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The minute your baby enters the world, time suddenly speeds up. That first year may seem to crawl by when it's 2:00 a.m. in the morning and you're trying to get your little one to sleep already. But believe me, next thing you know, you'll be celebrating their first birthday and wondering what just happened.
So, here are 30 things you should do with your baby in that first year. We've got your essential baby bucket list!
- Blow bubbles for the very first time.
- Learn to sing a lullaby.
- Capture your baby's footprints in ink or plaster.
- Record the sound of your baby laughing.
- Share a bath.
- Introduce your baby to a very mellow cat or dog.
- Write down every major milestone in a baby book or journal.
- Push your baby in a swing (but only after they have head control).
- Play monkey-see-monkey-do: Copy your baby's expressions and sounds back at him/her.
- Blow the seeds off a dandelion blossom.
- Put together a simple puzzle.
- Explore every safe inch of your home together.
- Take a photo of your baby asleep on your spouse's shoulder.
- Read your favorite childhood books.
- Let your baby fall asleep on your shoulder.
- Play peek-a-boo.
- Bounce your baby on your knee and sing "Ride a Horse to Banbury Cross" or whatever other related nursery rhyme you can think of.
- Introduce your baby to all his or her parts: Nose, toes, elbows, eyes.
- Show your baby pictures of far-flung or long-gone relatives.
- Play "This Little Piggy."
- Play some simple musical instruments.
- Introduce your baby to another baby.
- Introduce your baby to an elderly person.
- Show your baby his or her reflection in a mirror.
- Count things.
- Touch snow.
- Make loud raspberries on your baby's belly.
- Spend an afternoon lying on your backs and staring up at the clouds or the tops of trees.
- Play with a pile of yarn.
- Say "I love you."
What else would you add to this baby bucket list?
