15 Best Activities for 9 Months Old Baby

Activities are great fun for babies. It gives them a chance to play, interact, explore and learn new things, thereby, developing different skills. Here is an article to tell you about some of the best activities for a 9-month-old.

Are you looking for some fun and educational activities for your 9-month-old baby? Look no further! At this age, your little one is going through a major developmental stage and is eager to learn and explore new things. From indoor playtime to outdoor adventures, there’s no shortage of opportunities to help them grow and develop essential skills. In this article, we’ll take a look at 15 of the best activities for your 9-month-old baby, covering everything from learning and sensory activities to outdoor fun. Whether you’re looking to stimulate their curiosity or just have some quality bonding time, these activities are sure to delight both you and your baby. So let’s get started and discover what exciting activities await!

What Development Can You Expect in Your 9 Month-Old Baby? 

A 9 month-old will have the following developments:

• As your little one gets to the 9-month mark, she will start crawling through the whole house. Some become such expert crawlers that they can also crawl up and down the stairs!
• Apart from being expert crawlers, a 9-month-old can easily change positions, such as go from a crawling position to a standing position (with the help and support of chairs or something to hold on to).
• Your little one’s fine motor skills improve, making it easy for her to pick up small toys and know which shape block goes into which shape hole etc.
• She can babble non-stop and even pronounce one syllable words.
• She may start understanding what you are talking about and reciprocate with a cooing sound or a smile.
• She can sit down without any support, unlike her earlier months, when she would require support.

Learning Activities For Your 9-Month-Old Baby

These 9-month baby activities are easy and fun. Listed below are ten 9-month-old baby development activities.

1. Dropping a Toy in the Bucket

Drop a block or a toy in the bucket. When the toy/block touches the bottom of the bucket, you can say “dhap”(for instance). Repeat the same for a few more times. Then drop another block or a toy, but this time, remain silent while doing so. Just see whether she tries imitating the word. Let her also drop the toys or blocks inside the bucket or empty out the bucket. This activity develops fine motor skills, as well as language skills.

2. Squeak and Hide

Take a squeaky toy and squeeze it so that it makes a squeaky sound. Hide it behind your back or under the blanket or behind the cushion. Let your baby try to look for it. You can do the activity until the time she does not lose interest in it. This simple game is great for cognitive development in babies. It also helps in developing auditory skills and object permanence.

3. Ball Rolling

Roll a medium sized blow-up ball towards your baby. See whether he stops it or not. Then encourage her to roll it back. Even if she does not, applaud her. You can ask your spouse to join in. This activity develops gross motor skills, teaches about taking turns and imitating.

4. Hide-and-Seen

Place a big carton and make sure it is comfortable without anything pricky inside. You can keep a soft towel or blanket inside. Place your baby inside and tuck her in. Then pretend as if you cannot find her. On seeing her, give a squeal of excitement. Allow her to explore the box. This activity strengthens visual tracking, develops gross motor skills and social skills, and teaches object permanence.

5. Clapping and Singing

Babies start clapping by the time they are 9-months-old. Sing some nursery rhymes and clap along. Encourage her to clap to the rhythm. This helps toddlers develop control of their muscles and hand-eye coordination. It also helps them to learn about rhythms.

6. Water Play

Bath time activity can be a great learning experience for the baby. When you talk to your baby, it helps in the little one’s language development. Your baby playing with the bubbles can help her develop hand-eye coordination. Your little one having fun while squeezing the water from a sponge or splashing water is a great way to develop her social-emotional skills etc. It is a time when, apart from touch, a baby’s other senses also get activated.

7. Strolling on a Stroller

This is one of the best outdoor activities for a 9-month-old. Take your baby for strolls. It can be a stroll at the park, a stroll to the nearest supermarket to fetch groceries, or just along the road. Let her watch people walking by, children playing, dogs barking etc. Let her just explore the play equipment in a park. You can also sit on a swing or slide down a slide with your baby in the lap. These “outside” experiences will help to stimulate her multi-sensory faculties.

8. Sand Play

Now that your baby can sit all by herself, make her sit in a sand pit and play with the sand. Let her pull out a small shovel, check out the small buckets, spades etc. It is a great activity to develop your baby’s fine mother skills. However, be cautious enough not to allow sand to get into your little one’s eyes.

9. Treasure Basket

In a basket or a box (the size should be such that your baby should be able to sit and see the things inside the basket/box), put a wide range of things. Some may be natural items like fruits or vegetables, while some may be man-made (non-toxic). The things should be of different colours, textures, shapes, and sizes. The things need not be expensive, but something found in and around the house, in the garden, beach, park etc. Encourage her to pick up something, explore the basket by examining the things in it, putting them in her mouth, feeling the texture, banging them against other objects or on the floor etc. This is a great activity to stimulate the baby’s senses and also develop the different skills like fine motor, cognitive and gross motor.

10.Reading

Toddlers may benefit from picture reading books. These books have more of pictures and less of writing. Try and modulate your voice a bit while reading it out to your baby. Children who start reading early in life (even if it is picture reading books), develop a love for reading and inculcate a habit of reading, both of which are great qualities!

11. Stacking Blocks

Get some large soft blocks for your 9-month-old baby and encourage them to stack them up. This activity helps in developing their hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and fine motor skills. You can also sing a counting song to add a fun element to it.

12. Play with Play Dough

Get a non-toxic play dough and let your baby squish and squish it. This activity helps in developing their fine motor skills and hand strength. You can also make different shapes and let them try to imitate you.

13. Balloon Pop

Blow up some balloons and let your baby try to pop them. This is a fun activity that helps in developing their hand-eye coordination and reaction time. You can also play a game where you throw the balloons up in the air and let them try to catch it.

14. Peek-a-Boo

This classic game is a great way to develop your baby’s social and emotional skills. Play peek-a-boo by hiding behind a pillow or blanket and popping out to say “Boo!”. Your baby will love this game and also learn about object permanence.

15. Music Time

Introduce your baby to different types of music by playing different genres of music and dancing along with them. This activity helps in developing their auditory skills and also teaches them about different types of music and beats. You can also try playing instruments like shakers and drums to add an extra fun element.

Consideration For 9 Month Old Activities While Travelling

1. Pack for Playtime

Don’t forget to pack some of your baby’s favourite learning toys, such as stacking blocks, play dough, and balloons. This will keep them entertained and engaged during travel, while also promoting their development.

2. Take Advantage of Your Surroundings

Look for opportunities to engage your 9-month-old in outdoor activities, such as playing peek-a-boo in the park or going for a walk. Make the most of your surroundings and let your little one explore and learn in a new environment.

3. Keep the Beat Going 

Music time doesn’t have to end just because you’re on the go. Pack some musical instruments, like shakers and drums, and let your baby enjoy making music wherever you go. Who knows, you might even discover a future musician in the making!

Tips to Consider

• Make sure she has interest in the activity. If she shows disinterest, do not force your baby to participate in it. Instead, try doing something else that she may enjoy.
• Make sure that the toys or objects used in the activities are non-toxic.
• Do not leave her unattended, even for a second during an activity. Always be alert. A little carelessness on your part could result in (god forbid!) harming your little one. For instance, during sand play, sand may get into her eyes if you are not careful or she may swallow something which she should not.
• In case of activities where she may have to move around, she may hurt herself by knocking herself against a wall or by falling down, so make sure to keep an eye on her.
• Keep her barefoot always. It helps her to maintain the correct posture while learning to walk. Moreover, 9-month-olds’ feet have higher tactile sensory processing, which plays a big role in their neurological development. In case it is too cold, you could make her wear anti-skid socks, which will spare her from skidding or falling down while moving around.

From exploring textures to playing with different sounds, these 15 best activities will not only help your little one’s development, but also provide a fun and engaging experience for both you and your baby. Especially when it comes to 9 month old sensory activities, the options are endless! So get ready to have some sensory playtime with these 9 month old sensory activities to engage your little one and watch as they grow and thrive

FAQ

Why Reading is The Best Activity For 9 Month Old?

Reading is a great activity for 9-month-olds because it’s fun and interactive, while also providing important stimulation for their developing minds. Reading books with bright colors, different textures, and fun sounds help engage their senses, making it a great sensory activity. Plus, it’s a bonding experience for you and your little one, and who doesn’t love some quality one-on-one time with their baby? So, snuggle up with a good book and let the learning begin!

Every baby grows at her own pace. Children developing new skills need lots of practice, so each activity can be done over and over again. You need not buy fancy toys for these fun activities. All you need is a lot of patience and the zeal to help your child develop the essential skills.

Also Read:

9 Months Old Baby Developmental Milestones
9 Months Old Baby Food Ideas