Infant Playtime with Scarves
Playtime can often be exciting, but it is important to have calmer ways to play too. You can use scarves for both types of play. If your baby has a lot of energy, play with the scarves with lots of movement. If your child is just waking up or getting tired, play with the scarves more gently.
- Audience
- Caregiver
- Subject
- Open-Ended Play
- Age
- Infant
- Languages
- EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish
- Materials
- Scarves, paper towels, pillow Cases, small Hand Towels
Play is a natural way to support the parent-child bond. Try engaging your infant in playtime with scarves!
Get ready
Sit on the floor and smile. Wave a scarf gently in front of your baby and say, “Scarf!” Drop the scarf to the floor to start playing. When your baby looks at you or the scarf, it is time to play!
Try this!
Scarf toss
Throw a scarf up in the air. Say, “So high!” Watch as it floats to the floor. “Down, down, down.” Throw it up again. If it falls on your head or your baby’s head, take the scarf off and smile. “So silly!”
Peek-a-boo!
Hold a scarf in front of your face. Then uncover your face or let your child pull the scarf away. Act surprised and say, “Peek-a-boo!” Do it again, but this time peek out from the side of the scarf. As your baby gets older, let them hide from you.
Scarf dance
Sing a song or play music on your phone. Wave and twirl one scarf in front of your baby to the music. Give another scarf to your baby. Do they hold it and flap their arms, like they are dancing? Pick your baby up and dance with the scarves together!
Safety tip!Playtime with scarves can only happen when you and your baby are playing together.
Do you want more scarves ? Use paper towels, pillow cases, or small hand towels.
While you play…
Watch carefully. What does your baby like to look at or do? Maybe they like watching the scarf float to the ground? Or maybe they like rubbing it gently on their cheek? What makes them smile or giggle?
Practice together. Your baby will move the scarf around in different ways. Say, “up” when they wave it up. Say, “down” when they wave it down. Say aloud what your baby is doing so they can hear the words you use.
Say, “Yay!” Is your baby surprised when you play peek-a-boo? Be excited with them. Say, “You found me!” Did your baby grab a scarf that dropped on them? Say, “Yay! You got it!” to share their joy.
Related Resources
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