy. Exploring a sibling or parents face is just as effective for example!

Images for both options below, a custom water mat and a sibling!

Tummy time baby activity gym

 An activity gym or mat is another common item on the baby shower to buy list. You know the ones with a little round mat that has an arch with hanging toys over the top. Again this toy can be great but it has a short duration of use! As soon as your baby can roll or pivot they will move off it. Also the hoops can get in the way of your baby being able to move so I wouldn't suggest using this style of mat much after the first few months. I much prefer doing floor-based tummy time on a large soft mat that can be easily cleaned and allows for free movement (example above). 

Hanging toys can be wonderful for newborn playtime and also tummy time encouraging lean and reach. A free standing hanging frame that can be moved and the toys exchanged allows for a lot more growth.

Image below for reaching forwards for a string of ribbons suspended on a free standing activity frame. This frame is not attached to the mat so can be removed to allow free movement or positioned in fron, on the side or above the baby to encourage different movements.  

Want more Tummy Time toy and play ideas? 

If you found this blog helpful and would like lots more photos of these ideas in action then check out our Tummy Time e guide for parents No Tears Tummy Time.